Our island’s official name is Isla de Vieques. Most folks just call it Vieques. We call it our home away from home!
Vieques is located approximately seven miles off the southeast coast of Puerto Rico. It is the largest of the Puerto Rican islands and features gentle hills and valleys. The highest point on the island is Monte Pirata (Pirate’s Hill) at 987 feet above sea level. The coastal areas consist of lagoons, mangrove swamps, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.
Vieques is approximately 21 miles long and four to five miles wide. The average air temperature ranges from 79 to 82 degrees, with midday temperatures averaging in the mid to high 80’s year-round. About 7,500 people live on Vieques, and residents are called Viequense. Approximately 54% of the island is protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and another 6% is in some form of ecological or biological reserve (e.g., conservation).
Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico. Spanish is preferred, but many Viequenses also speak English. The time zone is Atlantic Standard Time (AST) all year, and daylight saving time is not observed. This is one hour later than Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the United States from October to April, and the same time as Eastern Daylight Saving Time from April to October.
Water and electricity, along with just about everything else, come from the main island of Puerto Rico. Vieques is served by most major cell phone companies. As at home, the water is safe to drink, and your cell phone chargers and laptops are greeted by a familiar 110-volt receptacle. Your credit and ATM cards will also work at most island locations, though many establishments accept only cash (U.S. dollars).
For more information, please visit some of our favorite links.
Vieques – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vieques,_Puerto_Rico
Vieques Insider - http://viequesinsider.com
Vieques Island Travel Guide – http://vieques.com/
Puerto Rico Tourist and Travel Information – http://www.topuertorico.org/tinfo.shtml
El Yunque Rainforest – http://www.fs.usda.gov/elyunque/
Vieques National Wildlife Refuge – http://www.fws.gov/caribbean/refuges/vieques/Contact.htm