Planning a trip to Aruba and looking for fun and unique things to do? You’re in the right place! Aruba is a beautiful island filled with stunning beaches, quaint villages and tons of fun activities. Aruba is a fantastic place to relax, but there is also so much to do and see during your time in the island – and that’s where this post comes in! Keep reading for 10 unique things to do in Aruba during your vacation!
10 Unique Things to do in Aruba
1: Explore Arikok National Park
On of the most interesting and unique things to do in Aruba is visiting Arikok National Park. This national park has stunning landscapes and some great hikes, but it does get very hot. If you want to hike I recommend going in the morning to beat the heat.
Otherwise, at the entrance of the National Park, you can purchase tickets, pick up a map at the Visitors Center and start driving through. From Oranjastad, Arikok National Park is about 20 minutes and from the Eagle Beach hotel zone it’s less than 40.
The landscapes are amazing in the national park and just driving though is incredible on its own. However, the biggest tourist attraction in the park is definitely the caves. They are so interesting to visit! Definitely make sure you check out the Quadirikiri and Fontein Caves. In the Fontein Cave you’ll see ancient indigenous rock drawings, in addition to stalactites and stalagmites, and they are truly incredible.
Nearby to Fontein Cave, just a couple minutes walk, there’s also a pond filled with fish that like to nibble on your feet and eat the dead skin off. It sounds gross, I know, but hey, a fish pedicure leaves your feet soft and smooth!
Park Rangers at Fontein Caves will direct you to the pond and on your way you’ll likely see tons of cute goats.
Once you drive out of Arikok National Park, you’ll be close to the town of San Nicolas, which is a great place to walk around for a little bit and grab lunch. Be sure to check out Kulture Cafe, it’s fantastic for brunch or lunch!
From San Nicolas, you’ll also be close to Baby Beach, one of the best beaches on the island. I recommend spending your afternoon here!
The itinerary I suggested above requires a rental car, however, it is still 100% possible to visit Arikok National Park without a car. In fact, there is a variety of guided tours to choose from that cater to a variety of interests!
Guided tours of Arikok National Park:
- Half Day National Park Safari Tour and Baby Beach
- Horseback Ride Tour to Natural Pool in Arikok National Park
2: Visit the Donkey Sanctuary
Looking for a fun, free activity in Aruba that’s great for a variety of ages? The Donkey Sanctuary is a fantastic place to check out.
The Donkey Sanctuary, located about 20 minutes from Eagle Beach, provides a home for injured, abused and elderly donkeys. At the sanctuary they’re given food, a place to play, sleep and a loving home and community. When you visit the donkey sanctuary you can pet the donkeys, purchase food to give them and spend time with them outdoors. It’s such a great experience for all ages.
If you don’t have a rental car, you can visit the Donkey Sanctuary on this tour: Half-Day Aruba Animal Sanctuary Guided Tour
This is probably my favorite thing I did in Aruba! However, even if you don’t end up going to the Donkey Sanctuary, you will still likely see donkeys! Near Arikok National Park, as well as on less frequently traveled roads, there’s often donkeys roaming about.
3: Visit the Aruba Aloe Factory
Aruba is, essentially, a desert island. Because of this, there isn’t a ton of farming or agriculture. However, the one major exception to this is aloe! Aloe was brought to the island around 1840 and since then, growth and production has thrived.
The Aruba Aloe Factory offers free, guided tours where you can learn about aloe production in Aruba. The tour is very well done and takes about 25 minutes.
The Aruba Aloe Factory also has a wonderful store filled with aloe products made on the island. If you want to shop for souvenirs, this is the place to do it! I bought soaps and face lotions that I absolutely love.
4: Climb to the Top of the California Lighthouse
The California Lighthouse, located on the Northwestern tip of the island near Arashi Beach, is a great stop for fantastic views!
The lighthouse is the tallest structure in Aruba and climbing to the top is a fun way to take in the panoramic views of the island. The stairs are very, very steep, but if you go slow, they’re very doable for most people. There is a small fee to climb the lighthouse, but it’s worth it.
For a special occasion, you can even have dinner at the top of the lighthouse! The lighthouse is small (it only seats two!), so be sure to book this well in advance.
5: Go on an Epic Snorkeling Adventure
Aruba is known for its crystal clear waters and incredible snorkeling! For those who want a more low-key experience, you can snorkel directly from the beach – Baby Beach is great for this. Many hotels/resorts will also have snorkeling equipment, especially if they’re beachfront.
For those looking for a more professional snorkeling experience, I definitely recommend going on a guided catamaran snorkeling adventure! We had so much fun and saw so many amazing fish and sea-life.
There are tours that offer hotel pick-up and others where you meet at the dock:
- Jolly Pirate Cruise with Snorkel Adventure (meet at the dock)
- Arusun Catamaran Sail with Snorkeling in Aruba (meet at the dock)
- Private Aruba Snorkeling Excursion with Rum Punch (hotel pick up)
- Aruba Snorkeling Tour: Mangel Halto and Baby Beach (hotel pick up)
6: Take in the Views from Alto Vista Chapel
Alto Vista Chapel is a charming Catholic church perched on a hill in the Northwestern part of the island. Alto Vista means “high view” and the name is certainly applicable as the location of the church offers incredible views.
This is the site of the first church in Aruba, although the current place of worship was built in 1953. It’s especially beautiful at sunset, but worth a visit any time of day!
7: Go ATVing or Off Roading in a Jeep
The desert landscape and sea views in Aruba make it the perfect place for ATVing and off-road Jeep adventures!
There are tours that explore many different parts of the island (Arikok National Park, several beaches in the Northwestern part of the island, and others that visit major landmarks). No matter which you choose, they are so much fun!
If you’re not renting a car (or even if you are!), this is such a fun and unique way to explore the island and see some unique areas.
Awesome Off-Roading Adventures:
- Aruba UTV Tour with Natural Cave Pool and Cliff Jumping (hotel pick up available)
- Aruba North Coast ATV Desert and Beach Tour (hotel pick up available)
- Private Aruba Off-Road Safari Jeep Adventure (hotel pick up available)
8: Try a Fun Water Activity
In addition to sunbathing and swimming at the many beautiful beaches, there are so many other fun water activities to do in Aruba!
Kite surfing is one of the most popular and Hadicurari Beach is one of the best locations to kite/windsurf on the island! You can rent equipment directly on the beach, but if you’re new to the sport, a lesson is probably the best way to go.
I discussed snorkeling above and that’s certainly a must-do in Aruba as well!
Beyond these fun activities, you can jet ski, take a sunset sail or even go on a submarine! And this is just naming a few of the many water activities offered on the island.
Fun water activities and tours:
- Aruba Jet Ski Rental (hotel pick up available)
- Exciting Tube Ride in Aruba
- Aruba Seabob Scooter Reef Tour (hotel pick up available)
9: Learn about Aruba’s History with a Walking Tour
Aruba is a great place to relax on the beach and enjoy the sun, but for history lovers, or anyone who wants to learn more about the culture and daily life in Aruba, a walking tour is a great option! I really enjoyed THIS walking tour of Oranjestad.
The capital of Aruba, Oranjestad, is the perfect place for a walking tour. It’s easily accessible to the hotel zone and a beautiful place to walk around, grab some food and learn more about Aruba! If you want to combine walking and food, check out this food tour in Oranjestad!
If you don’t want to go on a walking tour, it’s still worth it to visit Oranjestad for a walk and for a meal! It’s a small, very walkable town.
A few of my favorite restaurants in Oranjestad include:
- Santos Coffee and Soul
- Aruba Experience Cafe
- Que Pasa
- Yemanja Woodfired Grill (make a reservation)
10: Eat Delicious Local Food
Going off my last tip, with my restaurant recommendations in Oranjestad, definitely eat local food when you can! Aruba is a desert island, so it doesn’t really grow much of its own produce – however, there are a few local farms that grow fruits and vegetables. When in Aruba, the best option is definitely fresh fish. There is so much delicious fresh fish on the island and it is wonderful!
The most famous and popular place for fish in Aruba is, without a doubt, Zeerover, a seaside restaurant that serves seafood right out of the ocean. There might be a line, but it’s worth the wait!
Another great spot for local eats is Kamini’s Kitchen – this is my favorite restaurant on the island! Here you’ll find a wide selection of Caribbean dishes. Everything is delicious, but the curries are without a doubt my favorite. Kamini’s Kitchen is about 40 minutes from the hotels on Eagle Beach, but it’s worth the drive! It’s located near Baby Beach, so you could stop here before or after your beach time.
- Ocean Z
- I recommend a table outside to watch the sunset
- Make a reservation
- This is a pricer restaurant, good for a special occasion
- I recommend a table outside to watch the sunset
- Yemanja Woodfired Grill
- Make a reservation
- Lola Taqueria
- Palm Beach
- Casual and fun
- Gianni’s
- Palm Beach
- Very popular, make a reservation! Great Italian food.
- Palm Beach
- Aruba Experience Cafe
- Great for brunch/lunch
- Kulture Cafe
- Breakfast/brunch/lunch
- San Nicolas (go after visiting Arikok National Park)
- Breakfast/brunch/lunch
Where to Stay in Aruba?
When thinking about where to stay in Aruba, it’s important to consider whether you want a hotel or an all inclusive resort. My recommendation is always hotels. That way you get all of the hotel amenities, but you can still go out to eat and explore the island.
All inclusives can be great, too. However, when everything is included it can be hard to justify eating at local restaurants and spending money on non-resort activities. The obvious plus side of an all-inclusive, on the other hand, is that it requires very little planning and it is a great place for the whole family to relax and enjoy!
No matter which option you choose, you’re sure to have a great stay! My biggest recommendation is to be close to the beach, as after all, Aruba is definitely a beach destination.
Amazing All-Inclusive Resorts in Aruba (multiple price points):
Beautiful Hotels in Aruba (multiple price points):
- Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba – Adults Only
- Beach House Aruba Apartments
- Wonders Boutique Hotel
- Bubali Bliss Studios
- Ocean Z Boutique Hotel
- MVC Eagle Beach
Q&A – 10 Unique Things to do in Aruba
- What is worth buying in Aruba?
- Aloe products form the Aruba Aloe Factory are great to bring back home. They have so many great products, including soaps, sunscreen, face washes, lotions and more! I love that these are all made on the island.
- Hot sauce is another great option when thinking about what to buy in Aruba. You can find great options in local shops and grocery stores. Hot Delight is my favorite brand!
- What to do in Aruba not in the sun?
- Most activities in Aruba are outside, but there are some indoor options! My top indoor recommendation is to visit the Aruba Aloe Factory. To stay cool indoors, you can also check out some of the great restaurants and coffee shops on the island!
- What is unique in Aruba?
- Aruba is known for its beautiful white sand beaches, turquoise water, wonderful sunsets and incredible snorkeling! It’s also famous for its kite surfing, aloe production and Arikok National Park.
- What months to avoid Aruba?
- Aruba is the perfect year-round destination! It’s location in the Caribbean, outside of the hurricane belt, makes it a wonderful island to visit during any month. Expect sunny skies and warm temperatures!
And just like that, you’re ready to book your trip to Aruba! I hope you found these 10 unique things to do in Aruba helpful in your vacation planning. There really is so much to do and see on this beautiful island.
If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments, or DM us on Instagram, @twosistersabroad.
Be sure to also check out my post with my top 12 tips for visiting Aruba!
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♡Kate
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