Category Archives: Travel

A Day in Aguada


Britton and Aeden in the plaza of Aguada

The other day we went to Aguada for a doctor’s appointment for Aeden. We were surprised to be in and out quickly, so we decided to wander around the town a little. Although it is right next to it, Aguada is very different from Rincon in so many ways. Whereas Rincon makes me think of Hawaii, Aguada reminds me of Mexico, with lots of little boutique clothing stores, a large plaza, street vendors and a buzz of work. Rincon feels much more like a vacation destination where the beach and hanging out are the central points and swimsuits are often spotted. Aguada feels more like daily life and pants and shoes are common (as are the shops that sell them!). Aguada is also quite a bit bigger with about 50,000 people compared with little Rincon’s 15,000. Because of its size and the tiny roads, the traffic is often a mess, so walking around the downtown makes more sense than driving.


Vendors selling fireworks to celebrate the holidays (yes, it is a loud time of year!)


Bright, colorful buildings


Lots of clothing stores around every corner!


I like to stop in and check stuff out sometimes!


More street vendors and clothing stores


Sometimes feels like you’re walking into the 70s or 80s!


Family photo in the Aguada Plaza


Two soft drinks you don’t see in the states often- Coco Rico and Malta (normally in a glass bottle)


Aguada is known for its horses and horse events too


Aguada, like Rincon, has awesome sunsets

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Colorful Aguadilla

Apparently the artist who painted the town (literally) of Yauco has been going around the island and finding other similar neighborhoods to paint. We had heard that Aguadilla got the touch up as well and just had its grand hurrah a little bit ago. We spent the afternoon wandering around and stopped by Rompeolas by the sea for a bite to eat. It is pretty cool, but I think it would have been a little neater had they changed it up a little (maybe polka dots instead of patchwork?). Still very eye catching and a fun little jaunt up many a flight of stairs.


From the park, El Parterre, in Aguadilla looking up; it’s hard to miss!


The subdued park is such a contrast


El Parterre park was very old European in design

I am still surprised people live in this type of hodge-podge and very poor neighborhood. There is no way this would be allowed to fly in modern building codes, but I think they have been sort of grandfathered in from long ago when these were just squatter shanties during the sugar cane days.


Britton carried Aeden all the way to the top!


Having fun!


Look, we are camouflaged!


In a little side room/casita the residents encouraged us to take pictures


Britton and the little monster


Here fishy, fishy


People hanging out watching all the tourists check out their houses


One guy ran out of his house and chased us down to give us these old calendar photos of how Aguadilla was in the olden days


Cool detailed murals all around


From the road


Some areas up there still hadn’t been repaired since the hurricane


We had a nice lunch seaside at Rompeaolas


Look at that sweet smile!


Near Rompeolas there is a HUGE ceiba tree


It had dropped its petals everywhere!


Some of the real boats of Aguadilla


And Aguadilla’s gorgeous shoreline as we drove home

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Villa Montana Resort

For our anniversary this year I wanted to go out and do something nice. I had heard of Villa Montana resort in Isabela/Aguadilla, but we had yet to check it out. I really enjoyed the relaxed and elegant atmosphere. We got to dinner at the Eclipse a little early so we explored the grounds a little. It is just gorgeous! The sort of vacation people envision when visiting a tropical isle. I felt like we had won “reward” on the Survivor show it feels we’ve been playing for the last year or so. It felt good to get out and dressed up for something romantic. Totally recommended.


We hung out on the beds at the beach for a while


Britton chillin’


Looking sharp!

Checked out the pools and grounds


Nicely manicured


Cute gazebo


Nice decorations (and a strangely air conditioned bathroom)


The restaurant is beautiful and beachfront


And the food was delicious and not as expensive as we thought it might be (Here are the menus)


Afterward we checked out the “Zen pool” and cabanas


Pool lounge cabanas

We enjoyed our time at Villa Montana and hope to return!

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Los Tubos and Mar Chiquita, Manati


Walking the beach of Los Tubos

A couple of weeks ago we had to go to Manati on the north coast of Puerto Rico to get another sonogram done at Manati Medical Center. Since we were out and about already, we decided to stop and see some of the beaches there. We stopped at Los Tubos as well as Mar Chiquita. They are gorgeous beaches, but the water is surprisingly cooler on the Atlantic side than on our Caribbean side!

Gorgeous, long stretches of beach!


Right off the road


Britton at Los Tubos


Balneario of Los Tubos


Fun, strange creatures at the balneario like this shark (can you find Britton?)


You can escape!


Turtle time!


Not exactly sure what this is? A chupacabra?


The beautiful bay of Mar Chiquita was just down the way about 5 minutes from Los Tubos

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