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Palm Beach is a few miles North of Oranjestad and it where most of the tourist action is with one hotel after another. No one owns the beach but they do own the chairs set out on 'their' portion of the beach.You can get there inexpensively by public bus from Oranjestad. The small bus station is almost directly across from the cruise ship dock and runs every 20-30 minutes up and down the road to the beach.
Hooiberg is the second tallest mountain in Aruba. There are stairs on one side....it's about 500 steps up.....many locals go up and down them for cardio...i on the other hand couldn't make it up without a couple breaks. The views are incredible....try to make it up for sunset.
Because we had the freedom to go anywhere by renting a car...we followed random signs that seemed interesting. there was a sign for lourdes grotto, and we followed it. It looked really beautiful...it is a Roman Catholic shrine built into the rocks in 1958....Every year, on February 11th (feast of Lady of Lourdes) a procession leaves from the St. Theresita church in San Nicolas to the grotto, where a mass is performed.
Baby beach is on the southern point. It is popular for families with small children since the water is very shallow and calm. Kids love it becaus ethey can see fish! it is one of the best beaches for snorkeling. there are no palapas but you can rent chairs and a 'tent'....it is $9 for 1 chair, ir 12$ for two...and 30$ for the tent and 2 chairs. there are trees/shrubs whre people go for cover as well. there are bathrooms and a small snack bar....the snack bar has ice cream, chips, beverages, and burgers.. also, they sell these chicken pockets for 1$..tehy were actaully very good.the only unpleasant sight here are the oil stacks :( but it didn't take away from our experience at all.
We found a great area away from hotel complexes....we would arrive around 10am and still found free palapas. People from other hotels often came to get away from the busy scene of hotels. It felt we had the whole beach...as you can see in the pictures, there were no other people around....even in high season. The water here is very clean. There were some days the waves got very bif..but we jumped in and had a blast...the water was refreshing.
This is Aruba's famous landmark. It is at the very tip af Aruba, and offers one of the best views of the island. You will likely get to see some moutain goats here too. There is a restauant, La Trattoria, where you can grab a drink and look at the sunset.
This was our favorite part of the trip! it took us a couple tries to find it but after our 3rd try, we followed the natural bridge sign and found some smaller natural pool signs. We saw a safari jeep tour and figured if we follwed them, they would lead us to it, which they did. After driving up a steep hill, you will come to unpaved territory...and a little house on the right where they offer you a ride to the natural pool.. It is absolutley impossible to go without a 4x4...even with a 4x4, it is a scary ride and i highly recommend you getting ride for 15$....they take you up in a 55 year old army truck....it was a very bumpy road, better than any rollercoaster lol. They said that people walk there and it takes an hour, but this is for the extremely fit adventure seekers. Once the scary ride is over, you have to go down some rough looking steps, and finally over the rocks into the pool.....
They pick u up at ur resort and take u to the main office. One person drives a roadrunner around the whole island. The beach is always on the left side. You get to see soo many things. There is a rock farm, an old trading post, the natural pool (which u get to swim in), the natural bridge (shopping area there too), an ostrich farm (i got to feed them), etc... It was a great experience. It was quite a long day but so interesting. You do stop for lunch in an area where there is caves. Wear sneakers because the natural pool is rocky and a bit slippery. Definately a must if u like to experience the island.
The California Lighthouse is situated at the North of the island and is said to be called after a ship that went down! What an unusual way to name a lighthouse.I visited it twice - once from the road and the second time from the sea when I saw it from a different perspective. The second visit answered my question as to whether or not it still functions. It doesn't - or at least, if it does, it's not gainfully employed as a lighthouse:-)The view from the lighthouse grounds is incredible, taking in much of the island.There's a restaurant beside it where it's magical to watch the sunset. I didn't eat there, but apparently it's a pretty good Italian eatery.
In my opinion, the prettiest sight of all on Aruba is the Chapel of Our Lady of Alto Vista, sited as it is on a hill overlooking the whole island and right out to sea.It was built in the 1600's and has been renovated in recent times. Inside it's as pretty as outside and will seat perhaps 20 people. There's a lot more seating outside and I am told that regular services of worship are held here, and indeed many weddings.I cannot imagine a prettier place in the world to be married:-)
Bucuti Beach resort Oranjestad Oranjestad
1225 Opinions
Bucuti Beach Resort Aruba
2 Reviews and 1225 Opinions We were greeted with not just one but two glasses of champagne while we checked in, which we thought...
Caribbean Palm Village Resort Noord
158 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Aruba attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Aruba sightseeing.
Q: i need some help to choose a hotel in aruba.it should be a romantic place ,close to the sea. thanks M
A: Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is the only Aruba hotel with honeymoon suites, I would say thats romantic. Other places would be: Bucuti Beach Resort - for...
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