Is Vieques Safe? (Honest Advice for Safety in 2023)

Vieques, Puerto Rico is a popular weekend getaway spot with beautiful beaches, but with COVID-19 affecting both illness and crime rates around the world, you may be wondering: is Vieques safe to visit?

As a local that’s been to Vieques and enjoys all the fun activities in Vieques, the short answer is that yes, Vieques is safe to visit. 

But, since you might have specific concerns about safety in Vieques, this article is full of tips and safety advice to keep note of when visiting the island.

Before you dive in, bookmark my guide to safety in Puerto Rico for more info on how to stay safe in other parts of Puerto Rico.

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Is Vieques Safe?

Overall, Vieques is one of the safest places in Puerto Rico. While it isn’t a risky destination, you should be aware of (and take appropriate measures for) the effects of the ongoing pandemic, the possible hazardous weather during the hurricane season, and petty crime in Vieques.

Vieques is extremely safe for every type of traveler. Being a small municipality island, you’ll hardly find any dangerous areas or become a victim of crime. Overall, I’d suggest you take the same safety precautions you would in any other destination.

Violent gun crime is present in Vieques, but it mostly revolves around drug trafficking and gang activity and doesn’t affect tourists. If anything, visitors are more likely to experience pickpocketing and theft, which can be easily prevented by not carrying around valuables and leaving them at their hotel.

There is a hurricane season in Puerto Rico, but hurricanes don’t affect the island every year and travelers can still visit Vieques.

Things to Know About Safety in Vieques

Vieques Travel Advisories

Although Vieques is generally safe, both the Canadian and United Kingdom governments issued a travel advisory regarding COVID 19. The CDC classifies the United States as a high-risk country as of the beginning of 2022.

There is a travel advisory for terrorism in the United States, but the risk is particularly low in Vieques, Puerto Rico, as it’s a non-incorporated territory. You could see occasional manifestations in Vieques, but they’re rare.

Petty crimes like pickpocketing and robbery are the most common crimes in Vieques, and visitors should take standard travel precautions to avoid them.

Safe Neighborhoods and Areas in Vieques

Overall, Vieques is safe. Neighborhoods like Isabel II and La Esperanza are particularly touristy, but the mountainous interior is home to dozens of vacation rentals too. 

However, Vieques is safest during the day. Night owls will find more things to do in El Malecón, but otherwise, it’s best practice to avoid wandering the streets of Vieques past midnight. 

As for the Vieques Wildlife Refuge, home to secluded Vieques beaches, visitors should leave their cars unlocked with no valuables inside and keep an eye on their belongings at the beach.

👉 Need a place to stay? Check out my guide to the best and safest areas in Vieques.

Covid-19 Safety in Vieques

Puerto Rico continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. In Vieques, more than half of the population has the first vaccine dose and the government continues to implement safety regulations.

Masks are mandatory indoors, on public transportation, and outdoors if social distancing isn’t possible. You’ll also need to present your vaccine card or negative PCR test when entering many restaurants and bars. However, you won’t need the vaccine card to take the ferry ride to Isla de Vieques.

📚 Related Reading: Is Puerto Rico Safe for Travel Right Now?

Crime in Vieques

The crime trend in Vieques is the same as in the rest of Puerto Rico and San Juan, with travelers facing mostly pickpocketing and theft. By not leaving belongings unattended and not bringing valuables to the beach, tourists can easily avoid this type of crime. Violent crimes are generally related to drug gangs and they rarely affect visitors.

Common Scams in Vieques 

When visiting Vieques, visitors should still keep an eye open for the following:

🚗 Rental car scams – While renting a car in Puerto Rico, you could face some scams. Beware of hidden charges for simple things like wet seats, cigarette smell, or sand in the car.

💰 Pickpockets – Pickpocketing is not uncommon in Isla de Vieques or Puerto Rico. Thieves could easily nab your belongings while you’re distracted, so always keep an eye on them.

Hazardous Weather and Natural Disasters

Depending on the time of the year you visit Vieques, you might experience dangerous weather conditions or natural disasters. Some things to look out for are:

⛈️ Hurricanes – Vieques, like the rest of Puerto Rico, features a hurricane season that goes from June to November.  Hurricanes don’t affect the island every year, but if you’re still concerned, consider travel insurance for Puerto Rico.

🌊 Rip tides and swimming conditions – During the fall and winter seasons, Vieques beaches have high tides and riptide currents. Visitors should check the local weather and avoid swimming if the tide seems too strong.

Drinking-Water Safety

Tap water in Isla de Vieques is safe to drink. The water supply comes through a pipeline from the mainland of Puerto Rico where water is monitored, tested, and processed as per the USA Environmental Protection Agency and the Puerto Rico Department of Health.

👉 Local Tip: If you’re worried about water drinkability, I recommend buying a filter water bottle. The Grayl water purifier bottle offers a simple cleaning system that purifies water in minutes.

5 Safety Tips for Vieques

Tip #1 – Leave Your Car Unlocked and Empty

Contrary to the safety rules in Puerto Rico, in Isla de Vieques you should leave your rental car unlocked and without any belongings in it, as locked cars send out the signal there is something valuable inside.

Tip #2 – Leave Valuables at Your Vacation Rental or Hotel

You won’t be needing your fancy jewelry or iPad while visiting a secret beach or the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. Avoid petty theft by simply leaving any valuables you packed for Puerto Rico at the hotel or vacation rental.

On that point, if you need a hotel in Vieques, be sure to check out my guide to where to stay in Vieques.

Tip #3 – Respect Private Property

The people of Vieques have a sour history with the United States military and citizens on their land, so be mindful and respectful of their properties and space to avoid any negative experiences.

Tip #4 – Don’t Swim in High Tides

Drownings of tourists are somewhat common in Puerto Rico because they risk swimming with strong tides. Use common sense and monitor the local media to know if the beaches are optimal for swimming.

👉 Read Next: Is San Juan Safe?

Tip #5 – Don’t Wander Vieques Alone at Night

Vieques doesn’t feature the same nightlife as San Juan or Carolina. After 10 pm, there is hardly anything to do in Vieques, so unless you’re at an Esperanza bar, don’t wander alone at night.

👉 Read Next: Best Things to Do in Vieques

FAQs About Safety in Vieques

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Thanks for reading my safety guide to Vieques, Puerto Rico!

If you’re planning to visit other parts of the island, check out our general guide for safety in Puerto Rico, and don’t miss these popular things to do in Puerto Rico.