Aruba: A Simple and Comprehensive Travel Guide to The Happy Island + (30 Things to do in Aruba)

by | Apr 19, 2021 | BLOG, CARIBBEAN

Aruba, “One Happy Island”

Aruba is located in the Caribbean Sea, in South America, north of Venezuela. Aruba is one of the three islands known as “ABC,” along with Curaçao and Bonaire.

Aruba is an absolute dream to visit, with its beautiful beaches, surrounded by crystal clear, turquoise waters, seem to have been taken out of a vacation ad.

While many people travel to Aruba for the paradise-like tropical beaches, warm weather, and laid-back lifestyle, there are a vast array of things to do in Aruba. For example, the island’s capital, Oranjestad, is full of colonial-era color and architecture and some great restaurants and bars.

Besides the beaches and picturesque towns that “sprinkle” the island, the interior is unlike anywhere else in the Caribbean.

The sparse bushland, wild terrain, and exciting rock formations make it a fascinating place to explore.

Are you looking for adventure? There are some opportunities for your adventurer personality in Aruba.

From exploring the island’s interior to scouring its underwater treasures in a submarine-like glass-bottom boat tour or snorkeling with schools (of fish), your most memorable experiences may happen away from shore and not by laying out at an idyllic beach resort!

Aruba On the Map

How to Get to Aruba

To get there from North America, you can search for Aruba Flights options and alternatives through Skyscanner or Google Flights or by asking your trusted Travel Advisor.

Aruba Flights

The airlines that fly from the United States with Non-Stop flights to Aruba are:

  • American Airlines
  • Delta Airlines
  • JetBlue
  • United

From airport hubs such as:

  • Atlanta
  • Boston
  • Fort Lauderdale
  • Miami
  • New York
  • Philadelphia
  • Washington DC.

From other cities in North America or even other places in the world like South America or Europe, you will probably have to fly to Aruba with one or two stops.

I recommend you check the Airline Alliance of your choice (Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld) to get better prices and better rewards.

The Aruba Airport [AUA] is officially named “Queen Beatrix International Airport.”

Aruba Map

Moving around Aruba.

Airport Transportation: You can find the bus stop, taxi stand, and car rental agencies right outside of Arrivals.

Car Rental or Taxi from Airport – You will find the Car Hire desk at arrivals where all other ground transport options are available.

But the best way to see Aruba by yourself is by car. I suggest you rent a car since you can move around the island whenever you like and at your own pace and rhythm.

The People of Aruba.

The vast majority of Arubans speak at least four languages.

Papiamento is the native language, a mix of Dutch, Portuguese, and Spanish, with a hint of English and French.

Almost everybody speaks English, Spanish, and Dutch (the second official language of the country).

How much time to spend in Aruba.

As always, this question is very relative to personal interests and is very difficult to answer.

However, I think that one whole week in Aruba is more than enough to get the most out of “The Happy Island.” If you have a week, I would suggest sticking to the main island of Aruba and visiting Oranjestad.

You can visit both coasts: West Coast for beaches or East Coastline with natural attractions such as Casibari Rock Formations just south from Mangel Halto Nature Park in San Nicolas Parish near Kralendijk; Christoffel National Monument on top mountaintop Pico Tres Monjas overlooking all islands including Bonaire.

But I’m getting ahead of myself! Two weeks will be extraordinary if you want to combine all the island activities with relaxing and unwinding time.

Aruba Weather

In Aruba, the climate is tropical, hot all year round: daytime temperatures hover around 29/31 degrees Celsius (84/88 °F) throughout the year, the air is muggy, but the wind tempers the heat.
The trade winds blow constantly, and the east coast is affected by strong sea currents, while the western and southern coasts are more sheltered, and made of sandy beaches.

Aruba Annual Temperatures
Aruba Annual Average Temperatures

Where to stay

Recommended Luxury Hotels in Aruba

  1. The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba

“At the edge of the Caribbean Sea, where the white sand meets land, The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba offers an escape from routine and an opportunity to relax truly. The five-star resort, cleverly designed to easily explore the island or never leave the hotel grounds. Amenities are both comforting and indulgent, and all reflect the spirit, richness, and charm of Aruba. Three hundred twenty luxury guest rooms and suites; Six dining venues including BLT Steak; Luxury Spa with 13 treatments rooms; 24-hour casino with live entertainment; Beachfront venues and custom catering; The Club Lounge with culinary offerings.”

The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba

Recommended First Class Hotels in Aruba

  1. Barceló Aruba
  2. Hotel Riu Palace Antillas
  3. Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
  4. Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino
  5. Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa
  6. Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
  7. Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino

30 Things you will want to do in Aruba?

It is complicated to pick the best things in Aruba since it is an island where there are many things to do and see, but here it goes — my recommendation of the 30 things you must do on your next trip to Aruba.

Walk around downtown Oranjestad.

Oranjestad is the capital city of Aruba.  In Dutch, it means “orange city.” After the reign of William of Orange, the city received this name, the first Dutch king of the House of Orange.

The city is a mix of “old and new” and a “kaleidoscope” of color, vivid yellows, blues, and reds on the buildings, and there is also very charming Dutch architecture in every corner.

Fort Zoutman, the Royal Plaza, and the City Hall are just a few of the colorful colonial buildings you’ll want to visit.

Plaza Daniel Leo is also a great place to go; here, you will find many of the old buildings clustered together, with their retail stores waiting for all those Cruise guests disembarking for the day.

In Oranjestad, tourist attractions are all very close, and you can walk perfectly from one to another.

For instance, you will find The Historical Museum of Aruba inside the Oldest Building on the island, Fort Zoutman. It offers a permanent display of Aruba’s major historical events.

If you like wine, don’t miss the Wine Room. A fantastic place, run by the owners, with the best wines in the world paired with top-quality cheeses and cold cuts.

The Beaches of Aruba

Undoubtedly, the great attraction of Aruba is its paradisiacal beaches, with turquoise sea and fine white sand. They are said to be the best beaches in the Caribbean, which could be a longshot statement, and very difficult to prove. However, I’m sure there will be many people willing to take upon the challenge.

These are the five favorite beaches in Aruba:

  • Baby Beach
  • Arashi
  • Eagle Beach
  • Rodgers Beach
  • Palm Beach.

Are you a beach lover? You’ll be happy to know that there are free umbrellas on (almost) every beach in Aruba, but unfortunately, you will have to arrive early to find those available and free of charge.

However, the Best Aruba Resorts and Hotels include them at no charge to their guests.

Aruba Flamingo Beach

Renaissance Island, the private island of the Renaissance Hotel in Aruba, is also known as Flamingo Beach. As you lie on the beach, beautiful pink flamingos roam the beach and bathe in the ocean.

This activity, amongst flamingos, has become a very popular “Instagram Location” among Social Media Influencers and young visitors.

However, you can only visit Flamingo Beach in Aruba if you are a hotel guest at the Renaissance Hotel. If you are not, you can purchase a day pass. A limited number of day passes are now sold online above the $100 mark.

Keep in mind that there are not thousands or even hundreds of Flamingos here; there are probably a couple of dozen or so, and taking a picture with these pretty, but independent birds will be tricky.

Also, being a popular thing to do, you can guess it, Aruba Flamingo Beach will undoubtedly be quite crowded.

Aruba’s Natural Pool

Bjørn Christian Tørrissen | Creative Commons

The natural pool in Aruba is something difficult to imagine, but it is incredible.

It is referred to by locals as “Conchi,” which means “Bowl” in the local Aruban Language, Papiamento.

The locals used to call this place “Cura Di Tortuga” or “Turtle Pond” in the past as Aruban fishermen would keep their recently caught turtle there. The turtles would be held in the pool until needed for consumption.

This “Turtle Pond Practice” and other fishing activities and traditions disappeared during the 1930s.

Today, snorkeling inside this pool is allowed for you to experience and see many geological formations and marine life. Just make sure you don’t do so outside the limits of the Natural Pool as the strong currents are very dangerous.

Be aware that it may be an adventure in itself to arrive at the Natural Pool. If you want to explore this natural pool by yourself, you will have to rent a four-wheel-drive car in Aruba because only this kind of vehicle can go down the long, bumpy, and rocky road.

Keep this in mind when you reserve your car for your Aruba trip.

Donkey Sanctuary

Are you an animal lover? One beautiful thing to do in Aruba is to visit the Donkey Sanctuary. Because, let’s face it, who doesn’t love donkeys?

Donkeys were the most used form of transportation in Aruba, so sadly, there are many of them now residing in the sanctuary.

The sanctuary keeps Donkeys in large paddocks, with sick and injured donkeys cared for by the caregivers. With a slightly sad look on them, your heart will melt when you pet them and feed them carrots.

While it is free to visit, it is unlikely that you will leave without having donated towards the maintenance of the donkeys at the sanctuary since this is one of the unique things to do in Aruba.

Bushiribana Ruins

A somewhat mysterious place to visit, the Bushiribana Ruins, remained from the short-lived Aruba Gold Rush in the 19th century.

Located just west of Oranjestad, the desolate location offers many incredible photo opportunities. The rusted buildings that lie abandoned in the middle of nowhere are strangely photogenic.

Wandering around is a must-do; it feels utterly opposite from the idyllic beaches the island is known for.

With nearby fortified buildings used to protect gold miners from pirates, the Bushiribana Ruins are worth a visit.

Casibari – Rock Formations

The Casibari rock formations, north of Hooiberg, are among the most popular things to do in Aruba and are now quite a very visited tourist attraction. The rocks rise from the bushes and desert around them and look a bit like a miniature Uluru Rock!

It is not tiny by any means; some of the rock formations reach a large size. Some walking trails take you between them, allowing you to see some prehistoric rock drawings here and there. Make your way to the top for a great view of the island!

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Cup_of_Asclepius&action=edit&redlink=1

San Nicolaas Murals

Located in the southernmost point of the island, the small but colorful town of San Nicolaas, the 2nd largest city in Aruba, is known for the incredible display of street art that decors a lot of its buildings.

Commissioned for the Aruba Art Fair by the Ministry of Culture, the murals certainly light up the city.

You can effortlessly spend a morning or afternoon wandering around and enjoying the views at your leisure. The artwork is beautiful, and you will get a lot of great photos of giant fish and giant human portraits!

Aruba Ostrich Farm

The Aruba Ostrich Farm is an exciting place to visit. You will surely get out of there learning a lot about the giant birds on this earth.

These gigantic birds are fascinating for their strange ways, like burying their heads in the sand!

Your farm guide will tell you everything there is to know about this kind of prehistoric and funny-looking creatures. A stop at the ostrich farm is quite fun and will probably end up being one of the most remarkable and aleatory things you do in Aruba. The visit doesn’t take too long.

Aloe Factory Museum

Aloe, one of the island’s most important exports, was introduced to Aruba in 1840. Aloe plants got out of hand at some point, as almost two-thirds of the island was covered in Aloe!

The Aloe factory is a place to visit. Here you will see how the personnel produces Aloe Vera, learn about the history of the plant and how it has impacted Aruba so profoundly.

It doesn’t take very long to tour the facilities, but it is an interesting stop nonetheless. When it’s finally time to go home, your friends will be amazed at all the aloe-related facts that you can now discover!

Underwater Tour

If you want to see a different side of Aruba, book a submarine tour and head under the waves.

Many tour operators in Aruba offer submarine tours, and you are sure to see incredible underwater wonders.

Tours generally last less than two hours and take you to the beautiful Barcadera Reef, as well as some shipwrecks found in the waters surrounding the island. Through the glass windows, you can see schools of brilliantly colored fish and the twisted coral formations of the reef.

Divi Divi Trees

Only found in Aruba, Divi Divi trees are trees generally twisted in incredible shapes.

They get their deformed and twisted shapes by the trade winds.

These trade winds blow from the northeast, and although Aruba is outside the hurricane corridor, the trade winds are strong enough to point the Divi Divi trees to the southwest slowly. These trees become a natural compass.

Divi Divi trees are beautiful to admire due to the almost artistic shapes. The locals swear that you only need to follow the curve in its branches to find a nearby town.

Don’t forget to take some pictures; you will see these trees all over Aruba as you travel around the island.

Arikok National Park

Map of Arikok National Park | Courtesy of Arikok National Park

The Arikok National Park is vast, covering 20% of the island.

Any trip to Aruba must include exploring this unique side of the island. It is one of any visitor’s favorite activities in Aruba and one of the many things that makes Aruba unique to other islands in the Caribbean.

Since you will probably be renting a car in Aruba, visiting the park on your schedule will be brilliant. However, there will always be the opportunity to book a guided tour to the National Park directly at your hotel.

The park includes three main ancient geological formations, some lava and other minor geological formations that extend from the coast towards the interior of the island, making an influence on every human settlement throughout Aruba’s history.

The park is the best place to appreciate Aruba’s rich flora and fauna; five species can only be found here. Many natural resources have been invaluable to the people of Aruba.

It also includes some of the highest points in Aruba.

So, if you are in Aruba and you want a little environment check during your stay, make sure to spend some time at Arikok National Park and enjoy its three sections:

The central area will be your leading destination because you will learn the island’s most important cultural and historical aspects.

In this area, you will also access other sites of interest, such as a spectacular cave called Dos Playas, an underwater cave called Boca Druif, and the Quandirikiri, Huliba, and Baranca Sini caves.

The north and south areas are more sensitive areas, and that is why there are horseback riding and specially marked trails for walking. These trails run through the entire park going from attraction to attraction and connecting educational centers and the ruins of old gold mines and even plantations.

Scuba Diving in Aruba

Some of the best scuba diving in the Caribbean is in Aruba. Aruba is a great place to learn and do an introductory dive if you are not a certified diver.

If you are a certified diver, be sure to see some of Aruba’s shipwrecks. Antilla Wreck and Pedernales Wreck are a couple of wreck places you can see.

The visits to the shipwrecks are something you will need to confirm in advance with the local dive shop. Ask them which day they will be diving the wrecks.

Boca Prin Sand Dunes

Located inside the Arikok National Park, visiting the Boca Prin Sand Dunes are a must-see and one of tourist’s favorite activities in Aruba.

The secluded beach has stunning white dunes that stand out delightfully against the rocky shores that surround them. It is a fantastic place to hang out.

Unfortunately, swimming is impossible as there are some pretty strong currents here.

If you get bored of just lying on the beach, it will be fun to explore the area’s terrain and rocks.

There is also a restaurant nearby, where you can have a drink or eat something while you enjoy the incredible scenery.

Fontein Cave

Fontein Cave is on the north side of the island and is known for the cave drawings that the original inhabitants have left on its walls.

Arawak people, peaceful people who received Columbus in 1492, left a mark of his passage through here and today; these drawings on the walls and in part of the ceilings provide us with a window to the symbolic past of America.

The cave is 95 meters long, and the first time anyone documented the drawings, between reds and browns, was in 1836 when a Protestant minister walked through Aruba. In 1890, officials recorded, in detail, the type and quantity of drawings.

Studies continued in the mid-20th century, but it was only in the 1980s that the caves acquired their current value and recognition. It is a large cavern, and it is on the ceiling of the main chamber where you can see the drawings.

Although the roof falls almost abruptly, it is possible to continue walking for another 90 meters, which is where you find the stalactites and stalagmites.

Inside its eternal inhabitants are bats that come out at night to look for pollen and nectar from the island’s trees. They have an undisputed place in the local ecosystem since they pollinate, like bees.

Among all the caves in Aruba, Fontein Cave is the easiest to visit and the most colorful drawings, but don’t forget to visit the others.

ATV Rides

What sets Aruba apart from most of its Caribbean neighbor islands is its desolate, almost desert interior. While that may seem unappealing, it’s a great thing if you like ATV and 4×4 tours.

Have a fun afternoon of shooting over the dunes and drifting through the canyons; it will get your blood circulating.

Riding ATVs is a great way to see more of Aruba’s beautiful interior. You will often find yourself completely alone amongst the nature on display.

If you have time, this is a fun and very experiential way to enjoy Aruba’s inland.

California Light House

Having rented a Jeep or 4×4 car in Aruba, be sure to drive to the California Lighthouse.

There is also a great restaurant with epic views of Aruba at the California Light House called Faro Blanco.

If you decide to go there, we suggest making a reservation for the sunset if you have time.

Alto Vista Chapel

Standing alone in the middle of the beautiful Aruba countryside, you will find the Alto Vista Chapel.

The chapel was built in 1952, on the same site the first church of the entire island occupied since 1750.

Its secluded location makes it a quiet place to visit. The bright yellow walls of the chapel stand out delightfully against the scant terrain that surrounds it.

Right next to the chapel is the “labyrinth of peace” that works its way from here to there.

If you’re searching for contemplation or even some meditation, just go with the flow and follow the path wherever it leads.

Guadirikiri Cave

The Guadirikiri Cave is also within the Arikok National Park area.

Once you’ve entered the cave, it’s time to take some photos!

Hidden at the bottom of a cliff, Guadirikiri Cave stretches 150 meters; the best images you can take are on its dome-like chamber. Sunlight comes through holes in the ceiling of the cave, and it makes everything look incredible!

madmack66 | Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

Many small bats use this forbidden part of the cave as a nesting site.

The legend tells us that an Indian chief locked up his daughter in Guadirikiri when she fell in love with an unacceptable suitor. The lover managed to find her in the cave; the myth says that they both died in Guadirikiri and that her souls escaped through the holes in the cave to heaven.

Guadirikiri Cave is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Aruba for the beautiful photos you will come out with.

Windsurf in Hadikurari Beach

Most of Aruba’s beaches will have a good offering of sun loungers, umbrellas, and tables that resort’s guests make good use of during their stay, but there are other beaches more inhospitable and without such services.

These are the beaches that offer the most privacy.

One of those beaches is Hadikurari Beach. Located directly south of Malmok and also called Fisherman’s Huts. It is a trendy beach among people who come with their windsurf board since the winds are higher than those on the island.

The Hi Winds Pro-Am Windsurfing Competition occurs in Hadikurari every June, so imagine the quality of its winds. And outside of June, there are always surfers and windsurfing sails to recreate the view.

It’s called Fisherman’s Huts because there are plenty of straw umbrellas and picnic tables for public use in the surrounding area, so you can come with nothing and settle in for the day.

The waters at Hadikurari Beach are clear and shallow, or just enough for swimming and snorkeling.

Aruba Butterfly Farm

A visit to the “Aruba Butterfly Farm” is an unforgettable encounter with nature in all its beauty and diversity. It is a tropical garden where the most colorful creatures in the world coexist. The guides are lovely people who will tell you the life of butterflies from minute zero (from egg to caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly).

Enclosed gardens of tropical beauty, exotic flowers, and ponds where Japanese fish swim build this farm together. The atmosphere is calm, very soft, and hypnotic music plays constantly, and walking along the trails is like going on a dream walk.

Arashi Beach

Who doesn’t want to spend a few days in the paradise of Aruba? Well, probably everyone, because the truth is that Aruba is a beautiful place and all its beaches are spectacular.

Arashi Beach is in the select group of the five best beaches in Aruba. This beach is located in the northwestern part of the island and is relatively small but beautiful.

Small but with a lot of white sand and many “palapas” or tiny thatched roof umbrellas distributed throughout its geography to provide shade and shelter for tourists.

Arashi Beach has, in general, quiet calm waters, ideal for swimming, with white sands like flour and few services outside the palapas.

The waters of Arashi Beach are crystal clear, and when you look at them, you cannot believe that they are that turquoise color. But yes, that’s the way it is, and that is why this beach is also one of the best places in Aruba to snorkel because you can either sunbathe or dive to enjoy the depths, without moving much from your place.

Malmok Beach

Aruba has about eight beaches on the west coast. The first seven are pretty close to each other, while the last one, Surfside Beach, is further away and located in front of Renaissance Island.

We have talked about Arashi beach, but very close is Malmok beach.

Leaving Arashi, you first come across Boca Catalina beach, and then you’ll arrive at Malmok.

Malmok is a wide beach with little shade. You will step on a mixture of very soft white sands with stones and pebbles.

The waters are crystal clear, light blue, and relatively calm. That is why it is a great place to swim and snorkel.

It is a very “average” beach so although there are some tourists, there are no facilities or people who will rent you sun loungers and umbrellas.

You must bring your towel and, also, a parasol if you have one.

There is a large parking area next to the beach itself, and since you will probably be driving your rental 4×4, you won’t have any problem getting to the beach and spend as much time as you want.

However, if you don’t feel like driving, you can always take a taxi.

Malmok is home to many surfers, and there are also sailboats and catamarans anchored near the shore.

Owners of these vessels spend a few hours taking advantage of the clarity of the waters, the perfect temperature, and the underwater beauties to dive for a while.

The seabed hides gardens of sea ferns, staghorn and elkhorn corals, and brain-shaped corals. And among them are starfish and eels.

Eagle Beach

By popular choice, one of the best beaches in Aruba is Eagle Beach.

It is kind of the “Locals Beach.” It has pure and fine white sands and calm water, like a swimming pool.

Like the rest of the beaches in Aruba, it is a public beach, so a bit of good advice is not just staying with the beach of your hotel.

Eagle Beach is just south of the most popular of all Aruba’s beaches, Palm Beach. A rocky promontory separates it, and that is why you have to be careful when climbing it.

You can often find colorful parrots on these rocks, especially during the early morning and mid-afternoon. They are very noisy, but they aren’t dangerous.

Eagle Beach is located right in front of the La Cabaña resort, across the street, and other timeshare resorts. There are palm trees; you can snorkel to see colorful fish, take a cruise on one of the catamarans offered by the local people, or just sunbathe and do nothing else.

The beach gently slopes down to the sea and has some areas where you can have a picnic.

It is best to arrive early in the morning and stay until noon. It is a clean, wide beach, one of the longest beaches on the island, but there will probably be too many people on weekends.

Mount Hooiberg

Mount Hooiberg

One of Aruba’s most visited tourist destinations is a mountain. Yes, it is a haystack-shaped mountain called Hooiberg. It takes off prominently from the middle of the island, and although it is not very high and other neighboring mountains are higher, it is the most accessible of all the Aruba mountains. Hence, it is the one chosen for adventure tourism or walking excursions.

Tourists climb more than 500 steps to reach its top, and while they enjoy the climb, they also enjoy nature. If you decide to do the trek, you will find yourself in this natural observatory of Aruba once you reach the top.

From this point, you will enjoy impressive views of the island, the sea, the coast, and on clear days you can even see the coast of Venezuela in the distance.

The Hooiberg mountain is made of a single rock that the Dutch settlers have baptized with hooiberggiet, a particular stone with magnetic properties. It reaches 168 meters and has a cone shape, rising between Oranjestad and Santa Cruz. In addition to being rick-shaped, the name means in Dutch, it appears on the island’s coat of arms.

Horseback Riding in Notorious Ranch

As you prefer to call it, Notorious Ranch or Hacienda offers four types of horseback riding throughout Aruba.

From walks to natural pools and secret lagoons that take your breath away, to horseback riding to enjoy the walk of the animals and, if possible, galloping along the beach feeling the sea wind on your face.

You can request a private version for any of the four types of tours that they sell. In all cases, the horses are well trained and are animals in good condition, and whatever ride you choose, the spectacular views are guaranteed.

You just have to keep in mind that it is pretty hot in Aruba during the day, so you should go out with a hat or cap and a good sunscreen spread on your skin. It is also advisable to wear long pants so as not to burn yourself.

Also, if you already have experience in horses, it would be better to opt for a private tour that suits your own time and speed so that you do not have to adapt yourself to beginners.

The ranch is called Notorious because of the 1952 film by director Fritz Lang, a western, and the truth is that it is a pretty funny place where the animals have unique names like Al Capone or Clint Eastwood.

The atmosphere is relaxed and happy, and in fact, one of the ranch’s slogans is that it is the home of Aruba’s happy horses, so fun and safety are guaranteed.

Zoutman Fort

The colonization of Aruba by the Netherlands began with the construction of Fort Zoutman in 1798.

It is a defensive structure built by Amerindian slaves and expanded and rebuilt a couple of times throughout the 19th century. It served to defend the island from pirates and also served as a prison for rebellious slaves.

Today it is the most important historic building in all of Aruba and the oldest building of Dutch architecture.

Fort Zoutman is right in the center of Oranjestad. In 1868, the Willem III Tower was added to the compound. Together, they form the largest historical complex on the island, and after extensive restoration in the ’70s, ’80s, and 2004, they have survived to this day in good condition.

The Historical Museum works here, which welcomes foreign tourists and local people, mainly schools, since it is the must-see place during primary school.

Its collections include prehistoric objects, but mainly everything that has to do with the colonial period.

Also, the fort is part of the so-called Slave Route in the Caribbean, a network that UNESCO’s Regional Office promotes for Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Bon Bini Festival, with local dances, takes place every week. Something very touristy.

IMAGE: Vdesschert | Creative Commons

Baby Beach

The truth about Baby Beach is that there is the beauty of the sea, its characteristic turquoise color, the breeze, the white sand, the people snorkeling, boating, diving, make the beach a good place on the east coast of Aruba.

You may think: “wow, it is awesome,” but there’s a minor detail: there is a refinery on the same beach, and this may not mean much to some, but there are others who are disturbed by this industry, interrupting the beautiful Caribbean landscape.

If it doesn’t bother you, Baby Beach can be an excellent beach for having a lot of fun. And, well, if at the moment you get there, it turns out that yes, it bothers you, nothing happens, just drive a little further north and head to Palm Beach, a very dynamic and busy beach.

Palm Beach

Palm Beach Aruba

Palm Beach is one of the best beaches in Aruba; it is trendy and dynamic. The possibility of renting an apartment nearby will give you a touch of privacy, and due to its proximity to the beach, you’ll enjoy a landscape that seems to have been taken out of a romance film.

This beach is a dream, one of the best that the Caribbean Sea has. A kayak trip to a deep turquoise sea with the breeze in your spirit is magnificent on the waters, but probably, the best is what lies under the water; the marine beauty at mid-depth is spectacular and impressive.

An advantage of Palm Beach is that the best hotels in Aruba are close to it, so you can already imagine what it is like to dawn and dusk in front of that magnificent landscape

The Palm Beach area is in northwestern Aruba, half a kilometer from the Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club.

There you have it! My simple guide to Aruba with many things you can do in the island. I hope it inspires you.

Maybe I should add Aruba to my 2021 – 2022 Travel Bucket List. [Read it here and tell me what you think]

Safe travels!!

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