The Country of Aruba is a gorgeous nation located south of the Caribbean Sea. It is one of the four countries in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It houses a population of 106.2 thousand people of mixed, Black, and other ethnicities. Moreover, this country is known for its wind-fueled watersports, dramatic rock formations, beautiful white sand beaches, colorful architecture, and delicious fresh seafood.
Don’t let this island’s 75-square-mile area fool you; it has many attractions and offers numerous tourist activities. It is also one of the safest islands in the Caribbean and is suitable for solo travelers, couples, and families. Since it offers many activities, we have handpicked the top fun things in Aruba. They will allow you to make the most of your trip.
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- Play In Water At De Palm Island
- Aboard Palm Pleasure Catamaran For Snorkeling Adventure
- Discover Aruba's Underworld In Atlantis Submarine Tours
- Experience Kitesurfing In Aruba
- Explore Aruba's Famous Attractions
- Bike Around Aruba
- Enjoy Horseriding Through Aruba
- See What The Fuss Is All About Donkey Sanctuary Aruba
- Pray At Alto Vista Chapel
- Embark On A Thrilling UTV Ride
- Get A Nice Tan On Baby Beach
- Explore Aruba's Vibrant Nightlife
Play In Water At De Palm Island
(Source: De Palm Island Facebook)
- Address: De Palm Island Ferry Terminal, De Palm Island Way, Aruba; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Aruba is known for its water attractions, including De Palm Island. It is the island’s premier attraction and opened its doors in 1988. Since then, it has offered recreation and entertainment to locals and tourists. This offshore island attraction has everything from waterparks to elegant flamingos, salsa lessons, and banana boat rides. Its picturesque location amid coral reef formations makes it perfect for snorkeling.
Visitors can also rent a beach cabana and enjoy solitude and privacy. They can choose from lavish VIP palapa to Premium Seating based on their budget. These private spaces offer breathtaking views of the island’s azure waters. Furthermore, tourists can book underwater activities, such as Sea Trek, a unique underwater experience that allows you to walk the sea floor. They can also enjoy unlimited food and free-flowing drinks.
Check Out These Handpicked Activities:
- De Palm Island underwater helmet walk
- De Palm Island Sea Trek Experience
- De Palm Island Snuba experience
- De Palm Island water park all-inclusive tickets with bus transfers
Aboard Palm Pleasure Catamaran For Snorkeling Adventure
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Price Range: $109 (Adults), $89 (Children)
If you want to explore Aruba in style, you should book a ride on the Palm Pleasure Catamaran. It is a luxurious catamaran 70 feet in length and 40 feet in width, offering the best sails and unforgettable snorkel adventures. These catamaran tours are usually 3 to 4 hours long and include visits to two of the best snorkeling sites on the island. You will get snorkeling gear and instructions from team members.
The Palm Pleasure Catamaran also offers a snuba experience. It combines snorkeling and scuba diving, allowing you to see underwater without being weighed down by heavy tanks. Qualified instructors will guide you throughout the experience and allow you to enjoy it without worrying. You will also see beautiful coral reefs, fish, and other marine life under the ocean. The tours also offer lunch and drink options.
Look At These Handpicked Activities:
- Palm Pleasure catamaran snorkel adventure
- Snuba on Palm Pleasure Catamaran
- Palm Pleasure catamaran afternoon snorkeling tour
Discover Aruba’s Underworld In Atlantis Submarine Tours
- Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Price Range: $99 (Adults), $89 (Children)
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Have you ever ridden a submarine? If not, this is your chance to try it with Atlantis Submarines Aruba. It offers an unforgettable journey in state-of-the-art submarines 130 feet below the ocean’s surface. You will watch colorful coral reefs and vibrant marine life. In addition, these tours are only 1 hour and 45 minutes and will fit right into your itinerary.
Atlantis Submarines Aruba stands out from other brands with its four decades of expertise. It has completed 500,000 dives for over 17 million passengers worldwide and holds a top-standard certification from the American Bureau of Shipping. You can let go of your worries and calmly enjoy a submarine ride. Your guide will share his knowledge about the ocean, making your experience educational and fun.
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Experience Kitesurfing In Aruba
- Duration: 2 hours
- Price Range: $180 onwards
Make your Aruba trip more fruitful with a kitesurfing lesson. It is a perfect activity for adventure-loving visitors and is also family-friendly. You will first learn how to control and steer the kite. Afterward, you will practice it on your surfboards. Your instructor will guide you and remain with you throughout the kitesurfing class. Even a novice can attend the lesson if he wants to learn.
Aruba has several kitesurfing spots, such as Baby Beach, The Fisherman’s Huts, Grapefield Beach, and Boca Grandi. The latter is located on the Eastern side of the island’s southern tip. On the other hand, The Fisherman’s Huts is suitable for first-timers or those who don’t kite surf too often. You will also find windsurfing and flyboarding tours and classes.
Check Out These Handpicked Activities:
- 2-hour private kitesurfing class in Aruba
- 2-hour private windsurfing class in Aruba
- Snuba afternoon tour in Aruba
Explore Aruba’s Famous Attractions
- Top Destinations: California Lighthouse, Butterfly Farm, Palm Beach, Arikok National Park
- Things To Do: Sightseeing, Taking pictures
Aruba has many tourist attractions, from natural scenic spots to manmade attractions. You can book a guided tour and explore them leisurely. The island tours offer visits to must-see places at affordable rates. They usually include a tour of Aruba’s tallest structure, the California Lighthouse, which offers spectacular views of the island’s coastline. You can also drop by Arashi Beach for kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, and other water activities.
If you are into hiking or other physical activities, Arikok National Park is your destination. It covers almost 20% of the island and has caves, beaches, water holes, and a natural pool. Moreover, you can hike to the secluded Conchi Natural Pool, nestled in a rocky cove on the island’s northeast coast. Remember to bring plenty of water and wear sturdy shoes and hiking-appropriate clothes.
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Bike Around Aruba
- Duration: 2 hours
- Price Range: $90 onwards
If walking is not your thing, how about exploring Aruba on a bike? You can cruise around the island at your tempo and in your conditions. In addition, you will get first-hand views of attractions and even find hidden gems. This island country offers many bike trails that are easy to follow. You can rent a bike from a bike rental and start your expedition. Bikes are available for a few hours a day or up to a week.
Or would you like to hop on a bike with a guide? Guided bike tours help you navigate the route easily and reduce the chances of getting lost. Your guide will lead you through the city’s highlights and inform you about its history. You can also choose to ride e-bikes and travel conveniently. Finally, you can join a bike tour as a solo rider or with your friends and families.
Check Out These Handpicked Activities:
- From Noord: Mountain Biking for Intermediate Riders
- Private mountain bike guided tour along Aruba’s North shore
Enjoy Horseriding Through Aruba
- Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Price Range: $95 onwards
There are many ways to explore Aruba, including horseback riding. You can hop on a horse and join your guide on an educational and fun journey. This country’s ranches have well-trained horses. You can book a horseriding tour and avoid unnecessary hassle about renting horses. Your guide will give you a quick safety briefing and lead you through the various landscapes on the island.
Visitors must wear riding clothes, including closed-toe shoes or sneakers. They must avoid wearing high heels, sandals, flip-flops, and Crocs. Each passenger will be assigned a horse based on their weight and experience. However, the maximum weight limit is 250 lbs, so check your weight before booking a tour. Children can also ride horses, but they should be six or older.
See These Handpicked Activities:
- Aruba: 2-Hour Private Horseback Ride
- Aruba: 2,5 Hour Horseback Ride for Advanced Riders
- Noord: Aruba Natural Ecological Horseback Tour
See What The Fuss Is All About Donkey Sanctuary Aruba
(Source: Donkey Sanctuary Aruba Facebook)
- Address: Bringamosa 2-Z, Santa Cruz, Aruba; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Donkeys have been part of Aruba for centuries. They are sweet and naive animals who love interacting with humans. Sadly, several cases have been reported of these innocent creatures being intentionally harmed and mistreated. Thankfully, Donkey Sanctuary Aruba was launched in 1997 to offer a haven for injured and abused wild donkeys. It offers these lovely animals shelter, food, water, quality medical care, and love.
You can stop at this wildlife rescue service during your trip to Aruba. You don’t have to pay any entrance fee and can visit this place all year. Visitors can pet donkeys, feed them, and help staff care for them. Afterward, they can grab coffee or beverages from the concession stand and relax on the porch. They can also buy donkey-themed souvenirs from the on-site gift shop. Donations are also happily welcomed.
Check Out These Handpicked Activities:
- Meet the Animals of Aruba Tour
- Half-Day Aruba Animal Sanctuary Guided Tour
- Jeep Wrangler 8 Hour Rental
Pray At Alto Vista Chapel
- Address: HXGQ+9JC, Noord, Aruba; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 5:30 AM – 7 PM
- Entry Fee: Free Entry
What are the odds of coming across a chapel in a desert landscape? Alto Vista Chapel is a modest Catholic chapel perched atop the hills above the north shore of the sea. Its picturesque location offers breathtaking panoramic coastline views and a peaceful retreat from the busy city life. Visitors can reflect, meditate, and enjoy the area’s natural beauty. They can also participate in the chapel’s religious ceremonies or attend mass.
This Catholic chapel is Aruba’s first church and holds significant religious and cultural importance. Locals often come here to pray and seek spiritual guidance. Its origin dates back to 1750, but the chapel was completed in 1952. It features a white cross, a bright yellow exterior, wooden shutters, and a minimalist design. Likewise, its interior features polished wooden pews, an altar statue of the Virgin Mary, and religious paintings.
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- Aruba: 2-Hour Horse Back Tour to Alto Vista Chapel
- Best of Aruba Island and Beach Tour on a Bus in Aruba
Embark On A Thrilling UTV Ride
- Duration: 4 to 4.5 hours
- Price Range: $230 onwards
Next, we list UTV tours as one of the top fun things to do in Aruba. UTVs are street-legal and comfortable transportation mediums around the island. Compared to ATVs, they operate like cars and have foot pedals, a seatbelt, and a steering wheel. However, you can’t drive UTVs on beaches, dunes, and protected animal breeding grounds.
Visitors can rent UTVs or book UTV tours. The latter usually includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a UTV vehicle, and a professional guide. They will drive in an off-road vehicle while enjoying the cool breeze and gorgeous views. Moreover, you will stop by must-see attractions and learn about its history and significance. Some tours also offer a snorkeling experience at the end. They are customizable and worth the money.
Look At These Handpicked Activities:
- Guided UTV tour for small groups around Aruba
- Aruba UTV off-road and Natural Pool combo tour
- Aruba half-day private off-road tour
- Andicuri Beach UTV off-road tour
Get A Nice Tan On Baby Beach
- Address: San Nicolas, Aruba; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Things To Do: Sunbathing, Snorkeling, Swimming
Are you looking for a kid-friendly destination in Aruba? Then, Baby Beach is your answer. It received its name for being a safe area for very small children due to its calm water. The shallow water and lack of waves make this beach a popular snorkeling spot. It offers a perfect hang-out for families and is usually crowded during the tourist season.
This beach is far from the popular tourist areas and has limited accommodation options. Hence, you can expect a half or full-day trip. You can rent a car or book a guided tour to Baby Beach. In addition to water activities, it offers culinary experiences to visitors. They can explore nearby restaurants and try local cuisine. They can also rent snorkeling gear and lounge chairs from rental shops on the beach.
See These Handpicked Tours:
- Aruba Baby Beach off-road safari and snorkel tour
- Aruba Baby Beach Express Tour
- Aruba: Beach Hopping Snorkeling Tour
Explore Aruba’s Vibrant Nightlife
- Top Destinations: CAGE Nightclub, Bugaloe Beach Bar, Gusto Night Club Aruba
- Things To Do: Drinking, Dancing
Aruba’s rich nightlife is worth exploring. From lounge bars to nightclubs, this island has got it all. You can begin by sipping a cocktail at one of the beach bars during the sunset. Afterward, join the beach party in any of the nightclubs and continue partying until the next day’s sunrise. Some of the top bars and clubs on the island are as follows:
Top Bars and Clubs in Aruba
- Blue Martini Bar: Lloyd G. Smith Blvd 82, Oranjestad, Aruba; 10 AM – 12 AM
- Bugaloe Beach Bar & Grill Aruba: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 79, Noord, Aruba; 8 AM – 12 AM
- CAGE Nightclub: Calla Harmonia 10, Oranjestad, Aruba; 8:30 AM – 1 AM
- Gusto Night Club Aruba: The Village Mall, J.E. Irausquin Blvd 348A, Noord, Aruba; 6 PM – 1 AM
- HIDDEN Nightclub: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370, Noord, Aruba; 9 PM – 3 AM
- Sfumato Bistro & Cigar Lounge: L.G. Smith Boulevard 126, Oranjestad, Aruba; 3 PM – 12 AM
- The Sopranos Piano Bar: Lloyd G. Smith Blvd 370, Noord, Aruba; 5 PM – 1 AM
- South Beach Aruba: Palm Beach 55D, Noord, Aruba; 5 PM – 1 AM
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Our list of top fun things to do in Aruba barely covers the surface of everything this country offers. It has more beaches, museums, restaurants, and high-rise hotels. This island is a perfect destination for solo travelers and families. It also offers many budget-friendly options. You can save money by exploring free attractions like The California Lighthouse and Donkey Sanctuary Aruba. Also, skip tourist traps and explore the island on foot. You will also find cheap stores to buy souvenirs and gifts.
