I've only stayed in Esperanza (for a week, a couple of times) and prefer it because it's closer to the beaches and we like the Malecon and restaurants overlooking the ocean.

Visited Isabel a couple of times but usually only on the way to and from the ferry and felt no need to do so otherwise.

It's you again Sassy!!!

Sounds like my friends sentiments. I guess they rented a house in Isabel but said they kept driving to Esperanza. And I guess purchasing gas can sometimes be a challenge.

Where did you stay on your visits?

Hi Deb
I'm on the Caribbean boards because it's cold today LOL!

We stayed at Hectors by the sea the first time we visited. Very pretty
http://www.hectorsbythesea.com/

On our second trip we stayed in a rental house called Casa des Moines
http://www.enchanted-isle.com/byowner/casadesmoines.htm

Loved both experiences Hectors is in a fantastic spot but the house rental was more roomy and less expensive.

I posted reviews and reports on Tripadvisor as that was the forum I used for research. The Vieques forum there is far more active than here.

Isabel is definitely grittier than Esperanza where there is a growing expat community. It's a fair way to drive between the two (over the top little windy road) so we preferred to stay put after driving back and fro to the beaches at least once a day!

If you decide to rent for a week then take a cooler and pick up some stuff in PR before taking the ferry if you are going that route. Almost everything is available on Vieques but it's a little more expensive and can run short of things including gas at inconvenient times!
We were there for Thanksgiving a few years ago so we took along a few special bottles of wine rather than pay through the nose for poorer quality stuff on island.