Experience Vieques Island

Overview

The splendid tropical island of Vieques is nestled off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, dubbed as ‘la Isla Nena’ or ‘Little Girl Island’ by Luis Llorens Torres a Puerto Rican poet who alluded to its perception as Puerto Rico’s little sister. It is home to breathtaking secluded beaches, wild horses, a pristine wildlife refuge, and the world’s largest Bioluminescent Bay (Mosquito Bay). The island holds true to its past and remains like the Caribbean of the past, with its peaceful shoreline, 19th-century Spanish for Fuerte de Vieques, and unparalleled natural beauty. 

Vieques is a spectacular place to experience pure tropical bliss with dozens of deserted beach coves, astonishing scenery, and laid-back experiences that make it an unforgettable vacation destination. There is plenty of adventure to be had both onshore and offshore on the island with world-class scuba diving sites in the crystal clear waters, tours of the bioluminescent bay, as well as hiking, biking, and horseback riding in the island’s verdant interior. 

Things to see and do

Take a walk around Esperanza, a quaint fishing village and one of the main towns on the island where you can find a few shops, and restaurants. Wander down the Esperanza Malecon (boardwalk) brimming with restaurants boasting oceanfront views, this is also a popular place to sit back and watch a mesmerizing sunset in Vieques. 

Head to the Beach!! Esperanza Beach and Sun Bay Beach, are both isolated beaches boasting soft white sands and tranquil turquoise waters. Spend the day sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, or kayaking. 

Head out to Mosquito Bay, the world-famous bioluminescent bay of Vieques, one of the most spectacular, largest, and brightest of its kind in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The bay boasts almost a million dinoflagellates per gallon, these light up the waters with a blue-green glow when stimulated. There are several opportunities to experience this magical natural wonder, including boat tours, clear-bottom canoes, and kayaking trips that head out to the bay. These microorganisms are best seen during a new moon.

Wild horses roam free around the farms, mountains, and towns in Puerto Rico. Go horseback riding, it is a fantastic experience and a great way to see the island from a different perspective. There are many companies throughout the island offering guided tours on horseback. There are rides offered through the forest and also along the beach during the day or at sunset.

Go snorkeling!! Punta Arenas, Blue Beach, and Playa Pata Prieta offer great snorkeling opportunities. There are also several guided trips to different snorkeling spots on the island, one includes Mosquito Pier, which is a mile-long fishing pier where turtles are frequently seen. The waters here are amazing, so clear and so blue, brimming with marine life and vibrant coral reefs.

Visit Fortin Conde de Mirasol which is the last fort built by the Spanish in the Americas, it is the largest and most important historic monument in Vieques. The fort houses a museum with information about the island's history and information about the sugarcane industry the island was once famous for. The fort is a beautifully restored colonial mansion perched on a hill that overlooks the Atlantic, the outdoor area showcases part of teh walls built to protect the island along with some of the best scenic views. 

Go hiking! Cayo de Tierra is nestled between Esperanza Beach and Sun Beach, a tiny little cay attached by a sandbar on the southeastern coast. Walk along the thin strip of sand, stones, and seaweed to reach the little island and explore to find some neat shells and coral pieces.

Visit the National Wildlife Refugewhich offers several hiking trails and has been incredibly restored since the U.S. Navy used the area as a training ground and bomb testing zone. The park leads to numerous hidden beaches, thick verdant forests, and dirt roads dotted with flora and fauna.

Check out the 300-year-old ceiba tree, sacred to the native Taino inhabitants with an incredible root system, it is a must-see when visiting the island and a great backdrop for pictures or a place to relax under the shade of the tree.

Rent a bicycle and take a journey around the island to some of the spectacular scenic places on Vieques. Stop to discover hidden beaches, historic military ruins, breathtaking lookouts, and fantastic food trucks.

Go on a sailing trip around the island, sailing is a wonderful experience and allows passengers the ability to soak up and appreciate the beauty of Vieques from the waters. There are many sailing charters and tour guides available to take you out on the water for some sightseeing.

Visit the beautiful Punta Mulas lighthouse standing tall and proud on a hill north of Isabel Segunda on the island. Established in 1895 and restored in 1992 visitors can enjoy the breathtaking vistas from the lighthouse, wander the verdant landscaped grounds decorated with a colorful garden, and explore the onsite museum with exhibits of artifacts and photos of the history of Vieques.

Head into the charming town of Isabel Segundo, a quaint colorful historic neighborhood with a stunning central plaza surrounded by the city hall and a catholic church. The plaza is a gathering place from dusk till dawn and the host of many events and festivities. The ferry terminal is located here along with the main shopping district on the island, browse the unique shops, stop into the delicious bakeries, and dine at one of the wonderful restaurants.

Beaches

Vieques is blessed with many astonishing beaches, they are ranked among the best in the Caribbean and constantly praised for their outstanding beauty. Many are untouched by mankind and free of development making them very unique and offering beachgoers an exotic isolated escape. Soft white sand, beautiful blue azure waters, and verdant surrounding landscapes give the beaches their own vibe and alluring appeal. 

Esperanza Beach is easily accessible due to its convenient location along the main beach road which is brimming with hotels, cafes, restaurants, shops, and bars. It is a nice clean beach great for sunbathing and relaxing with clear waters for swimming, snorkeling, and many water sports. 

Playa Caracas also known as Red Beach is located near the entrance to the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge and is popular for many reasons. This beautiful clean white sand beach is nestled into a protected cove with mesmerizing tropical blue waters. There are covered picnic tables available, and plenty of parking.  

Pata Prieta also known as Secret Beach is nestled in a cove just beyond Playa Caracas it offers clear, shallow waters great for swimmers and snorkelers who can spot an abundance of marine life with vibrant coral reefs, colorful tropical fish, and manta rays. 

Playa La Chiva also known as Blue Beach is ranked as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, and one of the most beautiful on the island. Blanketed with diamond dust sand, and ever-changing blue waters it is located inside the wildlife refuge, lined with swaying palms and backed by verdant vegetation. There are a few gazebos on site. 

Black Sand Beach or Playa Negra offers beachgoers a dramatically different landscape with its iconic, and unique black sand. The waters are still turquoise and provide quite a contrast against the black sand. Teh beach is surrounded by golden cliffs, and driftwood which create an extraordinary visual. The beach stretches for 2 miles.

Cuisine

The island offers a unique blend of classic Puerto Rican fare, freshly caught seafood, and fish, farm-to-table fare, and many other cuisines including Mexican. The main dining opportunities can be found in Esperanza and Isabella Segunda the island's two main towns with casual and beachside choices. There are food trucks found all over the island, many found at the north end of the island in Vieques Food Park and the parking lot of Esperanza Beach.

Food is a very important part of Puerto Rico’s culture blending elements of Spanish, African, and native Taino cuisine into delicious dishes full of flavor. Some of the staple dishes to try on the island include mofongo; deep-fried green plantains, and tostones; double deep-fried plantain wheels, and lechon asado; a slow spit-roasted* pork dish with mouthwatering meat and crispy skin which has been declared a Puerto Rican culinary legacy.

Nightlife

There are not many nightlife options on the sleepy island of Vieques, most bars and restaurants are located in the two main towns and there are plenty of beachfront restaurants to capture a stunning sunset and sip on tropical cocktails. The biggest and most popular nightlife opportunities on the island are Mosquito Bay`s bioluminescent bay which can best be viewed during a new moon.