Editing Vieques, Puerto Rico (section)

==Tourism==
[[File:Corcho Beach, Vieques, Puerto Rico.jpg|Bahía del Corcho (Cork Bay), or Playa Caracas (Caracas Beach), also called Red Beach, a name given to the beach by the U.S. Navy and used mostly by English speakers|thumb|right|300px]]
For sixty years the majority of Vieques was closed off by the US Navy, and the island remained almost entirely undeveloped for tourism. This lack of development is now marketed as a key attraction. Vieques is promoted under an [[ecotourism]] banner as a sleepy, unspoiled island of rural bucolic charm and pristine deserted beaches, and is rapidly becoming a popular destination.

Since the Navy's departure, tensions on the island have been low, although land speculation by foreign developers and fears of overdevelopment have caused some resentment among local residents, and there are occasional reports of lingering [[Anti-Americanism|anti-American sentiment]].<ref name="Boston">{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/travel/getaways/caribbean/articles/2007/01/07/unpretentious_vieques_an_island_in_transition/ |title=Unpretentious Vieques, an island in transition |first=Brent |last=Harold |date=January 7, 2007 |newspaper=[[Boston Globe]] |access-date=January 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107063112/http://www.boston.com/travel/getaways/caribbean/articles/2007/01/07/unpretentious_vieques_an_island_in_transition/ |archive-date=January 7, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The lands previously owned by the Navy have been turned over to the U.S. National Fish and Wildlife Service and the authorities of Puerto Rico and Vieques for management. The immediate bombing range area on the eastern tip of the island suffers from severe contamination, but the remaining areas are mostly open to the public, including many beautiful beaches that were inaccessible to civilians while the military was conducting training maneuvers.

Snorkeling is excellent, especially at [[Blue Beach (Vieques)|Blue Beach]] (Bahía de la Chiva). Aside from archeological sites, such as La Hueca, and deserted beaches, a unique feature of Vieques is the presence of two pristine [[Bioluminescence|bioluminescent]] bays, including Mosquito Bay. Vieques is also famous for its [[paso fino]] horses, which are owned by locals and left to roam free over parts of the island.<ref name=Boston /><ref>{{cite web | title=The Not So Wild Horses of Vieques | website=Uncommon Caribbean | date=June 1, 2017 | url=https://www.uncommoncaribbean.com/vieques/wild-horses-vieques | access-date=April 10, 2021}}</ref>

In 2011, [[TripAdvisor]] listed Vieques among the Top 25 Beaches in the World, writing "If you prefer your beaches without the accompanying commercial developments, Isla de Vieques is your tanning turf, with more than 40 beaches and not one traffic light."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches-cTop-g1 |title=25 Best Beaches in the World – Travelers' Choice Abarrios |website=Trip Advisor |access-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302110501/https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches-cTop-g1 |archive-date=March 2, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

As of summer 2020, travel to the island was restricted due to the [[COVID-19]] [[COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico|outbreak]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/alcalde-de-vieques-reitera-oposici-n-a-apertura-del-turismo/article_a0a345c4-abe7-11ea-aae9-230a9ad4736e.html |title=Alcalde de Vieques reitera oposición a apertura del turismo |access-date=July 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701102231/https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/alcalde-de-vieques-reitera-oposici-n-a-apertura-del-turismo/article_a0a345c4-abe7-11ea-aae9-230a9ad4736e.html |archive-date=July 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Landmarks and places of interest===
[[File:Ceiba tree in Vieques Island, Puerto Rico.jpg|thumb|Very old Ceiba tree in Vieques Island, Puerto Rico]]
*[[Fuerte de Vieques|Fortín Conde de Mirasol]] (Count Mirasol Fort), a fort built by the Spanish in the mid 19th century, now a museum
*Playa Esperanza ([[Esperanza Beach]])
*The tomb of Le Guillou, the town founder, in [[Isabel II barrio-pueblo|Isabel Segunda]]
*La Casa Alcaldía (City Hall)
*[[Punta Mulas Light|Faro Punta Mulas]], built in 1896
*[[Puerto Ferro Light|Faro de Puerto Ferro]]
*Sun Bay Beach<ref name="Sun Bay">{{cite web |url=http://www.drdpuertorico.com/parquesnacionales/sun-bay-recibe-bandera-azul/ |title=Sun Bay recibe Bandera Azul |website=DRD Puerto Rico |language=es |publisher=Programa de Parques Nacionales de Puerto Rico |access-date=February 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213184949/http://www.drdpuertorico.com/parquesnacionales/sun-bay-recibe-bandera-azul/ |archive-date=February 13, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*The Bioluminescent Bay
*The 300-year-old [[ceiba]] tree
*Rompeolas (Mosquito Pier), renamed Puerto de la Libertad [[David Sanes|David Sanes Rodríguez]] in 2003
*Puerto Ferro Archaeological Site
*Black Sand Beach (Playa Negra)
*Hacienda Playa Grande (Old Sugarcane Plantation Building)
*Underground U.S. Navy Bunkers<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/vieques-military-bunkers |title=Vieques Military Bunkers |website=Atlas Obscura |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510160452/https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/vieques-military-bunkers |archive-date=May 10, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Wreckage of the World War II Navy Destroyer {{USS|Killen|DD-593}}