Puerto Rico is filled with breathtaking sights and gorgeous places to stay. Amongst all the beauty of Puerto Rico is the Vieques and Culebra, which are two smaller islands off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. With its bioluminescent bay, you aren’t going to want to miss out on Vieques. Getting there’s a bit more difficult than a simple drive, so here’s everything you need to know about…
Getting to Vieques from the Main Island
Flights to Vieques
Of the two ways to get to Vieques from mainland PR, flying is the first method we’ll discuss. It’s the most convenient and quick way to get there. The tradeoff is cost. Depending on where you depart from, among other factors, flying can get pricey. Let’s dive into that.
What airports fly into Vieques?
- There are three airports in mainland PR that fly into Vieques: San Juan International(SJU), Isla Grande, and Ceiba.
- Vieques Airlink flies to Vieques from all the previously mentioned ports except SJU. If you prefer, you can also fly Cape Air from SJU.
- Flight availability does not vary seasonally, but prices might fluctuate depending on the time of year. I’ll discuss that later.
How long is the plane ride?
- Flight duration can be 10-30 minutes, depending on where you depart from.
- All flights are direct from each mainland airport.
How much do the plane tickets cost?
- Tickets can cost anywhere from $80 round trip p/p to $400 round trip p/p, depending on several factors.
- Your choice of airport has a big impact on ticket prices. The most expensive flights depart from SJU, ranging from $140-$400 round trip p/p, while the most affordable flight out of Ceiba for as low as $80 p/p. The wide variance in price at SJU.
- Most major airlines will offer a combined bookable fare if you include Vieques on your itinerary.
- Depending on the size of your party, Chartering a flight or booking an air taxi might make financial sense.
Ferries to Vieques
The other way to Vieques is by ferry. This option is much more affordable, but it takes longer and can be more inconvenient. Here’s everything involved with this choice.
Where do you catch the ferry to Vieques?
- The only ferry departs from Ceiba (there used to be one in Fajardo, but it has been shut down).
- The quickest way to get to the port is to take Expreso Román Baldorioty de Castro nearly all the way to the end. Near the end of the expressway, you will see an exit onto Route 66. Take Route 66 all the way until it ends at PR3 and exit eastward. Continue straight and you will notice PR3 becomes Autopista Dr. José Celso Barbosa. Keep going and take exit 5 onto PR 975, then turn left onto carr. 3, then right onto calle Feliza Rincon de Gautier. Continue onto Calle Isabel Rosado, then turn right onto Tarawa Dr. Keep going until it becomes Forrestal Dr and then hang a left onto Marina Dr. Or you could use Google Maps, whatever works best for you.
How long is the ferry ride?
- Depending on water conditions, you can expect the ride to last anywhere between 30 and 40 minutes.
- There are several ferry departures and arrivals throughout the day, with the earliest departure from Ceiba at 4:30 a.m. and the latest at 8:00 p.m.. It’s recommended that you be at the terminal an hour before departure. The boarding process closes 10 minutes before departure.
How much do the ferry tickets cost?
- A one-way ticket costs $2 for adults, $1 for seniors and children, and $4 and $2 for a round trip, respectively. Babies until age 3 and seniors over 75 travel free of charge. Vehicles can only be brought on board if they belong to a resident of Vieques or Culebra.
- No discounted rates are available at this time.
Tickets can be purchased at the Puerto Rico Ferry website, the City Experiences Mobile app, or the terminal in person.
Conclusion
Vieques is definitely a must-see for anyone visiting the island. While the idea of an additional flight or ferry might seem daunting to some, the payoff is worth it.
Which of the two travel methods is best depends on your priorities. If you want to save as much money as possible, the ferry is the way to go. If you prioritize convenience and have extra money to spend, then flying is the option for you. Ultimately, the destination is the most important part, and it’s hard to beat Vieques as far as that’s concerned.
