10 things to do in Aruba when you’re not a beach person

Aruba is well known around the world for it’s temperate weather, beautiful beaches, and vibrant night life. But what if you’re not a beach person or a partier? Is it still worth your time to visit this island paradise? The answer is a resounding YES! There is much more to Aruba than beaches and alcohol. The Dutch didn’t settle here just for those two things…. Here is a list of things to do if you want to have an amazing trip without spending hours sitting on a beach with a rum and coke in your hand:

(click each one for more details)

1) Scuba Dive

The diving in Aruba is easy and fun. There is a great reef and lots of marine life to see. But more fun that the reef are the wrecks. There are several wrecks littered around the island that can make diving more interesting and fun. If you’re looking to learn there are also many companies that would be more than happy to certify you as an open water diver in 3-4 days! Diving is a great way to explore what Aruba has to offer in a more unique way.

The SCUBA company I used

2) Rent a UTV

You’ll see people diving around in UTVs all over the island. In Aruba it is legal to drive UTVs and ATVs on the streets. You can rent them from many different companies and can also rent them as part of a tour if you aren’t comfortable striking out on your own. I would highly recommend renting one on your own and scooting around the east side of the island where you can explore off road trails and find your way around many different interesting areas.

The UTV Company we used (its cheaper to reserve in advance online)

3) Visit the 2 lighthouses

There are two light houses in Aruba… One in the south (Colorado) and one in the north (California). You must visit the one in the north as it is a true and beautiful lighthouse. It provides great views of the island and the northern coastline. There is a small fee to climb to the top but its worth the effort. The lighthouse to the south takes some effort to get to and … well… its pretty underwhelming. Its basically a light perched on a pole with a cage around it. However, the coastline on the southern tip of the island is worth the trip, so as long as you’re down there take a look at the Colorado lighthouse as well.

4) Explore the National Park

Located in the south eastern portion of the island is the National Park of Aruba. This park is worth your time. If you have a car you will have good access to most of the park but a jeep is more useful. Take note that they do not allow UTVs or ATVs inside the park. There is a small admission fee for the park. Inside the park there are 3 areas to explore: Fontein Cave, Quadirikiri Cave, and Conchi. The first cave (Fontein) has some amazing petrographs to view and is the smaller of the two caves. The second cave (Quadirikiri) is much larger and full of bats, stalagmites/stalactites, and fun twists and turns. The last area (Conchi) is a natural swimming pool where the waves crash over the rocks and are trapped inside the pool area. Bring a bathing suit!

The National Park

5) Visit the Butterfly Farm, Bird Sanctuary, Ostrich Farm, and Donkey Sanctuary

There are several small tourist attractions found in the northern section of the island. The butterfly farm has a large variety of butterflies flying around in an enclosed area. The tour is very informative and tells you how they breed and keep the butterflies. The bird sanctuary is very near the butterfly farm and consists of a very tall tower overlooking sanctuary itself. Here you’ll see lots of birds flying, nesting, and eating in addition to the occasional iguana lounging among the branches of the trees. The Ostrich farm is found closer to the east side of the island but is easily reached by car or UTV. The tour here is one not to be missed as you’ll get to see them dance, pet them, feed them, and learn more than you ever wanted to know about the daily life of an ostrich. Finally there is also a donkey sanctuary where what used to be wild donkeys are kept and taken care of. Here you can pet and feed the animals for a small fee but admission is free.

6) Explore the Shops Downtown

There are two main touristic areas in Aruba. One is near the port where the cruise ships come in and the other in the north west area of the island. The area near the port is chock full of local restaurants, shopping, hotels, and history. This area is great for being a part of the culture of the island mixed with the more traditional shopping experiences. The northern area is newer and has the large resort style hotels. Here you will find more commercial dining, a lot of souvenir shopping, and lots of tour guides.

7) Snorkeling

If diving isn’t your cup of tea or even if it is you’ll be happy to know there is some fun snorkeling to be done along the west side of the island. Fish, coral, turtles, and other marine life are abundant along the coast line. The currents are easy to navigate along the rocky coastline and a variety of fish are easy to see. If you’re feeling like you want more then you can book a snorkeling trip on which you can see the wreckage of a WWII ship that was scuttled just off the coast and is fairly shallow. There are many companies that do these tours including a pirate ship!

Pirate Ship Snorkeling

8) Explore the East and South Coastline

The more harsh ocean exposed shoreline of the island isn’t suitable for swimming however, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit. Exploring the rocky volcanic side of the island will yield some amazing finds. There you will see natural bridges, cliff sides, giant waves, tidal pools, and undiscovered swimming pools. Exploring them on your own, taking your time, seeking out less traveled areas will pay dividends here as you’ll feel like you’re the only ones on the island.

9) Climb the only Mountian on the Island.

Almost directly in the middle of the island there is a ‘mountain’. Its more of a hill by most standards but it is there. There is a trail that goes to the top called ‘Hooiberg Hiking Trail’. Its more of a staircase and is quite a hike to get to the top. Remember to bring some water as you go to see the highest points on the island. From the top on a clear day it feels like you should be able to see Venezuela…

10) Cruise on a Pirate Ship

There are a lot of boats in Aruba but none of them are as interesting or fun as a Pirate ship. There is a company that has several of them and they take tourists on 3 types of trips. Morning snorkel, afternoon cruise and snorkel, and sunset cruise. Each of the trips has its own merit but the highlight of the day trips is the rope swing where you swing out over the water and fling your body deep into the water. Drinks are included, lunch/dinner included, and so is the fun! Don’t miss the chance to sail the high seas like a snorkeling pirate.

Pirate Ship Cruises

As you can see Aruba has something to offer most people. Weather it’s an amazing scuba adventure or a sunset cruise on a pirate ship you’re sure to find something fun, interesting, and exciting to do in Aruba!

Here is a link to where we stayed (a little off the beaten path but nice, quiet, and the owners are fantastic)