Where to Stay in Aguadilla (Best Places & Areas)
👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Aguadilla | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQs
I’m a Puerto Rico local with the inside scoop on where to stay in Aguadilla.
If you’re a first-time visitor to Aguadilla, I recommend staying in the Borinquen neighborhood at Parador El Faro. It’s one of the best neighborhoods for beach lovers. However, if you’re traveling as a family, I recommend staying at Courtyard by Marriot Aguadilla — it’s my #1 accommodation pick overall.
Of course, there are plenty of great places to stay in Aguadilla. In this article, I’ll break down the pros and cons of each neighborhood.
But first, here is a list of the best hotels in Aguadilla:
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Best Places to Stay in Aguadilla
Just looking for a quick answer on the best places to stay in Aguadilla? Here are my top picks:
- 🌟 Best Overall Hotel – Courtyard by Marriot Aguadilla
- 📍 Best Location – Mediterranean Oceanfront Condominium
- 🍸 Best Luxury Hotel – Villa Montaña Beach Resort
- 👪 Best for Families – Courtyard by Marriot Aguadilla
- 💻 Best for Business – Courtyard by Marriot Aguadilla
- ⛵ Best Near Crash Boat – Parador El Faro
- 🛏️ Best Budget – Parador El Faro
Click here to see all top Aguadilla hotels or here for apartments.
Ok, let’s dive into the best areas and neighborhoods in Aguadilla:
4 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Aguadilla
Aguadilla is a city on Puerto Rico’s northwest coast with pristine beaches and spectacular sunsets that invite couples to a romantic getaway. The city also offers fun family-friendly experiences like bowling, horseback riding, and boat tours. Aguadilla is divided into 16 different neighborhoods. Let’s look at some of the best places to stay for your vacation.
Borinquen
👉 Best Area For Beach Lovers | ✨ Best Borinquen Hotels: Parador El Faro • Pasavento Modern Suites
Borinquen is one of the best neighborhoods in Aguadilla for beach lovers. Located on the coast of Aguadilla, Borinquen features four of the most popular beaches in the city (actually, some of the best beaches in all of Puerto Rico): Crash Boat Beach, Punta Borinquen, Playuela, and Peña Blanca Beach.
This neighborhood houses one of the local hotels known as paradores, Parador el Faro, which is just a 4-minute drive from Crash Boat Beach.
Surfers and other watersports enthusiasts will also love this area for easy access to the water. But, if you’re staying off the water, you can bike through Punta Borinquen or camp in Playuela, one of Puerto Rico’s most beautiful camping spots.
Pros of Staying in Borinquen:
- Close to multiple beaches
- Lots of restaurants
- Close to BQN airport
Cons of Staying in Borinquen:
- Crowded beaches during the high season
- Hotels can be pricey
📚 Borinquen Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Beach Lovers
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Parador El Faro • Pasavento Modern Suites
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Borinquen
🍽️ Where to Eat – Desecheo ($$), Bella Ciao Restaurant ($$), El Padrino’s Pizza & Restaurant ($)
🍸 Where to Drink – Set the Bar, Cocoloba Beach Bar
🎟️ Top Attractions – Crash Boat Beach, Punta Borinquen Lighthouse Ruins, Playuela
👉 Need ideas for what to do on your trip? Don’t miss the best activities in Aguadilla.
Maleza Baja & Maleza Alta
👉 Best Area For Transportation | ✨ Best Maleza Baja and Maleza Alta Hotels: Courtyard by Marriot Aguadilla • Punta Borinquen Resort
Maleza Baja and Maleza Alta are two of the best places to stay in Aguadilla if you want to stay close to the airport but still a short drive from the coast.
These neighborhoods house the Aeropuerto Internacional Rafael Hernández, one of the few airports in Puerto Rico that receives flights from the United States.
The Courtyard Aguadilla by Marriot, the only chain hotel in the city, is located right between the airport, and one of Aguadilla’s best beaches, Surfer’s Beach. The hotel features a kids’ waterpark and a casino, which is why I recommend it as a place to stay for families in Aguadilla.
You’ll also find a skating park, car rental locations, and some of the best Aguadilla hotels in these two neighborhoods.
Pros of Staying in Maleza Baja and Maleza Alta:
- Close to the beach
- Has BQN airport and car rentals
- Variety of Aguadilla hotels and rental apartments
Cons of Staying in Maleza Baja and Maleza Alta:
- Limited restaurants and bars offer
- Isolated from other main attractions
📚 Maleza Baja and Maleza Alta Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Transportation
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Courtyard by Marriot Aguadilla • Punta Borinquen Resort
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Maleza Baja
🍽️ Where to Eat – Malo es Na’ ($$), El Sión ($), Levain Artisan Breads & Bakery ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – The Coffee Spot, Happy Belly’s Bar & Grill
🎟️ Top Attractions – Survival Beach, Taíno Mini Golf & Cafe, Punta Borinquen Golf Club
👉 Traveling around Puerto Rico? Read my list of the top things you can do in Puerto Rico here.
Aguadilla Pueblo
👉 Best Area For Walking | 🏠 Best Aguadilla Pueblo Apartment Rentals: Sweet Sunset Apartment • Mediterranean Oceanfront Condominium • Luxury Condo
Every city’s town center in Puerto Rico is full of charm, vibrant colors, restaurants, and small shops, and Aguadilla’s town center is no exception.
Aguadilla Pueblo is a top place to explore attractions within walking distance, including beaches, museums, and a unique water spring known as El Parterre. Mediterranean Oceanfront Condominium is a short walk from it all, and it’s one of the highest-rated rentals in the area.
Pros of Staying in Aguadilla Pueblo:
- Lots of restaurants and bars
- Beach within walking distance
- Variety of things to do
- Pedestrian-friendly neighborhood
- Close to Aguada
Cons of Staying in Aguadilla Pueblo:
- Far from the main beaches
- There aren’t any top-rated hotels in the area
📚 Aguadilla Pueblo Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Walking
Google Map
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Aguadilla Pueblo
🍽️ Where to Eat – Peña Blanca ($$), Rompeolas Bar & Grill ($$), Restaurante Bocas ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Timber & Blues, Kukaramakara Bar & Grill
🎟️ Top Attractions – El Parterre, Rompeolas Beach, Museo de Arte de Aguadilla y del Caribe
📚 Bookmark for later: Is Puerto Rico safe?
Ceiba Baja
👉 Best Area For City Hopping | 🏠 Best Ceiba Baja Apartment Rentals: Rustic Private Apartment • Spanish Colonial Home • Casa Aceituna
If you’re planning to visit Isabela, Moca, and Aguadilla, Ceiba Baja is a great location to stay.
The PR-2, one of Puerto Rico’s main avenues, crosses this neighborhood in the northeast of Aguadilla and connects it to the towns of Moca and Isabela, which means you can easily visit these two cities.
Even if they are a few minutes away from the beach, apartment rentals in the area go as low as $70 per night like this Rustic Private Apartment near Moca. But, you’ll also find villas and homes to fit large groups and families.
Pros of Staying in Ceiba Baja:
- Close to other cities too
- Cheap apartment rentals available
- Close to PR-2, Puerto Rico’s main avenue
Con of Staying in Ceiba Baja:
- Far from the beach
- Limited hotel and apartment rental offer
📚 Ceiba Baja Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for City Hopping
Google Map
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Ceiba Baja
🍽️ Where to Eat – Molina’s Restaurant ($$), Restaurant & Pizzeria Willie Pellot ($$), Taquería 5 de Mayo ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Nuestro Bar, El Nuevo 6
🎟️ Top Attractions – Castillo Labadie (Palacete Los Moreau), Las Cascadas Waterpark
📚 Don’t miss: Best Places to Visit in Puerto Rico
Tips for Staying in Aguadilla
Stay Close to the Beach
Aguadilla’s main attractions are the beautiful beaches that adorn the coast of the city. If you’re a beach lover visiting Aguadilla, you should pick a place to stay that’s close to the beach so you can either spend the day bathing in the sun, swimming, or doing watersports.
Visit During the Summer
Although the summer is the high season for the locals, it’s definitely the best season for calmer tides. The beaches of the west aren’t always safe for swimming during winter. See my full guide to the best months to visit Puerto Rico for more information.
Or Visit During Winter for Fewer Crowds
If you’re a surfer, choose to visit in the winter instead. Beaches like Punta Borinquen, Playuela, and Survival Beach are some of the locals’ favorite spots for surfing. During these months, popular beaches like Crash Boat Beach are also less crowded.
Rent a Car
During your visit to Aguadilla, you’ll need to rent a car to move around freely. There is public transportation in Aguadilla, but schedules are irregular and the Guagua Pública drivers don’t speak English. You can use Discover Cars to find a great deal on your rental car.
Know Your Spanish
Even if Aguadilla is one of the most tourist-friendly cities in Puerto Rico, you won’t find as many English speakers as in San Juan. If you’re planning on staying in the city for a few days, a few Spanish phrases will come in handy to ask for directions and recommendations.
Check out more of my top tips for visiting Puerto Rico like a pro!
Try Rental Apartments
There aren’t as many options for hotels in Aguadilla as there are in San Juan, which is why you should consider apartment rentals when staying in the city.
You will find apartments not only on the coast but also in the city’s interior, both luxurious and simple, so you can choose the one that best fits your taste. You can search VRBO’s Aguadilla page to find great apartment rentals.
FAQs
What are the best areas to stay in Aguadilla for first-timers?
The best areas to stay in Aguadilla for first-timers are Borinquen and Aguadilla Pueblo.
What are safe areas to stay in Aguadilla?
The safest areas to stay in Aguadilla include Borinquen, Aguadilla Pueblo, Maleza Baja, and Maleza Alta.
What are the best parts of Aguadilla to stay on a budget?
The best parts to stay in Aguadilla on a budget include Borinquen, Ceiba Baja, and Maleza Baja.
What are the best parts of Aguadilla to stay with kids?
The best parts of Aguadilla to stay with kids are Borinquen, Maleza Baja, and Aguadilla Pueblo.
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Thanks for reading my guide to the best areas to stay in Aguadilla. Now fill up your itinerary with my Puerto Rico travel guides!
Hello,
I’m traveling solo. I’m searching for a place to stay and close proximity to beaches and restaurants and safety. Cities that I am looking at are Aguadilla and Rincon. Greatly appreciated.
Hi Priscilla! Rincón is a great alternative! However, Aguadilla has lots of great restaurants and beautiful beaches, but not many restaurants are right by the beach, except in a few areas like downtown, near Rompeolas Beach, and Playa Colón.
Alternatively, I’d recommend checking out Isabela (near Jobos Beach) or Cabo Rojo (especially Boquerón, Combate, or Joyuda). Check out my guide on where to stay in Cabo Rojo!
On the east coast, good options include Las Croabas in Fajardo or La Esperanza in Vieques.
If you’re looking for that small beach town vibe, Vieques and Cabo Rojo are definitely go-to spots. Hope that helps!
Hi. Your Puerto Rico travel guides (particularly the 7 day itinerary) have been fabulous and spot on. However, in my opinion the Courtyard Marriott in Aguadilla is rundown and a total dump. It’s really disgusting and should be removed or recommended with caution. Otherwise, thank you so much. You helped make our trip a huge success.
Hola Vanessa,
I really enjoyed reading your articles on everything Puerto Rico. I have never been and Aguadilla looks like the place I’d like to go to first. Me gusta estar parte de la communidad! Me gustaria ir a San Juan pero tampoco no quiero estar con mucho turista. Again, thank you for these well written blogs. I will be using them as I plan my trip to Aguadilla this June!
Thank you for all the information.
What can you tell me about Aguacate town? Is it safe there?
Hi ! I enjoyed reading your articles about Aguadilla. We are planning on coming to PR for 4-5 weeks next January-February. I thought we could start on the west or northwest coast for a week and then head over to the East coast for the remainder of our time. We don’t surf but love beaches and pools and want to explore the caves. Then we can do Old San Juan, El Yunque, and Fajardo etc on the east coast. Any suggestions as to where to stay on the west coast? We love walking around town. I speak Spanish and love exploring! Someone suggested Aguada, Aguadilla, Isabela, or Maniti. Too many choices!