This Caribbean island has secluded white-sand beaches and a bioluminescent bay no passport required.

“Puerto Rico has an infectious energy and vibrancy.

Meet the Expert

Sylvia DeMarcois the founder of the boutique hotel Finca Victoria in Vieques.

Malecon boardwalk and palm trees, with Cayo Afuera island in distance. | Location: Esperanza, Vieques, Puerto Rico.

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Instead, tiny guesthouses and a slew of new boutique properties offer travelers an intimate connection to the island.

This property madeT+L’s list of the best new hotels in the worldthe year it debuted.

Things to Do

Kayak in bioluminescent Mosquito Bay.

Aerial view of El Fortín Conde de Mirasol (Fuerte de Vieques), a fort built in 1845 located in the town of Isabel Segunda in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

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Sail, swim, and snorkel.

Getting out on the water is the best way to experience the island of Vieques.

Vieques is also home to numerous unique diving sites, making it a haven for PADI-certified travelers.

Pool area at Finca Victoria

Courtesy of Finca Victoria

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Hit the beach.

Even the islands most idyllic shorelines are nearly empty during the high season.

Taste local rum.

Sun Bay Beach is one of the many world-class beaches with few people on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico

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No trip to the Caribbean is complete without sipping the local rum.

Take a tour or pop into the distillery’s shop from Thursday through Saturday between 12 and 8 p.m.

The party really gets started on Saturdays, when live music is also on tap.

Wild Horses Playing in the Green Background

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Reset on a wellness retreat.

El Quenepo is open from Tuesday through Saturday, and reservations are required.

Placita

Hotel El Blok’s restaurantPlacitais among the most well-respected kitchens in Vieques.

Empty country road through Vieques, Puerto Rico

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The restaurant is open from Thursdays to Mondays, and reservations are recommended.

It’s a formula that somehow works perfectly to keep a packed house at this roadside staple.

Calypso nights on Mondays during high season are among Vieques' best live music events.

The ferry makes the 35-45 minute journey between the islands several times a day.

Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Martiza’s Car RentalandVieques Car Rentalare among the island’s reliable car rental companies.