The Final 5-Day Aruba Itinerary 2024
As I wrap up my second go to to Aruba I can’t assist however really feel amazed by how adventurous this island could be and by how a lot selection there may be for such a small place. I acquired to see every kind of panorama, have each day experiences that have been all completely totally different, and get a tan within the course of!
Many who go to Aruba are pleased to lounge on a seaside chair all day and don’t want a lot journey to get pleasure from their vacay. Whereas there’s completely nothing fallacious with that, I simply can’t do it for lengthy and have to be both strolling on the seaside, swimming, or doing one thing energetic.
In the event you’re like me, the next itinerary will get you out and exploring the adventurous and outdoorsy facet of Aruba, with some seaside time included, after all!
Day One: Go for a Swim, Test out the Lighthouse for Sundown
Aruba has tons of seashores – both lengthy stretches of sand or hidden behind rocky coves and inlets. I stumbled upon them continuously throughout my exploration, although some are a lot friendlier for swimmers than others. The next are the perfect ones for snorkeling, swimming, and normal chilling:
Palm Seaside
Palm Seaside is essentially the most touristy seaside with high-rise accommodations and many eating places and water actions. While you see the white sand and the clear child blue water, it’s clear why. You possibly can standup paddleboard, parasail, and naturally swim. You’ll discover folks all alongside the sand providing actions, and most accommodations additionally supply a free masks and snorkel.
Chances are high you’ll be staying on both this seaside or the following one, so test it out, particularly at sundown.
Child Seaside
Child Seaside on the southern tip of the island is understood for having nice snorkeling and white sand. It additionally has fewer vacationers than the seashores up north. I used to be a giant fan of this one!
Eagle Seaside
Eagle Seaside is barely much less crowded than Palm Seaside and is legendary for its good white sand and child blue water. It’s west dealing with and subsequently good for sundown.
Tres Trapi
North of Palm Seaside, you’ll discover Malmok Seaside and some different nice swimming and snorkeling spots. The image above is at Tres Trapi, that are three stairs carved into the volcanic rock that result in this beautiful blue water. Lots of the snorkeling excursions cease right here, so you’ll be able to plan on seeing sea birds throughout and fish beneath the water when you carry your masks and snorkel.
California Lighthouse
Within the afternoon, I like to recommend heading to the California Lighthouse on the northern tip of the island for sundown. You get a implausible view, and the lighthouse is a superb picture spot as effectively.
I additionally loved driving across the coastal roads close by the place you’ll find sand dunes, stunning rocky outcroppings, and a extra rugged Aruba expertise. In the event you follow the path that borders the water, a standard automobile might be OK because the street is usually filth with just a few rocks and potholes, however a 4×4 will provide you with final flexibility.
You probably have a 4×4 and really feel like persevering with onwards, I had a whole lot of enjoyable on the rocky street from the lighthouse to the Wariruri rock bridge. Following the collapse of the Pure Bridge in 2005, that is now the most important pure bridge in Aruba. The street is tough, however to me that’s a whole lot of enjoyable, and you’ll plan on having it virtually all to your self. I made loads of stops along the way in which and really loved this solo journey.
Day Two: Arikok Nationwide Park – Caves and the Pure Pool
You possibly can’t go to Aruba with out visiting the Arikok Nationwide Park! That is the place you’ll find the well-known caves, the pure pool, and a way more rugged stretch of coast.
You completely do want a 4×4 for this journey, which you’ll be able to self drive, though most individuals be part of both a Jeep tour or an ATV tour that takes you to the next spots:
Guadirikiri Caves
The caves and the stairway exterior of them have been my first introduction to the rugged facet of Aruba after I visited a 12 months and a half in the past and I used to be completely delighted! The experience there may be an journey in itself, alongside bumpy terrain and thru cacti forests. I had a lot enjoyable getting there that the cave was the cherry on prime.
Relying on time of day, you may get some beautiful mild beams coming via the opening within the cave’s ceiling.
The Pure Pool
The spotlight to Arikok Nationwide Park is undoubtedly this stunning rocky pool that types an virtually good circle. The waves crash over the perimeters and there’s even a ‘pure jacuzzi’ barely above, which you’ll be able to see to my proper on this picture.
This was my favourite factor in Aruba – it was so magical it didn’t appear actual.
Dos Playa
Dos Playa is a uncommon seaside on the east coast that may be tame sufficient to swim in. It’s one of many bigger ones within the space and is common for sundown horseback rides, too.
I went with ABC excursions to e book this journey. They’ve each large truck and ATV choices. Some are full-day and a few simply take you to the pure pool. Select your individual journey right here.
Day Three: Flamingo Island
After just a few days exploring Aruba’s extra rugged and pure facet, I really feel we have now to speak about Renaissance Island. This man-made flamingo island is undoubtedly stunning. It’s additionally the place you’ll be able to take footage with the well-known flamingos on the seaside and lounge in hammocks within the solar.
There are a number of seaside huts you can lease to hang around in for the day, and you’ll eat and drink on the island as effectively.
There are some things to know in regards to the island, reminiscent of the doorway charge, the easiest way to get in, and determining easy methods to get shade when you’re there. I’ve a whole publish devoted to Flamingo Island with the entire data right here.
Day 4: Choose an Aquatic Exercise, Sundown Cruise
On day 4 I like to recommend selecting one or two of the adventurous actions obtainable on the island after which a pleasant enjoyable sundown on the water or on a seaside close by.
The next are some nice choices:
Scuba dive
The water is obvious and there are many fish in Aruba. There may be additionally a shallow wreck, which is a uncommon discover within the diving world. All of those are nice causes to leap in and see what’s up unda da sea.
I did a morning dive final time I used to be on Aruba and was impressed by the corals and fish. In case you are used to Southeast Asia, don’t count on the identical that you’d discover in Sipadan or Raja Ampat, however nonetheless, for individuals who love diving this can be a good spot to get beneath the water.
SUP
You possibly can lease arise paddle boards all alongside Palm Seaside the place the water is calm sufficient to go out for an hour or two of exercise. The great factor about Aruba is it’s virtually at all times breezy so standup paddleboarding is sort of nice in Aruba. Make sure to take a look at the partially submerged wreck round Malmok Seaside for a singular expertise!
Snorkel a Wreck
In the event you’re not into diving, you’ll be able to nonetheless snorkel round a wreck close to the California Lighthouse. A number of boat journeys depart at totally different occasions per day to take you on the market. I did a cruise within the morning and a night sundown cruise final time I used to be right here, each of which went to the wreck. I might give the sting to the sundown cruise as there have been fewer folks within the water then, however with the ability to get on a ship and get out on the water is a should it doesn’t matter what time you select to do it in Aruba. You possibly can e book it right here.
Day 5: Dawn at Trinity Bridge, Sundown at Mangel Halto
Let me simply begin by saying I’m undecided what the right title of this place is – I’ve heard ‘tripod bridge’ and I see it because the ‘trinity bridge’ on maps.me, however both manner this bridge is neato. It’s a set of three sea bridges that look beautiful within the early morning hours when the solar comes up and illuminates the rocks. You’ll want a 4×4 to get right here however you probably have one helpful from the opposite actions, remember to get there within the early morning, earlier than the tour teams arrive.
You possibly can discover the cacti, Ayo Rock Formation, and rugged shoreline alongside this a part of the island within the AM, or simply sit back – I do know this has been a reasonably packed itinerary.
For the afternoon/night, I extremely suggest heading to Mangel Halto for a secluded seaside, beautiful mangroves, and ideal positioning for the sundown. From there you’re near Zeerover, a well-known seafood restaurant.
Keep
Aruba has many high-rise accommodations and all inclusive resorts, but in addition many smaller boutique accommodations that may be a way more peaceable expertise.
I stayed within the Boardwalk Small Lodge and cherished the intimate really feel of it. It’s situated simply behind the Ritz Carlton on Palm Seaside and has an space on the sand to sit back on and a beautiful pool, however with out the massive and impersonal really feel of an enormous resort. I had an enormous room too, with a separate residing space, full kitchen, and an enormous closet. I may simply have simply moved proper in!
I additionally love that it’s owned by two sisters. Woman energy! You possibly can see casita choices and e book right here.
Getting Round
Though lots of the choices I discussed above are made simpler or are solely attainable with a 4×4 rental (all the key automobile rental corporations can be found on the airport – however do e book forward of time), you can even be part of a tour to see virtually every thing listed above. You probably have particular issues from this itinerary you wish to see, ask the blokes at ABC which tour can be the perfect one.
I discovered driving in Aruba to be fairly simple and easy. There are many roundabouts, and typically folks will end up of roads proper in entrance of you, so simply drive defensively and don’t go too quick. General it was tremendous and pretty stress-free. I additionally extremely suggest downloading the Aruba map on maps.me offline maps. It’s free, it labored nice, and I by no means acquired misplaced with it.
Different Issues To Do in Aruba
You probably have extra time in Aruba and wish to add on to the 5-day itinerary, then I extremely suggest testing extra of Santa Cruz or visiting Noord within the northeast a part of the island. The Aruba Donkey Sanctuary, situated in Santa Cruz, is a non-profit group devoted to the welfare of the island’s donkey inhabitants, and an awesome place to hug a donkey.
In the event you determine to go to Noord, I like to recommend testing the Gold Smelter Ruins, the remnants of a gold mine. Only a quick stroll to the east, you’ll discover a picket signal and the highest of a steep stepladder. This can lead you down towards a plateau of volcanic rock and to the Aruba Pure Cave Pool. Be warned, although! This native spot is greatest for adventurers. You’ll want to leap about fifteen toes to get into the pool after which climb up slimy rocks (and keep away from the crabs!) to get out.
If you wish to study one thing new, I additionally suggest testing Hadicurari seaside the place Vela gives windsurfing and kitesurfing classes. The wind and waves are calmer right here making this an excellent spot for newbies to study.
Joyful travels in Aruba! I hope this itinerary lets you see a extra adventurous facet of the island and to fall in love with it as a lot as I did. It’s the right place to unwind – simply sufficiently small to see a ton of it in just some days, however simply large enough to maintain you wanting to come back again to see extra.
*This publish was delivered to you in collaboration with Aruba Tourism Authority, nevertheless this itinerary was completely crafted and created by yours really.
