jwlnroe

My husband and I are traveling to San Juan first week in June for a short vacation. I am wondering how the ferry works and the cost involved round trip taking it from Old San Juan over to Vieques Island. Also would like to know what there is to do once we get over there that is close by and won't cost much. Stuff we can do on foot preferably. Any other info on places to see, shop or eat while we are over there. Thanks. Just thinking a day trip over there on one of the days would be nice.

salcho

I would go instead by plane. Go to Isla Grande Airport and hop on a Flamenco Air ( https://airflamenco.net/index.php ) or Vieques Air Link ( http://www.viequesairlink.com/ ) flight.

Flamenco Air is usually cheaper ($65 each way) than Vieques Air Link ($72 each way). They flight to Vieques is just 30 minutes each way. To Culebra I think it's even less.

I prefer Culebra to Vieques. If I was you I would take a plane to Culebra early in the morning, spend all day in Flamenco Beach, have drinks at Mamacitas, have some fresh chillo (red snapper) at Dinghy Dock and then fly back.

I've taken the high speed ferry from San Juan to Culebra before but it takes too long if you're just going one day. I wouldn't recommend taking it for just one day.

jwlnroe

Ok thanks for the reply.

Dhalgren

For off peak travel (Easter through Labor Day), I would recommend the ferry. Part of this is the expense of the flight, plus a slight feat of flying in small planes. But the other part is I found a reliable driver, and the ferry is both reliable and enjoyable during the off season. I am going back to Vieques on June 1st. I will fly out of JFK at 7am and be on a beach before 4pm. It really couldn't be easier. If you need the name of my driver, contact me at [email protected]

salcho

jwlnroe: I think Dhalgren is talking about the ferry from Fajardo, not the one you're asking about from San Juan. Ferries leave to Vieques/Culbera from 2 places in PR, from San Juan and from Fajardo. Fajardo is in the east coast and that's why Dhalgren is talking about a driver; because he needs someone to drive him from San Juan to Fajardo (about 45 min to 1 hour away).

If you want to leave from San Juan, like I said before, I suggest flying. If you have time to drive to Fajardo and take the ferry from there, then you can do that and it's a lot cheaper. They just bought new ferries last year and they are much faster than years before. Make sure you get there very early if you're going on a weekend because tickets sell out quick. Last year I left San Juan to Fajardo at 6:30am and when I got there they were all sold out.

Let me know if you need anything else.