Aruba Attractions and Things to Do

Aruba tourist attractions start with the island's fabulous beaches and water sports, especially snorkeling and scuba diving. The island also has things to do on land that help break up the day.


Palm Beach is one of the best Caribbean attractions for its combination of dining, shopping, nightlife, ambiance and of course the beach. This tourism oasis is easily and quickly accessible whether a visitor stays at a resort on the beach, walks over from a nearby resort or simply takes a bus or taxi.

Cruise visitors will find that it is a brief drive from the pier. The experience consists of one long street with beach and resorts on one side and shopping, dining and nightlife on the other. Nighttime is an especially good time to visit.


The California was the ship that was near the Titanic and received its distress signals as that ship sank in 1912.

Then the California itself sank off the coast of Aruba two years later, followed by construction of the lighthouse another two years later in the area known as "Hudishibana," near the island's northwestern tip.

The lighthouse is on a high seaside elevation and provides views of sunsets, beaches, sand dunes and coral shorelines.


Arguably Aruba's most famous landmark collapsed in 2005, but the location is still a popular tourist spot for anyone travelling by car, bus, ATV, bicycle or horseback.

The Baby Bridge, a smaller natural bridge, still survives. The location has nice rocky views and a small shop with refreshments.


Hooiberg is Aruba's most well-known and accessible mountain -- really just a hill at 541 feet -- that makes for a rugged climb by foot, ATV or mountain bike. On a clear day, you can see Venezuela and get a unique view of Aruba itself.


The Natural Pool or "conchi" called "Cura di Tortuga" is a secret, hidden pool on the rocky windward coast. Diving off the rocks into the pool is especially popular. The site is reachable only by foot, horseback or 4x4 vehicle.


The museum in the history Ecury complex has been transformed into a modern museum especially designed to preserve Aruba’s Amerindian cultural heritage.


Arikok National Park covers 18 percent of the entire island. It has biking, walking and hiking trails that provide access to coastline, sand dunes, and cave and rock formations.

The park also has major historical and cultural sites, examples of the homes of early settlers, and rock drawings left behind by the island's first inhabitants.


Aruba's Butterfly Farm has a tropical garden teeming with butterflies from around the world. Visitors can observe the life cycle of these fascinating animals from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly.

The farm is located at Palm Beach across from the Aruba Phoenix and Wyndham Hotels. Open all year from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone: (297) 586-3656.


The Guadirikiri Cave has two chambers illuminated by sunlight streaming through holes in the roof of the cave. The cave is about 100 feet long and has harmless bats nesting in the darker areas.

The Fontein Cave has drawings of Arawak Indians on the ceilings and gives visitors a glimpse of island history. The Huliba Cave is also known as the Tunnel of Love because the entrance is the shape of a heart. Visitors will need flashlights to explore the passageway, which is 300 feet long.


The Aruba Ostrich Farm invites you to come and meet these unique birds and learn more about their behavior, natural instincts and more. 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. Entrance & Tour Fee - Adults:$12 - Kids $6. Phone: (297) 585-9630, Fax (297) 585-9629.


Aruba is home to a donkey sanctuary where visitors can pet 30-40 of the animals. The sanctuary is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Monday until Friday from 9 a.m. until 12.30 p.m.