Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. Brief history, information, photos

About Us

[?] Subscribe To This Site

Vieques

About Isla de Vieques

One of the Islands of Puerto Rico

Vieques - Isla de Vieques Puerto Rico. Scenic View of the island

The island of Vieques has some of the most sublime and delightful beaches in the Caribbean, 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 workers in the metro area on the main island of Puerto Rico seeking for the escape that the more tranquil side of Puerto Rico offers.

The Struggle of Viequenses

The residents of Isla de Vieques have a special love for this land. Even through the stressful years of the Navy's presence, the low employment rates, the inconveniences of having to go the main island for many services among many challenges they choose to stay in Vieques. Viequenses and foreigners that have made Vieques their home 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 Navy's military practices and get them out of the island.

Pelicans in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

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.

Isla de Vieques after the Navy

Major consequences of the Navy's bombing and practices are still evident according to protesters 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 grand kids 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" currently the largest employer on the island.

The Navy was the main source of employment on the island, so the rate of unemployment has since inflated. Viequenses rely much on fishing, many residents grown their own fruits and vegetables and the elderly has to rely on government aid. The opening of the resort in Vieques 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, your hosts will welcome you with a smile and will make sure you have a great relaxing fun vacation.

Currently in Vieques

Every time I get to Vieques I find new changes, more restaurants, improved hotels, improvements on roads to beaches and a good sense of prosperity and change on the island. It's great to see more jobs being created, beautiful homes being built, but at the same time there is a sense of fear. The fear that what makes Vieques so appealing to me and so many other visitors will be gone in the next decade, a sense of calm, having a beach to yourself and the lack of tourism exploitation that you see all over the Caribbean.

Vieques has seen a great increase in tourism, the arrival of the W have given the island even more exposure and Isla Nena is quickly becoming the hottest spot in the Caribbean. Brides and grooms travel from all over the world to say "I Do" in Vieques, families anxiously plan a great vacation seeking for the peace, fun and ambience that leads to some real quality family time away from the hustle and bustle of their everyday lives. Most of the readers of this site, write to us after their visit, and most can't wait to go back due to the unique and memorable experiences in Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico.

We hope you have a wonderful vacation in Vieques. Please do take a minute to share your experience with us and our readers.