Places to Visit
Oranjestad
The capital city, located on the southern coast near the western end of the island, is extremely picturesque with its Dutch colonial architecture in pastel colors. At the marina, merchants come to sell fresh fish and produce right off the boats every morning and deep sea fishing boats depart for half-day or full-day excursions. The downtown area with shopping malls surrounding it is the primary shopping area on the island.Fort Zoutman And Willem III Tower
The oldest building on the island, this Dutch fortress now houses the Historical Museum of Aruba, where Caiquetio artifacts from the prehistoric past are now on display alongside remnants from the Dutch colonial period and other items of local interest. The Fort is home to the weekly Bon Bini Festival featuring local talent, foods, arts and crafts.De Olde Molen
This old windmill was first built in 1804 in Holland and then shipped to Aruba piece by piece and reconstructed in 1960. Located in front of The Mill Resort.Bushiribana
© Diane Keijzer
Hooiberg
Shaped like a haystack (Hooiberg means Mt.Haystack in Dutch), this mountain looms prominently from the middle of the island. At 541 feet, it is not the tallest mountain (Mt.Yamanota and Mt.Arikok at 617 feet and 577 feet respectively are both taller), but it is the most accessible. Climb it's 500 steps to the peak where it is possible to see across to the coast of Venezuela on a clear day.Natural Bridge
In the early morning hours of September 2, 2005, Aruba's Natural Bridge, the largest in Aruba and the Caribbean, collapsed. One of the main attractions on the east coast, this coral formation was 25 feet high and 100 feet long, which had been carved out by the pounding surf over the course of the centuries. It was as a result of this constant pounding that the bridge collapsed. The snack bar and gift shop remain as a stopping point for island tours exploring the area. There is another smaller Natural Bridge nearby and several others throughout the island.Boca Prins
A favorite pastime along the beach here is to join the locals in dune sliding. Sneakers and a strong pair of jeans are definitely encouraged.
© Diane Keijzer
Casibari And Ayo
Just north of Hooiberg, a strange geological formation of large diorite boulders looks as if it had just been dumped here in a pile. Climbing paths lead to the top for a spectacular view of the island. Scientists still have not been able to explain how these rocks got here.Arikok National Park
Surrounding Mt. Arikok near the center of the island is a natural preserve which features some of the oldest Arawak drawings, as well as trails that showcase Aruba's great variety of plants and animals like the divi-divi and kwihi trees, rare and exotic cacti, aloe, tropical flowers, birds and iguanas.There's also an old Aruban "cunucu" house, "cas ditorta," made of mud and grass. Together with the Coastal Protection Zone, Arikok National Park encompasses 25 percent of the island.
Fontein And Quadiriki Caves
The Quadirikiri cave is famous for its two chambers where sunlight shines through and is the perfect backdrop for unique pictures. Be adventurous and dare to go down the 100ft. long tunnel, home of hundreds of harmless bats.The Fontein cave is the most popular of the caves as it is the only one that has Indian drawings on the ceilings, providing a real sense of island history to this cave.
Cunucu
The Papiamento word for "countryside," the Cunucu is the rugged, rambling interior of the island which is generally flat but punctuated by all kinds of vegetation. Small pastel houses fenced in by cactuses line the roadsides.Daimari
Near the site of the first gold discovery is a functioning coconut plantation. Daimari is private property and is where you'll find Gotcha Paintball and a horseback riding stable.Savaneta
On the southeastern side of the island is the oldest town in Aruba, Savaneta, the original capital. This is where the Dutch first settled after re-establishing control of the island in 1816. Today, it is an active fishing village, but there are still the remnants of an earlier time. The oldest house in Aruba, a cas de torto or mud-hut dating back some 150 years, is still standing here.Balashi
Northwest of the Spanish Lagoon, Balashi still preserves the ruins of an old gold smelting plant that was used during the nineteenth-century gold rush. Today, this area hosts Aruba's desalination plant where all of the drinking water is produced. While on island, please don't forget to order a "Balashi Cocktail," as the locals call it.Balashi Brewery
Aruba's national beer, Balashi, is produced in a modern fully automated brewery. Open for daily tours, visitors travel along a catwalk over the production floor to follow the process of brewing beer from the placing of malt in the kettles, through fermentation and filtering, to bottling and distribution.After the tour, visit an open-air restaurant and bar, "Balashi Gardens", and enjoy an ice-cold Balashi and snacks while overlooking the Aruban countryside.
For tour information please contact Balashi Gardens at 592-2544 or 523-6544.
Bubali Bird Sanctuary
More than 80 species of migratory birds from herons, egrets and cormorants to coots, gulls, skimmers, terns, and ducks nest in and around these two interconnected man-made lakes.California Dunes at Hudishibana
Popularly named for the offshore wreck of the ship "California," but not the California of Titanic fame, the isolated northwestern tip of the island features some of the most spectacular scenery, with large rolling sand dunes and an old stone lighthouse (not open to the public). Diving here is recommended only for the most experienced divers.Donkey Sanctuary
Opened in 1997, the Donkey Sanctuary feeds and cares for some 65 - 80 donkeys through donations and volunteerism. The donkeys are descendants of those brought to Aruba by Spaniards 500 years ago and played an important role in the Aruban economy since the beginning of the Aruban history. They were mainly used to transport goods and persons.At the beginning of the 20th century, some 1,400 donkeys were counted. However, with the introduction of the car to the island, the donkey was not needed anymore. More and more donkeys were set free. They can sustain themselves very well. It's a fact that they don't need much to survive, as they are strong and tough by nature.
Early 1970 only 20 donkeys were counted. A severe disease made many victims among the stray animals. The Donkey Sanctuary is Open weekdays from 9am to 12:30pm and weekends from 10am to 3pm. Located a short drive from the Ayo Rock formations.
See http://www.arubandonkey.org for more information.
Ostrich Farm
Get up a close and personal with an ostrich! The Aruba Ostrich Farm invites you to come and meet these unique birds and learn more about their behavior, natural instincts and more. Aruba's rugged landscape provides perfect living conditions.See and touch, maybe even stand on its enormous eggs - these are kept in an incubator located on the farm. These tame ostriches love to be hand fed.
The Savanna Lodge serves wonderful ostrich dishes, and offers a savanna style cook out with torches and campfire, surrounded by the wild, rough and unique North Coast. Nothing will compare to this once in a lifetime experience.
The ostrich farm is located along the road leading to the Natural Bridge. Guided tours start at 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Entrance & Tour Fee - Adults:$10 - Kids $5
For tours or more information please call (297) 585-9630,
Fax (297) 585-9629. E-mail: greatoutdoors@setarnet.aw
Butterfly Farm
A visit to Aruba's Butterfly Farm is an unforgettable encounter with nature in all its beauty and diversity. Step into a tropical garden teeming with butterflies from around the globe and prepare to meet some of the world's most colorful and unusual creatures. Observe the life cycle of these fascinating animals from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly.
© Karen E. Booth
Your admission ticket gives you a free pass for the rest of your vacation, so come early and visit often. The Butterfly Farm is located at Palm Beach across from the Aruba Phoenix and Wyndham Hotels. Open all year from 9:00 to 4:30
Aruba Aloe Factory
Aloe production has been part of Aruba's history for many years. Now, take a guided tour of the new state-of-the-art Aruba Aloe Balm Factory and see the production process first-hand from aloe leaf to finished lotions and creams. Shop for your favorite Aruba Aloe products at the Aloe Factory Outlet Store. Tours daily 9 am to 4 pm except Sunday. Take the tour on your own or as part of an island sightseeing tour. Contact DePalm Tours or the activities desk of your hotel for details.San Nicolas
The second largest city in Aruba, San Nicolas is a modern development that rose with the island's oil boom. San Nicolas is home to the famous Charlie's Bar & Grille.Lourdes Grotto
© Diane Keijzer
Bishop Holterman blessed the statue from the Holy Virgin and Bernadette. The statue weighed 700 kilos and one Mrs. Maria Geerman played an important role in the development of the grotto. Eight people were needed to hoist the statue and place it in the grotto.
Every year, on February 11th (feast of Lady of Lourdes) a procession leaves from the St. Theresita Church in San Nicolas to the grotto, where a mass is performed.
Alto Vista Chapel
The picturesque Chapel of Alto Vista, the first chapel of Aruba, exudes tranquility on its high setting above the sea. The chapel was built by the Indians and Spanish and is often referred to as the Pilgrim's church.The bright yellow chapel is reached by a winding road lined with white crosses marking the stations of the cross. It is a special place for peace and contemplation, surrounded by the Aruban countryside.
Aruba Archaeological Museum
Located on Zoutmanstraat in Oranjestad this museum exhibits artifacts from the island's prehistoric period. Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Phone (297) 5828979.Aruba Historical Museum
Located at Fort Zoutman/Willem III Tower in Oranjestad, exhibits artifacts from the early Spanish and Dutch periods. Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is an entrance fee of U.S. $1.15. Phone (297) 5826099.Aruba Numismatic Museum
Located on Zuidstraat in Oranjestad features 30,000 historic coins from Aruba and around the world. Open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Phone (297) 5828831.Local Cultural Events and Exhibits
- Cas di Cultura (Cultural Center), Vondellaan 2, Oranjestad, offers concerts, ballet performances, folkloric shows and art exhibits. Please check with your hotel for current information, or call the center at (297) 5821010.
- Bonbini Festival: Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad, every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Local entertainment and foods and variety of local handicrafts is available for sale.
