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?
Aguadilla is a coastal town in Puerto Rico with miles of white sandy beaches.
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:
Aguadilla is on the northwest tip of Puerto Rico.
You will find Aguadilla, 83 miles west of San Juan.
Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Aguadilla:
From San Juan, go to Expresso Kennedy, and merge onto Autopista Jose de Diego (PR 22).
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.
In Aguadilla, public transportation is unavailable.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
The artificial seawall makes this beach a calm one.
Rompeolas Beach is the most crowded beach in Aguadilla during the summer.
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).
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Yes, you can surf in Aguadilla.
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.
Yes! You will love Aguadilla’s natural beauty.
Aguadilla is a town of friendly people.
Everywhere you go, Aguadillians will go above and beyond to help you enjoy your stay.
Aguadilla is worth visiting!
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.
Yes, you can walk around Aguadilla. But as mentioned above, you will need a car to move around Aguadilla's places of interest.
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.
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.
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.
