Hi, I'm looking for help planning a July trip to Vieques with spouse and 2 kids (7 and 9). It seems the recommended hotels don't like kids (Blue Horizon, Hacienda Tamarindo). They do seem to "allow" them off season, but that is not reassuring. Probably the kids would like a pool (though we far prefer beach.)

Also, flights to San Juan are only $260, but flying to Vieques cranks it up to $420. The ferry sounds pretty awful. How much can you save trying to fly out of Isla Grande? How much trouble is it? Thanks for any advice on getting there and where to stay!

well...i dont get it..

your kids are 7 and 9 and you want to take them to Vieques?

In July...

The little ones...unless they really like beaches....take them, and spouse therte..

Why are you going?

We love beaches, swimming and exploring nature. Also heat. Too many cold days on cape cod sitting in traffic trying to go do something. But I'm getting a non-weather-related cold feeling about Vieques and kids.

What about renting a villa, most of the rentals have pools with them and if you are considering places like Inn on the Blue Horizon and Hac Tam, the cost may be comparable. Then you can make some meals, picnic lunches at home.

I do not consider the ferry trip over awful!! I amy be in the minority, but it is a lot of money to fly those 15 minutes over! Air Link and Cape Air were both $95 when i flew over, one way, a few weeks ago.
If you fly out of Isla Grande, there will be a $20 is cab fare, then flights are approx. $45 one way.

For the ferry you need to taxi over, usually they are vans, about $80 for all. It takes an hour, the ferry is $2 per person. I think that approaching the island by water is a nice introduction to the island! And what is wrong with a nice boat ride!

I think your kids will enjoy the island, they will see the horses that graze verywhere, iguanas, deserted beaches...
have fun whatever you decide!

Thanks soggydollar. It seems like my kids would love it. They love to explore outside and swim in warm water. And they are not into organized activities. Sounds like paradise to me. I think a villa with a pool would be perfect. Please let me know if you have any recommendations who to call.

Do you need to have a reservation to fly from Isla Grande to Vieques or do you just show up? July should be slow.
Thanks!

don't know much about Vieques, but if your kids like pools you should check out the Westin Rio Mar. great pool, if I remember correctly it had a slide. nice resort and close to El Yunque.

Our kids love Vieques! They love all of the beautiful deserted beaches. They love getting in a beat up old car and driving down rutted old roads to discover what's at the end (usually another gorgeous beach). They love the biobay. They love the horses.

Re getting there, we usually fly from Isla Grande to save money. Regardless of the season, you should definitely make a reservation as flights are often full. In addition to the options mentioned, you can also fly from Fajardo (which is also where you get the ferry). This is roughly $23 each way and from here you don't need to make a reservation as flights leave on demand.

Regardless of where we are, when traveling with children we are big believers of renting a villa as it gives us more space and usually for a better price. For Vieques, I would recommend checking out the villas at www.enchanted-isle.com (also has lots of great info about Vieques) as well as cyberrentals.com and vrbo.com.

Hi needavacation,

We took the ferry over to Vieques after spending 2 nights at the Westin.
On Vieques we stayed at Hector's by the sea with our 2 kids ( 16 & 9)in a Casita (called Coqui). It had a small kitchen area with refridgerator and microwave.

There is a pool which our daughter loved (and a hot tub for adults only).

The beaches were wonderful!

Thanks for the advice! Hector's looks great. Is there a swimming beach right there? Or nearby?

There are lots of nice choices on enchanted-isle.com too. Do people have a strong feeling about staying on the north side vs. south side of the island?

It almost seems you can't go wrong.

ccc is right, do make a reservation to fly from Isla Grande even in the off season. There is a lot of "commuter" traffic on these airlines all the time. If you google Air flamenco, they may be the cheapest, also Vieques Air Link I think flies out of Isla Grande.

Also ccc had the correct links to find your perfect villa! The enchanted-isle link provides so much other info as well.

Be sure to check out biobay while there. The kiddos will never forget the experience!

There is beach access at Hector's but there is very little sand and it's not ideal for swimming (rocky). The kids could paddle there or make a sandcastle but really there are so many wonderful beaches on Vieques it's fine to just check it out on the day you arrive if you can't be bothered to go anywhere else by car.

The nearest beach is 5 mins away by car in Esperanza.

I appreciate all your helpful responses! I have a much better idea of how to make this work. I think we'll fly out of Isla Grande and get ourselves a nice little villa. And of course we won't miss biobay. I always get great advice here. Thanks!