Vieques is a small island located off the east coast of Puerto Rico’s main island.
It is home to the brightest bio bay in the world, Mosquito Bay, but is it safe to visit?
I have been visiting Puerto Rico every summer with my family for years, and safety is important to us.
In this article, I will walk you through everything that you need to know about safety in Vieques, Puerto Rico:
– What is Vieques?
– Is Vieques Puerto Rico safe for tourists?
– Is Vieques safe at night?
– Is Vieques safe for solo travelers?
– Is Vieques safe to walk around?
– Is Vieques disability accessible?
Vieques is a small island located off the east coast of Puerto Rico’s main island.
The island is famous for being home to the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay and Black Sand Beach.
You can learn more about Vieques in our article Vieques, Puerto Rico – All You Need To Know.
Vieques is exceptionally safe for tourists to visit.
Of course, there are always exceptions, but if you take some reasonable precautions during your stay you shouldn’t worry!
Be mindful of your valuable belongings like cellphones, Apple watches, and expensive jewelry because petty crimes like theft are the most common crime committed on Vieques.
There are some parts of Vieques that are catered towards night owls and have nightlife like Esperanza, but it would be my recommendation not to go wandering around Vieques at night.
If you are or need to walk at night take someone with you, have contacts, and try to stay in well-lit areas as best as you can.
Absolutely!
Vieques is great for solo travelers because the island is so small, there is plenty to do. Hostels and work stay programs offer opportunities where you can make new friends with and meet travelers from all over the world!
It is safe during the day.
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Photo Credit: @kris_allaine
If you are an experienced hiker or backpacker, you could easily walk around Vieques.
There are plenty of hiking trails that lead right up to the beach!
For other tourists, it would be best if you rented a car, or used the public transport available on the island to get to your destinations.
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Vieques is relatively accessible for wheelchair users as most beaches allow you to pull your car all the way up to the beach!
When researching, I also found many vacation rentals and a few hotels that were disabled-friendly and offered accommodations.
Depending on where your stay is, there might be issues with noise levels at night.
If you get a vacation rental near a residential neighborhood, there might be issues with sounds, like loud music and roosters.
If you or someone you are traveling with is prone to overstimulation, then it might be worthwhile to choose a hotel or a more remote stay.
According to the Vieques National Wildlife website, there are 11 types of snakes on Vieques, including the rare Puerto Rican Boa.
Vieques is just as safe for female travelers as the rest of Puerto Rico. Just take reasonable precautions when it comes to your valuables and talking to strangers.
Vieques is a great option for families because of how safe it is. The beaches are very safe and easily accessible. And there are plenty of hotels that offer 24-hour security.
Yes! The chance of harassment based on sexual orientation or gender expression is very low on Vieques.
If you plan to visit Puerto Rico, then you should definitely spend a few days in Vieques.
There are minimal safety concerns on the island, with the main one being minor-theft of valuable possessions.
You can learn more about general safety in Puerto Rico with our article Is Puerto Rico Safe? – All You Need To Know.
I recommend that you check out our other article about how to get to Vieques.
Also, if you are looking for things to do, then check out our article about the 30 best things to do in Vieques.
Writer at PuertoRico.com. Growing up in New York and spending my summers in Puerto Rico, I have always loved writing, travel, and animals. I began my career as a travel writer, and after many different jobs in media, I have settled back into what I love most. I enjoy the beach, exploring the island with my family, and coffee!
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