One of Puerto Rico’s most important tourist attractions is, interestingly, located off the island but still within walking distance. It is the penultimate easternmost island of the Greater Antilles and, together with Culebra and numerous reefs and smaller islands, forms the archipelago of the Spanish Virgin Islands.
Whoever decides to visit it must leave speed and frenzy at home because here everything has its time and the local saying is "Why are you in a hurry? You’re in Vieques!"
Vieques was until less than 10 years ago a North American military base and was partially occupied by the navy of this country. Popular protests caused the navy to abandon the island in 2003, leaving the natives with some beautiful beaches, but without any tourist development. The strong point of Vieques is the sea: white beaches and coral reefs make it a true paradise, ideal for snorkeling and diving. Vieques is also home to the luminescent Mosquito Bay: the phenomenon of bioluminescence in this bay is caused by microscopic algae that live in the water and that, in contact with foreign bodies or noise, become bright. It is enough to touch the water with the hands or the foot to see them illuminated like fireflies, in short a wonderful show.
Not to be missed in Vieques are the Glass Beach, made up of tiny coloured stones and rich in shells, and the wild horses of the ‘paso fino’ breed that can be seen everywhere, grazing at all hours even in the garden of the house, approaching each other in a friendly manner and allowing themselves to be photographed.
