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The island of Vieques is about twice the size of New York's Manhattan, with about 10.000 inhabitants
and some 40 palm-lined white sand beaches. With temperatures in the mid 80's all year round there is
plenty of time to explore the beaches. Vieques was first inhabited by Native Americans (the Tainos) more than 2000 years before Columbus crossed the Atlantic. El Hombre de Puerto Ferro, an archeological site on Vieques, is where the 4000 year old remains of the man of Puerto Ferro was unearthed in 1990.
The island was for a long time an infamous haven for caribbean pirates. At 987 feet (301 m) Monte Pirata
(The Pirate Mountain) is the highest point in Vieques and the peak where the pirate lookouts would
search for ships to prey on. Today a paved trail to the summit is closed for cars but makes for a good
hike with fantastic views of the whole island. On the North side of the 21-mile (34 km) long island lies the town of Isabel Segunda, named after the Spanish queen Isabella I under who's reign the construction of the last Spanish fort in the New World began. El Fortin has been carefully restored and strolling along its thick stonewalls you can easily imagine the time of the conquistadors. Today, host to the historical museum, it makes for a nice afternoon excursion. You can also enjoy browsing the art galleries: Siddha Hutchinson, and Gallery Galleon. On the south side of Vieques lies Esperanza, a pretty little fishing village, once a center for the island's sugar-cane industry, now the place to salsa the night away while sipping a tropical rum punch or a cold Medalla (the local beer) in one of the many restaurants and bars lining el Malecon (the boardwalk). When you feel the need for a little sophistication, and you don't want to cook at home: enjoy a dinner at El Quenepo in Esperanza or Next Course on route 201, or have a drink at W hotels Resort & Spa. Al'smar Azul has Caribbean Karaoke, and Chef Eva Bolivar cooks up the best Caribbean seafood paella on
Vieques.