Aruba Day Trips: De Palm, Renaissance, Arikok

October 30, 2026

What a Day Trip Means on Aruba

Because the whole island is only about 32 km long, day trips here are themed days, not long transfers. There are no ferries to Curacao or Bonaire, since flights are the only link. Instead, choose between an offshore island day, a day in the national park or a drive through the south. All costs are in US dollars.

Option 1: De Palm Island

The island is reached by ferry from Port De Palm in Balashi. The base ticket, from $129, includes food and drinks, the water park, a snorkel tour, a banana boat ride and time with the flamingos. Add-ons include Sea Trek or SNUBA from $55 (age 8 and over), private cabanas from $299 and beach cabanas from $449. With hotel transport, packages begin around $183. Water park rides require a height of at least 112 cm. Ask the island or your tour seller for ferry times and closing time before you commit.

Option 2: Renaissance Island

A resort guest island that sells a small number of day passes online, and only when the resort has room. Expect to pay roughly $125 to $150 for adults. Passes appear on the resort’s booking page and go quickly, so you cannot buy one on arrival. Flamingo Beach is for adults, and Iguana Beach is the family-friendly side.

Option 3: Arikok National Park

Spend the morning here. Entry is $22 for adults with under-17s free, and the gates are open from 8:00 to 16:00. Reach the Natural Pool by 4x4, a guided Jeep, horseback or a 7.7 km round-trip walk from the visitor center, and note that rangers can close it for swimming in rough seas. Motorized quads and bikes are not permitted in the park. Rangers also lead set hikes for $25 each, with up to 10 per group.

Option 4: The South Coast Loop

Head to San Nicolas for the street murals, then stop at Charlie’s Bar, open since 1941. Carry on to Seroe Colorado and Baby Beach. The lagoon there is shallow and calm, but the channel at its mouth has a strong current, so keep swimmers inside the sheltered basin. Baby Beach lies outside Arikok. Mangel Halto, at Pos Chiquito, is a shore snorkeling beach.

Planning Notes

Buses cost $2.60 per ride or $15 for a day, and taxis start at $10 with no meter. Hire a car for the south loop, and a 4x4 only if you plan to leave the paved roads in the park. Bring water, sun cover and a refillable bottle.

Safety and Season

Do not leave bags in parked cars. Hurricane season is June through November.

Find guided versions of these days on Viator . Official detail for the park is on the conservation foundation page , and De Palm Island lists its packages at depalmisland.com .