VIEQUES GENERAL INFORMATION

Note: The prices mentioned on this web site can be changed at any time and are included only as a guideline. Always check with the company in question for current prices.

Vieques Island is 55 square miles and has less than 10,000 inhabitants and not many visitors. The beaches are just gorgeous. The Island is about 21 miles long by 5 miles at its widest point and it is located between Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, just 6 miles from the south-east coast of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is located 1000 miles southeast of Miami, Florida and 2 1/2 hour flight.

Vieques is politically divided in Barrios, some of them are Isabel II, the capital city, Santa Maria, Monte Santo, Florida, Esperanza, and others. Esperanza has become popular in recent years because of the fishing tradition, the fight against the Navy by the local fishermen, and the boardwalk or malecon. There are several restaurants and inns along the malecon across the beach at Esperanza. In 2008, the Town Square (Plaza de Recreo or just Plaza) at Isabel II was remodeled and several exquisite restaurants have opened near the center of town. The beauty of the Plaza and the historical architecture of the buildings on which the restaurants are being opened are making Downtown Isabel II the place to go for a nice night time outing.

The currency is the U.S. dollar, major credit cards are accepted in most establishments. There is an ATM at the local bank in downtown Isabel II and one across the street at the local Coop, another one at  La Viequense Panaderia & Deli also in Downtown.

There is a 5.5% or 7% sales tax in Puerto Rico (depends on the Municipality), Vieques sales tax is 7%, and a 9% hotel tax, 11% if the hotel has a casino, 7% for paradores or short term rentals.

The postal service is U.S. Postal Service.

English is spoken by most locals (Spanish is the spoken language of choice although there are two official languages Spanish and English).

Most (if not all) cell phone companies operate on the island. The coverage is weak on the extreme east or west sides of the island because the population is located in the center and that's where the antennas are located too. The signals are weak on the beaches beyond Sun Bay in the south. In my experience AT&T, seems to have the widest coverage in Vieques.

For travel requirements for U.S. Citizens, see the U.S. Department of State web site. Passsport is not required for Americans traveling from the States to and from Puerto Rico but it is required for foreign nationals (for more information call the Puerto Rico Department of State at 787 722-2121).

The electrical current is the same as in the U.S., 110-220 volts, 60 Hz. The temperature does not fluctuate outside the 60-90 degrees.

The average temperature has been quoted by different sources to be 79 F (National Climatic Data Center, 1994) or 82 F from November to May  with an average beach temperature of 80 F in summer and 76 F in the winter (PR Tourism Company, Feb-Mar 2005). There are constant mild easterly trade winds. Raisn season is from August to November although it seldom rains continuously.

The time is Atlantic Standard Time (AST) all year. Daylight savings time is not observed. This is one hour later than U.S. Eastern Standard Time (EST) from October to April, and the same as Eastern Daylight Saving Time from April to October.

The legal age for drinking in Puerto Rico is 18. It is illegal to have an open alcohol container in the car. Seatbelts are required for all passengers and the police are in the lookout for that. Observe posted speed limits, specially around Isabel II.

The Police Station is in Downtown, 787 741-2020 or 787 741-2121, next to the Middle School. If you have an emergency of any type dial 911.

All health care facilities and a pharmacy are located in Downtown Isabel II, in the north side. Farmacia (pharmacy) San Antonio 787 741-839, on Calle Benitez Guzman across from the Tourism Office. The  local clinic, CDT Susana Centeno is on Road 997 close to the entrance to Isabel II. The clinic has a 24 hour emergency room service.