Picture this: palm lined white sand beaches ona 55 square miles island all within short distance from United States. That’s Vieques Island!
It’s name means “small island” but its size does not match its importance nor its beauty. It might be considered small but what it can do to the average tourist is quite a lot! If you’re looking for peace and tranquility, that’s what you’ll find. And it is not even far. You can get there in no time that is in about 2 hours or so from Miami.
The island is located between Puerto Rico and St. Tomas and has just 10.000 inhabitants. So you will definitely not feel like you are in a crammed space. Actually you can find a secluded place all for yourself and when you think that it can be a beach is even more exciting.
What distinguishes it from the other Caribbean islands is that it is not a highly touristy place with dozens of hotels and other classy amenities set especially for touristic purposes. It is quiet and basically run by the locals who earn their living from tourism. But they definitely don’t run a McDonald’s or dozens of souvenir shops that are so kitsch that people are familiar with them and gives you the feel that you have been to such a place before. You can expect original shops, animals running free on the land, cheerful people who greet each other no matter if they are walking or behind wheels, a serene atmosphere of joy and calm that matches the mild climate that offers mostly sunshine.
“Sunshine” is a word that describes the best this place, sunshine on the beaches and in the human soul, a sunshine that will warm up your soul and fill it with energy. There is no better medicine for your soul than that.
Coming to Vieques won’t feel like you are in a different country especially because the currency used here is the US dollar so you’ll feel quite at home in a place that is so close to USA but so different. No concrete, not the so called human touch to the beaches, just pure nature, wild flowers and crystal lear waters, waters that remain “clear” even during the night. How? Well you have to be there and see the wonder! The water is lighted by tiny lights that glow under the water making diving in the night a unique experience.
Among tropical forests and pristine beaches you’ll find few paved roads that take you to a number o towns on the island. Of the most important are Isabel Segunda and Esperanza. Isabel Segunda was named after the Spanish Queen Isabella II and holds a few attractions of which Punta Mula lighthouse is the most sought offering great views of the area. Esperanza is somewhat smaller having fishing as its main activity. Time seems to stand still here where things are taken slowly and the pace of life is so different from the one in the city, you can really connect with nature and the animals that roam freely the land as if saying that this land was owned only by them in the past and they are still a part of it.
If you have only one day to visit it will be quite difficult to choose where to stay and which beach to choose, but probably the best choice would be Sun Bay.
If you happen to get there, which I think should be a must actually, you’ll wonder why you ahven’t heard of the place sooner. Well it was supposed to be a secret, but now the secret ahs come to light and many who want to spend a few days in a true paradise not dolled up for the tourists, come here and experience the simplicity of life and enjoy its pleasures.
Time will stand still if you visit Vieques and it’s still waiting for you to discover its beauty!
