Price Increase Delayed — No New Fares Yet
The planned fare increase for the Ceiba → Vieques and Ceiba → Culebra routes has been postponed. The new tariff structure under Regulation 9682 will not take effect until December 31, 2026 at the earliest.
What Happened
Fare Increase Paused as of May 2026
Josué Menéndez Agosto, executive director of the Integrated Transportation Authority (ATI), announced that Regulation 9682—which establishes a new tariff scheme for maritime transportation to Vieques and Culebra—has been postponed until December 31, 2026.
The regulation had been set to take effect imminently, but ATI reversed course after receiving direct input from elected officials and community leaders on both islands.
Ceiba → Vieques
Fare increase postponed to December 31, 2026
Ceiba → Culebra
Fare increase postponed to December 31, 2026
Why Was the Increase Postponed?
The delay came directly from proposals and recommendations put forward by key officials concerned about the economic impact on Vieques and Culebra residents. According to ATI, three main voices shaped the decision:
Island Mayors
The mayors of Vieques and Culebra raised concerns about the fare increase's impact on island residents and local commerce, advocating for a fairer and more deliberate implementation process.
House of Representatives
Carlos "Johnny" Méndez Núñez, president of the House of Representatives, also called for the delay, adding legislative weight to the push to protect island communities.
Governor Jenniffer González
Governor González made the final call, directing ATI to postpone the regulation to avoid adverse economic impacts while a more orderly and equitable process is carried out.
ATI Director's Statement
"The message from the mayors and their communities has been heard. Governor Jenniffer González Colón has made a firm and responsible decision to avoid adverse impacts on the economy of Vieques and Culebra, while a fairer and more orderly process is carried out."
— Josué Menéndez Agosto, Executive Director, ATI
What's Next
The postponement is not a cancellation. ATI has signaled that the new fare structure is still coming, but the authority will use the intervening months to get it right. Here's what to expect before December 31:
Regulation amendment process. ATI will formally begin amending Regulation 9682 to incorporate community concerns before the rules take effect. Residents and merchants will have an opportunity to be heard.
Resident & merchant data integration. ATI will complete the registration and data integration process for island residents and merchants, which affects who qualifies for lower resident fares.
Current fares remain in effect. Until December 31, 2026, passengers will continue to pay the existing fare rates on both the Vieques and Culebra routes. No action is required from travelers at this time.
Stay alert for further updates. ATI may release an amended regulation before December 31. FerryAlert will publish updates as the situation develops.
Still Plan Ahead for Tickets
The fare postponement doesn't change the hardest part of traveling to Vieques or Culebra: getting a ticket. Schedules still release on short notice and seats sell out in minutes. Setting up a FerryAlert remains the best way to secure your spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ferry prices going up right now? ▼
Will the price increase definitely happen on December 31? ▼
What is Regulation 9682? ▼
Do I need to do anything differently when booking tickets? ▼
Are both Vieques and Culebra routes affected by the postponement? ▼
Don't Miss When Tickets Drop
Fares may be stable for now, but ferry tickets still sell out in minutes. Set up a FerryAlert and we'll email you the exact second the schedule goes live for your travel month—so you can book before seats are gone.
Set Up Your Ferry Alert →