Getting Oriented in Vieques and Culebra
Vieques is 33½ km (21 miles) long and 6½ km (4 miles) wide, and has two small communities. On the northern shore is Isabel Segunda, the main town, where the ferry docks. On the southern shore is the village of Esperanza, a string of low-cost bars, restaurants, and hotels along a waterfront promenade. Nearby is the world-famous bioluminescent bay, Puerto Mosquito. Most of the island consists of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, where you'll find dozens of beaches with names such as Caracas, Pata Prieta, and Chiva, as well as many more that have no official names, found off unpaved side roads.
At 11 km (7 miles) long and 6½ km (4 miles) wide, Culebra is much smaller and less developed than Vieques. There's only one community: the tiny town of Dewey.
- Vieques. Two-thirds of this island is a wildlife refuge, and it's a fabulous destination for active travelers who like bicycling, kayaking, and fishing. It is fringed by gorgeous beaches, and a visit to the bioluminescent bay is an unforgettable experience. The island has several boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and upscale resorts.
- Culebra. The island is mostly unspoiled, a quality that brings many people back year after year. People come to Culebra to laze on the stunning, white-sand Playa Flamenco, as well as lesser-known but also sensational sandy stretches. Snorkeling and diving on the cays surrounding Culebra are rated world-class.
