Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (2024 Guide) – All You Need To Know

Aguadilla has some of the best beaches in Puerto Rico. 

Known as “Villa del Ojo de Agua”, Aguadilla is home to historic natural springs.

I was born and raised in Aguadilla. I know its history, people and places of interest. 

In this article, I will tell you all you need to know to enjoy your visit to Aguadilla:

What is Aguadilla?
Where is Aguadilla located?
What is the best way to get to Aguadilla from San Juan?
How do you get around Aguadilla, Puerto Rico?
What is Aguadilla, Puerto Rico known for?
Can you surf in Aguadilla?
Is Aguadilla, Puerto Rico nice?
Is Aguadilla, Puerto Rico worth visiting?

 

What is Aguadilla?

Aguadilla is a coastal town in Puerto Rico with miles of white sandy beaches. 

image of a white beach in Aguadilla
Aguadilla is located on the west coast of Puerto Rico, bordering the Atlantic Ocean.

Do you want to go surfing? Kayaking? Paddleboarding? Snorkeling or Scuba Diving? Aguadilla is the perfect place for you.

But Aguadilla is more than beaches. This town has culture, history, traditional and contemporary cuisine, and friendly people.

Check out the video below of Aguadilla:

 

Where is Aguadilla located?

Aguadilla is on the northwest tip of Puerto Rico.

image of Aguadilla, PR on map
Aguadilla, Puerto Rico on the map.

You will find Aguadilla, 83 miles west of San Juan.

Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Aguadilla:

 

What is the best way to get to Aguadilla from San Juan?

From San Juan, go to Expresso Kennedy, and merge onto Autopista Jose de Diego (PR 22).

image of beach with tunnel
The drive from San Juan is filled with beautiful view points, like the Guajataca tunnel.

Keep going on PR 22 for about 50 miles, and then merge onto Puerto Rico’s Road Number 2.

Stay on Road 2 for 28 miles, and exit 128 toward Avenida San Carlos.

You will be in Rafael Hernandez Plaza Aguadilla’s town square in less than two minutes.

 

How do you get around Aguadilla, Puerto Rico?

In Aguadilla, public transportation is unavailable. 

image of Aguadilla’s town square
Aguadilla’s town square.

To move around Aguadilla, you will need to rent a car. Uber does not work well outside the San Juan area. 

But don’t worry, puertorico.com will show you how to get to the places of interest Aguadilla offers.

 

What is Aguadilla, Puerto Rico known for?

Aguadilla is known for its natural beauty, traditions, history, people, and cuisine.

Below are the 22 things that make Aguadilla famous:

 

1. Parque Colón

Parque Colón Beach has several attractions for the whole family.

image of Parque Colon Beach
Parque Colon Beach, a great place for families.

Children can play in the park’s treehouse. The beach is excellent for taking pictures and watching the sunset.

There is a white cross to commemorate Columbus Landing.

 

2. Paseo Real Marina

Paseo Real Marina is an oceanfront concrete walkway. 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Giuls (@9giuls2)

Photo Credit: @9giuls2

You can walk about a mile and a half from the town square to Parque Colon. 

The kiosks along the walkway are perfect for tasting Aguadilla’s cuisine. 

Check out Paseo Real Marina in the following video:

Many locals jog, exercise, and even walk dogs at Paseo Real Marina. 

Be sure to watch the sunset from here.

 

3. La Yola Aguadillana

Aguadilla’s fishermen have used this wooden boat for over 200 years. 

image of the wooden artisan boat
Take a tour around the bay of Aguadilla Bay in these boats to experience an area tradition.

Modeled after the Spanish chalana, La Yola Aguadillana is the only Puerto Rican-made ship featured in the Naval Museum of Madrid, Spain. 

Tours will take you around Aguadilla Bay in one of these artisan-made boats.

 

4. Paseo de La Virgen Del Carmen

On July 16, fishermen honor their patroness, Virgen del Carmen.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Katiria Soto (@katiriasoto)

Video Credit: @katiriasoto

Mariners put the effigy of the Virgin in a boat to navigate the bay along the shoreline.

Dozens of people with their vessels participate in this aquatic procession.

Seeing the festival is a must if you are in Aguadilla on this date.

 

5. Rompeolas Beach and Pintalto Houses

Playa Rompeolas (Breakwater Beach) is a trendy beach. 

image of Rompeolas Beach

The artificial seawall makes this beach a calm one. 

Rompeolas Beach is the most crowded beach in Aguadilla during the summer. 

image of Pintalto Houses
Colorful houses line the beach in Aguadilla. 

From Rompeolas Beach, you can see the bright color-painted houses of Pintalto.

 

6. El Parterre

Aguadilla’s nickname is Villa del Ojo de Agua (the city of the water spring). 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Historia a través del lente (@historiaatravesdellente)

Photo Credit: @historiaatravesdellente

The natural spring in Aguadilla comes from an underground river miles away.

The Spanish soldiers used to get water from this spring. 

People from Aguadilla say this spring was Ponce de Leon’s fountain of Youth.

 

7. Fuerte de la Concepción

La Concepcion was Aguadilla’s stronghold.

image of the Spanish military fortress
Fuerte de la Concepción, the Spanish military fortress.

This Spanish military fortress was guarding the port and town of Aguadilla against British and pirate attacks.

In 1986 the remains of the fort were listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.

 

8. El Canto de Las Piedras

Massive rock formations are on the shore near Aguadilla’s Old Cemetery. 

Inspired by the sound of the waves hitting the rocks, Poet Jose de Diego wrote that in Aguadilla, even the stones sing. 

The best way to see El Canto de Las Piedras is on a Yola Aguadillana Tour. 

Check out Canto de Las Piedras in the following video:

 

9. The Jaguar’s Face

El Canto de Las Piedras has a rock that resembles a Jaguar’s Face.

People jump from that rock to the water.

Video Credit: Crash Boat Experiences

 

10. El Muelle de Azúcar (The Sugar Mill)

The sugar mill pier goes about 300 feet into the ocean. 

image of the sugar mill pier
Sugar production played a large role in shaping Puerto Rico’s economy.

Sugar plantation owners used this pier to export brown sugar to the Continental United States.

On summer days, you can see local young people jumping off the dock.

Check it out in the following video:

 

11. Crash Boat Beach

Crash Boat is one of the top 3 beaches in Puerto Rico.

image of a beach
The Pier at Crash Boat Beach, a great place for snorkeling and swimming.

Check the article written by Miguel Concepcion to learn more about Crash Boat Beach.

 

12. Peña Blanca Beach

Wishing Wells or Peña Blanca is a hidden gem.

image of Peña Blanca beach
The stairs at Peña Blanca beach.

See this article for everything you need to know about Peña Blanca Beach.

 

13. Survival Beach 

Survival Beach is simply the best hiking beach in Puerto Rico.

image of Survival Beach 
The overlook after a great hike to Survival Beach.

In this article, you will find more information about Survival Beach.

 

14. Remains of Ponderosa Lighthouse

The Spanish Crown built the Ponderosa lighthouse in  1889.

image of Ponderosa Lighthouse's remains
Ponderosa Lighthouse is a great spot for photographers.

The 1918 earthquake almost destroyed the lighthouse. Las Ruinas, or The Ruins, are the remains of the lighthouse.

The place is excellent for photos and sightseeing.

 

15. Punta Borinquen Golf Club

The Army built Puerto Rico’s first 18-hole golf course in 1940

image of Punta Borinquen Golf Club
Punta Borinquen Golf Club, a favorite of past Presidents.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower loved to play on this golf course.

Punta Borinquen Golf Club is atop a cliffside promontory giving golfers a view of the ocean. You don’t have to be a member to play the course.

The green fee is the least expensive in all of Puerto Rico.

 

16. Ramey Base

Ramey Base was essential in United States Defense during World War II.   

image of Ramey Base aerial view
Ramey Base aerial view.

In the 1950’s, Bomber planes like B-52 bombers and the Airfortress B29 were stationed at Ramey Base.  

After the deactivation of Ramey Base in 1972, the Air Force transferred the property to the Puerto Rico Government.

The former base is now home to Rafael Hernandez Airport.

 

17. Elaboraciones Pastelillos Felo

Turnovers or empanadillas are famous street food. 

image of pastelillos
Pastelillos are a delicious snack anytime.

They take a thin dough, fill it with meat, cheese, chicken, or seafood and fry them. 

People from Aguadilla say that the best pastelillos come from Felo. We go there and buy them uncooked by the dozen. 

Don’t leave Aguadilla without tasting pastelillos from Felo.

 

18. Cano’s Fried Chicken

Chano’s has a secret recipe that only a handful know.

image of Cano's Fried Chicken Restaurant
Exterior view of Cano’s Fried Chicken Restaurant.

They have been serving fried chicken for over 40 years.

They have a second establishment, Cano’s, that uses the same secret recipe.

Ask anyone from Aguadilla living in the United States what they miss the most — sooner or later, they will respond with Chano’s or Canos Fried Chicken.

 

19. Canena Marquez Memorial

The first black man signed by the New York Yankees was born in Aguadilla.

image of the statue in Canena Marquez stadium
Luis A. “Canena” Marquez memorial located outside the Aguadilla Sharks stadium.

Luis A. “Canena” Marquez never got to play with the Bronx Bombers.

The Yankees traded Luis A “Canena” Marquez to the Boston Braves. 

To honor Marquez’s memory, the city officials named the Aguadilla Sharks stadium after him.

 

20. El Mirador de Aguadilla

El Mirador is the best place to watch Aguadilla bay.

image of El Mirador de Aguadilla
You will pass the Mirador on the drive from San Juan.

The scenic spot, Mirador, is a roadside observation area with panoramic views of Aguadilla’s bay. 

There is nothing else to do at Mirador, but you should see the sunset from there. 

 

21. Las Cascadas Water Park

Las Cascadas is Puerto Rico’s first water park.

image of Las Cascadas Waterpark's aerial view
If your trip to Aguadilla is over the summer season, check out Las Cascadas.

This water park has slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, “river rapids,” and a kiddy pool. 

But the most impressive thing Las Cascadas Water Park has is the view of Aguadilla’s Bay. 

The park is open only during the summer season.

 

22. Sunken Superfortess B-29 Bomber

Aguadilla offers many scuba diving sites.

Playa India El Natural is a favorite for beginners and intermediate scuba divers.

But, expert divers come to Aguadilla from all over the world to see a sunken Superfortress B-29 Bomber.

Below is a video showing B29 Wreck Dive in Aguadilla:

Below is a Google Map with the locations mentioned above:

 

Can you surf in Aguadilla?

Yes, you can surf in Aguadilla.

image of a guy surfing in Aguadilla
Surfing in Aguadilla is a popular activity in the winter.

From the Table Top near Isabela to the Schoolyards near Aguada, Aguadilla has ten surfing spots. 

Check out 10 Best Surf Spots In Puerto Rico, you’ll see that four sites are in Aguadilla.

 

Is Aguadilla, Puerto Rico nice?

Yes! You will love Aguadilla’s natural beauty.

image of a sunset in Aguadilla
The sunset over the ocean in Aguadilla is a must-see.

Aguadilla is a town of friendly people.

Everywhere you go, Aguadillians will go above and beyond to help you enjoy your stay.

 

Is Aguadilla, Puerto Rico worth visiting?

Aguadilla is worth visiting!

image of the Survival Beach in Aguadilla
Survival Beach in Aguadilla requires a short hike but the views are worth it.

But don’t settle for a visit. Come and stay in Aguadilla.

You can fly from the Continental United States to Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla.

 

FAQ section

Can you walk around Aguadilla?

Yes, you can walk around Aguadilla. But as mentioned above, you will need a car to move around Aguadilla's places of interest.

When is the best time to go to Aguadilla?

You can visit Aguadilla anytime, but when the United States Winter hits full force, you can be warm and enjoy sunsets on one of Aguadilla's beaches.

 

Final thoughts

Aguadilla is a coastal town you should visit — beaches, culture, traditions, history, and Puerto Rican cuisine await you.

It has everything you need to have one of the best vacations of your life, except a bioluminescent bay

Aguadilla is just an hour and fifteen minutes drive from La Parguera Bio Bay.

Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (2024 Guide) – All You Need To Know
Article by

Carlos Cubero

Writer at PuertoRico.com. I was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. I’m passionate about Puerto Rican history and culture. I live on the west coast of Puerto Rico, and host an Airbnb for tourists. I also coordinate tours and concierge services for tourists. I authored “Eat Like A Local, Puerto Rico”, and have contributed to blogs and magazines with articles about discovering and enjoying what Puerto Rico has to offer.

About the author

Find the best things to do
by interest