Taxis
Vieques Taxi is a reliable service which dispatches drivers to pick you up: call 787-741-TAXI (8294). They can get busy and not answer so you MUST call in advance. They will pick you up from the ferry dock or airport if you need to have a private, quick service. They will also take you to beaches or restaurants. There are also public vans waiting at the ferry dock and airport if you do not arrive too late (late is after 6 PM). The private taxi price should be the same as a public van for the same number of passengers. Vieques Taxi does NOT always answer their line. In that case, try calling a public van (see below).
Public Vans
Public vans will take you to most places in Vieques. These vans say “Vieques y Sus Barrios” on the windshield (“Vieques and her neighborhoods”). You can flag one down anywhere in the street, in which case you will pay $5.00 to go to most any residential area in Vieques (not all). An additional 50 cents per bag may be charged.
Vans will be waiting at the ferry dock and airport to take you to Casa de Kathy ( after 5 or 6 pm there may be no vans waiting so you have to call for service.) Just tell your driver you are going to Casa de Kathy in Esperanza.
If you call the van to pick you up and take you to a destination without other passengers, you will pay $15 – $20 minimum or $5.00 per person (but it could be more).
Some (not all) public vans will take you to the Wildlife Refuge beaches. The average charge to go to Playa Caracas (Red Beach) is about $40 round trip for 2 people and more for 4 people. Very few will take you to Playa la Chiva because of the distance.
Driving directions to Casa de Kathy from the ferry dock.
Here are a few reliable drivers of public vans and taxis:
Vieques Taxi: 787-741-TAXI (8294)
Angie 787-397-2048
Nandy: 407-446-4299
Jorge: 939-253-7290
Gabriel – 787-242-4054
Coqui: 787-374-6820
Jose Morales: 435-4277
Esteban: 787-486-1145
Gerry/Ali: 787-988-5357 or 787-710-6667
You may have to call several drivers before you find one available so call at least an hour before the time you want to be picked up. When calling or standing in the street for a van, pay attention to the ferry schedule. When a ferry comes in to Vieques, most drivers will be waiting at the ferry dock and will be available only after they finish delivering ferry passengers around Vieques. Ferry schedule.
Kiani Tours
I highly recommend Kiani Tours, operated by licensed excursionist Letty Perez: 787-556-6003. She offers a 3-hour tour of important sites and beaches for about $35-45 per person or less if you have several people. She also can coordinate transportation for groups or trips to the beach.
Vieques Car Rentals
You do not need to rent a car if you stay in Esperanza, but it is helpful for going to the beaches inside the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Refuge (the former Navy base) or for touring Vieques. You can also go to many of the remote beaches by bike or taxi. See a list of beaches here.
In high season, cars must be reserved as far in advance as possible. Often, you will not find a rental car available and will find that walking, biking or the public vans will be a very good options. Fun Brothers at the waterfront in Esperanza rents golf carts and motor scooters – sometimes they rent by first come first served. Bike rentals available from JAK Water Sports, 787-644-7112 or Jecca Bike Rental at (787) 435-2249.
Most of the car rentals are local companies. You can not bring a rental car on the ferry boat from the main island because it is not allowed by the rental companies and because it is very difficult to obtain a ferry reservation.
Avis (Rte. 200) -787-741-0284
Coqui Car Rental (Wave Hotel, Isabel II) – 787-741-3696
Maritza Car Rental (Rte. 201) – 787-741-0078
Island Car Rental – 231-527-8331
Vieques Car Rental (Rte. 200) – 787-412-8540
More companies may be found in this online Directory.
Bikes
Call JAK Watersports 787-644-7112.
Jecca Cycling: 787-435-2249
You can bike from Casa de Kathy to the Wildlife Refuge. It takes about 45 minutes to bike to Playa Caracas (Red Beach) and about 20 minutes more to get to Playa La Chiva (Blue Beach).