Within 5 days, you can experience 7 excursions in Aruba which will exhilarate, challenge and amaze you. This was my first time ever in the Caribbean! I was ridiculously excited to land on this desert island just 480 miles from Venuzuela. Nicknamed ‘One Happy Island’ by the locals, I was itching to discover the wild things to do in Aruba.
I stepped off the plane. The sun immediately hit me. ‘Let’s do this!’ I declared.
It was time to fling myself into the activities in Aruba. I raced through the desert, snorkelled above a dreamy shipwreck and gleefully face-planted into waves whilst windsurfing. In San Nicolas I gawked at street art, kayaked around the deep blue coast and screamed at the top of my lungs whilst clutching the sides of an accelerating, rogue jeep.
You don’t have to be as mad as me to try all of these adventures in Aruba, but you’ll have an awesome time with whatever you choose! I’ll show you everything I experienced, and throw in the all-important Aruba beaches and best places to eat on the island.
Bike Tour to California Lighthouse
The beauty of Aruba island is how its appearance drastically changes from one side of the island to the next. One minute you’re in the hustle of bustle of modern Oranjestad, sipping on Aruba Ariba cocktails and getting down with night owls in Gusto nightclub. Yet, head north in the morning and you’re suddenly in the Caribbean version of Breaking Bad.
It’s hot. Wild. Secluded, undeveloped and stunning. I went on a bike ride to California Lighthouse with Aruba Active Vacations from their base at The Fisherman’s Hut. What a journey! You’ll laugh at me, but this is the first time I’ve seen a cactus the same size as me. In England, they’re usually in a plant pot, standing no taller than half the size of my hand.
If you’re up for seeing panoramic views of Aruba from the lighthouse, I recommend the California Lighthouse Guided Tour. It’s named after an English steamship that became shipwrecked off the coast.
Lunch at Moomba Restaurant
Once you’re finished, from here I recommend grabbing lunch at the open-air seaside Moomba Beach Bar & Restaurant. Their fish is top-notch; it was one of my best things to eat in Aruba. Sip your cocktail, say hi to the odd iguana and check out the port before you go.
If you’re back here in the evening, grab their buffet! I happily pigged out. It will compliment the hip and happening live music going on here at sunset.
Natural Pool Aruba Off Road Adventure
When they told me to put my seat belt on and double-checked it, I didn’t think anything of it. When they warned me to remove my bandanna from my head, I felt they were overreacting. It’s windy in Aruba, but not that windy right? Yet, the minute the land rover’s power ignited and our driver slammed his foot on the accelerator, I was screaming for mercy. If you fancy seeing your life flash before your eyes and the historic sites of Aruba, the Aruba Natural Pool Off Road Adventure is for you!
Highlights include Arikok National Park, the Natural Pool, Natural Bridge, Alto Vista Chapel and California Lighthouse. Worth every goddamn dollar.
Dinner at Papillon Restaurant
After calming your nerves, go and relax in one of the top Aruba restaurants: Papillon Restaurant. It’s French, it’s next to Eagle Beach and the onion soup is to die for. Feeling like you have an ounce of energy left? Hit the nightclubs next door!
Windsurfing Aruba
The first day may have hit you hard, so take it a little easier (just a little easier) today. I started my morning off with some Aruba windsurfing. It was my first time ever trying to windsurf, but Aruba is apparently one of the best spots in the world to learn! I arrived early in the morning raring to go.
I face-palmed the sea a lot but the joy of finally being able to stand up and be carried by the wind was pure pleasure! Yes, those shocking tan lines are real. I applied sunscreen like a saint but I still burnt to the point of a crispy slice of bacon. Be careful in the sun!
Lunch at Charlie’s Bar Aruba
For lunch, I ordered a Jeep for the day from Amigo’s Car Rental and headed off to Charlie’s Bar Aruba.
Quite possibly my most favourite bar in the whole wide world (truth) I could have spent all day in here. The food and drink are top-notch but what really makes it special is its decor. I’ve never seen anything like it. Head to San Nicolas Aruba and experience it for yourself!
Street Art Aruba
Discovering Aruba’s street art is an adventure in itself. The Aruba Art Fair started in 2016 to encourage tourists to come to the quiet area of San Nicolas after the oil refinery closed down in 2009. Many murals later and it’s working! You can spend a good hour hunting for all the art and it’s 100% Instagram worthy!
Relax on Baby Beach Aruba
After street art hunting, spend the rest of the afternoon on Baby Beach. The waters are warm, calm, shallow and easy breezy. On the beach next door, you can also find some epic Aruba kitesurfing! Watch the experts do their thing and consider it as an activity for yourself!
Aruba Pub Crawl
Aruba’s nightlife is banging. As a solo female traveller, I’m always looking for the perfect opportunity to go and party with others. The Aruba Pub Crawl will sort any solo traveller right out. They’ll give you a shot at each stop and they pick you up and take you home! Just make sure to eat something before you go. I recommend self-catering this night. There are plenty of supermarkets in Aruba which you can stop at and grab something.
Arikok National Park Aruba Caves
A cactus-fest golden landscape with a wonderful array of indigenous wildlife; Arikok National Park covers one fifth of Aruba’s land. It is the perfect place to go hiking.
What particular excites me about this area is the chance to see the island’s earliest inhabitants’ marks left in the Fontein and Gaudirikiri caves. The drawings are at least 1000 years old! Switch on your phone’s torch to make your way into the depths past the bats…oh and watch your step for snakes when you come back out.
Lunch at Boca Prins Restaurant
Dining at Boca Prins Restaurant is a given if you’re in Arikok National Park. It’s in the middle of nowhere and boasts some pretty awesome views.
Antilla Aruba Snorkelling (i.e Booze Cruise)
I stepped onto the Palm Pleasure to be an underwater Indiana Jones and check out the famous World War II Antilla shipwreck. I thankfully managed that. Yet afterwards, I also became the equivalent of Rhianna on a booze cruise.
With an open bar, this is the perfect time to sample Aruba’s infamous cocktail, the Aruba Ariba! Vodka, rum, creme de banana, orange, cranberry and pineapple and your underwater experience will double in pleasure immediately. The water is crystal clear and the shipwreck fascinating. Get down there and opt for the snuba option if you want to go further!
Dinner at Papiamento Restaurant
Out of all the places I ate at in Aruba, Papiamento Restaurant is the creme de la creme of restaurants in Aruba. The food is original, divine, fresh and taste-tingling excellent. You’re also dining outside in a garden around a beautiful swimming pool. Treat yourself!
Kayak in Aruba along Mangel Halto
Mysterious hidden caves and lush mangrove forests await you on this kayaking adventure! This particular Aruba Kayak Adventure was a challenging one as the waves were so rough the day I went! It added to the thrill for me and I really did have to row.
Dinner at Barefoot Restaurant
To top your trip off, how about taking your shoes off, sinking them into the sand and going for a delicious sunset dinner at Barefoot Restaurant. The views are glorious and the food scrummy!
Other Excursions in Aruba
There are so many other Aruba excursions that I would have loved to have tried. Interested in horseriding, a seabob tour, diving, getting in a submarine or extreme mountain biking? Go check out the other things to do in Aruba!
Essential Aruba Travel Information
Make sure to check out these 50 facts about Aruba. Aruba is bloody hot. Bring sunscreen. The drinking water is safe and tasty! The main languages are Dutch and Papiamento but locals speak English and Spanish too. You can use dollars, there’s ATM’s everywhere and internet access is easy peasy.
Want to know more about visas, flights, etiquette and getting around? Make sure to check out my Aruba Travel Tips (coming soon) and Aruba Packing List.
The best place to stay in Aruba
I’m a solo female traveller. When looking for accommodation, I want to stay in a place which is ideal for one, yet allows me to meet the locals and other guests. I’m always on the look out for somewhere safe, homely, price-friendly and with the option to cook. Aruba Sunset Beach Studios in Noord are a true slice of paradise.
They’re just 100 feet from the beach and they have a lovely little pool and jacuzzi there. Being able to drink my morning coffee in the tropical garden was a total bonus! They’re super nice people too. How can you not follow their house rules?
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This trip was made possible by the Aruba Tourism Authority. My opinions as always are completely honest.
So much to see and do for such a little island, I could have stayed there a LOT longer than a week and still not covered everything. Aruba really is a little adventure paradise!
Agreed! Was really really lovely to spend time with you out there. I think you’d say off-roading was the most exhilarating part ever ever ever? :D
Still yet to visit Aruba. Looks like some fun things to see and do. Thanks for the post, excellent photos and travel inspiration! :)
You’re welcome Robert! There’s a ton of fun things to do here. Highly recommend an adventure holiday out here and glad you’re digging all the info.
All of these activities sound like so much fun! The color of the water is amazing!
xo Michelle
Agreed Michelle! I was so impressed with the colour of Aruba’s waters. I did a ton of snorkelling here and being able to see all of the shipwreck’s so easily is a big bonus too for adventurers <3
I have to say that you looked absolutely gorgeous. And you seem to be having an amazing time. I love the pictures of the waters out there. There is just something so unreal about the color of it. Great post.
Thanks David! The colour of Aruba’s water is unreal! Amazing visibility for underwater sports if that’s your thing :)
Aruba looks fantastic, it is not a place I would of thought to go, but after reading your adventures i’ll add it to the list.
So good to hear Lindsey! I didn’t know much about it myself at first but it really is a great island with so many things to see and do.
Sounds like a really great itinerary – I love the mix of adventure, watersports, culture, nature and food – I haven’t yet visited Arbua but would love to. Bike touring sounds really fun, especially to be able to take in the landscape as it changes from one side of the island to the other. And Aruba Natural Pool Off Road Adventure sounds thrilling :D! Glad you had a fab time!
It’s cool to see how many different things you did compared to my trip – just goes to show how diverse the island is!
i didn’t even know there were that many things to do there – aruba to me has always been like a place for like special holidays an lazy beach days so its good that you can be very active over there – whats the atmosphere like there…busy ..friendly?
Yep. If you want the lazy beach holiday, Aruba is good for that BUT there is a totally different side which I wanted to show. People are really friendly. The island is incredibly safe. May is the hottest month of the year for Aruba but at this time, there are much less people but a good amount of people to have tons of fun and socialise :)
Oh wow that beach looks stunning for starters and that water looks so inviting. I think your brave attempting windsurfing I’d be too scared too.
Ah Melanie please don’t be scared of the windsurfing <3 The guys at Aruba Active Vacations are really good and will help you every step of the way. Aruba is known as one of the best places in the world to learn windsurfing for its calm waters and good winds. Hope you give it a go if you wish :)
This is an awesome list and your pictures are beautiful. I wish I could visit this place someday :)
I really hope you make it there! Glad you like the ideas on what adventure activities you can get up to in Aruba :)
Omg, I love this post. and yes snorkeling! I love the view of the beach and the cave. Looks amazing. Would love to visit sometime.
Snorkelling was soooooo much fun here Claire! And very easy to do. The shipwrecks are shallow and the visibility in the water is very clear.
What an awesome adventure you had! Love how you combined the activities in various ways which make the trip even more exciting. Gorgeous photos!
Thanks Rose! If you’re looking for a real good adventure activity itinerary in Aruba, this might just be it :D
While I’ve never been to Aruba, I sure hope to be able to go one day. If I ever do, I can’t want to do things like bike to the lighthouse and go diving. I’ve always thought it would be fun to explore underwater. (ps: beautiful photos!) x
Aruba is such a gorgeous place to visit. Love your adventures and your pics, too!
Your photos are breathtaking. Every trip I read about makes me want to add to my bucket list. Captivating
That’s so lovely of you to say Liz! Glad you’re feeling pumped up and inspired!
I’ve never been to The Caribbean but it looks beautiful! I’ve heard amazing things about Aruba! I definitely think the underwater exploring would be fun!
Hi Ellie. You’re right! Shipwreck exploring was one of the highlights for sure. The water is clear, warm and super blue! I highly recommend it.
Wow, I have never been to Aruba or really ever seen anything of it, but gosh it is spectacular!!! So many amazing things to see and do, and it all looks amazing. I’m going to have to look into it further!
So happy to hear! I didn’t know much about Aruba before I arrived too but I heard there was a ton to do here on the island and well…there sure is!
OK, this is amazing!!! I wish I could afford to go to Aruba, all the activities sound super fun and most of all taking pictures of the beautiful landscape.
Aruba is admittedly more expensive than the other destinations I usually go to but I think there are definitely ways you can save money. Keep an eye on flights with Skyscanner, choose a local self-catering option and travel outside of peak season to get the best rates.
I was just talking to my workmate who just came from a trip to Aruba. It certainly on my list of places to visit.
Hey Agnes that’s great to hear! What did your friend get up to there? I feel more and more people are starting to hear about Aruba now and I’m really happy about that. It deserves to be recognised :)
One of my dream destinations! I love all the water activities you can do there. I am happy for you. That must have been an awesome experience. Someday, I am going to be there too!
Yay go you! I admire your determination to get there. It truly is one happy island. I’m missing it. Actually dreamt about being on it last night thinking about it lol!
This looks amazing! I had never really thought of visiting aruba before but now I think I might just have to!
Yes! It is an island I had never really heard of before but once I landed I was immediately impressed. They appear to have a lot of peeps enjoying their all-inclusive there but there are so many adventurous activities you can do there too and I wanted to show that :D
The iguana-art looks so cool. I cant believe I missed it. Well at least I didnt miss hiking in Arikok Park.
Oh girl you wouldn’t wanted to have missed the hiking! Glad you made it to Arikok Park :)
Hello! I have just booked plans for Aruba! I’m glad I ran into your blog. Were there many other solo travelers there when you went?
Thanks,
Ivey
Hey Ivey! Yay I’m so excited for you! Yes, don’t you worry, there will be plenty of people to meet :) Getting stuck into the Aruba activities will be a great place to meet people – as well as on the beach and in the different eating places. Come back here and let me know how it went when you return!
I was curious – do you have some of the exact locations of the San Nicolas Art? I know it’s all over but I was specifically looking for the Lionfish Mural and the Iguana.
Hi Amber. You’ll need to get off the main road to find these. It’s been a while since I’ve been in Aruba now, but I remember the Iguana being on the right hand side of the main road if you’re driving from the city towards San Nicholas! You will need to look for it – it is on a wall which does not run parallel to the road :) If you really get stuck, give Aruba tourism a tweet. They are ace and will help you out!
Plan to visit Aruba in September. Trying to decide if should rent a car. Suggestions?
Hey Alexis. I personally think that’s a really good idea. It will save you a lot of time, and it’s an easy enough island to cruise around for sure! Airport Rental Cars are great to compare your options. Have an awesome holiday!