Aruba is recognized as one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. The island has many beautiful places with paradisiacal landscapes that invite you to enjoy them.
That is why we recommend some of the most interesting sites on the island.
The Natural Pool
Why do we recommend the Natural Pool? It is a saltwater pool between the rocks and the waves of the beautiful Caribbean Sea, located in Arikok National Park. This natural space was formed by rocks and circles of volcanic stone. The rugged terrain around the pool makes it accessible only by four-wheel-drive (4×4) vehicles; a rustic path leads to the place from the park entrance.
Address: Natural Pool, Santa Cruz, Arikok National Park, Aruba
Baby Beach
A shallow beach with crystal clear waters, white sand and updated facilities, near Mangle Cora in Seroe Colorado, on the southeast of the island. It is called Baby Beach because the water is so calm that it is very safe for children, and thanks to its calm waters, snorkeling here is safe for the whole family. It is also an excellent place to dive. When you pass the shallow area, be careful: there are strong currents.
Address: Via San Nicolas, Seroe Colorado
The California Lighthouse
The California Lighthouse stands on the northeast tip of Aruba. It was built by a French architect between 1914 and 1916 and is more than 98 feet high. It was named in honor of the steamship California, which was shipwrecked nearby on September 23, 1891. It is a stone construction with a conical tower. The location is ideal to enjoy wonderful views and sunsets over the island, and around it you will find an area of sand dunes and an excellent landscape.
Address: L.G. Smith Blvd, Noord, Aruba, near the Tierra del Sol golf course
Boca Catalina
Boca Catalina is a small bay just north of Palm Beach in the Malmok Beach area, a small sandy strip that extends to the north of Aruba. It is a beach of white sand and crystal clear waters, with comfortable space to park near the main road. It is a fairly busy beach with very calm currents and a good family atmosphere, a good beach to dive and have a pleasant time.
Address: Malmok Beach area
Bushiribana Ruins
The remains of an old gold smelter of the 19th century. The mining company of the island of Aruba built the Bushiribana smelter in 1825 to extract gold from the nearby hills of Ceru Plat, and it operated for ten years. Today its remains are a stopping point for tourists heading to the Natural Bridge of Aruba, which collapsed on September 2, 2005.
Address: Via Old Natural Bridge, Gold Factory
Alto Vista Chapel
A small Catholic chapel, also known as the Pilgrim’s Church, in the hills near the north coast, northeast of the town of Noord. It was the first church established in Aruba, built with stone walls and a thatched roof. Painted bright yellow on the outside, it is a religious monument worth visiting.
The current Alto Vista Chapel was completed in 1952 on the same site as the original chapel, built in 1750 by Domingo Silvestre, the Venezuelan missionary from Santa Ana de Coro, Venezuela. It is dedicated to Mother Santa Maria, the “Mother of the Rosary”, and is therefore considered exceptional in Aruba.
Address: Noord, Aruba
Quadirikiri Cave
The cave is notable for its two large dome-shaped chambers, lit by sunlight through holes in the ceiling. The entrance is at the base of the cliff. This 492-foot-long cave is also a nesting site for numerous small nocturnal bats that are harmless; to preserve their natural habitat and let the bats reproduce, one of the caves is closed to visitors. The dark tunnels of the Quadirikiri Cave are an interesting experience for tourists.
The Quadirikiri cave system is also a natural site of historical value: the original inhabitants of the island, the Arawak Indians, left many drawings on the cave walls that represent the history and culture of Aruba.
Address: Arikok National Park, Aruba
The Tunnel of Love
Huliba Cave, also known as Baranca Sunu, which means “Naked Rock”, is a cave on the island of Aruba dubbed the Tunnel of Love for its heart-shaped entrance.
You enter through a steep and narrow staircase that plunges into the cave. It has five entrances, and in some places you have to bend down to see the formations. You will need flashlights to explore the 300-foot corridor, as it is totally dark inside. The cave is full of stalagmite and stalactite formations in limestone rock. Two species of bats live in this cave: Leptonycteris curasoae and Macroglossus sobrinus.
Address: Arikok National Park
Ostrich Farm
Come and discover everything about this wonderful species: its breeding habits, its defense mechanisms and everything you should know about it. Live and share this great experience.
Address: Matividiri 57, Paradera, Aruba
Philip’s Animal Garden
Why do we recommend Philip’s Animal Garden? It is a non-profit organization that focuses on rescuing exotic animals in Aruba. It was founded in 2009 and offers interactive and educational visits, where you can enjoy a close experience with exotic animals.
Address: Alto Vista 116, Noord, Aruba
Boca Prins Bar and Restaurant
Enjoy international meals, varied cocktails, beers and liquors at the bar. Delight yourself with a wonderful view of the coast, spectacular sand dunes, cacti and diverse landscapes while you enjoy a natural environment and fresh air.
Address: San Fuego 70, Aruba