Hacienda Tamarindo is a small, characterful inn on a hilltop above Esperanza, on the south coast of Vieques. It is built around a tamarind tree said to be 275 years old, which grows up through the lobby to the floor above and spreads its canopy over the breakfast terrace. From the hill you look down over Esperanza Bay and its two small cays. The beaches and restaurants of the waterfront are a short drive away.
There are 17 rooms, each decorated differently by owner Linda Vail with art, antiques and collectibles, many of them shipped down from New England. The pool sits among palms and gardens with hammocks built for two. Breakfast, which the hotel describes as award-winning, is cooked to order under the tree.
It suits couples who want a friendly, personal place with a sense of humor, rather than a resort. Children are welcome only from age 15 in the regular season and from age 10 in the off-season, which keeps the atmosphere calm. Couples looking for full-service luxury or beachfront rooms should look elsewhere on the island.
Highlights at a glance
- Built around a 275-year-old tamarind tree
- 17 individually decorated rooms
- Ocean-view terraces over Esperanza Bay
- Full breakfast served under the tree
- Pool with hammocks for two and an honor bar
Why Couples Love Hacienda Tamarindo
Small inns on Vieques can feel either rustic or anonymous. This one has a strong personality. The tamarind tree is the obvious talking point, but it is the decoration that people remember: every room has its own mix of furniture, art and odd souvenirs. It feels like staying at the house of a well-traveled friend.
The location is a sweet spot. You are high enough for a breeze and a view, yet close to Esperanza's waterfront, Sun Bay and the launch points for Mosquito Bay. That means short drives to dinner and to the bio bay, which matters on an island where roads are dark at night and wild horses wander across them.
The pool is quiet, the honor bar lets you mix a drink when you like and the staff can sort out almost anything you need on the island.
Which Room to Book
Book a Caribbean Deluxe room for a honeymoon. These have a queen bed and a private terrace with two chaise lounges and a small table facing the sea, which is where you will spend your evenings. They also have air conditioning, ceiling fans, large windows and a walk-in shower. One quirk: the sink sits outside the bathroom door, which is common in older inns but worth knowing.
The Caribbean rooms have a king bed. The High Standard rooms come with a king or two twins. Ask about the view when you book, because each room is laid out differently and the vantage point varies.
All rooms include a beverage cooler and beach towels. Beach chairs can be borrowed on request.
Breakfast, the Honor Bar and Dinner Out
Breakfast is the hotel's pride: a full American breakfast served under the tamarind tree, with a menu to choose from and a daily special. Check whether your rate includes it when you book. The hotel can also pack a beach lunch for the day.
In the evening, the honor bar is stocked for a sundowner before you head out. For dinner, Esperanza's malecón is the nearest cluster of restaurants and bars, a few minutes down the hill. Vieques restaurants keep short and seasonal hours. Some close for part of the low season, so reserve ahead and ask the front desk which places are open.
There is no spa, but the concierge can arrange an on-call massage at the hotel.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do From the Hotel
The concierge books jeeps, restaurants, fishing, paddleboarding, horseback riding, snorkeling, scuba and bio bay trips. Equipment rentals come through a beach sports shop that partners with the inn.
Mosquito Bay is the essential night out. Go as close to the new moon as you can for the brightest glow. By day, snorkel the breakwater at Las Rompeolas, swim at Sun Bay or drive into the wildlife refuge for quieter beaches like Caracas and La Chiva. The hotel's own blog points couples to the Puerto Ferro lighthouse ruins, refuge hiking trails and good birding spots during fall migration.
Mosquitoes come out at dusk, especially near the bio bay. Use repellent. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for Puerto Rico.
Getting There
Fly into Luis Muñoz Marín International (SJU) in San Juan, then take a small plane to Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport (VQS) on Vieques, which takes about 30 minutes. The alternative is the ferry from Ceiba, roughly an hour at sea. The hotel's website has a page on ferry and airline options and can help you book either.
From the airport or the ferry dock at Isabel Segunda, it is a short drive across the island to the hotel on Route 996. Rent a jeep for your stay. Fleets are small and sell out in winter, so book early.
Puerto Rico is a US territory, so flights from the mainland are domestic.
Is It Worth It?
We could not confirm current rates from the hotel's site, so check the booking page directly. As a rough guide, expect it to sit at the more affordable end of honeymoon hotels on Vieques; treat any figure as approximate until you see a quote.
What you are paying for is personality, a view and a calm base close to Esperanza. You are not paying for a beachfront, a restaurant serving dinner or a spa. Couples who want those, or who want contemporary design, should compare Hix Island House in the hills or the boutique hotels on the Esperanza waterfront.
For couples who like small, owner-run places with history and quirks, Hacienda Tamarindo is a good-value way to see Vieques.
Insider tips
- Request a Caribbean Deluxe room for the private ocean-view terrace with two loungers.
- Ask the hotel to pack a beach lunch before heading into the wildlife refuge, where there is no food for sale.
- Book your Mosquito Bay tour around the new moon before you arrive.
- Confirm whether breakfast is included in your rate when you book.
