Apartment Key – Only the deadbolt locks are keyed, so you must use your key to enter, exit, and lock the apartment. Your key will also open both sidewalk gates. On the left side of the house, you will find a water hose for rinsing feet and beach gear. Please respect the privacy of downstairs guests.
Key Hanger – The key hanger is on the wall to the right of the bathroom door. We recommend hanging your keys on the hanger each time you come home so you can easily locate them when you leave or lock/unlock the apartment. You are welcome to store an extra key in the lock box at the bottom of the steps so you don't chance loosing it while you are out and about.
Safety – Lock the doors when you are sleeping or leave the apartment. Place valuable objects out of sight when you are not using them. Do not leave computers, phones, cameras, or other devices near open windows or doors. The front porch light is on a motion sensor; leave the bottom switch set to the right when you go out, and the light will automatically turn on when you come home in the evening.
Bugs – We use organic pesticides in and around the house. Bugs will be bugs, and they will find their way into the apartment. Keeping the kitchen clean helps keep ants away. At night, keep the lights off when the doors are open or close the doors at dark. Use insect repellent to keep mosquitoes and gnats away.
Dust – Vieques is blessed with beautiful sunsets. The red hues you often see at sunrise and sunset may be caused by dust clouds that have blown in from the Saharan desert. From time to time, the island gets volcanic ash as well. Try as we might, things get dusty here, and it is a constant battle to keep the dust at bay.
Front Porch Door – It can be a challenge to lock the front porch (balcony) door, so as a first step, pull firmly and make sure the doorknob “clicks”. Pull even harder when you turn the deadbolt key clockwise to lock the door. If you are successful, you should hear the deadbolt move into the door jamb. If the key won’t turn the deadbolt, you haven’t pulled hard enough. To unlock, pull hard and turn the key counterclockwise.
Blender – The blender is on the kitchen shelf.
Electricity – In an effort to be environmentally friendly, please conserve electricity. Hang clothes on the porch rail to dry and limit air conditioner use to the bedroom. Please turn off the air conditioner when you are not using the bedroom. Please note that the air conditioner is not sized to cool the whole apartment.
Coffee – There are two ways to make coffee. You can make a single cup and pour almost boiling water over the grounds or use the electric coffee maker; both use the metal coffee filter. Paper filters can be purchased at the grocery store.
Cloth Napkins – Our napkins are washable and multi-colored to keep track of whose napkin belongs to whom.
BBQ – The grill has a built-in ignitor. Please clean the grill surface with the wire brush when you are done. After grilling, please turn off the gas at the propane tank; clockwise is off. If you choose to put the BBQ grill cover on, please wait until the grill has cooled off before you do so.
Hot Water – We have “on-demand” hot water heaters. It may take a minute or two for the hot water to show up, and when it does, the water may be very hot. As we have on-demand hot water heaters, the hot water temperature may also fluctuate.
Internet – Our wireless network is named Sal del Mar and it is an unmetered, shared network (i.e., used by both upstairs and downstairs guests). The password is located in your confirmation materials from Airbnb and in the house book. If the network disconnects or drops from your computer, disconnect from the network and then reconnect. For more info, see the Technolgoy Related tip sheet.
Trash – See Trash Tips.
Questions – Text or call if you have questions. Most importantly, have a great time on Vieques!