GENERAL INFORMATION
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 itself is located 1000 miles southeast of Miami, Florida and
2 1/2 hour flight.
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, 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, Cingular, now AT&T, seems to have the widest coverage
in Vieques.
New 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. Rain 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 downtown.
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 pharmacies 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; and Isla Nena Pharmacy on the main street across from the bank, 787
741-1906.. 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 and labor and delivery service.
WEATHER IN VIEQUES
Click weather for more information or call 787 253-4586 for a current weather report.
HOW TO GET TO VIEQUES
1. FROM SAN JUAN
You can take a 25 min flight to Vieques from San Juan International Airport for about $165
round trip.
You can also fly to Vieques from San Juan Isla Grande airport with Vieques Air Link or
MSN for about $90 round trip. A Taxi to San Juan Isla Grande from the San Juan International
airport is about $20. You can save a couple of bucks going this way if there are two or more
people traveling.
2. FROM FAJARDO
You can get to Vieques from the town of Fajardo by boat or plane. (Fajardo is about 1 hr
drive from San Juan International Airport). The boat costs $4 round trip for a 1 hr 15 min ride.
The ferry port is located on Road 195, in sector Puerto Real. The flight from Fajardo to
Vieques costs about $42 round trip for a 10 min flight.
1. TO GET TO FAJARDO
1. Take a Taxi to Fajardo.
A taxi from San Juan International Airport to Fajardo will cost now $80. The
maximum of people in a taxi is 5 in a car and 7 in a van, the first 5 are included on the $80 fee,
any extra passengers pay $10 each. In addition, the first 3 pieces of luggage pay $0.50 each,
any additional pays $1.00 each. When you get to the airport at San Juan, check with Ground
Transportation Dispatchers and get the actual fee in a receipt. The taxis at the airport and the
tourist zones in San Juan are called Taxis Turisticos and their rates are fixed when traveling
to/from the International Airport or the Piers in Old San Juan. Anywhere else the rates are
metered. For more information check with Jose J. Santana at www.taxituristico.com . Prices
are subject to change.
2. Rent a one way car.
Most companies will pick you up at the San Juan International airport, you drive to
their Fajardo branch, and they take you to the Fajardo airport or port. Or you can do this in
reverse. Some seasoned travelers recommend flying to Vieques and on the way back driving
and stopping at El Yunque, the only tropical forest in the U.S. National Forest System.
Leaseway will rent you a one way car for $35 to $70 (minivan) in high season or $26
to $60 in low season, plus insurance $10-$12, and a drop charge of $25. Phone
1-800-468-2647, in San Juan at (787) 791-5900, in Fajardo at (787) 860-5000 or email them at
leaseway@caribe.net. The Fajardo branch does not open on Sundays.
L&M has branches in Fajardo and San Juan and operates 7 days a week and have
great service. Fajardo 787 860-6868.
World Car Rental operates in the Fajardo area only. (787) 863-9696 or 860-4808, fax
860-9001. They have an office at the Fajardo airport and another at the Fajardo harbor. Very
convenient. Rates are $35-45 per day for an economy car. Prices depend on the model year.
3. Use the public car system.
The public transportation system most used in Puerto Rico is locally called "carros
publicos" (public cars). These are vans that can carry about 12-15 passengers and are set
on specific routes. The whole trip from the airport to Fajardo including the taxi will cost about
$26 per person. It takes much longer but if you are in a tight budget this is an option. You have
to start in the morning any day except Sunday. Give yourself at least 4 hours to make sure
you get to Fajardo on time. First, take a taxi from the airport to the town of Rio Piedras (about
$20), ask the driver to take you to the Rio Piedras central public car station and to leave you
at the station for the cars going to Fajardo "playa" (beach). These cars will take you directly
to the Fajardo ferry boats or to the Fajardo airport. If the Fajardo playa cars are already gone
(they leave the terminal about 1 pm), you can still take the cars on the regular Fajardo
downtown public car station route. Unless the driver agrees to take you all the way to the
airport or port (they are not supposed to do it) you will end at the Fajardo station where you
will take another public car to the airport or ferry. The whole trip in public car from Rio
Piedras costs about $5-6 per person.
1. FROM ST.CROIX, ST.THOMAS, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
You can fly to Vieques from the U.S. or the British Virgin Islands. Check the airlines below.
TRANSPORTATION FROM PUERTO RICO:
1.VIEQUES AIRLINES
VIEQUES AIR LINK; CAPE AIR
OTHER VIEQUES AIRLINES
1. SEA FERRY SCHEDULE
VIEQUES FERRY PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION
Reservations are not taken for passengers. Passenger fee is $2.00/person one way.
VIEQUES FERRY PASSENGER SCHEDULE FAJARDO-VIEQUES
Monday to Friday
Departs Vieques Departs Fajardo
6:30 AM 9:30 AM
11:00 AM 1:00 PM
3:00 PM 4:30 PM
6:30 PM 8:00 PM
Saturday, Sunday and holiday Mondays
Departs Vieques Departs Fajardo
6:30 AM 9:00 AM
1:00 PM 3:00 PM
4:30 PM 6:00 PM
VIEQUES FERRY CARS/CARGO TRANSPORTATION
One way car transportation fee for a small car is $15, for a medium size car or truck is $19
(this fee includes the drivers ticket). Passengers pay the $2/person fee in addition to the car
fee. For Cargo reservations call at least two weeks in advance from 8 AM to 11 AM and from
1 PM to 3PM:
* Vieques (787) 741-4761/0233
* Fajardo (787) 863-0705/0852/3360 or 1-800 981-2005
* Culebra (787) 741-3161
CARGO SCHEDULE FAJARDO-VIEQUES Note there is no cargo ferry on weekends. The ferry
might leave earlier if all reservations are in and the boat is full.
MON TO FRI ONLY, NOT ON HOLIDAYS
Departs Vieques Departs Fajardo
6:00 AM 4:00 AM
1:00 PM 9:30 AM
6:00 PM 4:30 PM
There is a cargo trip on Saturdays but they will sell you only a round trip ticket departing at
6:00 am from Vieques and returning at 4:30 pm from Fajardo. Call the numbers above for
more information.
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 itself is located 1000 miles southeast of Miami, Florida and
2 1/2 hour flight.
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, 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, Cingular, now AT&T, seems to have the widest coverage
in Vieques.
New 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. Rain 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 downtown.
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 pharmacies 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; and Isla Nena Pharmacy on the main street across from the bank, 787
741-1906.. 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 and labor and delivery service.
WEATHER IN VIEQUES
Click weather for more information or call 787 253-4586 for a current weather report.
HOW TO GET TO VIEQUES
1. FROM SAN JUAN
You can take a 25 min flight to Vieques from San Juan International Airport for about $165
round trip.
You can also fly to Vieques from San Juan Isla Grande airport with Vieques Air Link or
MSN for about $90 round trip. A Taxi to San Juan Isla Grande from the San Juan International
airport is about $20. You can save a couple of bucks going this way if there are two or more
people traveling.
2. FROM FAJARDO
You can get to Vieques from the town of Fajardo by boat or plane. (Fajardo is about 1 hr
drive from San Juan International Airport). The boat costs $4 round trip for a 1 hr 15 min ride.
The ferry port is located on Road 195, in sector Puerto Real. The flight from Fajardo to
Vieques costs about $42 round trip for a 10 min flight.
1. TO GET TO FAJARDO
1. Take a Taxi to Fajardo.
A taxi from San Juan International Airport to Fajardo will cost now $80. The
maximum of people in a taxi is 5 in a car and 7 in a van, the first 5 are included on the $80 fee,
any extra passengers pay $10 each. In addition, the first 3 pieces of luggage pay $0.50 each,
any additional pays $1.00 each. When you get to the airport at San Juan, check with Ground
Transportation Dispatchers and get the actual fee in a receipt. The taxis at the airport and the
tourist zones in San Juan are called Taxis Turisticos and their rates are fixed when traveling
to/from the International Airport or the Piers in Old San Juan. Anywhere else the rates are
metered. For more information check with Jose J. Santana at www.taxituristico.com . Prices
are subject to change.
2. Rent a one way car.
Most companies will pick you up at the San Juan International airport, you drive to
their Fajardo branch, and they take you to the Fajardo airport or port. Or you can do this in
reverse. Some seasoned travelers recommend flying to Vieques and on the way back driving
and stopping at El Yunque, the only tropical forest in the U.S. National Forest System.
Leaseway will rent you a one way car for $35 to $70 (minivan) in high season or $26
to $60 in low season, plus insurance $10-$12, and a drop charge of $25. Phone
1-800-468-2647, in San Juan at (787) 791-5900, in Fajardo at (787) 860-5000 or email them at
leaseway@caribe.net. The Fajardo branch does not open on Sundays.
L&M has branches in Fajardo and San Juan and operates 7 days a week and have
great service. Fajardo 787 860-6868.
World Car Rental operates in the Fajardo area only. (787) 863-9696 or 860-4808, fax
860-9001. They have an office at the Fajardo airport and another at the Fajardo harbor. Very
convenient. Rates are $35-45 per day for an economy car. Prices depend on the model year.
3. Use the public car system.
The public transportation system most used in Puerto Rico is locally called "carros
publicos" (public cars). These are vans that can carry about 12-15 passengers and are set
on specific routes. The whole trip from the airport to Fajardo including the taxi will cost about
$26 per person. It takes much longer but if you are in a tight budget this is an option. You have
to start in the morning any day except Sunday. Give yourself at least 4 hours to make sure
you get to Fajardo on time. First, take a taxi from the airport to the town of Rio Piedras (about
$20), ask the driver to take you to the Rio Piedras central public car station and to leave you
at the station for the cars going to Fajardo "playa" (beach). These cars will take you directly
to the Fajardo ferry boats or to the Fajardo airport. If the Fajardo playa cars are already gone
(they leave the terminal about 1 pm), you can still take the cars on the regular Fajardo
downtown public car station route. Unless the driver agrees to take you all the way to the
airport or port (they are not supposed to do it) you will end at the Fajardo station where you
will take another public car to the airport or ferry. The whole trip in public car from Rio
Piedras costs about $5-6 per person.
1. FROM ST.CROIX, ST.THOMAS, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
You can fly to Vieques from the U.S. or the British Virgin Islands. Check the airlines below.
TRANSPORTATION FROM PUERTO RICO:
1.VIEQUES AIRLINES
VIEQUES AIR LINK; CAPE AIR
OTHER VIEQUES AIRLINES
1. SEA FERRY SCHEDULE
VIEQUES FERRY PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION
Reservations are not taken for passengers. Passenger fee is $2.00/person one way.
VIEQUES FERRY PASSENGER SCHEDULE FAJARDO-VIEQUES
Monday to Friday
Departs Vieques Departs Fajardo
6:30 AM 9:30 AM
11:00 AM 1:00 PM
3:00 PM 4:30 PM
6:30 PM 8:00 PM
Saturday, Sunday and holiday Mondays
Departs Vieques Departs Fajardo
6:30 AM 9:00 AM
1:00 PM 3:00 PM
4:30 PM 6:00 PM
VIEQUES FERRY CARS/CARGO TRANSPORTATION
One way car transportation fee for a small car is $15, for a medium size car or truck is $19
(this fee includes the drivers ticket). Passengers pay the $2/person fee in addition to the car
fee. For Cargo reservations call at least two weeks in advance from 8 AM to 11 AM and from
1 PM to 3PM:
* Vieques (787) 741-4761/0233
* Fajardo (787) 863-0705/0852/3360 or 1-800 981-2005
* Culebra (787) 741-3161
CARGO SCHEDULE FAJARDO-VIEQUES Note there is no cargo ferry on weekends. The ferry
might leave earlier if all reservations are in and the boat is full.
MON TO FRI ONLY, NOT ON HOLIDAYS
Departs Vieques Departs Fajardo
6:00 AM 4:00 AM
1:00 PM 9:30 AM
6:00 PM 4:30 PM
There is a cargo trip on Saturdays but they will sell you only a round trip ticket departing at
6:00 am from Vieques and returning at 4:30 pm from Fajardo. Call the numbers above for
more information.
About Vieques
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| CALL US TODAY!! 787 909-9685 |
