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Add some adventurous thrills and distinctive twists to your Aruba vacation with these fab, enjoyable issues to do.
Aruba is the right Caribbean island for individuals who, like me, get a bit bored of solely lazing on seashores!
Don’t get me mistaken: there are PLENTY of beautiful, white sandy seashores to laze on. If you wish to relax within the sunshine all day, you completely can. Particularly since Aruba will get much less rainfall and extra sunny days than every other Caribbean island – sitting exterior the hurricane belt and providing year-round sunshine.
However should you like to combine issues up on vacation then Aruba is good. For a small island, there’s so much to do right here – and fairly just a few completely different landscapes. The desert-like, cactus-strewn inside of the island feels just like the setting for a Wild West movie (excellent for journey), whereas across the fringe of the island you’ll discover all the things from white sand seashores to wild and windswept rocky shoreline.
Journey lovers will discover no scarcity of enjoyable issues to do in Aruba. And should you desire a gentler tempo, there’s all the things from yoga and meditation to luxurious seashore picnics. So if sitting nonetheless isn’t actually your factor – you’re in luck!
READ MORE: 10 Causes to Go to Aruba
My journey to Aruba was supported by the vacationer board, however all phrases and opinions are my very own!
Distinctive and Enjoyable Issues to do in Aruba
Go away the seashore behind and set out on one in every of these superior Aruban adventures…
1. Expertise a Rollercoaster Jeep Safari!
Hop aboard a vivid yellow safari jeep for a critically enjoyable journey exploring Aruba’s unbelievable landscapes with De Palm Excursions. This was one in every of my favorite actions in Aruba – such a enjoyable and thrilling technique to uncover the island.
I took the Off-Highway Pure Pool Safari: a 4.5 hour tour which takes you to among the high sights in Aruba. The guides have been loads of enjoyable (and wonderful drivers), and I cherished the expertise of bouncing over bumpy dust roads with the wind in our hair. Flying up and down the hills of the Nationwide Park felt like a rollercoaster!
CLICK HERE to examine costs and availability for this tour!
2. Take a Snorkelling and Crusing Journey
Fingers down, among the finest issues you are able to do in Aruba is to pop on a snorkel and expertise the marine life inside the island’s crystal-clear waters!
I hoped to take the 3-hour Boat Journey with Snorkelling and Open Bar with De Palm Excursions, however sadly needed to cancel as there merely wasn’t time to do all the things! Nonetheless, I’ve expertise with De Palm Excursions and know they’re a improbable firm – and I did get an opportunity to snorkel elsewhere in Aruba.
This snorkelling and crusing journey is likely one of the hottest excursions on the island. It contains an open bar and appears like loads of enjoyable – however should you don’t fancy a celebration ambiance there are different choices out there too!
3. Go Kayaking in Crystal Clear Waters
Fortunately, I did get an opportunity to go snorkelling in Aruba’s dazzlingly clear waters – on a improbable kayaking tour with RJ from Aruba Out of doors Adventures.
These have been pedal kayaks, so there’s no paddling concerned: you do all of the work together with your legs as an alternative! It felt a lot simpler than paddle kayaking, however nonetheless properly lively – the right relaxed train for a vacation!
There are fairly just a few kayaking excursions to select from. You may discover the mangrove bushes across the Spanish Lagoon, paddle out to distant seashores, and go to a sunken boat. We paddled out to the Reef Barrier on the Spanish Lagoon, among the finest snorkelling spots in Aruba. It was an incredible expertise, recognizing marine life amongst the colorful coral. We even noticed a lionfish and an enormous lobster hiding amongst the rocks.
4. Get pleasure from a Luxurious Seashore Picnic
If you’d like an extra-special deal with to your journey to Aruba, you HAVE to guide a seashore picnic with Picnic Aruba. They arrange luxurious, boho-chic picnics on the sand, with superbly embellished wood teepees coated in flowers and dreamcatchers.
This was a kind of experiences the place the fact is definitely pretty much as good because it seems on social media! The setup could also be pure photoshoot heaven (you’ll battle to place your digicam down!) however the meals and setting are improbable too. All of the considerate particulars – like a Bluetooth speaker and personalised welcome signal – make for a extremely wonderful expertise.
I extremely suggest upgrading the expertise to incorporate a bottle of bubbly or some cocktails for the final word deal with!
Click on right here to observe a video of my expertise.
5. Go to Arikok Nationwide Park
Aruba’s unbelievable nature was completely different to every other Caribbean island I’ve been to earlier than. It felt extra arid and nearly desert-like in locations, particularly within the Arikok Nationwide Park, which covers round 20% of the island.
The rolling, sandy hills listed here are coated in cacti – primarily tall candelabra cactus vegetation, but additionally aloe, ball cactus and different succulents. Though it seems like fairly an unfriendly panorama at first look, it’s a really stunning one – and residential to numerous wildlife, together with birds, lizards and the endemic Aruba rattlesnake.
Day tickets for non-residents value simply $11 USD (which fits in the direction of the conservation of the park). There’s so much to find inside right here: caves, dramatic coast and strange rock formations. I like to recommend reserving one of many organized excursions run by the park rangers for the perfect expertise!
6. Discover Aruba’s Dramatic Caves
Do you know most of Aruba was as soon as beneath the ocean, till a volcanic eruption pressured the island above water tens of millions of years in the past? Traces of this underwater previous might be witnessed within the type of coral fossils alongside the rocky shoreline and inside the limestone caves of the Nationwide Park.
The 2 most well-known caves listed here are Quadirikiri Cave and Fontein Cave. In Fontein Cave, you possibly can see rock drawings left behind by Aruba’s indigenous peoples. Inside Quadirikiri Cave, the rocky chambers are lit by shafts of sunshine which fall by way of holes within the roof, catching on the swirling mud. It’s additionally house to very large colonies of innocent fruit bats.
7. Attempt Meditation on a Butterfly Farm
For one thing a bit completely different, attempt a meditation session and mindfulness stroll on a butterfly farm. That is positively one of the vital distinctive issues to do in Aruba!
The session is run each Wednesday morning by Shanti, a neighborhood yoga and meditation trainer, and is such a relaxing technique to begin the day. You’ll begin with a guided meditation within the backyard, surrounded by tropical vegetation and flitting butterflies, then take a meditation stroll alone by way of the gardens. An effective way to attach with nature and discover your inside zen.
Should you don’t make it to the session (otherwise you really feel zen sufficient already after lazing on Aruba’s stunning seashores) the Aruba Butterfly Farm remains to be properly price a go to.
8. Uncover the Vibrant Avenue Artwork in San Nicolas
Aruba’s second-largest city, San Nicholas, is maybe much less well-known than the colorful capital of Oranjestad, but it surely’s positively price visiting. A quiet coastal city on the southern tip of the island, San Nicolas appears like a extra “genuine” aspect of Aruba in comparison with the resorts round Palm Seashore.
However the principle purpose to go to is for the San Nicolas Artwork Murals. The streets of the downtown space are coated with vibrant murals and distinctive road artwork created by each native and worldwide artists – all organised by the annual Aruba Artwork Honest.
9. Discover your Steadiness with SUP Yoga
The calm, heat seas round Aruba’s beautiful seashores are perfect for paddleboarding! They’re additionally the right place to check out paddleboard yoga – particularly since you received’t thoughts falling off!
We took a SUP Yoga class with Vela Aruba, a watersports store proper on the seashore close to the Ritz Carlton resort. Practising yoga poses whereas balancing on the board provides a extremely distinctive twist to the session – and the ocean is the final word serene setting. I cherished making an attempt my wobbly downward canine while being watched by a few curious pelicans, surrounded by the sounds of the ocean!
10. Go Mountain Biking in a Cactus Forest
Should you’re within the temper for a land-based journey, hop on a mountain bike and discover among the island’s unbelievable trails. Cycle by way of cactus forests and alongside the rugged shoreline in the hunt for epic views!
We took a mountain biking tour with Aruba Lively Holidays. I’d say that is in all probability higher suited to extra skilled riders. The paths aren’t too hilly, however they’re dust tracks and might be rocky in locations. Should you’re not nice at off-road biking, you might desire to stay to the roads or coast paths.
Nonetheless, your information ought to be capable of tailor issues to your talents, and the off-road trails supply an amazing likelihood to rise up near Aruba’s cactus-studded landscapes. Simply be careful for the thorns – my legs appeared a bit worse for put on as soon as I’d completed!
11. Swim in a Pure Pool
Aruba has many beautiful white sandy seashores and sheltered, heat bays for swimming. However for a extremely distinctive swimming expertise, you should head to the Conchi Pure Pool.
Off the rugged, rocky coast of the Arikok Nationwide Park, this distant spot incorporates a small melancholy which is encircled by volcanic stone. These big boulders maintain out the tough sea, creating a sheltered pure pool the place you possibly can swim whereas watching big waves crash in opposition to the close by rocks!
12. Grasp a Watersport
The dependable commerce winds that when made Aruba so interesting to colonists now make the island a super location for watersports. I’ve already talked about kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling – however there are much more thrilling sports activities for ocean lovers to attempt.
You can be taught windsurfing, kitesurfing, wing foiling, or crusing whereas in your vacation in Aruba. Already mastered one in every of these? Hire tools and hit the waves! Vela Sports activities Aruba and Aruba Lively Holidays supply each classes and leases.
13. Discover Aruba on Horseback
Whereas we have been exploring the island on our epic jeep tour, I noticed just a few horseriding teams. This might be such a enjoyable technique to uncover Aruba – particularly as a result of these cactus-filled landscapes seem like one thing out of a Wild West film! Experience by way of the unbelievable countryside or alongside the seashores with the wind in your hair for a real style of journey.
14. Attempt an Off-Highway UTV Journey
These UTV excursions are one of the vital common journey actions in Aruba. I noticed tons of them whereas I used to be on my journey and it appeared like loads of enjoyable. However I additionally noticed loads of indicators asking individuals to not drive on the dunes, and I do know that UTVs might be unhealthy for the atmosphere, so guide with care. The tourism board have mentioned they’re attempting to get the routes regulated to be able to stop injury to the coastal ecosystem.
15. Loosen up with a Spa Day
When you’ve drained your self out with all these improbable Aruban adventures, it’s time to unwind! Ebook a day cross for the spa and pool at Tierra del Sol Resort and Golf Membership and prepare to loosen up. You’re on vacation, in spite of everything!
We visited for a therapeutic massage, a fast sauna session, and lunch on our final day in Aruba. I want we may have stayed the entire day! The spa is small however well-equipped, and so they have just a few completely different bundle choices out there. It’s a good way so as to add a bit hit of luxurious to your vacation should you’re not staying in one of many high-end resorts.
The place to Keep in Aruba
Boardwalk Boutique Lodge
I stayed on the Boardwalk Boutique Lodge Aruba and truthfully, it’s one in every of my favorite inns ever.
It’s really extra of a boutique resort, with a number of “Casitas” (little homes) as an alternative of rooms. These are all dotted across the resort in a beautiful tropical backyard, so it feels nearly like staying in a jungle. And with all that foliage blocking out the opposite company, it feels extremely personal.
All of the Casitas embrace a small kitchen, so you have got the choice to self-cater if you wish to. Or simply maintain some snacks within the fridge! The rooms are stunning: mild and ethereal but additionally vibrant and enjoyable. There’s a small however beautiful pool, once more surrounded by palms and tropical vegetation. Boardwalk Lodge is the right setting for a dreamy Caribbean escape: luxurious however not stuffy, relaxed however not too informal, and completely, stunningly stunning. Can’t suggest it sufficient!
Excessive Rise Resort Lodges
Favor someplace a bit greater, with numerous services and eating places? The Palm Seashore and Eagle Seashore areas of Aruba have a number of high-rise inns and large resorts that ought to have all the things you want.
Whereas I used to be exploring Aruba I additionally visited two of the preferred high-rise inns: the Ritz Carlton and the Aruba Mariott Resort. Each have been glorious: nice service, numerous good services, and direct entry to the seashore.
AirBnb
Alternatively, there are a variety of AirBnbs throughout the island to go well with all tastes and budgets. These are notably good for households preferring self-catering (and a little bit of privateness), in addition to these visiting on a price range. You may prepare dinner for your self just a few occasions to chop eating prices. Should you’ll be renting a automotive throughout your keep in Aruba, you possibly can keep exterior of the principle areas to avoid wasting a bit of cash.
Extra Enjoyable issues to do in Aruba
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Are there every other enjoyable or distinctive issues to do in Aruba that I’ve missed from this listing? Scroll down to depart a remark!
