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Aruba is a pristine tropical oasis filled with white sand beaches and clear blue water.
Spectacular sunsets, sunny skies, and a more arid climate are the markers of this Dutch
Caribbean island.
Many may not realize that Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, despite its
location less than 20 miles from the coast of Venezuela.
Today's list offers ten great ways to occupy your time in Aruba.
We'll go over plenty of beaches, but we'll also highlight a few lesser-known experiences
you can have in Aruba.
Number ten.
Tour an aloe factory.
When you grab a bottle of aloe vera to soothe a scorching sunburn or have an aloe-infused
beverage, you might not think of the spiky succulent plant that is the source of this
super-ingredient.
Aloe Vera plants were first planted on the island in the late 1800s and have been lovingly
cultivated ever since.
Free tours of the Aruba Aloe Museum and Factory will highlight the history of Aloe production,
how to filet an Aloe leaf, and some of the numerous ways that Aloe gel can provide healing
properties.
Number nine.
California Lighthouse and Arashi Beach.
Perched on a hill at the northwestern tip of Aruba is the California Lighthouse.
The lighthouse was named after the SS California, a wooden steamship that was wrecked in 1891
while voyaging from Liverpool to Central America.
The lighthouse keeper's house has been transformed into an Italian restaurant so that you won't
go hungry on your trip to the island's edge.
Once you've had your fill of Italian food and want to trade architecture for sand, head
to nearby Arashi Beach and snag one of the cabanas.
A mix of calm, shallow waters and reef systems create nice breaks for surfers.
While this isn't Aruba's only lighthouse - not by a longshot - it is one of the most activity-filled!
Number eight.
Bushiribana Gold Mill.
If history is one of your favorite subjects, make sure to include Bushiribana Gold Mill
as one of your stops in Aruba.
The island had a short-lived run as a gold-mining hub.
Over a period of ten years, the mill refined more than 2,000 ounces of gold.
Use of the mill stopped most likely because of the high cost of operations on the island.
Another company took over the mill a few years later, operating for another ten years.
Gold milling moved to a newer facility at Balashi, further into the island's interior.
Gold mining stopped during the First World War since the materials required for processing
were no longer readily available.
After nearly a century of gold prospecting, Aruba was the source of almost 3,000 pounds
of gold.
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Number seven.
Take a submarine tour.
One of Aruba's top attractions is also one of its most unique.
You can board a functioning passenger submarine and get up close and personal with the locals
that live underwater.
You don't even have to know how to swim!
Depending on which tour you opt for, you'll head up to 130 feet below the water's surface
for a look at the marine life.
The US Coast Guard has given its stamp of approval, a nice perk that offers safety and
peace of mind.
You'll also get a look at the Hamburg America Line cargo ship that sank more than eighty
years ago.
A striking look at nature taking over will greet you as the sunken ship is now a vibrant
home to ocean life.
You might see banded butterfly fish, French angelfish, or blue tangs - the forgetful Dory
from Finding Nemo.
Number six.
Visit a donkey sanctuary.
Donkeys are not native to Aruba but have been a crucial part of its history.
They've existed on the island for the last 500 years and were the primary mode of transportation
until cars were introduced to the island.
As they became less and less of a necessity, they were ignored, and in the 1970s, they
contracted an illness that spread quickly and nearly caused their extinction.
Only 20 wild donkeys remained at the end of the outbreak.
Enter the Donkey Sanctuary.
Opening its doors in 1997, the owners are committed to saving the donkeys on the island
and using the donkeys as animal ambassadors to help educate the public and tourists.
Number five.
Get up close and personal with the Antilla Wreck.
Built for trade between Germany and the Caribbean, the SS Antilla is a nearly 400-foot-long ship
that was scuttled - purposefully sunk - just one year after it was built in 1939.
Remember when we mentioned that Aruba is part of the Netherlands?
Well, during World War II, the Antilla was in port in Aruba.
The Antilla attempted more than once to get out of the port patrolled by the French Navy,
Royal Navy, and America and West Indies Station.
When Dutch marines tried to board the ship, access was denied by the German crew, and
they got to work scuttling the vessel so Germany's enemies wouldn't capture it.
It's now a great tourist attraction where you can dive to see how the underwater years
have treated the Antilla.
You'll find coral-covered railings and a plethora of fish and lobster meandering through the
decks and halls.
Number four.
Baby Beach.
This sandy beach and artificial lagoon stands out from the crowd because it's great for
kids and less confident swimmers.
It's also off the main path, so you're more apt to have some relatively quiet time here.
A marked snorkeling area allows for wildlife viewing, and cabanas or beach beds are available
for the more relaxing moments at the beach.
There are a handful of food establishments right at the beach, so you don't need to worry
about pre-packing your snacks or meals.
Number three.
Oranjestad.
The capital of Aruba, Oranjestad, is the colorful hub of the island.
There's plenty to see and do depending on your interests.
Nature lovers will enjoy the Aruba Butterfly Farm, located just off Palm Beach.
If you get there early in the day, you're more likely to catch a butterfly emerging
from its cocoon.
If catching (and sometimes releasing) fish is your way to commune with nature, deep-sea
fishing draws many visitors.
The waters are full of trophy-worthy fish like Blue Marlin, Tuna, Sailfish, and more.
If history is your chief interest, the National Archaeological Museum Aruba is full of Dutch
colonial influence, as well as the history of the island before European settlers arrived.
Number two.
Arikok National Park.
One of the treasures of Aruba is Arikok National Park.
It's a unique blend of culture and nature and accounts for almost one-fifth of the island.
One of the most impressive spots in this park is the Conchi Natural Pool - a giant tidepool
protected by a natural rock barrier.
You'll need to book a tour or rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle to make the trip.
You can hike all the way to the beach on the Rooi Tambu trail, ending at the picturesque
Dos Playas Cove.
You can cool off here, but resist the temptation to go swimming - undertow currents are a regular
occurrence here.
Another cool feature is the Quadirikiri Cave - a limestone cave with two natural skylights.
Fruit bats might guide your stroll through stalagmites and stalactites as you get lost
in this other world.
Number one.
Palm Beach.
Of course, a beach has to top our Aruba list.
Beaches are one of the attractions that get the most attention from visitors and locals
alike.
Palm Beach has it all: hotels, casinos, water sports, palm trees, calm waters, piers, and
beach bars.
Get a bird's-eye view of the area with a parasailing tour - you can ride solo or with a partner,
and it offers a unique perspective of the beautiful coastline.
If you'd rather hang out below the water's surface, diving at Malmok Reef is one of the
best places to see brain coral and barracuda.
We mentioned the nearby Butterfly Farm when walking you through Oranjestad, but don't
forget your avian friends at the Bubali Bird Sanctuary.
Sunsets are spectacular in the Caribbean.
Maximize your experience by partaking in a sunset catamaran cruise.
These cruises let you sip on cocktails while you view the stunning sunset.
Keep a close eye out, and if you have the perfect conditions, you may even experience
the green flash that can appear at sunset.
That concludes today's list!
Which of these sight-seeing excursions did you learn existed today?
What's the last - or first Caribbean island you ever visited?
Or, if you haven't had the chance to go....where do you picture yourself exploring first?
Let us know in the comments below!
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Until next time!