Best Things to Do in Vieques, Puerto Rico: Top Beaches, Wildlife, and Island Adventures

Puerto Rico is the perfect island getaway for any American who wants Caribbean vibes, but doesn't want to feel too far from home. But did you know that Puerto Rico also has its own islands? We're here to share some of best things to do in Vieques, Puerto Rico and Culebra as well.

The bigger of the two Spanish Caribbean islands, Vieques, has plenty to offer its visitors, making it the perfect tropical escape from the already tropical island of Puerto Rico.. I went for just a day trip, but there are plenty of people who spend several days on the beautiful island!

In this guide I'm going to share everything you need to know for visiting, how to get around, and all of the best things to do in Vieques, Puerto Rico. 

📍 Where is Vieques?

Vieques is a small island that belongs to Puerto Rico, an island that belongs to the US, but is located in the Caribbean Sea. It is situated just 6 miles south east off the coast of the main island.

Entry Requirements for Puerto Rico

When traveling somewhere new, there are different requirements at times, even if it within your country! Here we're going to outline the different things you need to know for entering Puerto Rico.

🛂 Visa Requirements for Puerto Rico

The same visa requirements go for Puerto Rico that go for the US. If you are from the states, you can simply bring your license, as there is no need for a passport. If you are not from the US and need a visa to enter the US, then make sure you do so before arriving in Puerto Rico.

Local Adjustments for Vieques, Puerto Rico

Whenever traveling there are things that you may forget about, which may be different from where you are coming from. Here are a few of the local adjustments to keep in mind while traveling to Vieques, Puerto Rico.

🗣 What Language Do They Speak in Vieques, Puerto Rico?

The official language in Puerto Rico and the islands that belong to it is Spanish. The Spanish is Puerto Rico can be very difficult to understand as they speak extremely fast, and tend to slur their words together.

🇺🇸 Do They Speak English in Vieques?

If you do speak Spanish, it will surely help and be appreciated by the locals. If you don't speak the language, then not to worry- most locals do speak English as well.

💵 What Currency Do They Use in Vieques?

The currency used in Vieques is the same as Puerto Rico and the rest of the US, which is the USD. Credit card is able to be used almost anywhere, but we do suggest having some cash for the taxis or for tipping.

🔌 Outlets in Puerto Rico

Vieques uses the same outlets as Puerto Rico and the rest of the US, which are plug types A and B. The standard voltage in Puerto Rico is 120 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.

🚰 Can I Drink Tap Water in Vieques?

The tap water in Vieques is usually the same that comes from the main island of Puerto Rico, and is completely safe to drink. We suggest bringing a refillable and insulated water bottle, as it gets very hot on this Caribbean island.

💸 How Much Do You Tip in Puerto Rico?

The tipping culture in Vieques, and Puerto Rico as a whole is pretty much the same as the rest of the US. It is standard for 15-20% for tipping in restaurants. Some restaurants do include gratuity, so make sure to check on your bill to ensure you're not tipping twice, or are tipping enough.

The Best Things to Do in Vieques, Puerto Rico

Now that you've arrived, what are the best things to even do in Vieques, Puerto Rico? The island is much bigger than you'd expect, and there are actually quite a few great places to check out. Here are the best things to do in Vieques, Puerto Rico for those visiting on a quick trip.

🏖 Playa La Chiva

Our first stop with our golf cart was Playa la Chivia, a true slice of paradise. This beach had white sands, turquoise waters, and not a soul to share it with. It was the perfect place to go and just have a relaxing beach day. Keep in mind if you do want to come here that it has no amenities.

🐴 Playa Caracas

Just down the road from Playa la Chiva lies another beautiful beach of Vieques, Playa Caracas. Locals will argue that this is the most beautiful beach in Vieques, and we can definitely see why. This bay was a bit more lively that Playa la Chiva, and has bathrooms and wild horses relaxing next to it.

☀️ Sun Bay Beach

When we were researching the best things to do in Vieques, Puerto Rico, this was the top of everyone's lists. Unfortunately when we went there was a lot of seaweed. However, without it we could imagine the beauty of the blue waters and the swaying palm trees perched on the beach.

Here is another place where you'll have the pleasure of seeing a bunch of wild horses! We also saw quite a few kiosks for food and drinks, although we got there late and nothing was open.

We do think that this would be a great option for one of the best things to do in Vieques if you are on a day trip like we were.

🌋 Black Sand Beach

We absolutely love black sand beaches! We had the pleasure of visiting quite a few throughout El Salvador, Costa Rica, and the Canary Islands.

This beach is actually a bit more hidden, as you have to walk 10 minutes through the jungle to get here. This spot is super unique, and although there isn't much black sand left, it is definitely worth a visit.

🌌 Bioluminescent Bay

Another unique thing that Vieques has is a bioluminescent bay. Puerto Rico actually has three in total. One is located in Fajardo (the east of Puerto Rico near Ceiba) and the third is located on the western part of the island. (If you'd like to read about how it works and how to visit that one, you can check out our guide for bioluminescence in Puerto Rico).

Also known as Mosquito Bay, this bay has microorganisms that shimmer with movement. Unfortunately, if you are just visiting for the day you won't be able to experience this (it needs to be pitch black), but if you stay a night then it is definitely one of the best things to do in Vieques, Puerto Rico!

If you are staying a night, you should definitely book your tour in advance, as they tend to sell out from popularity. Below you can see a few of the different tour options:

The Best Things to Do in Vieques, Puerto Rico: Local Food & Drink

We only got to spend one full day in Vieques, so we were only able to dine at one place. That being said, the food was great, and the service was even better! Conveniently located just minutes from the port, we highly suggest giving a go to Casa Nativo.

Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!

If you're looking for drinks and food at the beach, we were also recommended El Quenepo and Bananas, which sit right along Playa Esperanza.

As far as cuisine goes, we hope you're ready for very flavorful and calorie-dense food. Puerto Rican food isn't the healthiest, but it definitely doesn't lack in flavor. For special dishes we have a few different island specialties worth trying out.

🍤 Mofongo

This is the national dish of Puerto Rico, and you can't visit these islands without trying it. Mashed plantains with garlic and topped with grilled meat or seafood make up this Puerto Rican specialty.

🍌 Tostones Rellenos

Tostones are fried plantains, but tostones rellenos are stuffed tostones. Puerto Ricans take the plantains and press them into the form of small cups, and then stuff them with either meat or shrimp. They're the perfect snack to start your meal off with or to accompany your beer.

🥟 Pastelillos

Looking for a quick snack to bring to the beach with you? Pastelillos are kind of like mini empanadas that you can easily find at beach bars throughout Puerto Rico, and are about $1-2 per piece.

🍛 Momposteo

This hearty mix of rice, beans, and spices is another staple in the Puerto Rican cuisine. We tried a special variety of the dish at Casa Nativo and absolutely loved it.

🍍 Piña Colada

Did you know that the official drink in Puerto Rico is the Piña Colada? Head to one of the beach bars and don't miss out on these delicious frozen drinks.

Things to Do in Vieques, Puerto Rico: Getting Around

If you want to check out a few of the best things to do in Vieques, Puerto Rico, then you'll definitely want to find a mode of transportation, was Vieques is not really walkable. Despite the island not seeming so big, walking all of it would be quite difficult. Here are the different options for getting around Vieques.

🛺 Renting a Golf Cart in Vieques

Our absolute favorite way to get around the island of Vieques is by golf cart. There are just a couple of companies on the island, and the one we used was actually waiting in the port at 9:30 am for the tourists to come pouring in.

We used Vieques UTV rental, who were located 8 minutes from the port (they drive you to the facility). Golf carts are for 4 people, and you'll need a license and a deposit to put down. There are a few different options, and the only one available at the time for us was the most expensive- which was $110 for the day.

The cheapest cart is available in advance online for just $50, so we definitely suggest making your reservation in advance, especially since on weekends they sometimes sell out before the morning ferry arrives.

🚗 Renting a Car in Vieques

The same place that offers golf carts actually also offers Ford Broncos for $95/day. We personally think a golf cart is more fun, but if you want a bit more comfort and speed then this is also a great option.

We suggest booking in advance, which is why we're attaching this rental search box.

🚕 Taking Taxis in Vieques

Ubers are not available on the island of Vieques, so if you don't rent something, then you'll unfortunately be stuck relying on taxis.

While taxis on the mainland run by a meter generally, the taxis in Vieques are a flat rate. We're not talking $10 rides, we're talking flat per person rates. You can imagine that paying $30-$40 for your group to go to the beach can be quite frustrating, which is why we don't necessarily recommend it.

If you do want a taxi you can simply call one (don't worry if you're from the US your phone will work as if you were in the states).

Where to Stay in Vieques, Puerto Rico

Many people do decide to spend a night in Vieques. Options can be quite limited, and a bit pricey for staying here. For that reason, we definitely suggest booking in advance if this is something you are considering. Check the map below to see the different accommodation options around the island.

Other Things to Know About Visiting Vieques, Puerto Rico

Now that you know how to get around, how to get to the island, and the best things to do in Vieques, Puerto Rico, we have a few other things to share with you to help make your travels go smoothly.

📆 What Is the Best Month to Visit Vieques, Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean, so our favorite time is definitely to visit in the winter time, when temperatures are a little more mild. Try to avoid visiting from August to October, as this is hurricane season, and Puerto Rico is pretty susceptible to these storms.

For visiting the island of Vieques in general, we suggest going during the week when it isn't so busy. Nightlife also isn't as exciting here as it is in San Juan or other areas of Puerto Rico, so we suggest going anytime from Sunday to Thursday.

☀️ Weather & Packing for a Trip to Vieques, Puerto Rico

Vieques is super hot year round, and the Caribbean sun is strong. Make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and aloe. A towel, swimsuits, and flip-flops are all you'll need for staying on the island. However, it is important to note that the ferry requires everyone to be fully covered. 

You can't simply wear a sheer cover-up, bathing suit as a top, or a towel around you. They are quite strict about this, and we even saw them turning people away.

Masks are required for the ferry ride, and they won't even let you to the ticket counter unless you have one. Make sure to have one on you before you enter the gates to not have security freaking out on you like they did on us. Finally, you may want to bring bug spray, as some of the beaches had little sand fleas.

🎒 Vieques Packing List:

• Mask for the ferry
• Cover up (not sheer) for the ferry
• Sunscreen
• Aloe
• Bug Spray
• Towel 
• Bathing Suit
• Flip flops (our favorites are Havaianas)
• Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)
• Drone (You can get epic shots from above. We use the Mavic Mini 4 Pro because it's super light and has great quality)
• Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
• Standard Lens for a dynamic range (we use the Sony GM 24-70)
• Wide Lens to capture great panoramas (we use the Sony GM 14 F1.8)
• Tripod to get pictures while no one is around or for multiple shots from far away (We use the JOBY Rangepod Tripod)
• Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 X3 because it's small & waterproof)
• Waterproof Phone Pouch (we use the Casemate Waterproof Phone Pouch)
  
• License (if you rent a golf cart or car)
• Water Bottle (we use Cafago Water Bottles because they hold the temperature well)

🤔 Is Vieques Worth Visiting?

I loved this island, and definitely think it is worth visiting! There are a lot of things to do in Vieques, Puerto Rico, so although a day trip is doable, we definitely think it's worth spending a couple of days in Vieques.

⏳ How Many Day Should You Stay in Vieques?

With all of the best things to do in Vieques, Puerto Rico, we definitely suggest spending at least one night there. If you'd like to fully explore the island though and have some time to relax, we'd recommend 2-3 days in Vieques.

Now that you know all there is to know, you are ready for a fun trip to this Caribbean Island! 

Are you planning visiting other parts of Puerto Rico? We have plenty of other Puerto Rico travel guides for great things to do all around the main island!

Ready to start planning your trip? Six back, relax, and let us do the hard work. With Scratch Your Mapa Travel Planning you can now explore more, and save money along the way. Want to know exactly how it works? Take a look at our travel planning packages that we offer.

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