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 eight miles off the southeast coast of Puerto Rico. It is the largest of all the Puerto Rican islands and is made up of 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 average in the mid to high 80’s year-round. About 8,500 people live on Vieques and residents are called Viequense. Approximately 54% of the island is under the protection of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with another 6% in some form of ecological or biological (e.g., conservation) reserve.
Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico. Spanish is preferred, but many Viequense speak English as well. The time zone is Atlantic Standard Time (AST) all year and daylight savings 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, and just like 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 card and ATM card will also work at almost all island locations, though many establishments only accept cash (U.S. dollar).
For more information, please visit some of our favorite links…
Vieques – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vieques,_Puerto_Rico
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
Revision Date 010221