4 Reasons Why Aguadilla is Great for a Mental Health Vacation

My mind was cluttered…
Work was NOT working…
And the stress was stressed out…

Even being at home was frustrating. After a self-assessment, I concluded that I needed MORE than a mental break. I needed a mental vacation. To me, a mental vacation is traveling to a destination of peace. For this type of break, I didn’t require the flashy city and lively nightlife. All I craved was good scenery, snacks, and a quiet place to be still.

Thanks to my go-to airline offering direct flights, I ventured to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. I picked this place because it’s in an area I’ve been to before, however, it was a new place to visit to release. The city receives a good number of tourists, however, it's not as popular as San Juan. This beautiful gem was just what I needed to get my mind back right.

Sunset at Punta Borinquen Beach

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Fun Fact:
For those who don’t know, Aguadilla is located in the northwest area of the island. It's well known for its sunset views, Punta Borinquen Golf Club, and beaches.

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After leaving this beautiful place, I felt so relaxed and at ease. Even the layover in another city due to bad weather didn’t bother me. Aguadilla did the trick. So, I’d like to share 4 reasons why I think Aguadilla, PR is one of the best places for a mental health vacation. Hopefully, this will inspire you to look for “100% Peace” on your next getaway.

1. Multiple Beach Options. Aguadilla has a coastline of beaches with beautiful views and a first-hand look at the well-known sunset. Each beach has a unique vibe, look, and feel with gorgeous waters flowing against the beach and rock formations. My favorite was Peña Blanca Beach. Driving there gives the illusion of a forestry area. Once parked, I looked over the small cliff and saw magic. The hidden space opened into a beautiful ocean with rock formations for peaceful meditation and a photo session.

Although this was a vacation for peace, I did find a little action at Crash Boat Beach. Still peaceful, however, they have water sports activities, vendors, and a DJ to keep the vacation mode flowing. Even while there, I found a peaceful area to continue the meditations and stillness.

2. The Perfect Place for a Release. The stress was wearing me down and I needed to get out of loud New York City to just RELEASE. I needed to breathe it out, cry it out, fuss it out, and lay out in the sun. Aguadilla has a calming and serene atmosphere. I couldn’t help but relax and soak in the tranquility. Even when I was hanging out on the couch at the Airbnb, I was at peace. It wasn’t the usual night at home where I’m thinking of a million things that I have to do.

Peña Blanca Beach

3. Views. Rock formations that look like abstract art, distant mountains, ocean waves in alluring blues, trees right out of a travel pamphlet, and sand complementing the ocean. All elements for a spectacle to capture with your mind and your camera.

A visit to Ruinas del Faro delivered a one-of-a-kind art show. This site surprised me with amazing graffiti art telling a million and one stories.

4. Beautiful Weather. The weather was perfect for any activity. I went out for a drive, went sightseeing, took a walk around the plaza, and of course the beach. Any activity on any day served great weather for me to relax my mind.

Crash Boat Beach

Aguadilla set the perfect tone for what I needed and that was a TRUE break. I love the ocean and this location was the perfect addition to the list. I left with a relaxed spirit and gratefulness. It even spilled over onto the following days of my returning home. The mental health vacation was a success!

Where’s your hidden gem for a relaxing vacation?

Photo credits: E. Alexcina Brown

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The Blakk Dahlia (E. Alexcina Brown) is a New York City author/blogger from Macon, GA. Recently, she released the book series, the Heartbreak Diaries outlining different perspectives of heartbreak. The Dahlia Diaries is a lifestyle blog penned by The Blakk Dahlia, sharing her story in NYC along with life lessons and tips she's learned in her journey.