Returning to New Jersey from a vacation in Vieques, Puerto Rico is not an easy thing to do. The overcast days and the cold, rainy nights at this time of the year don’t exactly compare to the cloudless skies and ideal climate of this island located about 50 miles from San Juan, reached quite easily via a 20 minute connecting flight.
I should elaborate on the term “connecting flight.” The flight from NYC to San Juan was your typical 30+ row airplane; however, the connector from San Juan to Vieques was a miniature plane with a total of only nine seats – not uncommon for island hopping planes, but something to be aware of nonetheless.
The airport in Vieques is so small that once you land, the luggage carousel to fetch your bags was only about 100 feet away. The airport was the tiniest one I have ever been to, but all the more welcoming because of it.
Since we had reservations for the W Hotel, we simply had to check into airport’s W hotel reception desk and wait for their hotel van, which takes you on a quick and easy 5-minute van ride to their property.
Vieques Beach at the W Hotel
The weather was perfect, the atmosphere serene, and the small beach had an incredibly private feel to it, as there were two different ones to choose from as well as two infiniti pools to enjoy.
The food was absurdly delicious, but note: at the resort, it’s mainly western style. Breakfasts at the hotel were typical for the states and Europe (eggs, bagels, cheeses, fruit, yogurt, meats), and poolside lunches were equally western (Nicoise salad, tuna steak, burger, fries, chicken fingers, cobb salad, turkey club).
Mofongo, Puerto Rico's Local Dish
For dinner, however, there are quite a few local gems (including Next Course, El Quenepo, and Trade Winds, all of which can be found here) featuring local cuisine such as fresh seafood, mofongo (mashed plantains with seafood, meat, or veggies), and rice and beans. They are all on the pricey side but incredibly satisfying. Each restaurant was beautiful (one was perched over on an overlook of the island!), and the service at each place was prompt and friendly. But, the star of the show was, clearly, the food.
Salmon freshly caught right across the street!
It’s hard to complain about the freshness of a seafood entrée when the salmon was caught literally right across the road. The fish was unlike any I had ever tasted before, and although I am a vegetarian so didn’t try any of the red meat, I was told that the meat dishes were extremely tasty as well. Also, much of the produce was local and organic, and very fresh. Not only was the food delectable, but the presentation of each plate was nothing short of artistic. Rum was popular on the menus of each bar and restaurant we went to during our stay.
A female friend I was traveling with had been to Vieques before on a yoga retreat and knew a local named Jose, who was kind enough to take us on a private tour/hike through a very secret-feeling nature area that led to private beaches and short cliffs to jump from, which I did – very refreshing.
We were fortune enough to see an area of beach that was used in the filming of the Lord of the Flies, as well as areas that Johnny Depp allegedly filmed at for some of his movies.
On top of all the natural beauty that Vieques has to offer, you can visit an ancient lighthouse. Apparently its ruins had been used to guide foreign explorer ships many years ago.
Old Lighthouse of Vieques
Although the flight back to San Juan was rather turbulent and uneasy on the stomach, one should not let that prevent or take away from travel to this wonderful little island.
So if you want some sun, relaxation and fresh seafood on an island where Puerto Rico meets the luxurious west, pack your bathing suits, your Kindle, and some sunblock, and make your way to La Isla de Vieques.
By Anna Kaminsky
