Vieques

Getting Here and Around

Isabel Segunda is the transportation hub of Vieques. The ferry drops off passengers at the town's dock, and propeller planes deposit passengers at Aeropuerto Antonio Rivera Rodríguez (VQS), which is a 10-minute cab ride from Isabel Segunda or a 15-minute taxi ride from Esperanza. Route 200 leads from the airport to Isabel Segunda, and Route 997 leads from Isabel Segunda to Esperanza. There's also a longer, more scenic route between the two towns: From Isabel Segunda, take Route 200 west to Route 201 south. After about 1 mi (1½ km), take Route 996 to Esperanza.

If you want to rent a car or gas up the one you already have, you need to make a trip to Isabel Segunda. Try Island Car Rental, Maritza Car Rental, or Martineau Car Rental.

You can flag down taxis on the street, but it's faster and safer to have your hotel call one for you. Either way, agree on how much the trip will cost before you get inside the taxi, as many drivers are prone to rip off tourists with exorbitant fares. If you plan to rent a car on Vieques or Culebra, make sure you reserve it in advance, especially when visiting during high season. The rental agencies have a limited number of vehicles, and when they are gone, you're out of luck.

Airport Information

Aeropuerto Antonio Rivera Rodríguez (Route 200, Km 2.6, Vieques, 00765. 787/741-0515.)

Car Rental

Vieques Car Rental. KM 1, Route 200, Monti Santo, Monti Santo, Vieques, 00765. 787/435-1323. viequescarrental.com.

Maritza's Car Rental. Rte. 201, Vieques, 00765. 787/741-0078. www.maritzascarrental.com.

Martineau Car Rental (Rte. 200, Km 3.4, Vieques, 00765. 787/741-0087. www.martineaucarrental.com.)

Avis—W Retreat and Spa. W Retreat & Spa, KM 3.2, Rte 200, Vieques. 787/741-4100. www.avis.com.

Ferry Terminal

Vieques Terminal. 787/741-5018. www.dtop.gov.pr.

Taxis

Lolo Felix Tours. Vieques, 00765. 787/485-5447.

Great Itineraries

If You Have 1 Day

If you are headed to one of the islands for an overnight excursion, your best bet is Vieques. Get here by plane, either from San Juan or Fajardo, to maximize your time on the island. Spend the day exploring the beaches, especially the half-moon-shaped Sun Bay. In the evening you can dine at one of the oceanfront restaurants in Esperanza, then head off for an excursion to Puerto Mosquito, a bay filled with glow-in-the-dark dinoflagellates. Spend the night in Esperanza or Isabel Segunda.

If You Have 3 Days

If you have a few days, you can see most of Vieques. Start your first day in Isabel Segunda, where you can take a few snapshots of El Faro Punta Mulas, and then explore the hilltop El Fortín Conde de Mirasol. Head off for an afternoon by the ocean, perhaps at Green Beach or one of the delightfully deserted beaches on the northern part of the island. Enjoy happy hour at Lazy Jack's, a favorite hangout for expats, in Esperanza. In the cool of the evening, have dinner in one of the chic eateries nearby. On your second day, go for an early morning mountain-bike ride in the western portion of Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, a swath of wilderness that was once a naval base. Head for lunch at El Resuelve, or pack a picnic and head off to Playa Media Luna or another of the beautiful beaches along the southern coast. After dinner, make sure to book a tour of Puerto Mosquito. Spend your third day kayaking, snorkeling, and/or fishing. In the evening, head to W Retreat & Spa for a spa treatment, cocktails, and fine dining.

If You Have 5 Days

If you have a few more days, you can see both Vieques and Culebra. head to Culebra on your fourth day. (A 10-minute flight between the islands is the only way to travel between them.) Your destination should be Playa Flamenco, a long, curving beach of talcum-white sands and turquoise waters. The mountains beyond make a striking backdrop. Dine that evening at Susie's in the only town, diminutive Dewey. On your last day, try snorkeling in Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre de Culebra, the island's lovely nature preserve. One of the best places is Isla Culebrita, an islet dominated by a deserted lighthouse.