Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Vieques
Vieques is the largest of the 24 isles and islets comprising the Spanish Virgin
Islands, just off the east coast of Puerto Rico. Culturally and politically part
of Puerto Rico, this tropical paradise moves to its own lackadaisical pace,
drawing tourists seeking off-the-beaten-track charm. Hotels here are small-
scale and trendy, and all-inclusive resorts are entirely absent. Vieques Wildlife
Refuge offers nature-lovers plenty of thrills, not least as a nesting site for
marine turtles. Much of the island is off-limits, following five decades in
which it was a bombing range for the US Navy. However, its beaches are
among the most gorgeous in Puerto Rico.
Top 10 Features
1 Esperanza
2 Isabel Segunda
3 Fort Conde Mirasol
and Vieques Art &
History Museum
4 Bahía de Fosforescente
5 Vieques Wildlife Refuge
6 Green Beach
7 Blue Beach
8 Siddhia Hutchinson Art Gallery
9 Scuba Diving
0 Laguna Kiani
Laguna Kiani mangroves
A great way to
explore the island is
by bicycle. Rent a
bike from Vieques
Adventure Company
(see p105)
, or join a
guided cycling tour.
!
Esperanza
While exploring
Isabel Segunda,
break for lunch at
Bravo Beach Hotel
(bbh) for the best of
fine dining with a
view
(see p99).
This former sugar port,
now a sleepy hamlet, over-
looks a scenic bay that is
popular with yachters
(main
image)
. Its scrub-covered,
shorefront hills are home
to several boutique hotels.
• Map N4-R4
• Vieques Art & History
Museum: Calle Magnolia
471, Isabel Segunda:
787 741 1717; open
9:30am-5:30pm
Wed-Sun
• Vieques Wildlife
Refuge: 787 741 2138;
open 6am-dark; www.
fws.gov/caribbean/
refuges/vieques
• Siddhia Hutchinson
Art Gallery: Calle 3,
Isabel Segunda:
787 741 8780;
open 9am-3pm
@
Isabel Segunda
Most of the isle's
9,000 or so people
live in this small
town, which remains
charmingly old world
and has little traffic.
The town's lighthouse
(left),
built in 1896,
adds to its charm.
Fort Conde Mirasol
and Vieques Art &
History Museum
This hilltop fort, built in the 1840s,
was the last Spanish fort con-
structed in the Americas. It now
houses the Vieques Art & History
Museum, which has displays from
pre-Columbian times through the
island's colonial years
(right)
.
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