26 Best Things to Do in Aguadilla (Fun & Unique Activities)
👉 Jump to: Best Things | Family-Friendly | History, Art, and Culture | In and Near Downtown
There are tons of amazing things to do in Aguadilla. If you want your vacation in Puerto Rico to be about exploring beaches, sunbathing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, then Aguadilla is your go-to destination.
This city located in the west of Puerto Rico is a popular destination for nature and beach lovers, but it also has other attractions worth visiting. As a Puerto Rico local, I stay in Aguadilla around three times a year (check out my guide to where to stay in Aguadilla here).
In this post, we’ll cover the best things to do in Aguadilla.
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26 Best Things to Do in Aguadilla
Survival Beach
Hike at one of Puerto Rico’s best, and most stunning, beaches.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book a Surfing Class in Aguadilla
If you’re always looking for challenging trails with beautiful scenery, then you can’t miss a visit to Survival Beach. This beach is ideal for spending a day hiking and admiring the great outdoor surroundings.
You can reach this beach through Surfer’s Beach, where you’ll find both locals and tourists catching waves. The 0.6-mile trail extends through the coast with ups and downs, and mesmerizing views.
The overall hike takes about 30 minutes, but make sure to bring plenty of water, as it’s considered pretty challenging.
👉 Looking for more fun things to do? Check out my list of the 68 things you can do in Puerto Rico.
Punta Borinquen Beach
Surf up at this prime beach.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
If you can’t make it to the infamous surfing beaches in Rincón, you’ll be glad to know Aguadilla houses a few of Puerto Rico’s best beaches for surfing.
In particular, Punta Borinquen Beach has consistent swells throughout the year, but especially during the winter months. It’s best for experienced surfers who want to spend a carefree afternoon catching waves, but even beginner surfers will find a place to practice along this coast.
In fact, this beach is part of Punta Borinquen’s Surf Reserve, one of the few dozen in the world, and the only of its kind in Puerto Rico.
Crash Boat Beach
For a bit of adrenaline, jump off the pier and into the refreshing water below.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: $10 for parking | 👉 Book a Tour to Crash Boat Beach
Crash Boat Beach is one of the most iconic beaches on the West Coast.
Despite its turquoise waters and golden sand, many locals visit this beach for its lively atmosphere and thrilling activities, including jumping from the famous pier on the shore.
A visit to Aguadilla isn’t complete without the thrilling experience. Always ask the locals about the best way to do it, and beware of currents during the winter.
During the summer, bring your snorkeling gear to explore the marine life under the pier.
Playa Peña Blanca
Snorkel with turtles at this awesome spot.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book a Snorkeling Tour in Peña Blanca
Playa Peña Blanca in Aguadilla used to be a secret urban beach, but now it’s a popular snorkeling and surfing destination.
This means you’ll often find the beach crowded, especially in the summer, when locals like to hit the beaches. Visit early in the morning to pick your spot, as the space at the shore is limited.
In the winter months, the tide is stronger and great for surfing, while the summer tide is calmer for people to snorkel and see sea turtles.
👉 Local Tip: If you aren’t planning to stay in Aguadilla, but you still want to snorkel on one of its beaches, check out this tour through the northwest of the island going out from San Juan.
Playa India
Go scuba diving right near Crashboat Beach.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book a Diving Tour in Aguadila
Scuba diving is also one of the many popular activities in Aguadilla, which is why scuba diving enthusiasts can’t miss the chance to explore Playa India. Its waters are home to beautiful coral reefs known as El Natural with diverse marine life, including sea turtles and squids.
If you’ve never dived before, you can take a beginner scuba diving tour with Aquatica Underwater Adventures.
Playuela
Take a horseback riding tour and explore Playuela area from a unique vantage point.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a Horseback Riding Tour in Aguadila
One of the best ways to enjoy Aguadilla’s coast is on the back of a horse. Ride through the area of Punta Borinquen, and explore ruins, trails through coastal forests, and Playuela, one of the best beaches in Aguadilla.
Visit at sunset for a unique experience full of cliffs, sand, and waves bathed in the light of the golden hour.
During the winter months, you’ll catch dozens of surfers riding the waves at Playuela, plus you’ll see nature lovers camping at this beach.
🚗 How to Get There: To get to Aguadilla on your own, you’ll need to rent a car. Use Discover Cars to find the best deal, and read the guide to driving in Puerto Rico to get there safely.
Best Family-Friendly
Aguadilla Bowling Center
Show off your skills at this bowling center that’s also home to laser tag and an arcade.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Phone: (787) 891-3495 | Hours: 1 pm – 11 pm Thu-Tue, 10 am – 11 pm Wed | Price: $40 per lane on weekends $30 on weekdays, $8 shoes
If you’re looking for a family night out with your kids, then don’t miss a visit to Aguadilla’s Bowling Center. Although small, this bowling center also has an arcade, virtual reality games, and a mini-golf course. If you’re visiting with small kids, make sure to ask for the gear to help them play.
Las Cascadas Waterpark
Spend the day at one of Puerto Rico’s best waterparks.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 819-5558 | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Wed-Sun | Entrance: $30, adults, $25, children
Las Cascadas Water Park is one of Puerto Rico’s best water parks. This waterpark has it all – pools, lazy and crazy rivers, and slides. Inside the park, you’ll also find facilities like bathrooms, food kiosks, and picnic areas.
There is an area for children, but adults will enjoy the slides and rivers. The park is seasonal and closes during the winter months.
Taíno Mini Golf & Café
Try your hand putting at this great mini golf spot.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 658-6480 | Website | Hours: 2 – 10 pm Mon-Fri, 12 – 10 pm Sat-Sun, Closed Mon-Tue | Entrance: $10, adults, $8, children
Whether you’re looking for a date spot or a family-friendly place, Taíno Mini Golf & Café is a great option.
This mini-golf is open most of the week, and it even has specials for kids, couples, and ladies.
This 18-hole mini golf course is themed around Puerto Rico’s nature and aboriginal inhabitants (the Taino). Best of all, you can also enjoy a meal on the site.
Aguadilla Mall
Shop at this great mall that also features a bowling alley and VR games.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 9 am – 7 pm Mon-Thurs, 9 am – 9 pm Fri-Sat, 11 am – 7 pm Sun
The Aguadilla Mall is one of the most popular ones in the area. Far from being a common shopping mall, this site has multiple playgrounds and recreational areas known as Fun Factory, which you can enjoy with your family.
You’ll also find VR games and a small bowling venue in it. Bookworms can’t miss the small bookshop across the bowling alley. If you’re staying in town, you can do grocery shopping in the mall’s supermarket.
Mirador
See the sunset from this incredible viewpoint.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
If you happen to pass by El Miradero close to sunset, make a quick stop to appreciate it from this spot. From this viewpoint, you can get incredible views of the west coast, Aguadilla Pueblo, and part of Aguada, so make sure to snap a picture before moving on with your trip.
🌴 Read Next: What to Do in Aguada
Parque Colón
Kids love playing at the tree house of this park on Aguadilla’s coast.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
Located on Aguadilla’s coast, Parque Colón is a safe outdoor park that’s perfect for visiting with kids. It has benches, swings, playgrounds, trails, and plenty of trees to take cover from the sun.
The park is surrounded by food trucks, so you won’t go hungry in the area, and if you’re hot, it’s easy to cross over to Playa Colón for a quick dip.
But the park’s main highlight is its tree house. Built in 1987, the structure wraps around a rubber tree and an almond tree, featuring stairs, bridges, walkways, and viewing platforms.
Underneath the tree house, you’ll find a small public bookshelf known locally as Libros Libres, meaning you can grab something interesting to read if you didn’t bring a book yourself.
Discovery Bay Paddle Boat Park
Paddle in this Aguadilla reserve.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 816-5558 | Hours: 12 – 5 pm Fri, 10 am – 5 pm Sat-Sun | Price: $12
One of the newest attractions in Aguadilla for families visiting Puerto Rico is the Discovery Bay Paddle Boat Park in the Victoria neighborhood. Families can rent a swan or flamingo-shaped paddle boat and cruise along the coast in Caño Madre Vieja.
The ride takes approximately 30 minutes, and I recommend wearing a hat, applying sunblock, and wearing lightweight clothing. As you paddle, keep an eye out for the wildlife that lives in the reserve, including numerous bird species like the West Indian Whistling Duck, the Masked Duck, and the Caribbean Coot.
Aguadilla Shark Roller Rink
Skate at the largest roller-skating rink in Puerto Rico.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 891-1005 ext.4064 | Hours: 3 – 8:30 pm Thurs, 4 – 10 pm Fri, 1 – 9:30 pm Sat, 1 – 8 pm Sun | Price: $14 per person per hour
Another unique family-friendly activity in Aguadilla is the Shark Roller Rink, the largest roller-skating rink on wheels in Puerto Rico.
Located along Paseo Real Marina and just steps from the beach, this vibrant indoor venue makes you feel like you’re in the 80s. It has a disco ball spinning over the rink, couples gliding by, and beginners finding their balance, all while music plays in the background.
Admission is $14, including skate and gear rental for a full hour of fun. Just keep in mind that waiting times, especially on weekends, can be long.
Best History, Art, and Culture
Punta Borinquen Lighthouse Ruins
Explore these ruins that date back to the Spanish colonial era.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book a Tour to Punta Borinquen Lighthouse Ruins
Next to Punta Borinquen Golf Course, you’ll find the ruins of the original Punta Borinquen Lighthouse, which dates back to the Spanish colonial era.
Despite the deteriorated remains, you can still see the washed-out red in the structure’s facade and the place where the tower was.
Besides the ruins, you’ll also find Punta Borinquen Beach, urban art over abandoned buildings, a Spanish Well, and hiking trails through the coastal area.
👉 Local Tip: To explore the cities of the west is best to stay a night or two in the area. Check out my guide to the top places to stay in Puerto Rico to find the best neighborhood for you.
Aguadilla Art Museum
Admire the art in one of Aguadilla’s local museums.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 649-0000 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 2 pm Sat, 11 am – 2 pm Thu-Fri, Closed Sun-Wed | Entrance: Free
Aguadilla’s Art Museum is a must-visit in the city for art lovers. Although small, this museum houses an impressive collection of local art from renowned Puerto Rican artists, and it also offers free art workshops on Saturdays.
Since the hours change constantly, make sure to call ahead before visiting and use the chance to explore the rest of the downtown area.
Casitas de Colores
Enjoy the street art at this macro mural.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
A visit to Aguadilla isn’t complete without visiting the macro mural called Pintalto.
This mural extends over the houses of a complete neighborhood named Cerro Cabrera, making it the picture-perfect spot in downtown.
Explore between the houses to find beautiful street art, and bring your kids to this family-friendly area.
Fuerte de la Concepción
Pose with the flag at this awesome photo op.
If you’ve traveled to Puerto Rico, then you know you can find Puerto Rico’s flag painted almost everywhere, from buildings to bus stops. At Fuerte de la Concepción in Aguadilla, you can find a huge mural of Puerto Rico’s flag, where you can take the perfect picture for your vacation album.
Iglesia de San Carlos Borromeo
Visit the only church in Puerto Rico with a groin vault.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 891-0575 | Hours: 8 am – 6:30 pm Mon-Fri, 4 pm – 8 pm Sat, 7 am – 5 pm
Located across Aguadilla’s main plaza, the San Carlos Borromeo Church is a historic site that dates back to 1783.
Built to honor Spanish monarch Charles III, the church is listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It underwent several changes throughout the 19th century, including a new facade in 1887 and more rebuilding after the 1918 earthquake that struck the island.
The church stands out as one of the few Spanish colonial churches on Puerto Rico’s west coast that survived the 1918 earthquake. It also blends typical 18th- and 19th-century Spanish colonial architecture with baroque elements. One of its most distinctive features is its groin vault, instead of having a dome or barrel vaults. In fact, San Carlos Borromeo is said to be the only church in Puerto Rico with this kind of vault.
It’s also one of the churches attributed to Pedro Cobreros, an architect known for his simple, elegant church designs.
El Pueblo
Admire street art, catch festivals, and photograph historical structures downtown.
Aguadilla has over 250 years of history, which is why its downtown is packed with historic structures.
Take a walking tour through what is known as El Pueblo (downtown) and you’ll spot Spanish colonial houses like Casa Cardona and Residencia Eduardo Cabán.
The downtown area also has plenty of street art. Look out for murals around the plaza, including the piece “A Cada Guaragua le Llega su Pitirre” by Padin Sosa. One of my favorite photo ops is the phone booth painted with the Puerto Rico flag right next to the plaza.
Speaking of plazas, one of the best things to do in Aguadilla’s downtown is to catch cultural festivals at Plaza del Recreo Rafael Hernández, the town’s main square. Visit in November to experience the Fiestas Patronales, the patron’s festivities, which take place right in the heart of town.
Best In and Near Downtown
Bahía de Aguadilla
Get out on Aguadilla’s Bay and see the sunset via a boat tour.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a Boat Tour in Aguadila
If there is something special about the west coast in Puerto Rico is its colorful, breathtaking sunsets. One of the ways to make those sunsets even better is by experiencing them out on the sea.
Rent a boat or book a sailing tour through Aguadilla’s Bay to navigate the northwest coast, admire the wildlife, and admire attractions like the Old Sugar Cane Pier from the water, all while seeing the sun disappear behind the horizon.
Rompeolas Beach
With free parking and food kiosks, this beach is awesome for a swim.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
Rompeolas Beach is a short walk from downtown Aguadilla. It has free parking and food kiosks in Plaza de La Juventud. The beach gets its name from the man-made barrier that forms a small cove.
During the weekends and the holidays, many boats dock on its shore. Although there aren’t facilities on the beach, you’ll find bathrooms in Plaza de La Juventud. You can stroll along the breakwater to go between the beaches.
El Malecón de Aguadilla
Stroll through this promenade with some of Aguadilla’s best photography spots.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
Aguadilla’s beachfront promenade overlooks Rompeolas Beach. The area is ideal for strolling with a loved one or taking your kids to run skates. There are plenty of restaurants and food kiosks nearby.
For taking those social media pictures, you’ll find many captivating spots, including the I Love Aguadilla sign and a giant chair. Besides exploring the 1.8 km promenade, you can hop between the downtown’s restaurants, museums, and shops too.
El Parterre
Visit this plaza that has a natural water spring.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
El Parterre was once the town center of Aguadilla. What makes this plaza different from all the others is the fact that it’s built around a natural water spring.
It’s believed that this natural spring flows underground for more than 25 miles and it emerges in Aguadilla, and that it was a main source of water to the Spaniards.There are steps into the spring which mean you can dip your feet or even swim into it. It’s one of my preferred sites in Puerto Rico.
Sabor de Encantos Gastronomic Route
Hop between kiosks and restaurants in this Aguadilla gastronomic route.
Foodies visiting Aguadilla will find plenty of restaurants worth checking out, many of them located along Sabor de Encantos, a gastronomic route that stretches through PR-110, PR-107, PR-442, and PR-111.
You’ll find dozens of options to choose from, ranging from Puerto Rican to Mexican cuisine. Some of the most popular spots include Rompeolas Bar and Grill, Peña Blanca Restaurant, Vittata Gastropub, and Kukaramakara Bar & Grill.
Playa Colón
This uncrowded and easy-to-access beach is your go-to option for a quick beach trip in Aguadilla.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
While Aguadilla has plenty of beautiful beaches, not all of them are equally accessible, and popular spots like Crash Boat Beach can get pretty crowded. Playa Colón, however, is a great alternative: it’s both accessible and often uncrowded. This long stretch of sand is the last beach on Aguadilla’s coast before reaching Aguada.
Although it doesn’t have many amenities, it’s an easy spot to visit for a quick day trip with kids. It’s free, and it’s bordered by food trucks, restaurants, and even a kids’ park. The beach is also wide, so even on busier days, you can usually find a spot for yourself. Just make sure to check ocean conditions before swimming.
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You’ve reached the end of the best things to do in Aguadilla! If you still need accommodation, be sure not to miss my guide to the best places to stay in Aguadilla.
Will you be visiting this city during your vacation in Puerto Rico? Let me know in the comments!
👉 Before You Go: Be sure to bookmark my guide to the top places to go in Puerto Rico.
Have fun exploring all the best things to do in Aguadilla.
Yes. Hoping to go in April
And we must not forget the sea glass. Especially marbles!
I will be heading to Aguadilla again in 8 weeks. It truly is a magical place.
I will see you soon 💓
Congratulations on your excellent writings and recommendations. However: You are ignoring the Parque Colon Beach in Aguadilla!
It is crystal clear water with many shades of blue and green colors. Over 100 feet of nice, smooth sand between the street and the ocean, on a long stretch of shore line. Safe, clean and plenty of free comfortable parking. A few nice places to eat and drink. Beautiful view of the Aguadilla Bay Area. And much more. Plenty of many multinational persons that I have personally know that adore this beach. I have written proof. Also. In my opinion, it is one of the best beaches in PR… and maybe in the Caribbean, My credentials: I have been in 62 countries, lived in 12 of them and have travelled to all countries in Latin America, except Cuba. Would love to talk with you about my point of view. Please feel free to contact me in Aguadilla and I would be happy to explain and personally show you what I am talking about!
Respectfully and sincerely,
Albert Muñiz
Love this!!! Thank you so much
I love my town. Last time I was there, went to las casitas de colores, Crash Boat beach, parque Colon, Parterre, the old plane etc. Love it
You can also visit Las Cascadas Water Park. You can ride JetSkies at Rompeolas Beach with Ocean Water Sports Jetski Rental. You can visit the tree house at Parque Colon Beach. You can also ride electric scooters located in Paseo real Marina. There is so much to do in Aguadilla
Being born & raised in Aguadilla, I may say that Aguadilla hosts lots of fun places. The west coast cities are well known to hold beautiful beaches & lots of “chinchorros” to visit. Between beaches & awesome food you will never go wrong! #missingPR
can you recommend a place in Aguadilla that will take you snorkeling? thanks
Very nicely written, let me add that El Parterre was thought to be the fountain of youth by Juan Ponce de León, PR’s first Governor. Also, a very important place in Aguadilla is El Parque Colón, where is to be said that’s where Christopher Columbus landed in PR, At the end of the park, there is the famous tree house, the children’s favorite; it is a 30-foot-tall wooden structure that spans a huge tree.
Nice Gracias