Aguada is a town and municipality in the northwestern coastal valley of Puerto Rico, fronting the Atlantic Ocean just south of Aguadilla and east of Rincón. Its population was 38,136 at the 2020 census, and it forms part of the Aguadilla–Isabela–San Sebastián metropolitan area. The town occupies a stretch of Puerto Rico's western shore where the Culebrinas River meets the sea, with a landscape of coastal plain, farmland, and low hills. Aguada's identity is rooted in a celebrated historical tradition: the municipality is popularly known as "La Ciudad del Descubrimiento," the City of Discovery, based on the claim that Christopher Columbus first set foot in Puerto Rico along Aguada Bay in November 1493 during his second voyage. The town also carries the nickname "La Ciudad del Vaticano" for its early importance as a center of Christianity on the island. That heritage is commemorated in local sites and community identity throughout the municipality. The local economy has moved from its agricultural and sugar-era foundations toward a broader mix of tourism, retail, healthcare, education, and small business. Aguada's beaches anchor its appeal, led by Balneario Pico de Piedra, a developed public beach with parking, food kiosks, showers, and seasonal music festivals, alongside smaller stretches such as Playa Espinar and Playa Aguada. Surfing, fishing, and beach culture shape daily life, with the world-renowned surf town of Rincón just a short drive west. Aguada offers a blend of working coastal town and growing tourism destination. Its public schools are part of Puerto Rico's Department of Education, and its residents look to Aguadilla and Mayagüez for larger services, shopping, and employment. The result is a relaxed western Puerto Rico community where Atlantic sunsets, local festivals, and a deep sense of history define the character of everyday life.