Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Escondida & BahÃa de la Chiva
SECLUDED BEACHES
These south-shore beaches, which used to be on navy land, can be reached by entering the
Garcia Gate on Hwy 997. New signage makes it easy to find your way around, and the
road's paved east as far as Playa Caracas.
Calm and clear
PlayaCaracas
(Red Beach) is reached on a paved road and has gazebos
with picnic tables to shade bathers from the sun.
Garcia Beach
is lesser known and has
less shade, meaning that fewer people decamp here.
Playa Escondida
(Secret Beach) is
also in the vicinity. This deliciously deserted stretch of sand has absolutely no facilities -
just jaw-dropping beauty.
BahÃadelaChiva
(Blue Beach), at the east end of the former Camp Garcia road, is long
and open, and occasionally has rough surf. If you happen upon this beach during Semana
Santa (the Holy Week preceding Easter), you'll see hordes of faithful Catholics camping
on the beach, where they pray and party in honor of the death and resurrection of Jesus
Christ. There's good snorkeling here at an island just off the coast.
PlayaLaPlata
(Orchid
Beach), further eastward, is as far as you can go at present. This gorgeously secluded beach
has sand like icing sugar and a calm sea that seems to shimmer in a thousand different
shades of turquoise, cobalt and blue.
Playa El Gallito (Gringo Beach)
RESORT BEACH
The site of the chic new W resort, El Gallito has a great reef for snorkeling just 10yd off-
shore, but seas can be very rough here from December to March, when trade winds can
blow from the northeast.
Starfish Beach
FAMILY BEACH
On the north side of Laguna Kiani is the most wonderful beach on Vieques for children,
with gentle surf, crystal-clear waters and immense starfish to catch the eye lying all along
the shore. It's a really good place for families to relax, and perfect for teaching youngsters
the look-don't-touch approach to fragile ecosystems.
Green Beach & Punta Arenas
SECLUDED BEACH
Punta Arenas and Green Beach are excellent places for a quiet picnic, some family-friendly
snorkeling, and up-close views of the big island and El Yunque across the water. To get
here, pass through the former Naval Ammunitions Facility (NAF) Gate and head west for
about 20 minutes through pastoral landscapes and herds of wild horses. At the western tip
of the island, the road turns to dirt and you can park in the clearings.
