Best sights in Aruba, the Happiest of Islands
Aruba is best known for its stunning turquoise beaches, perfect sunny weather, and shipwrecked diving spots. Add in all the majestic natural wonders and some of the friendliest people on the planet and its no wonder why it’s called one happy island. 2020 has been quite a mess, so this was our first international trip of the year. Check out this blog for everything you need to prepare for the perfect trip. Here’s the top 10 things you should experience in Aruba!
10. Aruba Beaches
You’re first stop in Aruba should be one of its pristine beaches. Eagle beach has some of the clearest waters I’ve ever seen. Here you can relax on the white sand beach and enjoy the laid back atmosphere. Palm beach is the livelier neighboring beach, where you can ride jet skis and other water sports. Watch the sunset over the ocean for some unforgettable views.
9. Explore downtown Oranjestad
Oranjestad is Aruba’s capitol city and a great place to find restaurants or shop for souvenirs. There is also some interesting Dutch colonial architecture to see as you explore the area. The Fort Zoutman historical museum is a former military fortress and the oldest building on the island. Every Tuesday night from 630pm-830pm is the Bon Bini Festival, where you can celebrate Aruba’s history and culture.
8. Aruba Animal Farms
Aruba is home to a wide variety of domesticated animals too! Stop by the Ostrich Farm for an interactive tour given every half an hour. At the Donkey Sanctuary Aruba, you can learn all about Aruba’s most beloved animal. For another magical experience, check out the Butterfly Farm. Walk through a tropical paradise surrounded by hundreds of these colorful creatures. Finally, the Bubali Bird Sanctuary contains an observation deck where you can view a variety of different birds fly by.
7. Alto Vista Chapel
Head to the north side of the island for a scenic little church that over looks the coastline. Alto Vista Chapel was rebuilt about 50 years ago, atop the original 1750 remains. Stroll through the adjacent Peace Labyrinth, for some mindful walking meditation.
6. California Lighthouse
Head to the California Lighthouse for some of the most fantastic views on the island. This iconic landmark, which is the highest point on the island, is named after a nearby shipwreck. The lighthouse is only $5 to climb up to the top so well worth it. It’s open from 9am to 7pm daily.
5. Bushiribana Ruins
One of the best places on the island to immerse yourself in Aruba’s history is none other than the gold mill ruins of Bushiribana. These stone remnants once housed a huge mining operation during the gold rush. You can climb up near the top and get a great view of the ocean too.
4. De Palm Island
If you’re looking for an exclusive getaway, De Palm island is the perfect spot. This private island is an all inclusive paradise, with beautiful beaches, a water park, and lots of water activities to do. The island is home to a flock of flamingoes, which reside on one of the beaches you can enjoy. You can get there via a short ferry ride from Oranjestad.
3. Arikok National Park
Those looking for some exciting outdoor exploration should not miss out on Arikok National Park. This desert-like hillside covers about 20% of the entire island! The best way to traverse this rugged terrain is with a UTV or ATV tour. The park is home to 3 limestone caves, with Quadiriki being the most famous. Prepare for a bumpy ride.
2. Diving in Aruba
If you’ve never been scuba diving, this is one of the best places on Earth to try it. Aruba’s clear waters, coral reefs, and many sunken shipwrecks make it one of the best in the world. If you are intimidated by plunging into the deep with just a tank, I would recommend SNUBA diving. A mixture between snorkeling and SCUBA diving (but much closer to scuba), SNUBA offers an amazing experience that is easy and fun for any beginners.
1. Conchi Natural Pool
The most unique natural attraction in Aruba is the Natural Pool. It’s located in a remote part of the Arikok National Park, so navigating the rough terrain is an adventure all in itself. Take a UTV tour or rent a jeep to arrive at this hidden gem. Once you arrive, climb down a bunch of stone steps to reach the pool. It’s right on the ocean, and encircled by cliffs of volcanic rock. Conchi makes for an amazing swimming experience, where you can snorkel, cliff jump, and swim among a variety of fish and coral. The terrain is pretty jagged so be sure to bring water shoes!
For such a tiny Island, Aruba is filled with an immense amount of natural beauty and activities to enjoy. Whether you want to relax in a perfect beachside paradise or do extreme water sports, Aruba will be a marvelous vacation. Now that they have begun opening their borders to tourism, it makes for an ideal getaway destination for 2020. I hope you all get to experience the marvelous wonders of Aruba soon. Until then, thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
Here’s part 1 of our amazing Bucket List Tour thru Aruba! In this travel vlog we relax on Eagle Beach and explore Arikok National Park and more on a UTV tour.
And here’s part 2 of our Aruba Bucket List Tour! This time we experience diving deep with snuba and some delicious foods we tried in Aruba!
