Vieques National Wildlife Refuge — Attraction in Puerto Diablo

My recent trip to Vieques was, to put it mildly, a massive disappointment, largely due to its exorbitant costs and frustrating logistics. If you're planning a trip to Puerto Rico and thinking of adding Vieques to your itinerary, my strong advice is to skip it entirely and just enjoy the many offerings of San Juan. From the moment we arrived, the "expensive as hell" vibe was palpable. Every single aspect of our stay felt overpriced. The food scene was particularly disheartening. Not only was the quality far from impressive, but the restaurant prices were absolutely insane for an island. You'd expect gourmet dining for what they were charging, but instead, we were consistently underwhelmed and overcharged, and you’ll find only burgers and regular food that you can get wherever at low cost. Attractions followed the same pattern of outrageous expense. Want to go snorkeling? Be prepared to expend money the range is about $95 per person. Horse riding? Same story. And don't even think about trying to do anything spontaneously. Everything in Vieques runs on a strict reservation system, and if you haven't booked weeks in advance you are cooked, you'll find yourself completely out of luck. We spent more time calling the places for activities than actually enjoying them sine we didn’t have reservations, which made the whole experience incredibly complicated and stressful. The only saving grace, and I mean only, were the beaches. Caracas Beach, in particular, was truly beautiful with its pristine sands and clear waters. However, a few pretty beaches simply aren't enough to justify the astronomical prices and the sheer hassle of being there. Honestly, if you're looking for things to do, better food options, more vibrant nightlife, and a generally less complicated and expensive experience, San Juan is by far the superior choice. Vieques might have a reputation for being a tranquil escape, but in reality, it felt more like an expensive trap. Save your money and your sanity stay...

Hurricane Maria means most of the beaches are almost unrecognizable, but still beautiful. Chivas as closed but secret beach as open and a good swim (but also where we think my husband lost his wedding ring.) Be prepared for some hiking (you can do it in flip flops, but if you have something mroe substantial, I'd wear those.) Media Luna beach was completely deserted and apparently was where Lord of the Flies was filmed. It was not a good swimming beach. Wear bug spray if you are going to hike the path to it. Navio was perfect for families and swimming and had picnic tables and shelters. We kayaked with Jak water sports on the bioluminescent bay on a New Moon (no moonlight) and it was amazing, the stars you could see and there were some dinoflagellates visible, even at 35% recovery after the hurricane. Caracas and playuela we're beautiful. The roads are awful and I wouldn't ever rent anything other than a 4-wheel drive Jeep. I don't know how those golf carts or scooters even made it down there! Sun bay was by far the best beach...

My recent trip to Vieques was truly unforgettable. The island has such a unique beauty, with each beach offering something special. We visited Playa Negra, a one-of-a-kind black sand beach. The contrast of the golden cliffs against the dark sand and blue waters was absolutely stunning—it felt like stepping into another world. The walk to get there was an adventure in itself, but completely worth it once we saw the breathtaking view.

We also spent time at Playa Caracas, which had a very different vibe. The sand was soft and white, the water calm and clear, and it was perfect for swimming and relaxing. It’s one of the most family-friendly beaches we’ve been to, with plenty of space and a laid-back atmosphere.

What makes Vieques so special is the balance between untouched natural beauty and peaceful surroundings. Unlike crowded tourist spots, here you really feel like you’re in a hidden paradise. Every turn revealed postcard-worthy scenery, and the locals were...