The vegetable market is often hit-or-miss, so ask around for the current status. It is usually open Tuesdays and Fridays. The vegetable market also depends on the ferry; if the ferries are not running, there will be no market.
Typically, the best time to arrive is about 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Some days there will be a lot of great stuff; other days, it will be slim pickings. You usually pick up a wire basket under one of the tables, get your produce, eggs, fruit, etc., and then stand in line along the road and wait for a cashier. Be patient; practice your Spanish or meet your neighbor. Market staff will weigh (and/or tally) the contents of your basket when you check out.
The vegetable market accepts debit and credit cards on most days, but it is wise to always have cash on hand as a backup. Please remember to bring shopping bags, as plastic bags are no longer allowed on Vieques. Some days, you can also buy bread and other items from other vendors. You can walk to the vegetable market from Sal del Mar, but it is a long walk and an even longer walk back!
The directions below are not the most direct route, but are the easiest to follow:
By car, take our one-way street (Calle Baldorioty de Castro) to the corner, then turn right.
As a side note, three blocks up on the right is a small plaza. Just down the street from the plaza, on the same side, is Yerbabuena y Mas, a great little health food store.
Go to the top of the hill and turn right on Highway 200. Panadería La Viequense (bakery) will be across the street at the top of the hill. There is an ATM there, and the donuts and bread (arrive early for Pan Agua) are great. They serve breakfast and also have sandwiches, etc. After you have turned right, head down Highway 200.
The first big intersection you get to is the intersection of Highway 200 and Highway 997. There is a corner market on the left-hand side (look for the yellow building just down the street) that sells produce, groceries, and the cheapest beer on the island. Along the way, just before the corner, you passed NEED NAME, which serves great, authentic Puerto Rican food, and right before that, Mama Mia, which serves great pizza and pasta. Don’t forget Casa Navito, the little place by the furniture store, or Bieke’s Bistro, just next door heading toward the plaza.
Keep heading down Highway 200.
As a side note, about a half mile and a mile or so down the road on the right, you will see Big Morales (Superdescuentos Morales Market), the island’s other “grocery” stores. They often have a wider selection than Little Morales (Supermercado Morales) in Isabel, and their prices may be slightly lower. The liquor prices at Big Morales are usually very good, and they have an excellent butcher shop.
Keep going down Highway 200 until you get to Highway 201 and turn left. The old GE plant will be on your right as you make the turn. You will see the vegetable market on the right-hand side of the road. Look for the white tent and the white truck. Parking is along the street. Have fun and healthy eating!
PS – Just up the hill a bit, across from Rosa's Hardware Store, is the former Chicken King and Ice Cream, which has relocated and is now known as Aurora’s Chicken & Grill. Aurora’s would be a fast-food equivalent of Kentucky Fried Chicken in the States, but the food is actually pretty good, the fried chicken is excellent, and it is a cultural hot spot! The restaurant is named in honor of the owner’s daughter, Aurora.
PSS – We love Panaderia Lydia, which is just down the street from us, heading toward the ferry, before you get to the clock tower. Take out only, but you can usually find a table outside or be back home in just a few minutes!