Aruba. It’s one of the first exotic locations I remember hearing about as a child. I finally got to explore its richness earlier this year on one of the best vacations I’ve ever had. There’s certainly no shortage of things to keep you busy in Aruba … from lying on the beach listening to the breaking waves to barreling through the Caribbean on an underwater scooter. Here are my eight favorite things to do in Aruba.
#8 on My Things to Do in Aruba List – Beaching It
I’m not a huge beach fan, so that’s why this activity only scored #8 on my list. But don’t get me wrong – it was still buckets of fun (buckets of beer, specifically). We hung out at Arashi Beach where there was a great snack bar serving really good food and cold drinks. If you arrive early enough, you can grab one of the palapas free of charge. They provide plenty of shade as you while away the hours drinking beer and listening to the surf.
Even though I’m not one to bake on a beach, I have to admit that Arashi Beach is beautiful. And being able to sit under a palapa in the shade and hangout drinking beer puts it in my top eight things to do in Aruba. Image credit: Cindy Kalwei
#7 on My Things to Do in Aruba List – California Lighthouse & Faro Blanco Restaurant
Located near the northwestern tip of the island, the California Lighthouse is one of Aruba’s most historic landmarks. The view from the point is extraordinary and a great place to get some awesome panoramic photos of the island. When you’re finished taking pictures, head on over to Faro Blanco Restaurant for some fine Italian cuisine.
The California Lighthouse is one of Aruba’s most well known landmarks. It’s location at the northwestern tip of the island provides outstanding panoramic views. Image credit: Val Love
#6 on My Things to Do in Aruba List – Wildlife Spotting
I realize that lizards and birds probably wouldn’t make most visitors’ top eight list, but I’m a little odd. I look for wildlife everywhere I go and Aruba did not disappoint. From the friendly Troupial that frequented our patio to the gorgeous Aruban Whiptail lizards that scurried through the bushes, Aruba wildlife added a peaceful calm of nature to my stay.
Isn’t he beautiful? I’ve seen a lot of lizards in my life, but none as pretty as this Aruban Whiptail. Image credit: Val Love
#5 on My Things to Do in Aruba List – Gaming
I love going to casinos, especially when it’s one I haven’t been to before. Aruba boasts several gaming opportunities, but we visited Stellaris Casino, Aruba’s largest, located in the Aruba Marriott Resort.
#4 on My Things to Do in Aruba List – Sunset Cruise
I’m not sure, but it may be sacrilege to visit an island paradise like Aruba without taking some sort of sunset cruise. We went on Viator’s Aruba Sunset Catamaran Cruise. The open bar and music made for a fun and memorable evening. (But please leave your kids with sitters – it’s really not an environment conducive to small children.)
Is there anything more beautiful than a sunset over the Caribbean? I think not. Image credit: Val Love
#3 on My Things to Do in Aruba List – Scuba Diving
I’m not a certified diver, but two of the gals in our group were. They hadn’t dived in a while, so we all three took the Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) course through Dive Aruba and they were fantastic. If you’re not already certified, I highly recommend it. The instruction was excellent and the dive was superb.
#2 on My Things to Do in Aruba List – Underwater Scooters
The second I spotted this activity on the internet I knew I had to do it. Wearing your mask and snorkel, you hold onto a fat torpedo-shaped machine and it propels you through the water. It was awesome! You have to try it. And when you do, make sure you do it with Aruba Bob. They have the best scooters and an outstanding staff. (You should be confident in your swimming skills and experienced at deeper water snorkeling.)
Here I am … cruising through the Caribbean without a care in the world thanks to Aruba Bob. Image credit: Aruba Bob
#1 on My Things to Do in Aruba List – Snorkeling
What can I say? I love snorkeling. Aruba was the ninth country I’ve snorkeled in and I enjoyed every second of it. We were lucky enough to rent a house directly across from Catalina Cove so all we had to do was walk across the street to snorkel. If you’d like to know more about the snorkeling there, check out Snorkeling Catalina Cove Aruba.
Have you ever been to Aruba? What was your favorite activity there?
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