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.
Museums and Galleries
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1. Archaeological Museum of Aruba - Museums and Galleries
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Tue-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat & Sun 10am-2pm
Address
42, Schelp Straat, Oranjestad, Aruba
Telephone
+297 582 8979
Transport
Taxi
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2. Fort Zoutman - Museums and Galleries
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
US$6
Opening hours
Daily 8am-6pm
Address
1, Zoutmanstraat, Oranjestad, Aruba
Telephone
+297 582 6099
Transport
Bus to Zoutmanstraat
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3. Museo di Deporte - Museums & Galleries
Show moreScrapbooks, photos, trophies and plenty more of Aruba's sporting elite are displayed at the Museo di Deporte. The museum is dedicated to the achievements of Aruban and international athletes and covers over 29 different sports with a wealth of memorabilla.
Show this on mapE-mail this itemOpening hours
Mon- Sat 9am-12pm & 5pm-7pm; Sun 9am-12.30pm
Address
67 Alto Vista, , Aruba
Transport
Taxi
Attractions
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4. Mount Hooiberg - Attractions
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Daily all day
Address
Road from Oranjestad (Caya G.F. Croes) to Santa Cruz, Aruba
Transport
Taxi
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5. Arikok National Park - Attractions
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Daily all day
Address
71, San Fuego, Aruba
Telephone
+297 585 1234
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6. Aruba Butterfly Farm - Attractions
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
Special things to do
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7. California Lighthouse - Special things to do
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening hours
Daily all day
Address
Hudishibana, Northwest Aruba, Aruba
Transport
Taxi
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8. Kini Kini ATV Tours - Special Things to Do
Show moreKnown as the "Shake and Bake", the guided Kini Kini ATV tour is an adventurous journey around Aruba's rugged north coast in an All Terrain Vehicle. Enjoy numerous attractions along the four-hour journey including the Bushiribana Ruins.
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US$80 + Tax (Single Rider); US$100 + Tax (Double Rider)
Opening hours
9am-1pm & 2pm-6pm
Address
33 Flacciusstraat, Oranjestad, Aruba
Telephone
+297 588 3333
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9. Atlantis Adventures - Special things to do
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
