Getting To and Around Vieques
This section aims to help out with information as to how to get to Vieques as well as how to get around, including Taxis (Publicos) and Car Rental information.
Getting To Vieques
 | The first step in getting to Vieques involves flying yourself to Puerto Rico (San Juan International Airport, airport code: SJU). From there, you have three options: 1) Catch a flight to Vieques on a smaller plane directly from San Juan International Airport (25 minute flight); or 2) Take a taxi to smaller Isla Grande airport (15-20 minutes away from SJU), from where you can also fly to Vieques (20 minute flight); or 3) Take a taxi to the Eastern part of the island (1 hour 15 minutes), to the town of Fajardo, from which you can either fly (8 minute flight) or take the ferry (1 hour 15 minutes). Should you decide to go via Fajardo, Al from Al's Transportation (787-590-9001) or Julian from Julian's Transportation (787) 385-7604 are some of the taxi companies that can help you out.  Vieques Airlink (888-901-9247) flies to Vieques from both San Juan International and Isla Grande airports, as well as from Fajardo. Cape Air(800-352-0714) is another airline which flies to Vieques from San Juan airport only. Passenger Ferry Schedule (Trip time: 1 hr 15 minutes) FROM FAJARDO FROM VIEQUES 6:30AM Daily 9:00AM St, Sun, Holidays 11:00AM M-F 9:30AM M-F 1:00PM St, Sun, Holidays 1:00PM M-F 3:00PM M-F 3:00PM St, Sun, Holidays 4:30PM St, Sun, Holidays 4:30PM M-F 6:00PM M-F 6:00PM St, Sun, Holidays 8:00PM M-F | VIEQUES AIRLINK FLIGHT SCHEDULE San Juan International Airport (SJU) Flight time: 30 minutes FROM SJU FROM VQS 12:45PM Daily 9:30AM Daily 2:45PM Daily 1:30PM Daily 5:30PM Daily 4:40PM Daily Isla Grande Airport (SIG) Flight time: 30 minutes FROM SIG FROM VQS 6:15AM M-St 7:30AM M-St 8:30AM M-St 9:00AM Sun 9:45AM Sun 12:00PM M-St 1:00PM Daily 2:00PM Daily 2:45PM M-St 4:00PM Daily 3:00PM Sun 5:45PM Daily 5:00PM Daily Fajardo Airport (FAJ) Daily flights on demand from around 6:30AM to around 5:30pm |
Getting Around Vieques
There are several options for getting around Vieques. Most are easy and inexpensive, but with each there are a few points visitors need to be aware of.
Públicos and taxis
At some time during your visit, you will almost certainly have occasion to take a ride in a público. These are the vans which meet the passenger ferries and flights and which most of the time operate much like buses. You can recognize a público by its yellow license plate. More than likely a público will pick up and deliver other passengers; therefore it may take several stops to reach your destination. But sooner or later you’ll get to where you’re going. The normal charge for taking passengers anywhere in the developed part of the island under this system is $3 per person without luggage. Alternatively, it is usually possible to make a private arrangement with a público driver, in which case the van operates more like a private taxi -- and prices will vary considerably depending on distance, time of day and duration of trip, among others. When you must be somewhere at a particular time (i.e. ferry dock or airport), it is wise to make arrangements with a driver at least a day in advance. It will cost more, but the peace of mind is worth it. (If you ask a público driver to pick you up, please do not go off with someone else. It is often a major effort for them to come out at odd hours and a major “bummer” if their fare has disappeared.) If a driver agrees to pick you up at a certain time, they will! Advance arrangements are also recommended if you’re going out at night. It can be almost impossible to find a público in the after-dinner hours. If you decide to take a regular público to your ferry or flight, leave plenty of time. At certain times of day there may be no públicos cruising a particular area for more than an hour. | Publico Drivers include: Henry (787-649-3838) who works from 5:45PM to 9PM Ishmael Ramos (787-374-8037) works Friday 3-10PM, Aat 9-11PM and Sunday 9AM-7PM with round trips to Red Beach for $10PP Josue (787-234-1697) works 4PM-1AM Eric (787-238-1547) will go to Blue or Red Beaches Rosa and Yeyo (787-312-1745) work Saturday, Sunday and holidays, will go to Blue or Red Beaches Angel (787-484-8796) |
Auto Rentals
If you visit for more than a day or two, you will probably want to rent some “wheels” of your own. Be advised that there are no national car rental firms on the island and that it is extremely inadvisable to try to bring a rental over from the main island. Instead, contact one of the local car rental companies. Most of them will help with pick-up and return and are generous with advice and with support if you run into any kind of problem. Be sure to take advantage of their free maps, as they are essential for finding your favorite destinations. Vieques is a small island, and the developed part is even smaller, so it’s fairly easy to get your bearings and not at all easy to get lost for too long. Furthermore, there are no “dangerous” neighborhoods, and most locals are happy to help visitors with directions. So, if you find yourself out of sight of either the Caribbean or the Vieques Sound, just ask someone where you are and where you should be going. |  |
 | Car Rental Companies in Vieques include: |
Finally, limit the belongings you leave in the car. Most rental companies will ask that you not lock your vehicle at the beaches in order to avoid the damage caused by break-ins. Petty theft does happen here, and the best defense is to avoid having anything worth stealing.
Maximum speed limit is 35 mph unless otherwise posted. Seatbelt laws are strictly enforced with fines of $50 for each person not wearing a belt. A recently passed law forbids open containers of alcoholic beverages in cars. Best advice is: Don't drink and drive, especially as island roads tend to be strewn with obstacles from palm fronds to sleeping dogs, roosters, horses and large bulls.
Another new law requires that drivers of motorcycles wear helmets, long pants and long-sleeve shirts. Bicycles are available for rent at several locations. In addition to automobiles, it is also possible to rent scooters from Extreme Scooters in Isabel II close to the ferry terminal (787-741-8141).