Discover Aruba Beyond the Beaches

If you search for things to do in Aruba, you’ll get your typical results for the powdery white sands beaches, like Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. And while these are incredibly beautiful beaches and there is absolutely nothing wrong with spending your day by the water with a cocktail in hand, Aruba has so much more to offer beyond its shoreline. This tiny Dutch island is a treasure trove of natural beauty, culinary delights, and adventure waiting to be explored.

In this blog post I’ll cover activities and top things to do beyond the beaches, from rugged desert landscapes and animal sanctuaries to ancient caves and colorful street art. Aruba has something special to offer for every kind of traveler. 

Where to Stay

If relaxing on a beach with amenities like chairs, umbrellas and snack and cocktail bars is your primary goal, then you can’t go wrong with staying at either the world-famous Eagle Beach or going further up north to Palm Beach. I visited both but stayed at Palm Beach. I felt it had a better hotel selection and calmer waters in case you are travelling with small children. 

These beaches are undeniably stunning, but very crowded. If you are looking for a more serene and quiet vacation, I recommend exploring the lesser known, but equally beautiful, beaches, like Rodgers Beach or Baby Beach.

Now on to things beyond sunbathing.

Explore Arikok National Park

Covering almost 20% of the island, the Arikok National Park offers a rugged landscape with cacti-covered hills, volcanic formations, sand dunes and limestone cliffs. It’s a stark contrast to the beachy feel Aruba’s west coast is known for and feels like you travelled to another planet, but it’s absolutely worth a visit.

I recommend renting a 4×4 jeep to explore this park or you can join a guided ATV tour to access the more remote parts of the park.

Things to Do in Arikok National Park 

Explore the Ancient Caves

The most notable cave is the Quadirikiri Cave. It’s famous for its natural skylight, a beam of light that streams through the holes in its roof, and colonies of bats.

The other cave worth mentioning is the Fontein Cave. It features the ancient Arawak petroglyphs (writings) on its walls and ceiling. 

Take a Refreshing Dip at the Conchi Natural Pool

This hidden gem of a pool is surrounded by volcanic rock and is perfect for a refreshing dip after a long day of exploring the park. 

Visit Dos Playa Beach

Dos Playa beach is a secluded beach inside the Arikok National Park known for its rugged and pristine natural beauty. It’s popular with experienced surfers and bodyboarders, but is not ideal for everyday swimmers, as the currents are pretty strong and the waves are big. But if you are looking for a wild unspoiled beach experience, this is it. 

Spend a Day with Pink Flamingos

One of the most popular attractions in Aruba are the pink flamingos roaming on the Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach. Unfortunately, these are not free roaming flamingos you would normally see in the wild, so you might want to opt out of this activity if you prefer not to support animals kept in captivity. 

But if you do choose to visit the island, here is what you need to know. 

This is a private island and unless you are staying at the Renaissance Hotel, you will need to buy a day pass for $125 USD. The only way to access the island is by water taxi. 

The Renaissance Aruba Hotel has two private beaches – Flamingo Beach and Iguana Beach. The flamingos do not roam the entire island and are present only on the Flamingo Beach. It is an adults only beach. However, children are allowed between 9 – 10 am to see the flamingos. 

Discover Street Art in San Nicolas

San Nicolas is a vibrant small town that has undergone a cultural transformation in recent years. Walking its streets is like walking through an open-air art gallery. The houses are covered in colorful murals and the streets have dozens of street art installations. 

You can take a guided tour to explore the history of the murals or visit the community museum to learn about the town’s past. Before heading back to the beach, stop by at Charlie’s bar, a quirky place with good food and great cocktails.  

Visit the Butterfly Farm and the Donkey Sanctuary

Another great way to spend an afternoon on a family-friendly activity is to visit the butterfly farm, which is located right by the Palm Beach. You will learn about the lifespan of the butterflies and will have plenty of opportunities to take pictures up close. Allow about 30-45 min for this activity.

Or visit the Donkey Sanctuary. Here you can pet, feed and take pictures with the adorable donkeys that were previously mistreated, but are now living their best lives at this sanctuary. Don’t forget to make a donation so the good people can continue their work. 

Visit the Ostrich Farm – get up close and personal with ostriches and emus! You also have the opportunity to feed these creatures. This is a great activity with kids. 

Discover Aruba’s Underwater World

Snorkel at Baby Beach or Tres Trapi to see the turtles or dive deeper to marvel at the numerous coral reefs. 

Experienced divers can dive in to see the Antilla Shipwreck, one of the largest WWII shipwrecks in the Caribbean. Or visit the Pedernales Wreck, a shallow diving site perfect for beginners. 

Another option is to also go kayaking and snorkeling at the Mangel Halto mangrove-fringed site.

Explore the capital’s culture and culinary scene

The island’s capital, Oranjestad, is packed with events, like the weekly Bon Bini Festival that features local music, food and dancing. It showcases the island’s rich cultural heritage. 

Aruba’s food scene is a delicious blend of Caribbean, Dutch, and Latin American influences. Indulge in the local cuisine and try traditional dishes like Keshi Yena, spiced meat stuffed in a cheese ball, or Pastechi, a deep-fried empanada like snack. 

Visit Fort Zoutman and the Historical Museum. Shop at the Renaissance Mall, or stroll along the Linear Park, a scenic waterfront promenade.

Don’t miss the free trolley ride through the town center, a fun and easy way to explore this charming city.

Hike Hooiberg (Haystack Mountain)

Rising 541 feet above sea level, Hooiberg is not the tallest peak in Aruba, but it offers one of the best panoramic views. Leading up to the summit is a 600+ staircase. 

Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the island and on a clear day you might even see Venezuela. Expect to see lots of iguanas, colorful birds and an occasional goat or two. 

Go On an Off-Road Adventure on the North Coast

The north coast of Aruba is rugged, wild and mostly untouched. It’s a place for thrill-seekers to explore the more off the beaten path places. 

You can rent an ATV or join a UTV tour for an adrenaline-pumping ride through the desert terrain. 

The key stops on this tour include the California lighthouse, a historical landmark that offers panoramic views, Alto Vista Chapel, the first Catholic church built in Aruba in 1750, and Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, the remnants of Aruba’s 19th-century gold rush.

Visit the Aruba Aloe Factory and Museum

Aruba’s aloe is world-famous and remains one of the island’s most important exports since 1890s. During the aloe factory visit, you can learn about the history of aloe cultivation, the process of turning aloe into skincare products and the cosmetic and medicinal benefits of this plant.

This is also a great place to shop for high-quality aloe products to bring back as souvenirs. 

The Best Beaches in Aruba

And in case you decide to spend your entire vacation lounging on the beach, (I’m not judging, I promise!) here is a list of my favorite beaches in Aruba:

• Eagle Beach: Known for its soft white sand and clear turquoise waters. It’s consistently ranked among the world’s best beaches. 
• Palm Beach: Offers a lively atmosphere with resorts, restaurants, beach front bars and healthy snack shacks, and multitude of water sports activities. 
• Arashi Beach: A great place for snorkeling if you want to see the coral reefs and rich marine life. 
• Baby Beach: A shallow, calm beach perfect for families with small children. 
• Rodgers Beach: Provides for a more secluded and tranquil experience. Also great for snorkeling.

While Aruba’s beaches are undoubtedly stunning, the island’s allure lies in its diversity. It has something to offer to every type of traveler – from desert adventures and underwater magic to cultural experiences and culinary delights. 

If you are planning a trip to this gorgeous island, make sure to leave some room for activities beyond its striking shoreline.