Vieques The Area Getting There Getting Around Activities Helpful Links
The Area
Casa Magnolia is located on the southern side of Vieques in the cozy beachside town of Esperanza. Just a short walk from the house, a small downtown boardwalk called The Malecon borders several white sand beaches and is lined with a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops. This quaint row of stores and stands serves the small community of Esperanza. For those seeking more excitement and nightlife, the nearby town (a 15 minute drive east) of Isabella Segunda provides an even greater array of eateries and bars. SunBay is just short stroll from Casa Magnolia but the other beaches on the island are farther and require the use of a car.
Getting There
Vieques is serviced daily by a number of small airlines. Vieques Air Link and Cape Air are both excellent providers servicing Vieques’ airport from the smaller Isla Grande airport just 20 minutes from San Juan’s main international airport. Flights can be scheduled from San Juan International as well but cost a little more.
In addition, a ferry runs from the Puerto Rican port town of Fajardo to Vieques on a daily basis. Not only is this a great option for those coming from the mainland, it is also a great option for side trips from Vieques. The ferry port in Isabella also offers daily trips to the nearby island of Culebra.
Getting Around
Renting a car is not necessary during your stay at Casa Magnolia yet a car is available to rent from us. The downtown Malecon area and phenomenal Sun Bay beach is just a short 5 minute stroll and all one could ever need can be provided there. If you wish to explore some of the military areas or farther away attractions on the island, you may find it helpful to rent a car from us or a second is available from these two agencies.
- Martineau’s Car Rental offers a number of options from budget sedans to high end 4x4 jeeps.
- Marco's Car Renal offers budget options on smaller 4 doors and 2 door Geo trackers.
Rates vary by season and airport drop-off and pick-up is available
Activities
A vacation in Vieques can be as active or as inactive as you want it to be. For those seeking a relaxing, beachside vacation- Vieques can be all that and more. Days can be spent lounging at any one of the phenomenal white sand beaches where snorkeling is ranked along the best in the world. For those seeking a more adventurous trip, there is no shortage of things to do.
The Bio-Bay
The world class bioluminescent bay remains the largest attraction to Vieques. Although several of these glowing bays exist all throughout the world, Vieques’ bay has taken the cake as the most spectacular of them all and it attracts visitors from all corners of the globe.
The bay (on the southern end of Vieques, just near Casa Magnolia!) is home to a half-plant half-animal organism called Pyrodinium bahamense. The organism reproduces tens of thousands of times per day and stores sunlight much like a fire fly; emitting light whenever agitated or displaced. Several tour operators on the island offer boat tours or a much more hands-on Kayak tour through the bay at night. When paddling or riding through the bay on a pitch black evening, every drop of water that moves will emit a fantastic glow. Each stroke of a kayak floats behind the boat as a circular green orb almost like a footprint. Many guides will even allow guests to hop overboard and swim in the bay giving people the ultimate experience of lighting up their bodies like glow sticks against the night sky.
Posters are all over the island for the tours as they are a major tourist attraction, but to schedule ahead, use these contact numbers
Abe's Snorkeling & Bio Bay Tours 787-741-2134
Island Adventures Inc. 787-741-0720
The Military Bases
Vieques was once almost completely occupied by the US Navy. On their departure from Vieques, many areas that were once protected by the US military opened up for the average traveler to roam around in. Literally hundreds of bunkers and ammo magazines lie just off the road in the western part of the island for people to explore at their leisure. The Naval occupation is a major part of Vieques' history and evidence of their stay is all over the island.
Scuba Diving
Vieques is home to some great scuba diving as well. Many of the same tour operators that do the Bio-Bay will also offer Scuba (or even SNUBA) dives to various sites around the island.