Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Aguadilla, Puerto Rico is a city located in the northwestern tip of Puerto Rico and has been the recipient of the "Best Quality of Life Award," given by the National Mayor Association, in 2002 and 2004.

It is known as the “Garden of the Atlantic" and this name comes from the colorful sponges and marine life prevalent in the area. Christopher Columbus reputedly landed at the site of Aguadilla in 1493.

Aguadilla is part of "Porta del Sol", in the west coast and publicize by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company which consists of seventeen municipalities for Biking, Bio Bay, bird watching, diving, fishing, hiking, surfing, among many other natural wonders. It is home to some of the world’s best beaches and surfing areas.

Aguadilla, Puerto Rico has world surfing championship beaches a water park and the only ice skating arena complex in the Caribbean. It has quickly grown into a tourist favorite and one of the surfing capitals of the world, even playing the occasional home to the World Surfing championships on the shores nearby.

Aguadilla was the site of the U.S. military's Ramey Air Force Base for almost five decades. During this period, Aguadilla was home to the Strategic Air Command 72nd Bombardment Wing, Heavy equipped with B-52's, a very strategic facility during the Cold War. The facilities now make up the Rafael Hernandez International Airport andthe new Ramey Skating Park a skateboarding facility.

The town is a port on a wide bay formed on the south by the hills of Punta Higüero (Jiguero) and on the north by Punta Borinquen, the northwestern corner of the island.

Spend an afternoon at Parque Acuático Las Cascadas (Las Cascadas Water Park), the biggest aquatic theme park in the Caribbean.

Family beaches in the Aguadilla, Puerto Rico area include Columbus Beach, El Canto de Las Piedras Beach, Rompeolas Beach, and Tamarindo Beach. Surfing beaches include Crash Boat Beach, Crash Point Beach, Gas Chambers Beach, Surfer's Beach, Wilderness Beach, and Wishing Well Beach.

Visit Crashboat Beach, named because of the rescue boats that departed from this location to come to the aid of fighter planes at the former Ramey Air Force Base. Beach festivals are often held here and includes boardwalks, Bar-B-Que pits, restaurants, playgrounds, picnic huts, showers, and restrooms.

Here in Aguadilla are a sequence of pristine, virtually deserted beaches that are just becoming known for their astonishing surfing. With an off shore reef system, we get long breaks on big waves in the winter months: November through April.

Other places to visit in Aguadilla are monuments like the Punta Borinquen Lighthouse, built in 1889, and the city's original Catholic church in town square.

You can also visit the "water eye" an ancient underground fresh water source that was once the focal point of the entire settlement here used during the Spanish Occupation by the Aguadilla Harbor.

Visit Bridges Beach, essentially a sand and reef-bottomed right pointbreak, super-fun and playful. It's a great place to work on your speed carves and check out Aguadilla's best surfers during the dozen or so times a year it breaks.

Get an elevated view of secluded beaches, tropical forests, and cliff caves atop a friendly horse at Tropical Trail Rides (http://www.tropicaltrailrides.com). Each tour lasts approximately 2 hours, and it's amazing what you can do in those 2 hours!

Where to Stay:

Located on the beautiful west coast of Puerto Rico, the Courtyard Aguadilla makes business or leisure travel a dream come true.

Our resort-like setting is just two minutes from the airport and 10 minutes to the beach, downtown, the business area and many attractions.

Other smaller places are are the Lazy Parrot, Bunger’s Bon-Accord Inn, and Casa Islena in Rincon.

Map Puerto Rico provides most of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico information as accurate as possible but keep in mind that changes beyond our control may make some of this information inaccurate. If you have questions or want to report problems to us, please contact us.