Aruba, the Caribbean paradise has several reasons for its popularity among tourists across the world. The majority of travelers want to return to this destination because there are the best things to do in Aruba. This island fills the visitors with happiness and peace.
Its beaches are among the best beaches in the world offering the sun, pristine waters, constant temperature, and powdery white sand. Aruba will offer you unique and unforgettable things to do.
I share some of the best things to do in Aruba in this article, making it easy to explore this paradise during your Caribbean trip.
Best Things to do in Aruba
1.Eagle Beach
This widest beach in Aruba includes spectacular views, shady areas, huts, and several water games. The Eagle Beach is also famous for its two highly photographed fofoti trees. These recognizable trees can be seen in almost every advertisement, magazine, brochure, and media campaign in or for Aruba. This beach is preferred by tourists who want to enjoy tranquil quietness, walk on the powder white sand, and avoid the hustle and bustle of common beach activities.
In addition, this beach is also iconic for many low-rise hotels which offer cabanas and lounges to visitors at a reasonable cost. The beach is also famous among beach tennis lovers. They gather here on weekends and enjoy their sport.
2.Explore San Nicolas Street Art
San Nicolas, Aruba’s second-largest city, is a vibrant center of art and culture. The streets are adorned with an explosion of color and creativity thanks to the annual Aruba Art Fair, which has transformed the city into an open-air museum.
International artists have contributed to the street art scene in San Nicolas, creating a remarkable blend of local culture and global artistry. The murals tell stories of Aruba’s past and present, offering a different perspective on the typical Caribbean tourist experience.
Exploring street art is more than just a visual treat—it’s an opportunity to engage with the local community. Visitors may meet artists at work or shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs from nearby vendors.
Five years now, the Aruba Art Fair has brought together artists worldwide for live painting events, music, dance, and food. Typically held in September, this festival is a great time to experience San Nicolas at its most lively.
3.Boca Grandi Beach
With its exciting waves and constant trade winds, Boca Grandi Beach is an iconic place in the Caribbean for local and advanced kite surfers alike. Besides the kite surfers, the beach is also a destination for beach explorers, they find here ashore corals and driftwood. You can find chilled drinks at a charming beach bar here for getting chilled drinks.
A huge and gorgeous red anchor shows the entrance to this beach, offering you to take memorable pictures. Boca Grandi Beach is a suitable point for reaching the famous Baby Beach situated a 5-minute drive from here. Though the Boca Grandi beach is famous and worth visiting, swimming is not recommended here, due to the strong current here.
4.The Arikok National Park
The Arikok National Park covers almost 20% of the area of the Aruba island. The Park includes several natural wonders, plantations, and animal species, indigenous to this land only. You need to pay a small entrance fee that is used to preserve the park animals and to support the educational programs. You can easily spend a day in exploring this park and enjoying many landscapes.
This park houses several cultural heritage spots, caves, original rock drawings, quartz diorite and limestone, rugged terrain, cacti, lava formations, and protected wildlife. You can get the most out of your visiting the National Park by booking an organized tour.
You can see further details about Aruba National Park.
5.Antilla Shipwreck: Exploring the Underwater Oasis
Located just a stone’s throw from the shore, the Antilla Shipwreck is one of the largest wrecks in the Caribbean and an unparalleled experience for divers and snorkelers alike. The Antilla was a German freighter scuttled during World War II to avoid capture. Now, she resides peacefully on the ocean floor, offering a glimpse into history and a haven for marine life.
Imagine descending the crystal waters to witness the underwater behemoth, now cloaked in iridescent coral and swaying anemones. A diver’s delight, the Antilla’s vast expanse plunges adventurers into a labyrinth of caverns, ideal for the experienced diver or novice looking to cross this off their bucket list.
Snorkeling around the Antilla is just as rewarding for those seeking a lighter touch of adventure. Here, the vibrant marine life dances amidst the ship’s skeleton, with schools of fish and the occasional sea turtle for company. Even from the surface, the Antilla’s presence is awe-inspiring, and its history is palpable.
6.Visit Oranjestad
The capital city of Aruba, Oranjestad, is a vibrant hub of island life. Its colorful Dutch colonial architecture, bustling markets, and charming plazas make for a day of rich cultural immersion. Fort Zoutman is the oldest building in Aruba. It houses the Historical Museum, offering insights into the island’s history, from pre-Columbian times to the present.
The Bon Bini Festival, held every Tuesday, showcases local music, dance, and cuisine.The lively Main Street in Oranjestad is the place for duty-free shopping, with luxury boutiques and local vendors. The street is also home to the famed Wilhelmina Park and its iconic statue, symbolizing Aruba’s Dutch royal history.
Oranjestad is dotted with various restaurants serving up local specialties and international cuisine. The city comes to life at night, especially along the marina, where bars and clubs offer a taste of Aruba’s nightlife. Visiting Oranjestad allows travelers to experience the island’s heart, feel the rhythm of its urban life, and immerse themselves in a bustling cultural center like no other in the Caribbean.
7.Aruba Ostrich Farm
This Ostrich Farm houses over 80 farm Ostriches and Emus and surprises the visitors to see them out of Africa in the rugged landscape of Aruba. I recommend you join a guided tour to visit this farm to meet and feed the ostriches and the flightless Australian emus. The experts will inform you about the behavior and survival nature of these big birds.
There is an Art Shop form where you can collect African and local handy crafts. Similarly, at Restaurant you can even enjoy the platter of seasonal Ostrich or Emus egg farmers omelet with toast, fresh fruit, and baked potatoes. Visit to Aruba Ostrich Farm is a unique and best thing to do in Aruba.
8.Mangel Halto Beach: A Secluded Beach
This secluded beach serves as a sunning and snorkeling point with turquoise waters in Aruba. The mangroves at this point support the marine life in the shallow waters. At the 110-foot-deep reef, you can see a variety of marine life including anemones, barracuda, blue tangs, gorgonians, morays, yellowtail snapper, sergeant majors, and sponges.
The Mangel Halto Beach is popular among sun bask lovers, who like a quiet beach. Public beach huts, wooden sun deck, and shady areas on this sandy beach make it an amazing picnic and sunset viewing point.
9.The Rock Formations of Ayo and Casibari
Away from the lapping waves and sandy beaches lies another facet of Aruba’s natural beauty – the Ayo and Casibari rock formations. These mysterious monoliths, carved by the wind over thousands of years, offer a serene sanctuary where visitors can reflect and explore.
The Ayo rocks are notable for their rich history in the Aruba culture and the ancient petroglyphs etched on their sides. Visitors here will sense a deep connection with the island’s indigenous past and can partake in guided tours or hike the trails on their own, passing divi-divi trees and cacti.
Likewise, the nearby Casibari rocks are a geological marvel, offering sweeping views of the island from their crevices and caves. For the spirit of adventure, climbing to the summit is a must, rewarded with panoramic vistas of Aruba’s heartland and the Caribbean Sea beyond.
10.Visit the Historic California Lighthouse
Perched on Aruba’s northwest tip, the California Lighthouse emulates the island’s maritime heritage. Erected in 1916, the lighthouse offers breathtaking panoramic views of Aruba’s coastline. It has the distinction of being Aruba’s highest building [1].
The California Lighthouse is named after the steamship SS California tragically wrecked nearby. Visitors can explore the lighthouse’s history through guided tours that trace the early days when the lighthouse keepers used oil to light the way for sailors.
There’s no better time to visit the California Lighthouse than during the golden hour. The sight of the sun setting into the Caribbean Sea is nothing short of magical, and the Lighthouse provides an elevated vantage point to take it all in.
The lighthouse is remote, so renting a car or taxi is the easiest way to reach it. Nearby attractions like the Alto Vista Chapel and the Aruba Ostrich Farm make it a fantastic day trip destination. Exploring the California Lighthouse offers a serene contrast to the energy of the beaches and a chance to appreciate the island’s history and natural beauty.
11.Atlantis Submarine Aruba
Atlantis Submarine Aruba is one of the best things to do in Aruba. The well-equipped Atlantis Submarine has been offering the best underwater diving tours since 1990, with extra safety measures. This is one of the most popular attractions and experiences in Aruba for the whole family or a group.
The Atlantis Submarine takes you down underwater at a depth of 130 feet. You can enjoy the underwater tour sitting on the comfortable seats of the Atlantis submarine. During this memorable underwater tour, you can closely view magnificent corals, shipwrecks, and marine life of the Caribbean Sea.
You can watch beautiful marine life. Educational narration by experienced professionals is given to the visitors during this underwater tour. You can consult the details regarding Atlantis Submarine, one of the best things to do in Aruba.
12.Papiamento Restaurant
The deluxe Papiamento restaurant is located inside a 175-year-old manor house. You can enjoy an exquisite dining ambiance of a tropical garden, water pool, and air-conditioned dining room in the Papiamento restaurant.
The restaurant is famous for its inspiring wine cellar, and rare collection of Dutch antiques, and offers you a variety of fresh seafood and meats cooked in Aruban style. There are several specialties of Papiamento restaurant including Oyster soup stuffed with Gouda cheese and Eduardo’s seafood with herbs and garden vegetables served in a handmade clay pot.
Similarly, they serve the vacationers with lamb chops, and Caribbean shrimp lobster on a hot stone. In addition, they offer you a variety of mouthwatering food and fruits here.
13.Windsurfing at Hadicurari Beach
For the adventure seeker, windsurfing at Hadicurari Beach is a must. Also known as “Fisherman’s Huts,” this beach offers some of the best windsurfing conditions in the Caribbean. With consistent trade winds, shallow waters, and a variety of outfitters providing equipment rentals and lessons, Hadicurari can cater to all skill levels.
The best time to windsurf in Aruba is between December and August when the trade winds are most potent. For beginners, the calm waters in the morning are ideal for learning the basics. At the same time, more experienced riders can catch the winds as they pick up in the afternoon.
There are plenty of windsurfing schools at Hadicurari, so finding an instructor or equipment rental is a breeze. Professional guidance can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, especially for those experiencing windsurfing for the first time.
It’s essential to adhere to local guidelines and be aware of the colorful flags posted by the coast indicating the level of safety on the water. Personal flotation devices and emergency tools are a must for those venturing out on their own. Windsurfing at Hadicurari Beach is not just a thrilling activity—it’s an opportunity to connect with the natural elements uniquely to the island’s culture and environment.
14.Butterfly Farm
Going to the Butterfly Farm is one of the best things to do in Aruba for tourists of all ages. This farm is located in the Palm Beach area and offers a memorable natural experience of watching the most colorful butterflies on this farm.
The Butterfly Farm is a paradise for photographers. You can observe the life cycle of a butterfly. In addition, the expert tour guides inform the visitors about the habits and transformation of the butterflies in detail.
Special ticket offer: You need to buy tickets once during your vacation, and visit the Butterfly farm as often as you want.
15.Donkey Sanctuary
Visit the Donkey Sanctuary at Bringamosa Aruba is the best things to do in Aruba. Donkeys have been an integral part and a source of transportation in Aruban culture for 500 years. You can spend 30 minutes privately with these loving, friendly, and gentle-natured creatures for a stress-relieving session of hugging and petting them.
More than 100 Aruban donkeys have been kept in this sanctuary in a safe and sound atmosphere. Besides welcoming visitors, the Donkey Sanctuary offers you information and manages ground tours for you. You can rest in the comfortable visitor center and enjoy a cold drink. Similarly, there is a gift shop where you can buy donkey-themed souvenirs and gifts.
Conclusion
Aruba, the Caribbean paradise has several reasons to visit. There is a variety of best things to do in Aruba from sandy beaches to diving, culture to cuisine, history to the modern era, marine to wildlife, Sea depth tours to National Park exploring, and many more.
The happy and smiling Aruban people will greet you in this happy land. You can bask in the best sunny days in Aruba during your visit to the Caribbean. Though this article only shows you a glimpse of this island, you have plenty to enjoy and explore in Aruba.
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