Coastline and Wildlife Watching
Along Aruba’s north coast, waves and strong winds have shaped several natural bridges in the limestone cliffs over thousands of years. Aruba is a small island in the southern Caribbean, about 15 miles north of Venezuela. The abandoned Bushiribana Gold Mill is also located on the same north coast. During the 19th-century gold rush, it processed ore from nearby hillside mines. Near the northwestern tip, the old stone California Lighthouse stands in Hudishibana. It offers a view of Aruba’s west coast, with its beaches and coral shores.
Mangel Halto offers a different experience: this secluded beach has calm, shallow waters rich in marine life, as well as a network of mangroves. Aruba’s nearshore reefs are ideal for snorkeling and shore diving. Diving around the island also offers the chance to explore shipwrecks and aircraft wrecks teeming with marine life. For wildlife watching on land, the Bubali watch tower is another highlight: from there, you can observe more than 80 migratory bird species in their resting and breeding grounds.
Trails with Different Highlights
At Ayo, informative trails let you explore the sacred Indigenous site and the area’s natural and cultural heritage. In Arikok National Park, a 7.7-kilometer round-trip trail leads from the visitor center to the Conchi Natural Pool. Trail conditions may vary.
History, Architecture and Art
At the Historical Museum in Oranjestad, a permanent exhibition showcases the key events in Aruba’s history, alongside changing themed exhibitions. The Archaeological Museum displays artifacts from the pre-ceramic period around 2500 BC. The museums focus on different periods: one highlights key events in the island’s history, while the other presents finds from an early archaeological period.
Fort Zoutman dates back to 1798 and is Aruba’s oldest building. Its open-air courtyard in downtown Oranjestad hosts the Bonbini Festival. Here, a historic building and a festival come together in one named location. Alto Vista Chapel offers a different cultural highlight: it is a small place of worship with historical and cultural significance.
Artists from around the world and local artists have also left their mark on San Nicolas. They took part in the Aruba Art Fair and left works on walls and buildings around Main Street. Together with museums, a historic building and a chapel, they show the different forms culture takes in Aruba.
Practical Information
Aruba’s central bus station is in downtown Oranjestad, next to the cruise terminal and Royal Plaza. Buses run regularly in the hotel areas. If you plan to take the bus, check the schedule that suits your trip.
Discover more destinations: Palm Beach, Oranjestad, Noord, Paradera, Santa Cruz, Savaneta, San Nicolas, Italy.
