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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 many who, like me, get a bit bored of solely lazing on seashores!
Don’t get me improper: 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 for those who 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 a couple of totally different landscapes. The desert-like, cactus-strewn inside of the island feels just like the setting for a Wild West movie (good for journey), whereas across the fringe of the island you’ll discover every thing from white sand seashores to wild and windswept rocky shoreline.
Journey lovers will discover no scarcity of enjoyable issues to do in Aruba. And for those who want a gentler tempo, there’s every thing 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 considered one 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 considered one of my favorite actions in Aruba – such a enjoyable and thrilling solution to uncover the island.
I took the Off-Street Pure Pool Safari: a 4.5 hour tour which takes you to a number of the high sights in Aruba. The guides have been a variety of enjoyable (and superb drivers), and I beloved the expertise of bouncing over bumpy filth roads with the wind in our hair. Flying up and down the hills of the Nationwide Park felt like a rollercoaster!
CLICK HERE to test costs and availability for this tour!
2. Take a Snorkelling and Crusing Journey
Palms down, probably the greatest 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 every thing! Nevertheless, I’ve expertise with De Palm Excursions and know they’re a implausible 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 consists of an open bar and appears like a variety of enjoyable – however for those who 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 implausible 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 along 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 a couple of kayaking excursions to select from. You possibly can discover the mangrove timber 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, probably the greatest snorkelling spots in Aruba. It was a tremendous 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 need an extra-special deal with on your journey to Aruba, you HAVE to ebook a seashore picnic with Picnic Aruba. They arrange luxurious, boho-chic picnics on the sand, with fantastically embellished wood teepees lined in flowers and dreamcatchers.
This was a type of experiences the place the truth is definitely nearly as good because it seems on social media! The setup could also be pure photoshoot heaven (you’ll wrestle to place your digital camera down!) however the meals and setting are implausible too. All of the considerate particulars – like a Bluetooth speaker and personalised welcome signal – make for a extremely superb expertise.
I extremely advocate upgrading the expertise to incorporate a bottle of bubbly or some cocktails for the last word deal with!
Click on right here to look at a video of my expertise.
5. Go to Arikok Nationwide Park
Aruba’s unbelievable nature was totally 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 below are lined 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 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 very best expertise!
6. Discover Aruba’s Dramatic Caves
Do you know most of Aruba was as soon as below the ocean, till a volcanic eruption pressured the island above water hundreds of thousands of years in the past? Traces of this underwater previous may 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 below 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 holes within the roof, catching on the swirling mud. It’s additionally dwelling to very large colonies of innocent fruit bats.
7. Attempt Meditation on a Butterfly Farm
For one thing a bit totally different, attempt a meditation session and mindfulness stroll on a butterfly farm. That is undoubtedly some of the distinctive issues to do in Aruba!
The session is run each Wednesday morning by Shanti, a neighborhood yoga and meditation instructor, and is such a chilled solution 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 the gardens. A good way to attach with nature and discover your interior zen.
In the event 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 effectively value a go to.
8. Uncover the Vibrant Avenue Artwork in San Nicolas
Aruba’s second-largest city, San Nicholas, is probably much less well-known than the colorful capital of Oranjestad, but it surely’s undoubtedly value 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 primary cause to go to is for the San Nicolas Artwork Murals. The streets of the downtown space are lined with vibrant murals and distinctive road artwork created by each native and worldwide artists – all organised by the annual Aruba Artwork Truthful.
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 gained’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 last word serene setting. I beloved 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
In the event you’re within the temper for a land-based journey, hop on a mountain bike and discover a number of the island’s unbelievable trails. Cycle by cactus forests and alongside the rugged shoreline in quest of epic views!
We took a mountain biking tour with Aruba Energetic Holidays. I’d say that is in all probability higher suited to extra skilled riders. The paths aren’t too hilly, however they’re filth tracks and may be rocky in locations. In the event you’re not nice at off-road biking, you might want to stay to the roads or coast paths.
Nevertheless, your information ought to have the ability to tailor issues to your talents, and the off-road trails provide an incredible probability to stand up near Aruba’s cactus-studded landscapes. Simply be careful for the thorns – my legs regarded 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, it’s good to head to the Conchi Pure Pool.
Off the rugged, rocky coast of the Arikok Nationwide Park, this distant spot incorporates a small despair which is encircled by volcanic stone. These enormous boulders preserve out the tough sea, creating a sheltered pure pool the place you possibly can swim whereas watching enormous 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 really perfect 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 may be taught windsurfing, kitesurfing, wing foiling, or crusing whereas in your vacation in Aruba. Already mastered considered one of these? Hire tools and hit the waves! Vela Sports activities Aruba and Aruba Energetic Holidays provide each classes and leases.
13. Discover Aruba on Horseback
Whereas we have been exploring the island on our epic jeep tour, I noticed a couple of horseriding teams. This may be such a enjoyable solution to uncover Aruba – particularly as a result of these cactus-filled landscapes appear to be one thing out of a Wild West film! Journey by the unbelievable countryside or alongside the seashores with the wind in your hair for a real style of journey.
14. Attempt an Off-Street UTV Journey
These UTV excursions are some of the well-liked journey actions in Aruba. I noticed tons of them whereas I used to be on my journey and it regarded like a variety of enjoyable. However I additionally noticed a variety of indicators asking individuals to not drive on the dunes, and I do know that UTVs may be dangerous for the setting, so ebook with care. The tourism board have mentioned they’re making an attempt to get the routes regulated as a way to stop harm to the coastal ecosystem.
15. Chill out with a Spa Day
When you’ve drained your self out with all these implausible Aruban adventures, it’s time to unwind! Ebook a day move for the spa and pool at Tierra del Sol Resort and Golf Membership and prepare to chill out. 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 might have stayed the entire day! The spa is small however well-equipped, they usually have a couple of totally different bundle choices out there. It’s an effective way so as to add a bit hit of luxurious to your vacation for those who’re not staying in one of many high-end resorts.
The place to Keep in Aruba
Boardwalk Boutique Resort
I stayed on the Boardwalk Boutique Resort Aruba and actually, it’s considered one of my favorite motels 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 embody a small kitchen, so you could have the choice to self-cater if you wish to. Or simply preserve 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 Resort is the right setting for a dreamy Caribbean escape: luxurious however not stuffy, relaxed however not too informal, and completely, stunningly stunning. Can’t advocate it sufficient!
Excessive Rise Resort Inns
Desire someplace a bit greater, with numerous amenities and eating places? The Palm Seashore and Eagle Seashore areas of Aruba have a number of high-rise motels and massive resorts that ought to have every thing you want.
Whereas I used to be exploring Aruba I additionally visited two of the most well-liked high-rise motels: the Ritz Carlton and the Aruba Mariott Resort. Each have been glorious: nice service, numerous good amenities, and direct entry to the seashore.
AirBnb
Alternatively, there are a spread 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 possibly can cook dinner for your self a couple of instances to chop eating prices. In the event you’ll be renting a automobile throughout your keep in Aruba, you possibly can keep exterior of the primary areas to save lots of a bit of cash.
Extra Enjoyable issues to do in Aruba
Test availability and costs on a number of the hottest excursions and actions in Aruba…
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Are there every other enjoyable or distinctive issues to do in Aruba that I’ve missed from this checklist? Scroll down to depart a remark!