ABOUT VIEQUES

History: Vieques was founded in 1843 by Francisco Saínz, and is about 21 miles long and about 4 miles across at its widest point (55 square miles or 33,000 square acres). It was annexed to Puerto Rico in 1854. Vieques derives its name from the Taino Indian word for small island (bieques). (Latitude: 18.13þ N/Longitude: 65.40þ W)
Beauty and history merge on this intimate island. Arawak Indians once lived here and it was an infamous haven for pirates during the 17th century. Various European powers fought for control of Vieques. The Punta Mulas Lighthouse also known as Morropó, was built in 1893. This old lighthouse still protects the port. It boasts a reflector imported from Paris in 1895, which extends a beam that can be seen from as far as 16 miles away.

Largest Wildlife Refuge in Caribbean: Since 1941, about 80% (27,000 of the island’s 33,000 acres) of Vieques had been under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Navy. It was used as a training area. These lands were acquired by the U.S. Navy from bankrupt sugar plantations. In 2003, 15,500 of these acres became protected National Park Preserve, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service when the U.S. Navy relinquished their use. Today over 50% of Vieques land (18,100 acres) is protected park preserve becoming the largest wildlife refuge in the Caribbean. This refuge is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service division of the U.S. Department of Interior. Because the Navy had owned these large tracts for six decades, expanses of dry forest and brush remain in their natural “post sugar’ unspoiled state. Wild horses roam through the hills and deserted beaches. This land harbors areas used by threatened and endangered sea turtles for nesting, subtropical dry forest, mangrove lagoons, salt flats and bioluminescent bays. Such refuges provide habitat for threatened and endangered species, migratory and resident bird and other wildlife and will offer outstanding wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities, including fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. The development of these nature-based tourist activities will provide untold economic opportunity for the island.
Vieques Population: 9,000 +/-

Driving Time: 45 minutes from San Juan to Fajardo, plus 1 hour ferry trip.

Flying Time: 20 minutes from either San Juan International or Isla Grande airports, 7 minutes from Fajardo airport, by frequent commuter flights.

Location: The island is located between Puerto Rico and St. Thomas (USVI), and is separated from the southeast coast of Puerto Rico by approximately 8 miles of sea. Numerous other small cays (islets) lie offshore of Vieques.
Trade: Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. Plantation sugar production dominated Puerto Rico’s economy until the 1940s. Industry has surpassed agriculture as the primary sector of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the U.S. and by tax incentives, U.S. firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. As a result, Puerto Rico’s export and import has prospered, and nearly doubled between fiscal years 1987 and 1997.
Important industries include pharmaceutical, electronics, textiles, petrochemical, processed foods, clothing and textiles. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. The principal livestock are cattle, pigs, and poultry. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income for the island, with estimated arrivals of nearly 3.9 million tourists in 2002, and 7% of the Island’s GNP. Puerto Rico has very few natural resources of economic value and its economy relies heavily on federal aid from the United States Government.

Finance: Vieques has a local branch of Banco Popular with a 24 hour ATM. There are currently 19 commercial banks in Puerto Rico.

Government: Puerto Rico is a self-governing commonwealth in association with the United States. The chief of state is the President of the United States of America. The head of government is an elected Governor. There are two legislative chambers: the House of Representatives, 51 seats, and the Senate, 27 seats.
Puerto Rico has authority over its internal affairs. The United States controls: interstate trade, foreign relations and commerce, customs administration, control of air, land and sea, immigration and emigration, nationality and citizenship, currency, maritime laws, military service, military bases, army, navy and air force, declaration of war, constitutionality of laws, jurisdictions and legal procedures, treaties, radio and television communications, agriculture, mining and minerals, highways, postal system, social security, and other areas generally controlled by the federal government in the United States.
Local Government: Puerto Rico is not divided into counties but has 78 “municipios” (municipalities). Each is governed by a popularly elected mayor and municipal assembly. The mayor appoints a secretary-auditor and a treasurer. Puerto Rico has one resident commissioner (with voice, but no vote) in the Congress of United States. There are no electoral votes for Puerto Rico in the U.S. presidential elections. Taxes: Puerto Ricans pay no U.S. income tax, however, the commonwealth taxes approximate those of the U.S.

Fuel: There is no natural gas service on Vieques, but propane service is available. Three service stations are located in the main town of Isabele II, one of which supplies diesel fuel.

Electricity: Electrical service is 120v, the same as U.S.

Local Shopping: There are two large supermarkets; Superdescuentos Morales and Portella on the island . There is an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables year-round available from the Vieques Fruit Market and various roadside stands. Most neighborhoods have at least one colmado, convenience store. On Rt. 200 in Monte Santo, west of town, is Vieques Health Food Store. Quality meats, cheeses and wines are available at the gourmet shop Chef Michael in Esperanza. Vieques is home to a new hydroponics farm, which exports to the mainland and sells locally as well. Fresh fish is available early afternoons when the local fishing boats return to Isabelle II’s pescatoria. Wine and liquor is available at many locations.
Lumber yards, hardware stores and most building supplies are easily available.

Beaches: Vieques offers a different beach for every day of the week and for every mood. Sun Bay, Vieques’ public beach in Esperanza is perhaps the most beautiful on the Island and is the best for walking - it's about a mile long and the sand is fine and soft. It also has showers and picnic tables. On a dirt road past Sun Bay, you will also find the smaller and secluded Media Luna (half moon) and Navio beaches, where you’ll often be alone. On the northern side there is Playa Gallito and other secluded beaches along the road to the airport. On the western end of the island, Green Beach is worth several trips. Wild horses roam the access roads and beach, and you can spend all day snorkeling or lounging under a palm tree and see no one. On the former eastern Navy base on Vieques, Camp Garcia, there is Bahia Corcho (Red Beach) and Bahia de a Chiva (Blue Beach), which are open to the public. Playa Secreta (Secret Beach) and others are currently only reached by boat, but will most likely reopen in the coming months as these lands become readied for public use by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Roads: Those familiar with other Caribbean islands will find Vieques roads wider than most, well posted and in remarkably fine condition, as well as being kept clean of debris by year-round maintenance teams.

Restaurants: The island is host to several outstanding gourmet restaurants including Cafe Media Luna and The Blue McCaw. Many open-air casual restaurants are also favorites, including Amapola, Bananas, Chez Shack (weekly barbecue with live music), The Island Café, La Sirena and Trade Winds. There are also many small neighborhood and family restaurants offering local and Puerto Rican dishes.

For more information about monte BRISAS, Contact:
212-645-6800, 787-501-1744, 787-741-2797 or your local Vieques real estate agent.