On Puerto Rico’s northwestern tip is the town of Aguadilla, nicknamed El Nuevo Jardín del Atlántico (the new garden of the Atlantic). The city was founded by Luis de Córdova in 1775 and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, making it an excellent port and strategic location.
The U.S. Air Force’s Ramey Base was located here for nearly fifty years and a still-active part of the base is the home of the Coast Guard’s Borinquen Air Station. The base’s aerial facilities have become part of the Rafael Hernandez International Airport and its barracks have been turned into the Faro Inn Suites hotel.
The town center, known as Plaza de Recreo, is home to many delicious restaurants and unique shops. The city's patron saint festival, the Fiestas Patronales de San Carlos Borremeo, is held here each October. Other notable festivals include Velorio de Reyes, a religious ceremony held in January, and the Festival del Atún, a festival celebrating tuna fishing held in July.
One of the most interesting attractions in the city is the Museo de Arte, which exhibits a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, and other works from Puerto Rican artists. Another is the Las Cascadas Water Park, which holds the title of biggest modern aquatic theme park in the Caribbean. The only ice skating complex in the Caribbean is also located here.
The 18-hole course at Punta Borinquen Golf Club is another popular attraction in the area. This now-public golf course was built on an ocean outcrop for President Dwight D. Eisenhower around 1940. The views here at sunset are amazing and sometimes, you can see whales frolicking in the Atlantic Ocean below.
El Parterre is an exquisitely landscaped plaza adorned with gorgeous plant life and statues showcasing the history of the city. It was built around a natural spring used by the Spanish as a fresh water source. Today, the plaza is a beautiful place to relax and watch the world go by.
Aguadilla is also well-known for having the most beaches in Puerto Rico, with nineteen major beaches available for swimming and watersports. Its long coastline and strong waves have made the area a popular location for surfing competitions. The beautiful seaside views are enhanced by dramatic rock formations and lovely coral reefs in crystal-clear waters.
Crash Boat Beach is the most popular beach in the area. It is located on the west coast north of the city and is easily identified by the ship wreck at the far corner of the beach. This palm-fringed beach is known for great surfing, snorkeling, and boating activities. It also has stands selling seafood, snacks and cold drinks, as well as companies offering kayak and paddle board rentals.
Jobos Beach is a large beach with a surf break from its eastern to western end, as well as protected areas for casual swimmers. There are a number of guesthouses, bars, restaurants, and street stands along the shore. Jobos Beach is also home to the most famous blowhole in the area, El Pozo de Jacinto. Here, visitors can see dramatic eruptions of ocean water blast up from a submerged sea cave at the eastern end of the beach.
Borinquen Beach in the Malleza Baja area is the place to find an old lighthouse and underwater relics of airplanes from the nearby Air Force base. The more adventurous may enjoy snorkeling among the reefs and sea caves at the cliff’s base. In addition to the beautiful scenery, this pristine beach also has paved beach access and a parking lot.
Other notable beaches in the area include Playa India El Natural, which is great for scuba diving and snorkeling, and the crescent-shaped Playa Pena Blanca, also called Wishing Well Beach. Survival Beach, Surfer's Beach, Gas Chambers, and Wilderness Beach are considered among the best in the world for surfing.
Aguadilla (ah-gwah-DEE-yah), founded in 1775 by Luis de Córdova, is a city located in the northwestern tip of Puerto Rico bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, north of Aguada, and Moca and west of Isabela. Aguadilla is spread over 15 wards and Aguadilla Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city).
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| Flag The flag is horizontally light blue over yellow with the Coat of Arms with laurels in the center. The flag was designed on 1972 following the recommendations of the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture for the occasion of the 200th Anniversary of the city foundation. It consists of two horizontal bands of equal size, blue the upper one and gold (yellow) the lower one, the predominant colors of the Coat of Arms, being this placed at the center of the flag. |  |
| Coat of Arms The shield's arms refer to the history of Aguadilla. The first quarter presents the famous "Ojo de Agua" (Spring of Water) and behind the Jaicoa Mountains. The second quarter shows the image of a "nao" or vessel that stands for the many ships that made seaport in past centuries and with reference to the discovery of Puerto Rico by Christopher Columbus. (Another contested site of landing). The third quarter illustrates a tower raised from the waters due to the battles at Fuerte de la Concepción (Fort of the Conception), where English and Colombian pirate's attacks were repelled in the XVII and XIX Centuries. The fourth quarter has a five-point star in reference to the many Aguadillan intellectuals that has given prestige to the arts, sciences, writings, military, and legislation; is an expression of light and clarity. |  |
| Festivals and events Velorio de Reyes (Three Kings Watch)- January Festival de la Chiringa (Kite Festival) - April Fiestas San Antonio - April Verbena de Corrales - May Festival Playero (Beach Festival) - June Festival del Atún (Tuna Festival) - July Festival de la Música (Music Festival) - July Fiestas Patronales de San Carlos Borremeo - October | |
Town Colors: Yellow and Blue Patron Saint: San Carlos Borremeo | |
| University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla Campus Si usted es un visitante en busca de detalles sobre los programas y servicios de la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Aguadilla (UPRAg), aquí hallará información pertinente y variada sobre nuestra actividad académica, administrativa y de servicios. | |
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