JET OFF TO ISLA DE VIEQUES
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine Nolan
Easter is approaching which means it is time for a spring vacation getaway.
Jetting off to an island always sounds like the perfect adventure while providing rest and relaxation to the work weary travelers.
One could not even imagine the immense beauty of a Caribbean destination known as Isla de Vieques. Nature surrounds you in this remote location which is part of the Islands of Puerto Rico. One of the largest natural wildlife refuges can be found here amassing over 3100 acres. Another gift of Mother Nature within this area is Puerto Mosquito, the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world and truly a dream come true once you view this enormous beauty.
The 2008 Guinness Book of World Records declared this spot as the brightest, giving it a claim to fame. Tiny creatures known as “Dinos” come into contact with other organisms producing a bright burst of blue light. There is no question as to why it was voted one of the 50 most romantic places on earth. Take a kayak tour and live the magic.
Some of the wonderful activities available to tourists include kayaking in the mangroves, snorkeling and scuba diving, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, bird watching and even doing absolutely nothing but taking an intriguing book to the beach and you can sit back and become engrossed in the novel as the waves reach the shoreline and then they recede back.
The island is rich with history dating back decades. See the restored lighthouse on a hill point north of Isabel Segunda. There are numerous artifacts giving you background to this remote paradise. Find the fort and the navy bunkers and even the archeological site where a 4000 year old skeleton was found. At one point in time, the U.S. Navy used the island as a bombing range and testing ground. Take a tour of the Grande Sugar Plantation. There is so much to do right at your fingertips.
Isla de Vieques is known for its island hospitality and there are a variety of accommodations for every budget and every lifestyle. Take your pick of a bed and breakfast, guest house, vacation villa rental or hotel. It has also come to be known as “Caribbean’s Wedding Capital”.
Getting to the island is relatively inexpensive as flights leave daily for Puerto Rico from almost every airport across the United States. Once you land in Puerto Rico, a ferry will take you to Vieques. Then let the excitement really begin.
There is nothing more romantic than watching the sun set or sun rise over the serene ocean while sitting on the sandswept beach. You have your choice of over 15 beaches such as Playa Negrita or Esperanza Beach. Depending on how long your stay is, you could visit all the beaches the island has to offer over the course of your vacation time.
Be at peace with the universe, gaze out at the calm turquoise waters and awaken your senses. Find out what Isla de Vieques is all about and why it is rapidly gaining a five-star reputation.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF Trip Advisor
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