Esperanza

The town of Esperanza, the second largest town in Vieques, is located on the southern coast. It is a quaint fishing village that has become the center of tourism.

Along the main street called the Malecón, you will find an array of funky bars, restaurants and guesthouses and a beautiful waterfront promenade.

Esperanza has a swimming beach, a boat launch and two docks, one of which belongs to the Fishermen's Association.

For those who prefer a larger beach with more facilities, the balneario or public beach at Sun Bay is just a short distance from Esperanza.

Esperanza Beach
Esperanza Beach also provides access to fine snorkeling under the dock and along the coast of Cayo de Afuera.

Fideicomiso de Conservación e Historia de Vieques
Vieques Conservation & Historical Trust

The Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust, established in 1984, is a privately funded organization whose mission is to preserve the environment and the history of Vieques, especially the Bioluminescent Bay.

Visitors and locals alike have the unique opportunity to take advantage of the trust's many facilities.

There is a resource room that contains a library, offers internet access, classes, films and Bioluminescent Bay information.

Across the hall, the pre-Columbian room features artifacts and information about the life and customs of the indigenous peoples of Vieques and the Caribbean. The Jadeite Condor, which is the logo of the trust, was discovered on Vieques, a place that has neither jadeite nor condors. This find indicates that the original inhabitants of Vieques were able to carry on a far reaching trade with people as far away as the South American mainland.

A bookstore in the hall features books about Vieques and related topics, locally produced crafts and other items that can be purchased in the adjacent gift shop. The proceeds of all sales go to maintain the trust.

In the courtyard, behind the main building, is a marine life exhibit, where Captain Mark Martin feeds the fish and gives a talk Thursday through Saturday 1:00-3:00 PM.

An exhibit room and scientific laboratory can be found in the rear building.

The exhibit room contains changing exhibits concerning the environment and history of Vieques. Three thousand children from the Big Island as well as university students and conservation groups from Puerto Rico, the mainland United States and abroad, traveled to Vieques to experience the various exhibits at the trust last year.

University professors and students can make use of the scientific laboratory to carry out research on the bioluminescent bays.

Vieques Conservation & Historical Trust
787-741-8850, 787-741-2844
Daily 8am-4pm (gift shop 11am-4pm).
www.vcht.com

Ángel Rodríguez Cristóbal

A bust of Ángel Rodríguez Cristóbal stands overlooking the dock and the waterfront of the town of Esperanza, The inscription written by Juan Antonio Corretjer reads:

The Fishermen’s Association of Vieques, Inc. honors the memory of:
Ángel Rodríguez Cristóbal
1946 - 1979

“When the cause is just, there is no need to fear.”

"Ángel Rodríguez Cristóbal was born April 2, 1946 in Ciales, Puerto Rico. At the age of 18, he entered into the United States Army. It was during his three year tour of active duty on the battlefield that he realized that injustices were being committed against the people of Vietnam.

"Upon his return to Puerto Rico, he became involved in agriculture in the town of Pozas de Ciales. He participated in the social and political movements of his town. In 1972, he joined the Puerto Rican Independent Party. Later, in 1974, he joined the Puerto Rican Socialist League. His militancy brought him, in the year 1978, to join the Viequense fisherman in their fight against the presence of the United States Navy in Vieques.

"He was arrested on May 19, 1979, along with twenty other protestors from a group of 200 people who were participating in an act of religious civil disobedience on a beach in an area occupied by the Navy.

"A federal judge found for the Navy and sentenced him to serve six months in a prison in Tallahassee, Florida. On November 11, 1979, he was murdered in his prison cell.

"Hero and martyr, tireless fighter for his homeland.

“…Upon his assassination, he enters the pantheon of the immortals whose deaths defines a piece of Puerto Rican history.”

Translated from the original Spanish