30 best things to do in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Aguadilla is a town located in Puerto Rico’s northwest corner.

Aguadilla offers something for everyone and has some of the best beaches in Puerto Rico.

I am a proud “Aguadillano.” I was born and raised here it is my honor to share my hometown with you.

In this article, I will cover the 30 best things to do in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico:

1. Breakfast at a panaderia

Your hotel has a restaurant, and they serve breakfast.

But locals eat breakfast at the bakery or panaderia, as we call it.

You can have freshly brewed coffee and sandwiches made with criollo bread baked in the store.

You can go to La Campana Bakery, Ramey Bakery, or Aguadilla Bakery.

To learn more about Puerto Rico’s culinary scene, check out our article 35 Best Restaurants In Puerto Rico.

2. Morning walk or jog on Paseo Real Marina

If you like to exercise in the morning, go to Paseo Real Marina.

As the sun rises behind the mountains, it bathes Aguadilla’s bay.

The ocean water and the morning will help you start your day with new strength.

To find places to stay around this area, check out our article Where To Stay In Aguadilla.

The Paseo Real Marina is the waterfront promenade along Aguadilla’s bay, popular with joggers in the morning and for sunsets in the evening.

3. La Casa del Arbol Tree House

They built a large wooden tree house around a gigantic banyan tree in Parque Colon, Columbus Park.

The tree house is fun for the whole family and will bring out the kid in you.

Visit Parque Colon Beach; you are going to love it.

Learn more about the area’s beaches in our article 11 Best Beaches In Aguadilla.

4. Have a piragua

Piragua is what Puerto Ricans call shaved ice cones.

They cover the ice shavings with homemade fruit syrup.

You will see piragua carts at Parque Colon and Town Square.

Try the coconut-flavored one.

5. Visit Plaza Rafael Hernandez (Aguadilla’s Town Square)

Rafael Hernandez was Aguadilla’s most significant popular music composer.

The town square has a statue of Rafael Hernandez and a fountain inspired by one of his songs: “Campanitas de Cristal” Glass Bells.

You may have heard Hernandez’s song Cumbanchero.

Check out our article Is Aguadilla Safe For Tourists to learn more about the area.

6. Travel to Aguadilla’s past

When you step into Alba’s Music, you will think you have traveled back in time.

You will see LPs 45’s and vintage musical instruments.

They have a lot of memorabilia for sale.

Even if you are not buying music or souvenirs, these two stores are worth visiting.

7. Visit Aguadilla’s City Hall Museum

The City Hall’s Museum allows you to learn about Aguadilla’s history and to see some of Aguadilla’s artists’ work.

Check out the video below for more about Aguadilla from the museum:

8. Rex Cream

This is one of the best ice creams you can find in Puerto Rico.

9. El Parterre

One of Aguadilla’s nicknames is La Villa del Ojo de Agua, or “The City of the Spring Water.”

El Parterre is a small park built around a natural spring — the “ojo de agua” behind Aguadilla’s nickname, La Villa del Ojo de Agua.

10. The colorful houses of Cerro Cabrera (Pintalto)

The community came together to make a work of art that spans the neighborhood. Right behind El Parterre, you will find a street art museum.

This place is great for photos and seeing Aguadilla’s Bay.

Below is a video of the process of painting the houses:

11. Puerto Rican flag mural

They painted a giant Puerto Rican flag on a former Aguadilla Public School.

Close to that building, you will find the remains of El Fuerte de la Concpeción.

From that Spanish fortress, brave Aguadillians defended the town from the attacks of the British and pirates.

12. El Canto de Las Piedras

There are several rock formations on the beach in front of the Aguadilla Urban Cemetery.

Jose de Diego, an Aguadilla Stateman, Lawyer, and Poet of the nineteenth century, called the sound of the wave hitting the rocks: “El Canto de Las Piedras,” the singing of the stones.

A legend explains the origins of 4 rocks on the beach.

Four fishermen got into a fight and fell off the cliff.

The three amigos remained together forever, and a little far away stayed the peeved one.

Watch a video of Las Piedras Beach below:

13. Take a photo inside the abandoned plane

On the road 107, there is an abandoned plane on an empty lot.

The plane sustained damage beyond repair in an accident at Rafael Hernandez Airport.

Local artists covered the plane’s remains with graffiti and an inscription: ‘Vuela sin alas” or “Fly without wings.”

14. Taste a limbel

A limbel is a frozen juice treat, like a homemade popsicle in a plastic cup. The name is popularly said to come from aviator Charles Lindbergh. Look for them at local snack counters around town.

15. Eat Aguadilla’s classic food

Pollo de Chano’s and Pollo de Eliseo are two fried chicken restaurants.

Chano’s serves their chicken with french fries and Eliseo with Puerto Rican bread. If you like fried chicken, you must visit these two places.

Another classic is Empanadillas (turnovers) Felo. The pizza-flavored one is simply the best.

No visit to Aguadilla is complete without eating at El Meson Sandwiches. This sandwich restaurant franchise started in Aguadilla.

Visit Road 459 Food Truck Park for a diverse culinary experience.

Last on this list is the hot dog stand in front of the Catholic Church on Plaza Rafael Hernandez.

People line up to buy these hot dogs.

16. Borinquen Field-Ramey Air Force Base Museum

Aguadilla played a vital role in the defense of the United States during World War II and the Cold War.

If you want to know more about the history of Ramey Air Force Base, visit the BFRAFB Museum.

The former Air Force Base is home to Punta Borinquen Golf Club.

The museum’s opening days are limited, so check its current hours before you go.

17. Surf

There are several companies and teachers who offer surf lessons.

You might become a surfer visiting Aguadilla during surf season (from November to March). Learn more by reading 10 Best Surf Spots In Puerto Rico, where Aguadilla makes the list a few times.

18. Snorkeling

Aguadilla has several beaches in which you can snorkel dive.

There is an artificial reef in Crash Boat. You can swim with turtles on Peña Blanca.

Several companies can take you on a snorkeling tour. Learn more by reading 25 Best Snorkel Spots In Puerto Rico — or browse Aguadilla surf and snorkel tours.

19. Scuba diving

Playa India, close to Crash Boat, offers one of the best places for SCUBA diving in Puerto Rico.

Crash Boat is a favorite among SCUBA divers of all levels of expertise.

Learn more dive sites in our article 30 Best Scuba Diving Sites In Puerto Rico.

20. Stand up paddle board

If you know how to paddle board, you can rent one in Aguadilla.

Need to gain experience paddle boarding? You can take a class and a tour.

You will be paddle boarding like an expert in no time.

For information about tours in Aguadilla, see this article 7 Best Tours In Aguadilla.

21. See humpback whales

Humpback whales spend the winter in the waters off western Puerto Rico, where researchers have documented them breeding and calving. On calm winter days you may spot them from the shore at places like Surfer’s Beach.

See our whale watching guide.

22. Kayak

The calm waters of the bay in Aguadilla are perfect for kayaking

Water sports rental companies will rent you the kayak.

And if you would like a kayak tour, these companies can make the necessary arrangements.

23. Explore El Muelle de Azucar (Sugar Mill Pier)

The Sugar Mill Pier is a staple in Aguadilla’s bay landscape.

You can walk to the pier, kayak, or go to El Muelle on a Yola Aguadillana tour.

One company rents motorized watercraft vehicles to take you to the sugar mill pier.

Check out the video below for an aerial view of this area:

24. Go to the beach

Aguadilla has some of the best beaches in Puerto Rico.

Check out Crash Boat Beach, Peña Blanca, and Survival Beach articles.

You can also go to El Rompeolas Beach, Wilderness, Surfer Beach, Punta Borinquen, Mangalito, Playuelas, and Table Rock.

Aguadilla has a beach for every water sport.

25. Las Ruinas, the remains of The Ponderosa Lighthouse

The remains of Ponderosa Lighthouse are a must-go place in Aguadilla.

This place is excellent for taking great pictures and spending time with nature.

The non-profit organization Rescate Playas de Borinquen does a fantastic conservation job. When you go to Las Ruinas, see all the works of art painted on buildings.

Below is a video explaining what RPB does:

26. Watch the sunset

It doesn’t matter if you watch it from the Merendero, Paseo Real Marina, a boat, or one of our beaches; the Aguadilla sunset is mesmerizing.

Our sunset is a natural spectacle that will remain in your memories for a long time.

27. Drink coffee

But there are dozens of places where you can get great coffee in Aguadilla.

28. Las Cascadas, and Canena Marquez Baseball Park

Next to Las Cascadas is Canana Marquez Stadium. Try to see an Aguadilla Sharks versus San Sebastian’s Patrulleros baseball game. Their rivalry is like the Yankees and The Red Socks.

Las Cascadas is a seasonal water park, so check whether it is open and its current hours before you go. For more, read Best water parks in Puerto Rico.

29. Bioluminescent bay tour

Aguadilla doesn’t have a bioluminescent bay, but La Parguera in Lajas is about an hour’s drive south without traffic. Book a licensed tour for a dark night near the new moon, and note that the bay closes for three full-moon days each lunar cycle under a 2023 DRNA order.

Learn more in our La Parguera bio bay guide and our comparison of all three bio bays in Puerto Rico.

30. Talk to a local

Aguadillanos are hard-working, fun-loving, noble people.

We love to share the marvels of our city with tourists.

Feel free to talk to us.

Getting to and around Aguadilla

• By car from San Juan: about 2 hours (135 km) without traffic.
• By air: Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN) is in Aguadilla; check airlines for current routes to the mainland.
• Nearby drives: Isabela about 15 minutes, Rincón about 30 minutes, La Parguera about an hour.
• Rideshare: Lyft lists BQN among its Puerto Rico airports, but outside San Juan a rental car is the practical way to reach the beaches.

Frequently asked questions

Final thoughts

Aguadilla is a great base for Puerto Rico’s northwest: beaches and surf within minutes, Isabela and Rincón close by, and its own airport. If you are coming from San Juan, allow about 2 hours by car without traffic.

Plan more: best beaches in Aguadilla, where to stay in Aguadilla, Crash Boat Beach and the best things to do in Puerto Rico.

Originally published on PuertoRico.com (2022-10-30). Reviewed and updated October 2026: facts were checked against the sources above.