14 Things to Do in Aguada, PR
👉 Jump to: Best Things | Family-Friendly | Landmarks
Though often underrated and skipped over by visitors, Aguada is a city in western Puerto Rico with a ton of great things to do. As a Puerto Rico local, I think you should set aside a solid few days to explore all its hidden gems.
Known as the Vatican City of Puerto Rico, Aguada is rich in both history and nature, which is why it’s on my list of the best destinations in Puerto Rico!
From seeing World War II canyons to swimming in sandy beaches, here are 14 things to do in Aguada.
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14 Best Things to Do in Aguada
Litoral Guaniquilla
Hop between restaurants, beaches, and popular attractions.
The Guaniquilla coast is a single destination with many things, making it a great place for all-in-one entertainment.
Besides offering beautiful sunsets, this family-friendly area on the coast features photo-ops, restaurants, food kiosks, and some of the best beaches in Aguada, including Playa Espinar, Playa Mameyito, and Playa Guaniquilla.
You’ll also catch numerous festivals and festivities at this site. You’ll find the Artisan Market every Saturday in the Cruz de Colón on Litoral Guaniquilla, where you can buy local souvenirs.
👉 Local Tip: While visiting, look for a car with a sign that reads “Frank Maní Tostado”, and buy roasted peanuts from Frank, a 92-year-old who’s been selling peanuts for 44 years.
The Fashion Route
Shop until you drop in the city’s boutiques.
If you’re a shopaholic (or just want to pick up a souvenir or two), one of the best things to do in Aguada is to go shopping in the town center’s fashion route.
The two-street route harbors dozens of boutiques, including Madame Louise, She is Lola Boutique, and Leolina Regular and Plus Size Boutique.
✈️ Looking for more adventure? Don’t miss my top picks for the best activities in Puerto Rico!
Hacienda Jeanmarie Chocolat
Indulge yourself with locally-made chocolate.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 464-1100 | Website | Hours: 3 – 5 pm Mon-Fri
Chocolate lovers shouldn’t miss Hacienda Jeanmarie Chocolate, one of Aguada’s most popular spots.
Originally a vegetable farm supplying local restaurants, the owners began cultivating cacao in 2009.
Nowadays, the farm offers guided tours where visitors can learn about the chocolate-making process and enjoy tastings of locally crafted chocolate. Tours through this Puerto Rico farm are by reservation only, so be sure to call ahead before visiting.
Best of all, you can take this chocolate home, as this farm has a shop.
👉 Local Tip: Aguada is a city with top-notch gastronomy. If you’re a foodie, check out the top Puerto Rico foods you should hunt down in Aguada.
Salto Atalaya
Hike to a hidden waterfall in Puerto Rico’s mountains.
Just a short drive away from Aguada’s town center, you’ll find Salto Atalaya, a beautiful waterfall also known as Salto La Loca and Salto Justina. Considered the biggest waterfall in town, Salto Atalaya can be difficult to find, even for locals like me.
Although there are multiple routes and trails to get to it, the easiest and probably most frequented is going down a street at a bifurcation in front of a gray house. The road starts here. The asphalt eventually turns into a dirt road. The 0.80 hike from the main road takes about 15 minutes and can be quite muddy.
There are multiple ponds for swimming at the waterfall, but if you hike up the mountain, you’ll find one of the best natural infinity pools in Puerto Rico.
👉 Did you know? Puerto Rico has hundreds of waterfalls around the island. Here are the best waterfalls in Puerto Rico you can visit during your vacation.
Best Family-Friendly
Pico de Piedra Beach
Enjoy a beach day with your kids.
Pico de Piedra Beach is a sandy beach that offers facilities like bathrooms, showers, food kiosks, and gazebos. Besides sunbathing, you can go snorkeling and scuba diving on the right side of the beach.
If you’re visiting on July 24, make sure to catch the festivities of Noche de San Juan – a celebration of Saint John the Baptist’s birth during which hundreds of locals bathe on the beach at midnight.
Just keep in mind that the tide can be strong and unsafe for swimming during the winter season. Make sure to check the local beach conditions before visiting.
🚗 How to Get There: Public transportation doesn’t run from San Juan to Aguada, and renting a car in Puerto Rico is the best way to get to the city. Discover Cars offers great online deals without extra added fees.
Madre Vieja Nature Reserve
Spend a day hiking in nature.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Located between Aguadilla and Aguada, and close to Espinar Beach, Madre Vieja Nature Reserve is an estuarine ecosystem of mangroves and wetlands that offers activities like hiking, birdwatching, and fishing.
Bring your binoculars to spot a variety of endemic and migratory bird species, including endangered species like the West Indian whistling duck and the brown pelican, as well as crabs, other crustaceans. The reserve is also a nesting site for sea turtles such as the leatherback and hawksbill.
Although not officially a reserve, many local groups are fighting to protect this heavenly space. You can catch free tours through it every third Sunday of the month, but you need to make reservations through the local Aguada tourism office at 787-252-1944.
Otherwise, you can visit on your own!
Playa Cañones
Walk on a historical beach.
Playa Cañones is one of the most popular places in Aguada, not for the warm waters or the dark sand, but for the ruins of canyons that date back to World War II.
These canyons were built as part of a strategy to protect the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, and the Ramsey military base in Aguadilla during the military conflict.
And while it’s not one of the popular beaches in Puerto Rico, Playa Cañones is a great stop if you’re a fan of tracking curious historical sites, and will definitely make for some unique pictures. It’s not for swimming, though!
Earthship Puerto Rico
Learn about Puerto Rico’s self-sustainable housing.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 431-0460 | Hours: 11 am – 4 pm Fri-Sun with previous reservation
After Hurricane Maria left hundreds of people in Puerto Rico homeless and without basic utilities like water and electricity, Lauralina Melendez and Mario Atunez collaborated with Earthship Biotecture to create self-sustaining houses in Aguada.
The unique project consists of houses made with recyclable materials, solar panels, batteries, and a ventilating system that allows them to cool down – touring them makes for a super interesting experience!
You can even rent the place to stay for a weekend.
Pithayas Seguí
Refresh yourself with ice cream and sangria made from exotic fruit.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 431-1764 | Hours: 11 am – 4 pm Sat- Sun
Another fun attraction to explore in Aguada is the Pithaya Seguí farm. This peculiar fruit is not a native Puerto Rican fruit, but many locals love its flavor.
The fruit season runs from June to August, but you can enjoy the farm’s locally made pithaya ice cream or pithaya sangria any time of year.
Make sure to call ahead before visiting, sometimes the farm is closed even during common open hours.
Best Landmarks
Plaza Cristobal Colón
Enjoy a festival in the local plaza.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a Tour Through Aguada’s Town Center
A gorgeous central public area, the town square of Aguada dates back to 1648 but has since gone through multiple renovations.
Featuring frequent festivities on the weekends, the plaza features gazebos, lanterns, benches, and a food kiosk where you can enjoy local snacks.
You’ll also find a monument to Christopher Columbus in it (thus the name!). You can catch local festivals in the plaza, including Parranda de Octavón in January.
👉 Did you know? Aguada is one of the Puerto Rican cities that claim to be the port where the Spaniards first landed. Mayaguez, Aguadilla, and Añasco also claim to be the first landing point of Christopher Columbus & crew.
Parroquia San Francisco de Asis
Admire the church with the tallest twin towers in Puerto Rico.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 868-2630 | Website | Hours: 6:30 am – 7 pm Mon-Fri, 7 am – 8 pm Sat, 6:30 am – 6 pm Sun | 👉 Book a Tour Through Aguada’s Town Center
One of the top attractions in Aguada, the San Francisco de Asis Church has astonishing architecture.
The current neogothic facade of the church was built between 1922 and 1936 following the 1918 earthquake, but the foundation of the church dates back to 1692.
And it’s definitely a place to stop and snap a picture, even if you’re not religious.
In comparison to its exterior, the interior is far simpler. You can catch masses both Saturday and Sunday.
🛏️ Need a Hotel? Aguada is one of the best west coast destinations to stay in. Browse the top apartment rentals in Aguada to find the best spot near the top attractions.
Ermita de Espinar
Discover one of the first churches in the country.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 891-2989 | Website | Hours: 6 pm – 7 pm Mon-Fri, 4 pm – 7 pm Sat, 7 am – 10 pm Sun | 👉 Book a Tour To Ermita de Espinar
Don’t let the exterior fool you, Ermita de Espinar is one of the best things to do in Aguada for a dose of history. Founded in the 16th century by the Franciscan Friars, the modern facade actually houses the ruins of its ancestor within it.
A quick visit to it lets you see the original stone walls and floor. As a result, the church is known for housing a church within a church, making it a unique Puerto Rico site.
Aguada Pyramid
Visit the only pyramid in Puerto Rico.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 868-4640 | Hours: 7 am – 4 pm daily | Entrance: Free
Although not exactly an ancient historical site, the Aguada Pyramid is one of Puerto Rico’s coolest hidden gems.
Inspired by Mayan architecture, Nelson Ruiz and Emiliano Matos built it in 2009 as part of their interest in ancient civilizations and to serve as the final resting place for Ruiz and his wife.
🚗 How to Get There: Park across the property in Parque Ramon Domenech. You’re allowed to freely walk up to the pyramid even if there is no one around.
Proyectos Uvas de Puerto Rico
Explore the only grape farm in western Puerto Rico.
History lovers can’t miss a stop at Central Coloso, an abandoned sugar mill that reflects the importance of the sugar cane industry in Puerto Rico during the 19th century. Coloso was active until 1998, becoming the last active sugar mill in Puerto Rico, and in 1999, the government declared the abandoned structure a historical monument.
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Thanks for reading all about the best things to do in Aguada. If you’re staying in the region for a few days, then check out my list of the best things to do in Rincon, and the best things to do in Aguadilla – two neighboring cities to Aguada!
I moved to Aquada a year ago from Colorado. I was not aware of some of the interesting sites highlighted in your article. Thank you for helping me fall more head over heels for Aquada. I will also add that what I like best about Aquada are the citizens of Aquada. As a non-Spanish speaking Senior female, I find simple errands are a joy because of how receptive the locals are in interacting with me – especially at the early morning – like 6:30 AM – Saturday flea market.
Where is the main photo taken of you sitting on the PR flag bench by the water? Any restaurants you would recommend with a beach view?
Thanks!
I was born and raised in Aguada and I didn’t know about half of these places. THANK YOU FOR SHARING
Well written and comprehensive. As a resident of Aguada I appreciate accurate info on this beautiful and historic town.
Great post Vanessa.
My father was from Aguada and retired to Bo. Carrizales. The beach and neighbors were much appreciated until his passing. My Mom wasn’t from Aguada but adopted this town as her own. I still visit and have friends there.
Thanks for this article! I have lived in Aguada all my live and I haven’t visited many of this attractions. But now I’ll make sure I do. 🙂 Keep up the good work!