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Violet's ViequesTop Ten Things to Do in Vieques, Puerto RicoViolet is the owner of the lovely Enchanted Inn
1. The Biolumincent BayAbsolutely do not leave the island without exploring the Bio Bay. This is a truly awesome experience and one I try to do often. It grounds me and reminds me of why I fell in love with the island. This experience is truly magical. The excursion takes place at night. You can go by kayak or by boat. Once at the bay you enter the water and get prepared to be amazed. Even before you enter, your guide will alert you to the glow in the dark movements under the water. But the adventure truly begins when you enter the water. Once your entire body becomes one with nature, your every movement will instigate a sparkling glow from the startled organisms that reside in the bay. It’s like fire flies under water. Hold up your hands and be amazed at what appears to be diamonds cascading down your plan. This is a must do.2. Beach HopVieques unlike some other Caribbean islands that tout hundreds of beaches that usually don’t amount to anything more than a few feet of sand, Vieques does have real beaches. I’m not sure if anyone has ever taken the time to count the number of beaches (kind of hard to do when you have beaches named “Secret Beach”…) but there are many and each is truly unique.Tour the island and discover your own “Secret Beach”, but here are my top picks: - Blue Beach, I like this beach for its privacy and little cabanas where you can truly set up your own private gathering. Go early to snatch up one of the cabanas and stay late enjoying the view and the tranquil waters. - Orchid Beach, this is a great beach for exploring. Who says going to the beach is only for sunny days. I especially like this beach on rainy days, its great to watch the nature show unfold. Awesome waves, swaying trees and even the crabs get in the picture as they scurry about. This is a great beach to visit to see where we stand versus nature. - Sun Bay, this beach I like because of its convenience. It is the only “public” beach on the island. Some days, usually on the weekend there is a $2 per car fee to enter but its one of the easiest to get to if you don’t have the time or the proper vehicle to get to some of the more remote beaches. There are food wagons out front so you can buy your meal instead of preparing ahead of time and the unobstructed views are wonderful. - Green Beach, another one of my favorites because of what you have to go through to get there. What you have to go through is some of the most densely populated vegetation on the island. See how many of the tropical plants and trees you can identify, slow down as the iguana crossed the road, stop and look at the family of horses gathered on the clearing. At this beach you can create your own adventure as there are many palm and coconut trees to shade you and give you that sense of being in a cocoon. Its also a great location for yacht watching. - Black Sand Beach, yes, Vieques has one of those too. Lay on the sand and soak up the rays in a truly private setting because what makes this beach special to me, is the hunt to find it. First one must find the “secret” path, then you must maneuver around the ancient boulders that look like sleeping sea mammals and then behold gradually the sand changes from white to grey to all black. Gentle warm waters will greet you as a curtain of foliage perched atop the surrounding hills guarantees your privacy.
3. ISLAND HOPBecause of its central location, Vieques is an ideal place to have as your anchor as you explore other close by islands. Take a day trip to the main island and visit the largest rain forest in America. El Yunque rain forest in Fajardo is only a $2 ferry ride or a 10 minute plane ride from Vieques.Also take a day to visit Vieques' sister island of Culebra, rumored to have one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Flamingo beach provides the perfect setting for soaking up the rays or camping overnight. Once you’ve had your fill of the beach be sure to take the time to explore the rest of the little island before heading back to Vieques.4. STAR GAZEThis one will cost you nothing. One of the amazing benefits of Vieques limited development is the absence of light pollution. As a result we have what I consider one of the best night sky anywhere. I compare it to the night sky of the Grand Canyon. Depending on where you call home while staying on the island, be sure to grab your love one, take a cool one and a few snacks and wait for the “light” show to begin…trust me you won’t be disappointed. On a clear night marvel at all the wonders of the universe laid out before you. Enjoy.5. SNORKELIn Vieques two worlds co-exist, one above ground and one below the seas. One of the key attractions of Vieques is the underwater world. Anchored by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, when one enters the waters there is no telling what truly unique experience they will encounter. The many underwater creatures are there to delight and amaze. Don the snorkel gear and prepare to be amazed. Key locations include the waters off the Malecon in Esperanza by the small island in the distance, Red Beach and Gringo Beach.6. VISIT THE SPANISH FORTYes, Vieques is small but where else can you see the last fort to be built by the Spaniards in the Americas. Spend sometime exploring the grounds, go in and take a look at the on-going exhibits and see what the current temporary installations are. Go out on the Balcony and get a 360 degree view of the island and try to identify the other islands in the distance. The Fort also plays host to many free cultural and musical programs on the island (be sure to get a copy of its calendar). A well worth trip.7. EXPLOREWhether by foot, bike, scooter or car, explore, explore, explore. Go ahead and get lost…it’s a small island, trust me you won’t be lost for long and you’ll probably make some really great discoveries off the beaten path. Drive through the various neighborhoods, see how we live, from the original homes built by the navy for the island dwellers to the local farms and the many estates and guesthouses nestled throughout the island. Be sure to visit the north cost where you will see the old Navy barracks and the man made caves overgrown with vegetation and disguised as grassy knolls used by the Navy for storage. Go ahead take a peek.8. EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRYIn Vieques you won’t be at a loss for great food, local watering holes and yes from time to time we actually do offer weekend entertainment. Your options for food are as diverse as your taste. Food options are available for the budget conscious to the more expensive fine dining.-For fast cheap eats, visit any of the local road side vendors, two of the most popular have a permanent location outside the gates to Sun Bay beach. -For reasonable priced meals depending on the time of day you can visit Café Violeta for a great Mexican influenced breakfast. For a quick lunch be sure to stop by Bananas in Esperanza for the best burgers on the island, or go right next door to Bili for a more traditional Puerto Rican Fare. -If its that special occasion you wish to celebrate be sure to pull out the stops and visit Uva restaurant in Isabel Segunda. Let Chef Carlos Alzogaray amaze you with his upscale menu and one of his exquisitely prepared entrees. -Did someone say drink? Well you won’t be at a loss for finding and getting your hands on a cool one while visiting the island. Whether its one of our local Puerto Rican Beer (usually to be had for $1 - $2) a tart margarita or a fruity umbrella favorite, all are within reach on this “cheers” friendly island. Some of the more popular watering holes include, Bananas, M Bar, Als Mar Azul, Roys, BBH and El Sombrero. Visit a few and see which one you want to call home. If it’s Friday, Saturday or Sunday, someplace somewhere is Vieques there is a Karaoke machine and festive individuals giving it their all to please and entertain. Join in the fun or be an enthusiastic audience member, either way you won’t be disappointed. And where there is music there is usually dancing. Be sure to get up and shake your groove thing so you can do it all again the next day.
9. VISIT THE ARTISTWhere else on one small tropical island can there be so much talent. Be sure to make time to visit some of the galleries owned by some of the local artist or visit the Malecon on the weekend and see what those that cannot afford a gallery have to offer.Talent has no limits on this island, from world renowned artists that have made Vieques home to, some of the local Viequense artist whose works adorns the walls (both literally and in traditional picture frames) of many of our local establishments. See what they are up to and relive that dream of escaping to a tropical island and tapping into that imprisoned artist within. Better to get something that will bring a smile to your face each time you look at it, than to buy something that will never see the light of day. Happy shopping.
10. NOTHINGYes, nothing is one of my top ten best things to do while in Vieques. For too many of us this is truly a challenge. Just be still, leave the cell phone, leave the computer, leave the husband, wife, boyfriend, kids…just take one morning, one hour whatever time you can afford and take it all in. Sit at the beach, on a hillside…anyplace you can be alone, close your eyes and just be at one with the universe. Give thanks for the opportunity to visit such a truly special island, unload your stress and be reinvigorated for your life back home.Get to know the Enchanted InnA cozy, intimate guest house in Vieques ready to welcome you and make your comfortable during your stay. Walk in as a guest and leave as a friend at The Enchanted Inn.
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