Vieques

There are lots of options for accommodations in Vieques, in a variety of price ranges. Let me just get this out of the way: there is a W on the island. It is the most popular but also the most soulless place to stay. There is nothing about the place that is unique to Vieques, the owner and much of the staff is foreign, and the pancakes are awful. Skip it in favor of a house rental. We use HomeAway and this trip stayed at Quinta Jacaranda, a villa with 3 bedrooms, a pool, sweeping views, fluffy towels, snorkel gear, and more at a third of the cost of what we would have paid for 2 standard rooms at the W.

Other recommended accommodations are the Hix Island House, an eco-friendly place offering yoga classes for non-guests.

Another recommended place to stay - Bravo Beach Hotel in Isabel II near the ferry port.

There are two small towns on Vieques, Isabel II in the north and Esperanza in the south. El Malecon, the main drag in Esperanza, is where all restaurants, shops, and nightlife (ie beach bars) are located. It is about a 15-minute drive from Isabel II to Esperanza over paved roads in good condition. The roads to many of the beaches and throughout the western part of the island are unpaved and have potholes. An all-terrain vehicle is essential.

In the evenings, there are visits to the bioluminescent bay. It is best to time your visit to coincide with the new moon so you get the most out of the glowing bay experience.

There are restaurants and bars in Isabel II and scattered across the island, but most of the action is congregated in El Malecon. For a splurge, El Quenepo is where it’s at.

For great views and really cheap beers, my favorite is La Nasa, which is frequented almost exclusively by locals.

For cheap drinks and good junkfood Lazy Jacks down the street will do the trick.

For fancy caribbean food and drinks, Bili is pretty great.