Places to See in Aruba

 

This is Aruba’s capital city, an extremely picturesque with pastel colored Dutch colonial architecture. Merchants sell fresh fish and produce every morning at the marina. Deep-sea fishing boats depart for half-day or full-day excursions. If you like shopping, the downtown area is the primary stop for shops.

 

 

This Dutch fortress, the oldest building on the island, houses the Historical Museum of Aruba, where Caiquetio artifact are on display alongside remnants from the Dutch colonial period. The weekly Bon Bini Festival, featuring local talent, foods, arts and crafts is held here.

 

 

Located in front of The Mill Resort, this old windmill was built in 1804 and then shipped to Aruba piece by piece and reconstructed in 1960.

 

 

These abandoned gold mines, located on the northern coast midway down the island, were the center of Aruba’s gold rush during the nineteenth century. Nearby, you’ll find ruins of an old pirate castle. It’s rumored that this castle is dated to 1499, when Alonso de Ojeda landed in Aruba.

 

 

This mountain, which stands at 541 feet, is the most accessible on the island. On a clear day, you can see the Venezuela. The mountain’s name – derived from its shape – means Mt. Haystack in Dutch.

 

 

The Natural Bridge was one of the main attractions on the east coast of Aruba. At 25 feet high and 100 feet long, it had been carved out by years of surf. But on the morning of September 2, 2005, Aruba’s Natural Bridge collapsed. There are many smaller natural bridges on the island.

 

 

Join the locals in one of their favorite pastimes: dune sliding.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

This is the rugged, rambling interior of the island, which is relatively flat but occasionally covered by various forms of vegetation. Its name comes from the Papiamento word for “countryside.”

 

 

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 is the original capital of Aruba. The Dutch first settled here after re-establishing control of the island in 1816. This is where you’ll find the oldest house in Aruba, a cas de torto or mud-hut dating back some 150 years.  

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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

 

 

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.

 

Tour guides will entertain you with commentary on butterfly habits and the miracle of metamorphosis. Arrive early and witness new butterflies emerging from their chrysalis and taking their first flight. The butterfly farm is a rare opportunity for photography and a sure delight for visitors of all ages.

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

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

The Lourdes Grotto was created under the guidance of a priest named "Erkamp" and parishioners in the year 1958. The grotto is located in Seroe Pretoe (black hill). The year 1958 was an important year as it was 150 years ago that the Holy Virgin appeared in front of Bernadette, as legend has it in Aruba.

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.