Vieques is a small island located off the southwestern coast of Puerto Rico. Pristine beaches rim the island and more than half of the land is a nature preserve. There are no high-rises, no malls, and no casinos on Vieques. The attractive W resort represents the only hotel chain on the island.
Esperanza is a small community (barrio) situated on the southern, Caribbean coast of Vieques. It is twenty minutes from the town of Isabelle Secunda, the ferry, and the airport – all located on the northern, Atlantic coast of the island. Esperanza’s atmospheric promenade along the water front, the Malecon, offers cafes, small shops, and exhibitions in the Vieques Trust museum by day, a gathering spot to watch the sunset on winter evenings, and music. a range of dining options, and social strolling by night. The Malecon is “the place” to be on the island. All ages are welcome on the Malecon at all hours.
Paso Fino (“Fine Step”) horses came to the island with Spanish settlers, who brought them for riding on the sugar plantations that first covered the island. Known for their natural, rapid four-beat gait, the horses offer riders a comfortable seat for a day on the trail. Descendents of the first horses now roam wild on the island, adopted and owned by youth and men who can be seen riding bareback in front of the house and along the Malecon. The horses and young colts graze in the meadows at Sun Bay Beach. Trail rides for all abilities can be arranged (see "Things to Do.") For more on the Paso Fino horse breed see: Wikipedia at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paso_Finoand Gaited Horses at:http://www.gaitedhorses.net/BreedArticles/PasoFino2.shtml
