Aguadilla, Puerto Rico - 2019 - Best Things to Do in Aguadilla / Beaches, Hotels, Need to Know Facts, Airport, Getting around and more Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico > Puerto Rico Destinations > Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Travel Guide to help you plan a great vacation in Aguadilla Puerto Rico, complete with attractions, things to do, best hotels, beaches, basic facts, airport information, car rentals, maps and more.

Aguadilla Puerto Rico - Vacation Destination Guide

Rafael Hernandez - Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Aguadilla - Beach Vacation Destination in Puerto Rico

Beach Vacation in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Aguadilla is a coastal municipality right at the northwest point of the island attracting tourists in the winter for its surfing beaches, scenic sunsets and nearby points of interest on the west coast. Many locals and surfers in the know will argue that Aguadilla rivals the more known surfing town of Rincon. Aguadilla hosted the ISA World Championship in 1988. Aguadilla’s gorgeous coastline can be easily missed by the distractions of congested Route 2. In order to find the enchantment of Aguadilla, one must wander through the narrow residential roads leading up to the coastline where beach lovers will find miles of beaches, with some secret spots worth being featured on a Pirates of the Caribbean scene. Aguadilla is home to the Rafael Hernandez Airport, an international airport welcoming visitors seeking for a beach vacation on the laid back towns of Porta del Sol (west coast), offering cheap daily flights to and from Orlando and NYC area airports. The airport is on the site of what used to be the U.S. military’s Ramey Air Force Base. Aguadilla is the most commercialized municipality on the northwest region with many local businesses, factories, a shopping mall, and one of the only two ice skating rings in the Caribbean. Aguadilla feels like many of the traditional towns across the island, at the center is a small square where government offices and many local shops are located.

Basic Facts about Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Map - Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Bandera de Aguadilla / Aguadilla Flag - Puerto Rico

Source: Aguadilla.city

The name Aguadilla derives from the original name Guadilla given by the natives which means garden. Aguadilla was founded in 1775 by Luis de Córdova. Aguadilla is located on the northwest point of Puerto Rico, neighbors to the municipalities of Isabela on the east and Aguada and Moca to the south.

+ Basic Facts - Aguadilla

Area: Total: 76.3 sq mi (197.7 km²), Land: 36.6 sq mi (94.7 km²), Water: 39.0 sq mi (100.9 km²)
Area Codes: 787, 939
Coordinates: 18°25′48″N 67°9′16″W
Currency: U.S. Dollars.
Demonym: Aguadillanos
Electric: Current is 110 volts AC, same as the United States.
Language: Spanish is the preferred language but most locals around tourist areas speak English.
Mayor of Cabo Rojo: Hon. Carlos Méndez Martínez
Population: 53,164 (2017) US Census
Slogan: “El Jardin del Atlantico / “El Nuevo Jardín del Atlántico” / “La Villa del Ojo de Agua”/ “El Pueblo de los Tiburones”
Temperature: Average of 79-82 F.
Tourism Information Office: Muñoz Rivera Street, Ruiz Rivera #43, La Campana Building Tel. (787) 255-1560
Zip Codes: 00603, 00604, 00605, 00690

Sources: Enciclopedia de Puerto Rico

Top Points of Interest & Things to Do in Aguadilla, PR

The Beaches of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

The beaches are certainly the main attraction for both tourists and residents of the island. Aguadilla is no typical Caribbean destination, you won’t resorts and hotels dotted along the shoreline since the US government decided to build their Army base along Aguadilla’s gorgeous coastline, ironically the Army base kept it more natural and uncrowded. Aguadilla is most popular among surfers that enjoy a more rugged natural experience with plenty of room to ride the waves.

To enjoy the beaches of Aguadilla, a car rental is a must, once off the busy highway, visitors will be immersed in an authentic non-touristy town with gems to explore at the end of residential streets and bumpy dirt roads. Those that seek a more adventurous beach experience will enjoy the most scenic and most breathtaking spots by taking a 20 minute hike to Survival. For those that prefer a more cultural scene, there are various beaches popular among locals offering best conditions for swimming where you’ll find local food and nearby restaurants.

Punta Borinquen

Playa Punta Borinquen - Aguadilla, Puerto Rico - Beaches

+ Borinquen Beach – Aguadilla

Playa Colon

Playa Colon - Beach in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Punta Borinquen Golf & Country Club

+ Punta Borinquen Golf & Country Club

With 18 holes with beautiful ocean views in each one, you’ll want to take your time in this challenging course, often referred to as the best value in Puerto Rico. Best time to play is in the morning, but if you’re a sunset lover, afternoon is a magnificent time to play. The course is very open, no view is blocked, but the wind gusts make the course very challenging. Punta Borinquen Golf Course offers a driving range and practice green with reasonable fees. Best times to play is during the morning, it rarely gets crowded, atmosphere is very relaxed. The airport is next door, you’ll have planes flying over making it even more interesting during the game. Interesting facts: The course opened in 1940, built for the military of the Fort Ramey Base. President Dwight D. Eisenhower played at this course. Course was designed by Fred Garbin.

Address: Golf Rd, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico 00603
Phone: +1 787-890-2987
For Hours, events and more info: Visit their Facebook Page

El Faro de la Ponderosa Lighthouse Ruins

+ Lighthouse Ruins – Aguadilla

Plaza de Recreo de Aguadilla

Plaza de Recreo de Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

+ Plaza de Recreo de Aguadilla

Just like all municipalities in Puerto Rico, the town has the traditional square (plaza), where locals gather to chat with friends, attend cultural events, and simply relax and take a break from shopping on the small shops surrounding the plaza. Across the plaza is the Catholic church and Alcaldia (Mayor’s Office). Puerto Rican history buffs visit Plaza de Recreo to see the statue of Rafael Hernandez (1892-1965), born in Aguadilla, famous composer of “La Isla Preciosa“.