About Isla de Vieques, Puerto RicoOne of the "Spanish Virgin Islands"The island of Vieques has beautiful crystal waters, rich ocean life, lush tropical flora, and the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. Until recently, Viequenses only saw a few thousand visitors a year. The majority came from Puerto Ricofor a little escape from traffic and crowded towns.When you come to the island of Isla de Vieques you will easily find a spot you can call your own, where you can pass time doing nothing at all in a total embrace of the natural beauty of this island. At times you may not be so alone, little crabs will walk by, and pelicans will fly over to greet you and Paso Fino Horses will mesmerize you with their gaze. The residents of Isla de Vieques have a special love for this land, they fought a long battle for their land. For 62 years only about the middle quarter of the island was open for use by Viequenses. The eastern and western three quarters of the island were U.S. Navy Property, which they used for bombing practices. In 1999, a civilian was killed by a stray bomb from a fighter jet that missed its target. Viequenses began to protest in order to stop the Navý's military practices and get them out of the island. Finally, after years of protests, in May of 2003, the Navy departed. The residents of Vieques, finally were given back the chance to enjoy their island in peace and free of the contaminants that the bombings were putting in their air. Viequenses, along with the rest of the world can now re-discover the beauty and peacefulness of this little island of great beauty.
 Along with the peace after the Navy's departure, a number of issues have arisen for the residents of Vieques. The Navy was the main source of employment on the island, so the rate of unemployment has since inflated. Major residues of the Navy's bombing and practices are still evident according to protestors and the residents of Vieques. The cancer rate in Vieques is significantly higher compared to Puerto Rico, 27% higher. The residents believe that most of the cancer cases were caused by the Navy's practices. Studies are being conducted on this issue to determine the health consequences of the Navy's practices on the island. Currently the island is dealing with the allocation of hundreds of beautiful and valuable land that is now under the care of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services in Vieques. A the same time real estate prices have gone up dramatically, making it very sad, painful and frustrating for the locals since many of them now cannot afford to buy the land that they fought so hard to attain. Investors are grabbing land and buying homes and it is scary to think that the kids and grandkids of the people that fought for the Navy to cease bombing practices will not be able to own land in their beloved Isla Nena. The number of tourists have increased over the past year, and a window of opportunity has opened for travel agents, hotel chains, real-estate investors, and Viequenses.
Martineau Bay Resort and Spa was the first and only resort on the island, now turned into the first W Hotel in the Caribbean - "W Retreat & Spa" and currently the largest employer. The opening of the resort has opened many doors of career opportunities for Viequenses, but very challenging, since many of them never had any previous experience in the travel industry. While some residents have welcomed the resort and are taking advantage of these new opportunities, some have really shown some opposition. The greatest concern is how structures, such as this resort, will impact the ecological health of the island, which already has withstood tremendous damage for 62 years from the Navy. Ironically the Navy presence kept the island like the Caribbean from the past, un-crowded, lush and serene. There is not even a single traffic light in Vieques. When you come to the island, the residents of Vieques and your hosts will welcome you with a smile and will make sure you have a great relaxing fun vacation, you will enter the island as a visitor, and leave as a friend. As mentioned before, plan to come soon, because according to many sources, this serene island won’t stay this way for long. I pray that this does not happen.Vieques would lose some of the charm and peacefulness that makes it such a special place. >NOTE: Most Tourists have ONE MAJOR complaint from their visit to Vieques, "Having to leave".
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