Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Culebra & Vieques
POP 11,100
Includes »
Why Go?
Separated from mainland Puerto Rico by a 7-mile stretch of choppy ocean, the two be-
jeweled Caribbean havens of Culebra and Vieques have sizable populations of American
expats and maverick locals and are noticeably slower and more easygoing than their main-
island counterpart.
Disembark for a few days and you'll uncover a wealth of surprises: wild horses in
Vieques, endangered turtles in Culebra - and people of rare courage, many of whom were
instrumental in the fight to reclaim their prized islands from the US Navy in 1975 (Culebra)
and 2003 (Vieques) after more than 50 years of military occupation.
The main drawcard for contemporary visitors is the unsullied beaches - Vieques and Cul-
ebra protect some of the best arcs of sand in the Caribbean - and the unblemished coun-
tryside, which glimmers invitingly with nary a golf course or casino to break the natural
vista.
When to Go
September and October can be pretty slow on the islands, with many restaurants taking a
break or cutting back their hours. But it's also a good time to find lodging discounts and
have less company on the island ferries.
The best viewing of the bioluminescent bay in Vieques is during the new moon; some op-
erators don't go out when it's full. From April through June, wildlife fans can volunteer for
a turtle-egg protection project on Culebra.
The famous Caribbean trade winds gently buffet these two islands, but it is still hot, hot,
hot just about every day of the year.
Best Places to Eat
» Susie's (
Click here
)
