Just six miles off the coast is Isla Vieques, an untouched and beautiful location on earth with verdant forests, never-ending stretches of white sand and a backdrop of rolling hills. Stay at the blissfully chic Bravo Beach Hotel, which has direct access to the coastline. Vieques is also known as “La Isla Nena” (little girl island) and “Isabel Segunda” (Isabel II). Vieques was founded in 1843 by Francisco Saínz. 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, although if you are taking a ferry from Fajardo the distance will be 18 miles. Island is approximately 21 miles (34 km) long by 4 miles (6 km) wide 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, boasts a reflector imported from Paris in 1895, which extends a beam that can be seen from as far as 16 miles. The U.S. Navy came to Vieques in 1941, taking jurisdiction of about 70%  of Vieques, which it was used as a training area (target practice with live ammunition and war games). As a result, Vieques has inherited a legacy of toxic pollution. After pressure from the people of Vieques, the U.S. Navy left the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico on May, 2003, after more than 60 years of use as a testing ground

Attraction-

There is an excellent historical museum at the beautifully restored fort, El Fortin Conde de Mirasol, located in Isabel Segunda. This fort holds the distinction of being the last fort constructed during the Spanish Empire in the New World, over time also served as a jail. After it’s careful restoration in 1991 by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, the fort serves as the island’s main museum, housing the Vieques Museum of Art and History and the Vieques Historic Archives. The museum contains the Vieques Historic Archives, which includes thousands of documents and other materials related to Vieques’ history.

Operation Hour-

Open Wed-Sun 10am – 4pm, weekdays by appointment, free admission (donations are encouraged), (787) 741-1717