Aguadilla is known as La Villa del Ojo de Agua (village of the eye of water). Aguadilla is also known as El Pueblo de los Tiburones (town of the sharks), and recently El Nuevo Jardín del Atlántico (the new garden of the Atlantic). Aguadilla was founded in 1775 by Luis de Córdova. Aguadilla derives its name from a name given by the Indians Guadilla or Guadiya which means garden.

Aguadilla is best known to visitors for its beaches. Aguadilla's most popular surfing beaches include Crash Boat, famous for it's crystal clear waters, Gas Chambers, and Wilderness.

Among Aguadilla's main attractions you will find the popular Parque Acuático Las Cascadas (tel. 787-819-1030), a modern aquatic theme park, the biggest in the Caribbean and the Merendero, with a beautiful view of the town's bay and the nearby Desecheo islet.

The town center is known as Plaza de Recreo, located in front of the old catholic church and the Alcaldía (Major's House). Another o`f Aguadilla's attractions is the Ojo de Agua (water eye), this is an underground fresh water source that anciently was used by the Aguadilla Harbor in times of Spanish Occupation.

The city is also home of the Aguadilla Ice Skating Arena (tel. 787-819-5555), the only ice skating facility in the Caribbean region.

Aguadilla was home of the Ramey Air Force Base and its former base airport was converted into Rafael Hernandez Airport, considered one of the most active commercial airports on the island. The paved runway extends for 11,701 feet. The facility is at an elevation of 238 feet at a distance of about 3 miles from Aguadilla, owned by Puerto Rico Ports Authority.

The Punta Borinquen Lighthouse, built in 1889, has been designated a historic site worthy of preservation by the National Register of Historic Places.

Aguadilla territory is mostly flat because the city it is located on the Western Costal Valley, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Aguada and Moca; and west of Isabela. Aguadilla highest peak is Jimenez Peak (222mt, 728 ft) and the largest river is Culebrinas.

The town is a processing and trading center for agricultural products such as: sugar, coffee, fruits, tobacco, and cotton.

There are many well-known "aguadillaños", among them:

• Rafael Alers, danza composer and musician
• María Bibiana Benítez, writer
• José de Diego, writer
• Narciso Figueroa, musician
• Rafael Hernández, composer, considered one of the most important figures in 20th-century popular Puerto Rican music
• Agustín Stahl, scientist
• Monserrate Deliz, writer
• Carmen Gómez Tejera, composer

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