Read an excerpt
from
the 2000 article that
"started it all".
Welcome to the Vieques Travel Guide
Everything you need to know about vacation
rentals, lodging, transportation, and activities in Vieques,
in order to make your visit a more enjoyable experience is one www.Enchanted-Isle.Com.
Over the years Vieques has become more and more popular as a travel destination.
It is easily accessible from San Juan by both small plane and ferry. It is a
short flight or boat ride, unlike many of the more remote Caribbean
destinations, and offers peace, quiet, and a casual ambience, which is a welcome
change to many. The cares of the day just wash away, when you settle in in
Vieques. The difficult part is having to leave.
Our Information page
will give you an overview of what's available for Vieques hotels, Vieques guesthouses, and
private Vieques vacation and Villa rentals, and also where to go for Vieques car rentals to get around. If you want to
know how to get to Vieques from San Juan, we have that too. What's available in the
Vieques Supermarkets? Yep! Vieques Diving, Vieques snorkeling, Vieques kayaking, and
Vieques shopping, we have that too. It's all right here and up to date on
Enchanted Isle.
"Isla del Encanto" in Spanish, she is even more beautiful than her name
describes. Vieques is located off the east coast of Puerto
Rico, Vieques is the largest of the Spanish Virgin Islands. It is one of the Caribbean's "Best Kept Secrets"!
Vieques has become one of the premiere Caribbean wedding destinations,
because of our beaches, accessibility, and the wonderful food available from our
chefs and caterers. From "lechón asado" to Nuevo
Latino cuisine, Vieques has been written up in
Puerto Rico and the US for its quality cuisine. The island has several
wedding planners
who will help take care of all the details so you can enjoy your special day.
This quaint little stop,
Vieques is easily accessible from San
Juan by small commuter airlines. Vieques is also available by
ferry from
Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
There are many
Vieques guesthouses, Vieques hotels, and Vieques rental properties available to the traveler,
but, as with any warm spot in the cold weather, you should make
reservations before you arrive. Through the links on the
left or our from our
Vieques hotels page or
Vieques vacation
rentals page.
The pristine beauty of Vieques is readily apparent
from the time you first see her on your initial air or sea approach.
There is an abundance of white sand and sun, and a year round
temperature that rarely drops below 78°. The island dress is casual
and most of the restaurants are open-air. There are local car rentals
available, but you needn't feel restricted without one, as there are
Publicos (taxis), scooters and bicycles available as well.
There are numerous things to do, but not toooo
many. The main activity is the beach. There are many and they're all
wonderful. Some are great for snorkeling, some for body surfing and
they're all just right for relaxing. There arenumerous
SCUBA Tour companies
in Vieques. <more on the
Vieques
beaches>
There have been a lot of Vieques Weddings over
the past few years, and many of the Vieques hotels offer packages and event planning to
make your life easier. Also, there are Vieques Event
Planners, Vieques Photographers, and more available on Vieques island.
Vieques is the home of El Fortin Condé
de Mirasól, the last Spanish Fort built in the New
World. It has been totally restored and is now a museum.
Learn about Vieques
history.. Or you
could visit the Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust museum or one of
our local Art Galleries.
Oh Yes, there's shopping. The shops
range from Caribbean
made clothing, local handmade pottery and jewelry to paintings,
T-shirts, and hot sauces.
If that's not enough, there's also one of the last
remaining and the most spectacular
Vieques Bio-Luminescent
Bays in the World to tour and
swim in.
But mostly you can just relax and leave your cellular
phone at home. No fast food here. Everything is done at a leisurely
pace. Please don't rush, but do enjoy.
Vieques Lodging ranges from basic to luxurious. Some have
air-conditioning, but most are cooled by the trade winds and ceiling
fans. Prices range from about $70 - $350. There are also
house &
Villa rentals
available with some spectacular views.
Fine cuisine has come to Vieques and there are many
new spots to try. Vieques was written up in the San Juan Star
as having some of the finest dining experiences in all of Puerto Rico. There are also many excellent Vieques
restaurants which serve the local seafood, which is a must to sample. Of course,
you can find a "Cheeseburger in Paradise", and there are many excellent vegetarian dishes served at most
establishments. The pace is leisurely and remember, there is no fast
food here. You're on vacation; slow down to Island Time. [Vieques Restaurants]
Many travelers also ask
"What's available on Vieques
island for food, and do I have to bring it with me?"
Look <HERE>
for your answers!
While in Vieques, remember you are visiting a very
"old world" Spanish island where modesty in public is the
norm, so Cover up! in town and on the street and leave the bikinis for the beaches.
The U.S. Navy left Vieques on May 1, 2003. The
land they left behind was turned over to the U.S. Interior Department, and it is
now managed under the direction of the US Fish and Wildlife Service as the
largest Wildlife Refuge in the Caribbean. An environmental cleanup is in
progress.
One last note*
: If you're a golfer - this is still not the
island for you. All we have is sand traps. And we do
have some of the finest sand traps in all of Puerto Rico. But, unless you want to commute
to Puerto Rico to play, you would probably be better situated at
accommodations near or on one of that island's thirteen magnificent
courses.