10.) Eagle Beach & Palm Beach
Two of the most popular beaches on the island also house all the high rise hotel brands you know and love. Eagle Beach and Palm Beach should not be missed, even if you are staying on a different part of the island. If you're looking for a relaxing and scenic getaway, Eagle Beach is a great choice. If you prefer a lively atmosphere with plenty of activities, Palm Beach is the way to go.
Both spots have incredible dining and bar-hopping options and regardless of where you stay in Aruba, carve out some time to explore these areas both during the day and for a night cap.
9.) Kukoo Kunuku
Craving a night of wild laughter, infectious dancing, and unforgettable photo ops? Buckle up for the iconic Kukoo Kunuku bus! Picture this: vibrant tunes blaring, maracas shaking, and fellow partygoers gleefully leaning out the windows. This Aruba mainstay has been serving up epic bar-hopping tours for over 25 years, and trust me, it's a recipe for memories etched in laughter and you might even see carnival dancers.
8.) Jolly Pirates
For an experience like no other, you can book a snorkeling or sunset cruise aboard a real-life pirate ship! Jolly Pirates is a popular choice for a fun-filled excursion in Aruba, offering various sailing cruises with snorkeling, rope swings, and a festive atmosphere. On the tours, you will explore the underwater world at popular snorkeling spots like Boca Catalina and the Antilla shipwreck.
Jolly Pirates offers different cruise types, including sunset sails, dinner cruises, and family-friendly adventures, catering to diverse preferences.
7.) Visit Baby Beach
Sure, it might be a bit of a drive, but trust me, Baby Beach is worth the journey. It's a true hidden gem, sheltered by a natural inlet that creates a haven of calm turquoise waters. Imagine swaying in the gentle waves, feeling the warm sun on your skin, and the worries of the world melting away.
So, ditch the crowds and rent a car for the day. Let Baby Beach transport you to your own slice of paradise
When I dream of paradise, crystal-clear water lapping gently against soft sand dances before my eyes. And that vision often takes me to Baby Beach, nestled at the southernmost tip of Aruba.
6.) California Lighthouse
The California Lighthouse is a must-visit spot for any traveler to Aruba. Perched on a rocky plateau on the northwestern tip of the island, it offers stunning panoramic views of the rugged coastline, turquoise waters, and desert landscape. Its whitewashed exterior with a red roof stands out against the blue sky and desert backdrop, making it a visually striking landmark. For $5 per person ($2 for kids), you can climb the 123 steps to the top and be rewarded with a 360-degree panorama of the island.
You'll see Arashi Beach, the California Dunes, and the vast expanse of the Caribbean Sea. On a clear day, you might even spot the coast of Venezuela in the distance.
5.) Visit Arikok National Park
Swim in the Natural Pool
There are multiple ways to access the Natural pool in Aruba, but the most popular way is through an ATV tour. Before Hurricane Katrina in 2005, there was a stunning natural bridge located next to the swimming hole, but that has since broken off into the sea.
It is still worth it to experience the natural pool, so you can either take a guided tour that takes you there or attempt to get to the pool yourself. We opted for the latter in our tiny rental car, and I would NOT do that again. We saw another group of dummies that got their rental car stuck at the bottom of the hill. I am so shocked we did not get a flat tire, so I am not even going to share how we got to it. We hiked a couple miles and made it there and back to tell the tale, but we easily could have crashed or gotten stuck, so your best option is to play it safe and book the tour.
Fontein Cave
Within Arikok National Park, there are various caves you can visit including the two most popular: Fontein and Quadirikiri (or Guadirikiri) caves. Inside the famed Fontein Cave, you can actually see ancient Amerindian petroglyphs left by the native Arawak tribes from long ago before they were wiped out by European colonizers.
Quadirikiri Cave
Down the road from the Fontein Cave, and also located in Arikok National Park, you will find the largest cave on the island. Quadirikiri Cave is famed for its photogenic sunlit alcove that houses two chambers. The name of the caves originates from the Arawak language and are accessible to the public during the day between opening hours of the national park (8:00 - 4:00 pm).
4.) Donkey Sanctuary
The Aruba Donkey Sanctuary is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and providing a forever home to Aruba's beloved donkeys. These animals played a vital role in the island's history as transportation and companions, but with modernization, many faced neglect and abandonment. The sanctuary offers a heartwarming opportunity to meet these gentle giants and learn about their story. The sanctuary is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
What to expect:
Encounter over 100 friendly donkeys: These rescued donkeys are well-socialized and enjoy interacting with visitors. You can pet, hug, and even feed them with approved treats (apples and carrots are their favorites!).
Learn about their history and importance: The sanctuary offers informative displays, guided tours, and volunteer opportunities to delve deeper into the history and cultural significance of donkeys in Aruba.
Support a worthy cause: Your visit and any donations directly contribute to the care and well-being of the donkeys.
Relaxing atmosphere: Enjoy the peaceful surroundings, lush greenery, and stunning views of the Aruban countryside.
3.) Eat on the beach
No trip to Aruba is complete without a special dinner in the sand. There are several options that provide the perfect ambiance and delectable food. Be wary of snagging a reservation in advance, as most of these places book up super fast. Here are some of my favorites:
Barefoot Restaurant: Dine barefoot on the sand at Surfside Beach, with breathtaking sunset views and toes-in-the-sand ambiance.
Flying Fishbone: Perched on stilts over the water in Savaneta, this unique restaurant offers panoramic ocean views and a romantic atmosphere.
Atardi: Settled on the shores of Eagle Beach, this restaurant boasts stunning vistas and delicious seafood dishes.
2.) Go to Carnival
Aruba's Carnival isn't just a parade or a party; it's a two-month-long explosion of vibrant colors, infectious music, and cultural pride. Officially starting in November, the real party heats up in January and February, culminating with the "Burning of King Momo" on Ash Wednesday. Here's what you can expect:
Parades: Grand parades with elaborate costumes, colorful floats, and pulsating music are the main attraction. Don't miss the Troupes Parade (traditional costumes), Children's Parade, and the Grand March with its spectacular finale.
Jump Ups: Spontaneous street parties erupting after parades, where everyone joins the dancing and revelry. Be prepared to catch colorful "tumba" music and infectious energy!
Steel Bands: The vibrant sounds of steel bands fill the air everywhere you go, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
Cultural Events: Experience workshops, cultural demonstrations, and competitions like calypso singing and queen elections, immersing yourself in Aruban heritage.
Tips for Making the Most of It:
Plan your trip: Book accommodations and flights well in advance as Carnival is peak season for Aruba.
Don't miss the highlights: Catch the Grand March and experience at least one Jump Up for the full festival experience.
Flamingo Beach
Getting to Flamingo Beach
There are two ways to access the iconic Flamingo Beach in Aruba, either by staying at the Renaissance Hotel, or by getting one of the 20 day passes that go on sale each Sunday morning for the week. Depending on if this is a ‘must-do’ for you, I recommend staying at the Renaissance for at least one night to guarantee you will be able to access the famous island.
To physically get on the island, you will take one of the Renaissance’s boats from either the lobby of the Marina side or the docks on the Ocean Suites side. The boat ride is only about 5-7 minutes, but you have the possibility of getting wet depending on how rough the waves are. To ensure any expensive electronics or fancy hairdos don’t get ruined, I recommend sitting under the roof.
Iguana Beach
There are two separate beaches located on the private island owned by the Renaissance. The first beach you will see when deboarding the boat is Iguana Island. This beach is larger than Flamingo Beach and provides more shade for guests lounging around. This beach is family-friendly, unlike that of Flamingo Beach, but children are able to visit the other beach and its pink feathered residents once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
If you ended up skipping breakfast like we did, there is a snackbar on this beach that serves incredibly yummy food and drinks. Wait staff will also be walking around to serve you directly from your lounger—ahh the good life!
Flamingo Beach
For adults looking to steer clear of kids running around on their vacation, the Flamingo Beach is for adults only. They are not too strict on the age requirements, because we saw several well-mannered teenagers enjoying the beach with us.
This beach is also home to the stunning flamingos that you probably have seen all over travel blogger’s media. There are places to purchase food for the flamingos and the best time to get a picture with them is either early in the morning or right before the island closes. These beautiful animals are used to the attention from visitors, but do not harass them just for your perfect Instagram shot. They are still wild animals and tbh, they will probably wander next to you at some point throughout the day anyway.
There are less places for shade on this side of the island, so we recommend taking the plunge and renting a cabana.
Renting a cabana
At a whopping price of $525 for a 4 person cabana (or $650 for a 6-person cabana), you can enjoy Flamingo Island in the most luxurious way possible. For hotel guests only, there are cabanas on both Iguana and Flamingo beach available for rent for the day. Although the price is steep, I ended up surprising Noah with this as his Christmas gift and now we can never go back to not having one. The second our wedding coordinator announced that they were for sale on the day of our rehearsal, our friends and family booked out all of the cabanas on the Flamingo side.
Fair warning, if this is something you want to do (and I totally recommend it), the cabanas sell out months in advance. To ensure you will have a cabana available the day you plan on visiting Flamingo Beach, make sure you book it as soon as you know your travel dates/itinerary through their portal.
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