Things to do in Aruba
Aruba's ancient indigenous cultural and colonial heritage has been beautifully captured in many fine museums, from the Indian artefacts at the Archaeological Museum of Aruba to the Dutch-built Fort Zoutman. Discover exotic cacti, aloe plants and rare tropical blooms in the leafy hiking trails at Arikok National Park. Fine sunset views can be enjoyed from the California Lighthouse on the island's Westpunt, or with a climb up to Mount Hooiberg, a conical hill cloaked in magnetic rock.
Archaeological Museum of Aruba
Chronicle of island history
This permanent collection of artefacts from Aruba's Indian history includes
the island's earliest historic era. Items at the Archaeological Museum of
Aruba in Oranjestad include ceramic pots and stone tools from the Sero
Muskita and Arikok tribes, weapons and religious offerings.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Tue-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat & Sun 10am-2pm
Address
42, Schelp Straat, Oranjestad, Aruba
Telephone
+297 582 8979
Transport
Taxi
Aruba Numismatic Museum
Ancient money museum
Established in 1981 by private collector J Mario Odor, Aruba Numismatic
Museum in Oranjestad contains over 40,000 coins and notes from over 400
countries. View ancient finds from the Roman Empire and Chinese Dynasty plus
currency used in Japanese concentration camps.
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Cost
US$5
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 8.30am-12pm & 1pm-4pm
Address
Weststraat Z/N, Oranjestad, Aruba
Telephone
+297 582 8831
Fort Zoutman
Ramparts, cannons and artefacts
The 1796 Fort Zoutman in Oranjestad features the Willem III Tower and Aruba
Museum and is Aruba's oldest example of Dutch architecture, named after a
Dutch Rear Admiral. The Willem III Tower was added in 1868. Colonial era
objects are displayed.
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Cost
US$6
Opening Hours
Daily 8am-6pm
Address
1, Zoutmanstraat, Oranjestad, Aruba
Telephone
+297 582 6099
Transport
Bus to Zoutmanstraat
Mount Hooiberg
Mountain views of Venezuela
Mount Hooiberg, a 168-metre cone-shaped hill clad in magnetic rock between
Oranjestad and Santa Cruz, offers stunning views. Meaning 'Haystack', and
depicted on Aruba's Coat of Arms, glimpse Venezuela in clear weather, a
reward for a 600-step climb.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Road from Oranjestad (Caya G.F. Croes) to Santa Cruz, Aruba
Transport
Taxi
Arikok National Park
Wild untamed countryside park
The 870-acre ecological Arikok National Park in Paradera boasts semi-arid
rocky outcrops and exotic flora and fauna. Follow well-signed leafy paths to
Arawak petroglyphs and ancient ruins and take a tour of Yamanota, Aruba's
highest peak.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
71, San Fuego, Aruba
Telephone
+297 585 1234
Aruba Butterfly Farm
Butterflies up close
Several hundred species of butterfly are housed at Aruba Butterfly Farm near
Oranjestad, set amid colourful blooms and palms. Spend a morning walking
through gardens with accomplished lepidoperists on a tour that covers
biology, conservation and trivia.
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Cost
US$15; 4-16s US$8; under-3s free
Opening Hours
Daily 8.30am-4.30pm
Address
J Irausquin Boulevard Z/N, Oranjestad, Aruba
Telephone
+297 586 3656
Helicopter flights
Bird's eye view
Amazing views of Aruba's scenic coastline and swathes of raw, natural beauty
can be enjoyed on comfortable Robinson 44 Helicopter flights, departing from
Oranjestad. Expert commentary is provided by the Aruba Heli Tours captain
with numerous sky-high photographic opportunities assured.
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Cost
US$85-US$195
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-5pm
Address
LG Smith Boulevard, Aruba
Telephone
+297 731 9999
Atlantis Adventures
Shark's eye coral view
At depths of 46m, Atlantis Adventures' Atlantis VI submarine departs from
Oranjestad and journeys through pastel-coloured coral gardens on the
Barcadera Reef. It passes sunken planes, sponges and multi-coloured tropical
fish on the wreck of a 70-year-old Danish fishing trawler.
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Cost
US$89; 12-16s US$79
Opening Hours
Daily 11am-1.50pm
Address
162, Fatum Building, 2nd Floor, L G Smith Boulevard, Oranjestad, Aruba
Telephone
+297 588 6881/+297 58 37077
California Lighthouse
Glowing lighthouse views
Striking sunset views abound from Aruba's Hudishibana plateau when alabaster
sands take on a heavenly glow. The abandoned California Lighthouse dates
back to 1914 and was named after a ship that failed to respond to the
Titanic's SOS distress signals.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Hudishibana, Northwest Aruba, Aruba
Transport
Taxi
