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.

Choosing Attractions on Aruba Aruba’s paid attractions are modest in size, which makes them easy to fit around beach time. Below is what each one costs, where it is and how to book. All prices are US dollars. Opening hours change, so phone or check the website the day before. Atlantis Submarine, Oranjestad You board at the Atlantis store in Renaissance Marina, and you walk to the pier yourself, as transfers are not offered.

Short Answer: Stay Put Aruba is a small island, about 32 km long and 10 km wide, and driving its full length takes under an hour. Trips that need an overnight stay in a different place do not exist here. You will not find an overland circuit with nightly stops, and you cannot sleep inside Arikok National Park, where camping is not permitted. Neighbouring Curacao and Bonaire are reachable by plane only, because no passenger ferries link the three islands.

Seeing Aruba’s Landmarks The island’s best-known sights are scattered across a small area, so one rental car or a few taxi rides cover most of them. Entry fees are in US dollars. Because there is little shade, schedule the open-air stops for early morning or late afternoon. California Lighthouse (Noord) Built in 1914 to 1916 at Hudishibana and named after the S.S. California, the lighthouse can be climbed for $5. It is open every day from 9:00 to 19:00, and tickets are bought at the door with no booking.

Family Days on Aruba Parents like Aruba for its short distances, warm shallow water on the sheltered coasts and a handful of attractions built for children. This page gives ages, heights and prices so you can plan around nap times. Prices are in US dollars. Baby Beach: A Calm Lagoon With One Catch Seroe Colorado, at the southeast tip, holds Baby Beach. Its crescent lagoon is shallow and protected, so toddlers can paddle there.

Aruba at a Glance Think of Aruba as a long, narrow strip of desert scrub with two very different coastlines. On the sheltered south and west side you get calm, clear water and soft white sand. The exposed north and east side takes the full force of the Atlantic, with jagged rock, strong surf and currents. The island is roughly 32 km by 10 km, and the highest point, Mount Jamanota, reaches 188 m.

Where to Walk on Aruba Aruba has no long hiking trails, but it has several rewarding short walks: a heritage stroll in Oranjestad, a mural trail in San Nicolas, a stair climb up Hooiberg and ranger-led hikes in Arikok. Heat is the main limit, so walk at dawn or late in the day, wear a hat and carry water. Prices are in US dollars. Oranjestad on Foot The harbor town’s heritage cluster is compact.