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See a Doctor on Vieques by Video, and the Hospital Status

Before you look for a doctor on Vieques in person, know that the island's hospital, Susana Centeno, closed after Hurricane María and we could not confirm whether it has reopened. For common problems, Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD, can see you by video for US$79 from your rental or home, as long as you are physically in Puerto Rico. In an emergency, call 911.

Can we help by telehealth? Sometimes: it depends on the evaluation.

We are a telehealth-only service: we have no office or clinic in this area or anywhere else in Puerto Rico. If you need to be seen in person, this guide shows where to go.

Is this an emergency?

This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:

  • Chest pain, trouble breathing or stroke signs
  • As a fever breaks: belly pain, repeated vomiting, nose or gum bleeding, or extreme tiredness
  • Bleeding, severe pain or fever during pregnancy
  • Someone rescued from the water who will not stop coughing or is confused

Help lines:

Warning signs: when to go to the ER

Book a visit

The Vieques hospital: closed since María, reopening unconfirmed

Vieques had 8,249 residents in the 2020 Census. Its hospital, Susana Centeno, closed in 2017 after damage from Hurricane María. FEMA approved US$39.5 million to rebuild it in January 2020; construction began in November 2023 and was expected to finish in December 2025. In the meantime, the municipality set up its emergency shelter as a temporary CDT (diagnostic and treatment center).

We could not confirm whether the new hospital has opened, or the hours and phone number of the temporary CDT. We won't tell you it is open, because we don't know. Ask your host or the municipality what exists today, and note the number before you need it.

Emergency room on Vieques: call 911 first

Chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke signs, a severe allergic reaction, a near-drowning or a serious injury: call 911 without stopping to work out what is open. We could not verify how emergency transfers from Vieques to the main island work; 911 coordinates them. On the Ceiba side, the nearest hospital ERs we have verified are in Humacao.

A doctor on Vieques by video (telehealth): what you can sort out without crossing

With an online doctor visit many common problems can be handled from the island: a sore throat, UTI symptoms, allergies, rashes, sunburn, mild diarrhea, bug bites that look infected, or a maintenance prescription that ran out. If appropriate, the doctor can prescribe medication. We do not prescribe controlled substances.

Request a visit online 24/7 — we confirm your time by email or text. Visits are video only, not phone calls. If the doctor thinks you need to be seen in person, she will say so, so you can plan the crossing in time.

Is there a 24-hour pharmacy or urgent care on Vieques?

We could not verify from a primary source which pharmacies or urgent care centers operate on Vieques today, or their hours, so we list none. Bring enough daily medication for your whole stay and ask your host. On the main island, the Walgreens locator lists the nearest 24-hour pharmacy counters to Fajardo in Caguas (Walgreens, 101 Carr 1, 787-744-2905) and Guaynabo (Walgreens, 2505 Carr 841, 787-287-0528). See prescription refills.

Crossing to the main island: ferry to Ceiba, or a small plane

The Vieques ferry crosses to Ceiba, not Fajardo, several times a day, with tickets from Puerto Rico Ferry. Service has been unreliable in the past; if you are crossing for a medical appointment, confirm times the day before.

Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport takes only small propeller aircraft. If the ferry is cancelled and it is not an emergency, you can request a video visit from Vieques while you wait.

Mosquito Bay at night: mosquitoes, dengue and Zika

Bioluminescent bay tours run at night, exactly when mosquitoes bite. The CDC recommends repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), IR3535 or 2-undecanone, plus long sleeves. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the CDC warns that Zika can pass to the baby, so avoiding bites matters even more.

Dengue circulates in Puerto Rico. A fever with body aches or pain behind the eyes is worth a visit; the warning signs, which the CDC says tend to appear as the fever goes down, mean the ER. They are explained in our dengue guide.

Visiting Vieques

Strong sun: the CDC recommends SPF 15 or higher and shade from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. University of South Florida monitoring reported in August 2026 that sargassum in the region was still above normal. For beach stings, see the jellyfish guide. In hurricane season (June 1 to November 30) bring extra medication; see medications and hurricanes. Coming from the mainland? Read our guide for visitors and whether US insurance or Medicare works in Puerto Rico; unsure between video and the ER, read where to go when you are sick. Also going to Culebra? It does have a small hospital.

The facts on this page were last verified on 2026-09-30.

Video visit: US$79 · Pay by card · See the price and what is included

Before you book

  • You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors and tourists are welcome).
  • We see patients from 6 months old. Patients under 21: a parent or legal guardian must be on camera for the whole visit.
  • Real-time video only; we do not do phone-call visits.
  • We do not prescribe controlled substances.

What we don't do by telehealth

Frequently asked questions

Is the Vieques hospital open?
We could not confirm it. Susana Centeno Hospital closed after Hurricane María and was being rebuilt, with completion expected in December 2025; a temporary CDT operated in the meantime. Phone to confirm what services exist before you go, and in an emergency call 911.
Is there a pharmacy on Vieques?
We could not verify which pharmacies operate on Vieques or their hours. Ask your host and bring medication for your whole stay.
Can you prescribe something while I am on Vieques?
If appropriate, the doctor can prescribe medication. We do not prescribe controlled substances. Before the visit, find out where you can pick it up on the island or after crossing.
I'm pregnant and visiting Vieques. What should I know?
The CDC warns that Zika, spread by mosquitoes, can pass to the baby during pregnancy. Use repellent, long sleeves, and air-conditioned or screened rooms. Any bleeding, severe pain or fever in pregnancy needs to be seen in person.
What if the ferry is cancelled and I need care?
If it is an emergency, call 911. If it is something common, request a video visit from Vieques while you wait. Small planes also fly from Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport.

Sources

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