27 Bucket Record Issues to Do in Aruba

We could earn earnings from hyperlinks on this put up. Please learn this Disclosure for particulars.

Wanting ahead to discovering the perfect issues to do in Aruba?

You’re not alone! With its alabaster seashores with heat, clear waters, balmy year-round climate and site outdoors of the hurricane belt, it’s no surprise this little Dutch Caribbean island welcomes over 1,000,000 guests per yr.

What are you able to do past working in your tan and sipping a tropical cocktail when you get to Aruba? Tons!

Throughout my over twenty years of visiting this island and writing for magazines like Aruba Nights and Fodors’ guidebooks, lots of the locals have change into lifelong buddies.

Collectively we’ve scouted out the perfect locations to go and issues to do in Aruba. A lot of the actions we’ve listed are non-touristy and distinctive to this island. Many are free too!

So, learn on to find why One Completely happy Island ought to be excessive in your radar for future travels, and the prime issues to do in Aruba when you arrive.

1. Go Seashore Hopping in Aruba  

Each one among Aruba’s wonderful seashores are open to the general public freed from cost. There’s no gated safety maintaining anybody from having fun with the Caribbean Sea and seafront anyplace.

So, it could be a disgrace to not go forth like Goldilocks and check out as many alternative stellar stretches of sand as you possibly can.

Lots of Aruba’s most fashionable and finest seashores like Palm, Eagle, Arashi, and Druif are simply accessible by public bus all through the principle resort space.

Nonetheless, some stellar spots like Mangel Halto and Child Seashore, identified for its calm waters and residential to Rum Reef Bar & Grill (Google Map) require a automotive, however they’re well worth the drive.

Test for the perfect automotive rental charges at Discovercars.com

Or take a Full-Day Island Tour that features main points of interest in addition to a cease at Child Seashore.

In case you go to Child Seashore, remember to make a cease at Zeerovers Aruba in Savaneta shut by. It’s the most effective seafood shacks within the Caribbean.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: Aruba has the very best quality aloe on the earth. It’s particularly soothing to make use of for those who get an excessive amount of solar. See how this therapeutic cactus-like plant is reworked into merchandise with a go to to the Aruba Aloe Manufacturing facility.  

2. Flamingle with Flamingos on a Non-public Island

Opposite to some advertising and marketing you may need seen, Aruba is NOT a haven for wild flamingo recognizing.

They’re not native to this island, and there are solely two locations to get near a small captive flamboyance of them (a flock of flamingos is named a flamboyance).

One good spot is on Flamingo Island, a personal reserve of Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort. Non-guests should buy a day cross to Flamingo Seashore.

Or you possibly can spend a day at all-inclusive De Palm Island. Not solely will you see a few of these fairly pink birds, you’ll additionally take pleasure in scads of additional actions like water parks, snorkel excursions with big neon blue parrotfish, all-inclusive foods and drinks, and extra.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: If you wish to see flamingos within the wild, your finest guess is to go to the neighbouring island of Bonaire.

Test charges and availability at Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort on Reserving.com.

3. Commune with Native Critters on the Donkey Sanctuary

Wild donkeys meandering within the countryside are sometimes a shock to guests. Left behind by the Spanish, they had been left to fend on their very own as soon as they had been not wanted for transportation.

Now, they want human assist. The Donkey Sanctuary Aruba is a superb non-profit refuge run by volunteers, it was constructed for donkeys that can’t fend for themselves within the wild for no matter purpose.

Admission is free, however donations are all the time appreciated, as are carrots and apples as treats for the donkeys.

In case you’re an animal lover you can too undertake a donkey. Your donation goes to its feed and look after a complete yr.

Visiting the donkey sanctuary is without doubt one of the finest free issues to do in Aruba. It makes a beautiful outing for the entire household on the island of Aruba. 

🌟 Insider’s Tip: For any donation you possibly can guide a ‘donkey hugging’ session. The Dutch do an identical wellness enhancing regime known as “koe knuffelen” (cow hugging.) Apparently, it enormously relieves stress!

4. Uncover ‘Monumental’ Eating

Some fantastically restored century-old buildings (known as ‘monuments’ on Aruba) have change into eating places. Listed here are a number of:

Style My Aruba: Housed in a sprawling picket construction downtown, this meals emporium is devoted to sourcing native but presenting modern takes on genuine classics.

It’s one purpose why this stretch of outdated downtown is quick turning into the brand new restaurant row.

Papiamento: Dine poolside on the Ellis household dwelling, an outdated Aruban `cunucu’ (nation) home. Or dine inside amongst a mini-museum of Dutch antiques. Their Wine Vault can be critically spectacular.

Quinta Del Carmen: Get pleasure from Dutch consolation meals within the large courtyard of this grand mansion and marvel on the antiques inside. They boast a stunning tapas and cocktail backyard, too.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: The historic 200-year-old Dutch windmill De Olden Molen now has eating, too!

5. Snorkel a Shipwreck from a Pirate Ship

It’s uncommon to have the ability to see a shipwreck with out diving into the depths, however this one lies in solely 30 ft. of water.

The SS Antilla was a 4,000 ft. lengthy German freighter sitting simply offshore of Palm Seashore that was purposely scuttled by its captain when Germany declared struggle on the Netherlands.

As we speak, it makes a useful dwelling for all types of fish and coral. It’s simply seen whereas snorkeling the crystal clear waters.

Most celebration/snorkel boats cease on the Antilla wreck, however Jolly Pirates provides some additional enjoyable with a buccaneer-themed employees and twine swing acrobatics.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: In case you’re lower than doing a double somersault into the ocean from the rope, no worries, you possibly can piggyback on one of many crew to take action!

6. Experience the Free Trolley in Oranjestad

One of many finest free issues to do in Aruba when visiting on a cruise is to catch the eco-trolley from the cruise ship terminal to discover Oranjestad. 

It travels into the predominant downtown space round each half hour (saves you a sizzling stroll) and you will get on and off as you please freed from cost.

There are 4 trolleys and so they all run on electrical batteries which makes them an eco-friendly mode of transportation. Select a double-decker trolley to get nice images from the highest.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: Get off on the Renaissance Mall and discover additional on foot to search out newly rejuvenated stretches of Foremost Road for excellent native foods and drinks spots like The Home of Pastechi and Espresso Break Aruba. Catch the following trolley again.

7. Take a Strolling Tour of Oranjestad

Many guests by no means go behind the marina space to essentially discover what makes this charming little capital tick.

And in the event that they do enterprise behind the Renaissance Mall or the well-known pink Royal Plaza, they actually don’t know what to search for.

That’s why I extremely advocate a guided, informative stroll via Oranjestad with Aruba Strolling Excursions that additionally features a demonstration of native cooking.

In addition they do an awesome foodie tour at night time, visiting varied eating places for a progressive dinner all through downtown.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: the Nationwide Archaeological Museum (pictured above) is on this tour, however it is usually one among the perfect free issues to do in Aruba.  

There’s no admission, and the fashionable, air-conditioned construction with a contemporary array of interactive displays is pleasurable and enlightening.

8. Store for Made-in-Aruba Souvenirs

In case you’re in search of genuine island made souvenirs somewhat than generic knick knacks made in China, skip the wharf facet stalls.

As an alternative, discover the chicken mural embellished mini mall aptly-named ArubaMade throughout the road.

All souvenirs there are domestically made and sometimes the creators are on web site. In addition they make mini-Dutch pancakes, johnny truffles (a must-try with native meals in Aruba), do-it-yourself ice cream, domestically roasted espresso, and extra on web site.

Common native arts and crafts pop-up gala’s are additionally ideally suited for genuine souvenirs. Discover one at Renaissance Market each Friday night time.

There you’ll discover lionfish jewellery , calabash lights, sea glass artwork, and extra. Search for the HAP2B Designs there to create customized t-shirts together with your Aruba-themed slogan of selection; they ship to your resort.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: Deliver money, few stalls take playing cards.

9. Witness a Butterfly Metamorphosis

Visiting The Butterfly Farm Aruba is the one the perfect issues to do in Aruba for all ages. This enchanting tropical oasis is stuffed with vibrant butterflies and mammoth moths, good blooms, and even a effervescent koi pond.

You’ll be able to discover by yourself, however a guided tour is way extra enlightening, they happen each half hour or so.

For an particularly distinctive expertise, put on brilliant colors so the butterflies may land on you. And go early within the morning when they’re most lively.

Mornings are additionally the most certainly time to see a butterfly emerge from its cocoon on their chrysalis wall. In addition they have a stunning alfresco café.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: Your preliminary admission is nice for as many free return visits as you want!

10. Savour a Distinctive Chef’s Desk Expertise

For a small island, Aruba has a bounty of Chef’s Desk experiences, every with its personal distinctive tackle gourmand eating with culinary masters.

Most supply wine pairing at an extra value, and a few can accommodate dietary restrictions.

I’ve not accomplished all of them but, however I all the time have an distinctive expertise at Infini which additionally has new out of doors sampling occasions every weekend on their Eagle Seashore patio.

Listed here are all of the venues: The Journey Aruba, 2 Fools & a Bull Connoisseur Studio, Senses Superb Eating, Carte Blanche, Ever-Restaurant Aruba, Koal Aruba, The Kitchen Desk Aruba, Royal Chef’s Desk Restaurant (previously “Fred’s”.)

🌟 Insider’s Tip: Papillon has a weekly ‘Secret Backyard’ off-property expertise however plans to increase to host them at their restaurant quickly as properly.

11. Uncover Unbelievable Outside Artwork in San Nicolas

Due to the ArtisA Basis and native and visiting artists from the world over, the outdated oil refinery city of San Nicolas is now a residing gallery.

It wasn’t that way back the little neighborhood – as soon as the financial hub of the island- was sadly in peril of turning into a ghost city. Not anymore.

Brainchild of native Tito Boliver, impressed by the out of doors artwork in Colombia, he began the annual Aruba Artwork Honest, and the remainder is historical past.

It’s now one of many hottest Aruba points of interest. 

Every time I go to I marvel in any respect the brand new artwork. The out of doors artwork grid is rising so quickly that it would ultimately rival Wynwood Miami!

🌟 Insider’s Tip: Not free, however properly price the fee is to take an informative guided trek via the artwork with Aruba Mural Excursions.

12. Take an Eco-tour to the Well-known Pure Pool

Reality be informed, I’m not an enormous fan of motorized excursions of the pure areas on this island. Although there are accountable operators, the autos can hurt the surroundings and run over sea turtle nests and hidden habitats of floor dwelling creatures.

That’s why I’m glad Aruba Nature Adventures makes it their enterprise to take guests exploring in an eco-friendly means.

Be a part of them for a hike to the well-known pure pool “Conchi” in Arikok Park (consists of snorkeling gear).

Or uncover the Spanish Lagoon mangrove path with an informative information.

In addition they do birdwatching excursions, meditation and dawn yoga outings, kayak and snorkeling excursions, and extra. Lunch is commonly included.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: The volcanic rock formations across the pool are VERY slippery, take heed to your information about the right way to method the water safely. 

13. Spelunk with Historic Spirits in Aruba’s Caves

Different must-visit pure points of interest inside Arikok Nationwide Park are the historical caves.

Quadirikiri Cave holds a shocking array of stalagmites and stalactites, however higher but, it additionally has two pure skylights that make for ethereal images.

And Fontein Cave has messages from the previous through rock drawings left by the Arawak Indians, Aruba’s unique inhabitants.

Park rangers are stationed outdoors each to present free excursions inside and reply all of your questions.

Word that each one points of interest inside Arikok Nationwide Park are free to go to after getting paid the unique conservation payment on the customer’s centre: adults: $15, kids beneath 17-free!

🌟 Insider’s Tip:  Put on closed-toed sneakers, it’s not flip-flop pleasant terrain. Anticipate to see colonies of bats.

14. Get Photograph Gold at Bushiribana

Do you know that this island had a mini gold rush within the 1800s, and the ruins of two smelters stay? Essentially the most photogenic is the one by the ocean known as Bushiribana, and you’re welcome to climb it.

Climbing the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins is without doubt one of the most original free issues to do in Aruba. Go early to keep away from crowds and the recent tropical solar.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: The second gold mine spoil is out close to Frenchman’s cross on the tip of Spanish lagoon. Simply comply with the picket signal for the Balashi gold mines.

There one can find what’s left of the mill buildings all overgrown with foliage and surrounded by stone staircases that additionally make a romantic setting for fabulous images.

Test costs and availability of a Half-Day Island Tour together with the California Lighthouse, Casibari rock formations, the Bushiribana gold mill ruins and Aloe Vera Manufacturing facility on Viator.com

15. Refresh Your Spirit on Excessive at Alto Vista Chapel

One of many prime points of interest in Aruba is the excessive summit web site of Alto Vista Chapel, Aruba’s oldest Catholic church.

It’s as heavenly now because it was when first chosen as a spot for religious reflection by the Spanish in 1750. (The present church was erected in 1952.)

Alto Vista means excessive view, and there’s a stunning peace labyrinth (a landscaped meditation circle) behind the church the place you’ll find focus and refresh your spirit.

The Inside of the church can be lovely and open to the general public.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: Not free, however the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris On line casino has a brand new wellness expertise with personal roundtrip switch to the chapel, a picnic basket, Aruba Aloe merchandise, yoga mats, and a therapeutic massage for 2.

16. Experience a Paso Fino on a Horseback Driving Tour

I particularly love horseback driving in Aruba as a result of most of their horses are Paso Finos that means “superb step.”

They don’t bounce up and down like a jackhammer after they trot; their again stays parallel to the bottom.

Demure however hearty little steeds, they had been left behind by the Spanish. And within the seventeenth century, Aruba was an important horse-trading port attributable to their high quality inventory.

Be sure to ask for one for those who take a horseback driving tour. Your physique will thanks the following day!

Rancho de la Ponderosa and The Gold Mine Ranch are good decisions for operators, however new Hoofs of Hope additionally seems to be promising.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: The blue ceramic horses dotting downtown Oranjestad are a tribute to Aruba’s horse-trading previous, see: https://www.paardenbaai.com/predominant/horses/  

17. Feast Atop the California Lighthouse

The California Lighthouse is a legendary Aruba landmark onerous to overlook on the northwest coast.

The California Lighthouse was constructed to warn ships after an American freighter (The Californian) struck the coast and sunk in 1891.

Inbuilt 1916, it was utterly renovated in 2016 to have a good time its 100^th anniversary.

Superb views like this one await early birds at Aruba’s iconic landmark lighthouse in Noord. However for those who’re lower than rising with the solar, it affords totally different Insta-worthy ops all day lengthy as properly.

Guests are welcome to climb the spiral stairs to the highest ($5 cost) for unbelievable panoramic island views of turquoise water and sunsets. However you can too feast on the prime!

Experitours provides one among solely two lighthouse eating experiences on the earth. They provide catered breakfast within the little meshed-in cubicle constructed for under two (makes it extra romantic).

Two seatings can be found for personal dinners. One is for the sundown and the opposite one for the starlight. In case you don’t need the 3-course menu, you possibly can request a charcuterie board as a substitute.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: Don’t be stunned to see starry-eyed {couples} strolling at sundown there. The California lighthouse is without doubt one of the hottest locations to suggest on the island.

Test costs and availability of a Half-Day Island Tour together with the California Lighthouse, Casibari rock formations, the Bushiribana gold mill ruins and Aloe Vera Manufacturing facility on Viator.com

18. Harness the Wind in World Class Circumstances

The shallow waters and fixed mild commerce winds off Hadicurari (also called Fisherman’s Huts Seashore) simply beside the Ritz-Carlton Aruba supplies the proper circumstances for newcomers to discover ways to windsurf, kite board, and check out the brand new sport of wing foiling.

Many first-rate operators supply classes like Vela Aruba. That is additionally the place the annual Aruba Hello-Winds occasion takes place attracting world class rivals.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: Native windsurfing legend Sarah-Quita Offringa  educated right here and sometimes practices at Hadicurari on her break day.

At press time, she was a 20-time world girls’s freestyling champion, although she may need added extra titles since.

She was variety sufficient to present us a private intro lesson a number of years again, and we bought up on our first attempt!

19. Attempt Crusing within the Sand

For a distinctive factor to do in Aruba, why not attempt the weird sport of land crusing?

“Blokarting” as some name it (from the makers of the carts) is fashionable in Australia, however to the perfect of my data, the one place you possibly can attempt it within the Caribbean is in Aruba and Bonaire.

It’s like crusing in a ship, the sails are wind pushed, however it runs on wheels within the sand. Aruba’s fixed commerce winds and flat sandy stretches make it an excellent spot to be taught.

Aruba Lively Holidays is the one outfit to supply it, and their instructors are top-notch.  Helmets are included. Word: It’s solely supplied to these 14 years of age and older.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: Aruba Lively Holidays additionally provides a variety of land and water sports activities, excursions, leases, and instruction.

20. Be taught to Dive in a Day

In case you’ve all the time needed to discover ways to scuba dive however had been hesitant to speculate a lot of your vacation money and time to change into PADI licensed throughout your tropical trip, then an Intro to Dive course is likely to be for you.

 JADS Dive Aruba provides a PADI Uncover Scuba Diving Course that features a concept lesson carried out by a PADI Teacher together with a expertise portion, gear rental, and one guided shore dive on the identical day.

Mangel Halto Seashore is their most well-liked launching spot the place shallow waters result in a small shipwreck simply off the coast. No expertise required for a dive as much as 40 ft under.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: My younger grownup daughter and her boyfriend did this and had been completely thrilled with the expertise.

21. Dare to Tandem Skydive

I haven’t but summoned the braveness to do that but, however it’s on my bucket checklist.

And I do know individuals who’ve accomplished it and may’t cease speaking about how exhilarating it’s.

But when I WAS going to leap out of a wonderfully good aircraft, the tandem mode is the one solution to go. It’s undoubtedly on the prime of the checklist for an adventurous factor to do in Aruba.

In steady enterprise for some 25 years, SkyDiveAruba  has helped hundreds of holiday makers make their high-flying goals come true.

Their security requirements are first-rate, and their Cessna 182 aircraft is particularly designed for skydiving.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: Excursions embody transportation to and from most native motels.

22. Embrace the Beat with Free Nightlife in Aruba

One of many prime issues to do in Aruba at night time is to take pleasure in free dwell music within the frequent sq. at Renaissance Market on the marina.

It’s very handy to get to for those who’re staying in one of many main resorts or timeshares in Aruba. 

Lots of the cafes and eating places there additionally typically have their very own dwell out of doors bands, and Cuba’s Cookin’ has dwell music 7 nights per week, and sometimes provides free salsa classes to clients, too.

Music wafting from a gazillion alfresco bars and eating places alongside ‘the strip’ a mile of venues throughout road from the high-rise motels encourages impromptu sidewalk dancing.

And  Paseo Herencia (Google Map) has free nightly gentle and water reveals set to music.

View it from their old school public stone amphitheatre the place in addition they typically host free music and dance reveals, particularly round holidays.

In Oranjestad, there are various spots for price range bites and low-cost snacks the place you needn’t order a full meal to benefit from the institution’s hospitality.

🌟 Insider’s Tip:  In case you head to the sands of Palm Seashore after darkish you’re certain to be drawn to the pulsating rhythms coming from MooMba or Bugaloe, a few of Aruba’s finest seaside bars!

23. Renew Your Vows for Free!

Relating to discovering memorable issues to do in Aruba for {couples}, renewing your vows is certainly some of the unforgettable!

This island is so in love with love, that every summer time they invite {couples} from around the globe to descend upon Aruba and recommit to one another within the largest vow renewal within the Caribbean.

And past the bonus of it happening on some of the lovely seashores on the planet, the distinctive barefoot ceremony and champagne toast on the gala after celebration with Carnival type leisure is free!

The annual Aruba I Do Vow Renewal Ceremony  additionally companions with resorts and companies throughout that point to supply all types of unbelievable specials, packages, and deep reductions for a lot of island actions.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: Members should register forward on the official web site.

24. Go Birdwatching on the Bubali Hen Sanctuary

Take the path off the overwhelmed path into the Bubali Hen Sanctuary wetlands, a protected migratory chicken area that separates Palm Seashore from Eagle Seashore.

In case you’re searching for a landmark, it’s close to the massive purple Dutch windmill.

To get an ideal perch, there’s a tall lined picket construction that gives a chicken’s eye view to identify the plethora of winged wonders that cease by this space throughout their annual migrations.

In case you’re fortunate, you may even spot a roseate spoonbill! Be sure you carry binoculars.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: If turning into a greater birdwatcher is in your bucket checklist otherwise you wish to work on finishing your life checklist, take a tour there with Hen Watching Aruba.  

25. Climb the Otherworldly Casibari Rock Formations

26. Hike the Mountain known as “The Haystack”

Bucket Record Locations to Keep in Aruba

Although this island has a number of first-rate lodging for each form of traveler, listed here are my picks for essentially the most distinctive locations to remain in Aruba for those who’re in search of bucket list-worthy abodes.

Keep in a Splurge-Worthy Overwater Villa

Do you know that Aruba has South Pacific type overwater villas?

Tucked away within the tiny fishing village of Savaneta you’ll discover a assortment of insanely lovely overwater bungalows at adult-only boutique resort Aruba Ocean Villas.

Essentially the most lavish choices are sprawling affairs with dipping swimming pools and glass-floor lower outs, personal sea entry with clear kayaks and paddle boards for private use, scads of luxe facilities, and a few have personal Jacuzzis.

There are additionally smaller seaside villas, bamboo cabins, and even a treehouse keep. And all are individually embellished by the native proprietor/artist herself.

Eating is at their Outdated Man and the Sea restaurant, and breakfast is included.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: I’ve stayed in most of those villas, and I can attest to the truth that “splurge-worthy” is a really applicable description.

Go Glamping within the Desert

Secluded amongst forests of cacti within the wild arid outback off the north coast lies a shock for the eyes. It’s unattainable to not spot the good silver camper gleaming within the solar as soon as you already know the place to go.

It seems like a mirage. Nevertheless it’s actual.

That is the Aruba Airstream Expertise, one of many island’s most original eco-stays. And although it’s in the course of nowhere, it’s not that removed from quick access to provides.  And it’s not with out its creature comforts.

That is glamping at its finest. The 2-bedroom abode features a BBQ, a kitchenette, a saltwater pool, a sizzling tub, and a deluxe out of doors bathe.

Did I point out it’s air-conditioned too? Surreal.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: Pack your mountaineering sneakers. There are nice mountaineering trails close by.

Cocoon in a Casita

Think about a fantastically landscaped neighborhood of colourful cottages (casitas) woven along with a picket boardwalk and surrounded in brilliant, tropical foliage.

That’s Boardwalk Boutique Lodge Aruba, a welcoming family-run operation set in a lush, former coconut plantation.

Select from 46 totally geared up individually embellished personal casitas with hammocks, BBQs, and kitchenettes for self-catering. There are additionally on-site meals and beverage choices that embody vegan fare.

In case you guide the villa with personal plunge pool, you possibly can take pleasure in a floating breakfast! It’s one among our prime decisions for brunch in Aruba.

They’ve two beautiful swimming pools, and their very own devoted seaside zone on beautiful Palm Seashore, simply accessible on foot or through their cute complimentary shuttle.

Some stand-alone deluxe casitas supply additional facilities like an outside bathe. There’s one with its personal dipping pool, and one set atop a panoramic palapa.

🌟 Insider’s Tip: Visitors have to be 12 yr of age and over.

FAQs

This text was initially revealed in 2018 however was up to date and considerably expanded in 2023 after new onsite analysis visits and inspections. Costs can change with out discover.

Different Aruba Journey Concepts We Love

 Save to Pinterest!