54 Best Sights in Aruba

Part of the Divi family and accessible by complimentary golf cart shuttle from all of the company's resorts except for Divi Phoenix, this is a lively popular casino with a big selection of modern slots, blackjack, craps, poker, roulette, and more. Be sure to join their Player’s Club—it’s free and offers free slot credits, and you earn points with your card as well. The Cove restaurant serves light meals and drinks; you’ll also receive free drinks on the floor when you’re playing the games. Special theme nights and promotions run all week, and Super Bingo Saturdays are very popular with locals.

Named after Teatro Gloria, Aruba’s very first movie theatre built back in the 1930s, this entertainment complex now offers one of the most modern cinematic experiences in the Caribbean. There are 10 cinemas in all, including IMAX and VIP theaters, and there’s also a children’s bouncy playground, a food court, and stand-alone dining options like P.F. Chang’s, Olive Garden, and Sizzle Lounge. There are also special musical events with live bands and DJs.

The Cove Mall is an entire block of trendy bars and dining spots that allow you to take your taste buds on an international tour. You can choose from an array of comfort foods and drinks from the sidewalk level, or take it up a notch at The Vue, a rooftop bar and supper club. As Palm Beach’s anchor of action, the Cove Mall is an excellent place to begin an electric night on foot before you head on down The Strip.

Favorited by locals, this half-mile stretch of gleaming white sand has much rougher rolling surf than the other popular beaches and some great snorkeling on the ends. It can get busy on weekends, especially on Sunday. Food, drink, free Wi-Fi, and umbrella and lounge rentals are available on-site at the increasingly popular Arashi Beach Shack. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Covering almost 20% of the island's landmass, this protected preserve of arid cacti-studded outback has interesting nature and wildlife if you know where to look. There are close to 30 miles of hiking trails within the park zone, including a trek up Mt. Jamanota, the island’s highest peak. Various trails lead to glorious coastal views, attractions like the caves on the northeastern coast, and to the famous natural pool.

Hiking maps are available at the visitor center, but it’s highly recommended to take a guided tour as the roads can be very rough in some places. (A private hike with the Aruba Conservation Foundation’s Nature Experience Rangers is the best bet.) If you want to explore in your own rental car, keep in mind that a 4X4 vehicle is a must and personally driven ATVs and UTVs are banned. All adult visitors must purchase a Conservation Day-Pass to enter the park, which helps to fund its conservation. (Children under 17 are free.) Purchase your pass at the visitor center at the main entrance or at the kiosk entrance near the San Nicolas Vader Piet wind farm.

Housed in a pretty glassed-in affair right downtown, ArtisA (Art is Aruba) is part art gallery and part of the administrative foundation that is largely responsible for the art and culture revolution in San Nicolas. Rotating exhibits showcase local artists, and visitors can purchase works on-site or from their large online collection. This is also where you can purchase tickets to the guided art walk tours (also available online.) The ethereal space hosts workshops; the foundation has also begun hosting special events like “art-meets-cuisine,” where local chefs offer a dining experience inspired by the local artists, sometimes with local musicians on-site, too.

Take a deep dive into Aruba’s history, culture, and heritage as you walk among the gardens and the interior of this home/museum/gallery. On the personal one-hour guided tour (cash only), get a behind-the-scenes look and hear folk stories about the island’s journey from Amerindian to colonial past, through industrial endeavors all the way up to today’s tourism landscape. This operation also produces \"Island-Insight\" for the English newspaper Aruba Today.

Located just outside of San Nicolas, this semicircular beach borders a placid bay of turquoise water that's about as shallow as a wading pool—perfect for families with little ones. A small coral reef basin at the sea's edge offers superb snorkeling, but do not pass the barrier—the current is extremely strong outside the rocks. JADS Dive Center offers snorkel equipment rentals, and this is a popular place to see and swim with sea turtles, too. Rum Reef on one end is a unique adults-only bar and infinity pool overlooking the beach, and below it is a family-friendly beach and snack bar. Food trucks park nearby regularly. On the other end, you can rent clamshell shade tents and lounges on the beach from Big Mama Grill. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

The creators of award-winning Bodegas Papiamento Rum have set up their artisanal distillery in a beautifully renovated historic building that was once an ice factory, and you can see where the magic happens with a free walkabout. There's also a great bar for handcrafted cocktails, a fun food truck in an open courtyard, and a large cigar room. The gift shop that sells their spirits has a “Chocoglam” outlet that sells quality homemade chocolates. For one of their guided sampling experiences, you must reserve ahead: Choose from different options like express tasting tours, chocolate and rum tours, five-course gastronomic journeys, VIP tastings, or mixology classes. Though the property is secreted off a side street beside the cruise terminal, it’s hard to miss the incredible outdoor mural crafted by local artists if you wander down that way. The \"Free Wi-Fi\" sign outside attracts cruise passengers to venture in as well.

A very \"ritzy\" casino just off the lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba offers many traditional table games like blackjack, craps, roulette, Caribbean stud poker, baccarat, and Texas Hold'em and close to 300 snazzy modern slots: spinning reels, video reels, and video games with jackpots. This 24-hour spot also has two sports-betting kiosks and offers \"luxury\" bingo several times a week. Points accumulated from their VIP casino club card can also be used toward hotel extras like dining, spa treatments, and room nights.

The natural pool, also known as Conchi, meaning “bowl,” was once a very secret spot due to its remote location, but today it’s frequently visited by tour groups. It’s worth the trip though—the scene of wild surf crashing over ancient black volcanic rocks into a placid aqua pool is epic, and the spray of the cold seawater shooting over the top upon you while you swim or snorkel is exhilarating. Bring water shoes with a good grip; the rocks at the entrance to the pool are very slippery. Listen closely to your guide when entering the pool for safety's sake.

This delightful private-island experience encompasses all ages, even toddlers, but it has numerous adult-oriented enclaves with premium seating, beach cabanas, and big luxe cabana rentals with VIP service and private bars. They also have two flocks of flamingos in protected areas, one of which is family-friendly. All-inclusive packages include all food and drink, access to a colorful kids' water park, adult body-drop waterslides, banana boat rides, snorkel equipment, guided snorkel tours, and fun activities like salsa lessons. Additional add-ons include their signature Seatrek experience, an underwater air-helmet walk, as well as SNUBA deep-dive snorkeling, and spa services. The water taxi to the island is free, and hotel pickup and drop-off options are available. The island is completely accessible, including the water taxi, and they offer a complimentary amphibious wheelchair. The reef is home to huge, neon-blue, ever-smiling parrotfish, so bring an underwater camera!

Take a free tour of the island's only donkey sanctuary where volunteers help abandoned and sometimes ill wild animals enjoy a happy forever home. This is a nonprofit organization and can always use help, whether financially or with chores. You can donate there or on their website, and you can even adopt a donkey—your donation goes to its annual feed and care. There is also a great donkey-theme gift shop. It's a great family outing for all ages. Bring apples and carrots if you want to make fast friends with the residents. For any donation, you can have a one-on-one hugging session with a donkey for 30 minutes. It’s a great stress reliever.

The glassblowing company that opened this modern complex creates magnificent works using time-honored skills that trace back to Murano, Italy. Now they educate Arubans and visitors alike by welcoming them into their open-space working factory to watch the masters create. There is also a spacious gallery where works are available for purchase, and a lovely café/bar on-site.

Plaza Turismo, off Surfside Beach, is the anchor of Linear Park which, when completed, will connect both main tourist beaches along the coast by boardwalks and walking paths. The first leg is a smooth paved biking and jogging trail that runs from Downtown Oranjestad along the sea all the way to the airport. There are many cafés, bars, and snack stops along the way, and there are also fitness pit stops with free-to-use public fitness equipment. It's a popular stretch for local fun runs and fitness initiatives. The second leg begins at the Ritz-Carlton Aruba and runs toward the Malmok area all the way to Arashi Beach. Both stretches have become popular treks for electric scooter riders; there are many new app-operated rental spots. When complete, Linear Park will be the longest of its kind in the entire Caribbean.

The old water tower in San Nicolas was beautifully restored into a modern interactive museum chronicling the different types of industries that have fueled the island's economy over the past two centuries. Phosphate, gold, oil, and aloe all played major parts in the island's fortunes until tourism became Aruba's main economic driver. Displays include artifacts and profiles of colorful characters who played big roles in different eras. One of the highlights is the culture wall, a mural consisting of portraits of locals through the ages, all leading up the glassed-in walls of the old tower staircase.

Walking around Downtown Oranjestad, look for a blue ceramic horse and an ancient canoe out front of a massive mustard-yellow and olive-green complex. This beautifully restored heritage home was once owned by the Ecury family and it's since been transformed into an ultra-modern, air-conditioned museum with interactive exhibits showcasing over 5,000 years of Amerindian culture. More than 10,000 artifacts are on display, and special exhibits by local artists are hosted on a regular basis. For cruise visitors, it's a short walk behind the Royal Plaza Mall if you get off at that trolley stop. It's also a stop on Aruba Walking Tours.

This nonprofit exotic animal rescue and rehabilitation foundation is a wonderful child-friendly attraction you'll find just off the beaten track up in Noord. Each guest is given a bag of treats for the animal residents, which include monkeys, peacocks, an emu, an ocelot, an alpaca, and many other types of creatures you're not likely to see elsewhere on Aruba. There's a large playground and ranch so little ones can run freely; the grounds are wheelchair accessible, too.

Arikok National Park has three ancient caves under its protection: Huliba (aka Tunnel of Love) is no longer open to the public for environmental reasons, but Fontein and Quadirikiri are. Quadiriki is the best bet if you only have time to visit one as it has natural skylights within which are ethereal and enchanting and make for excellent photographs. Be forewarned that flash photography is not permitted as it disturbs the hundreds of resident bats that make this cave their home, but don't worry, they are harmless and sleep all day. Park rangers at the entrance will take you on a free and informative guided tour. Wear closed-toe shoes; the interior is rocky and ground bugs live there, too.

A two-minute drive away from Baby Beach, you’ll find a gorgeous mosaic staircase leading down to a brilliant white crescent of sand cresting surreal aqua waters. Though there is very little shade and no facilities, swimming conditions are heavenly here. At the time of this writing, new construction of condo complexes are slated to be completed in 2026, which will forever change the landscape. It's a long stretch of sand though, so you’ll probably be able to find some private corners to enjoy it even after the developments are complete. Amenities: parking (free). Best for: swimming.

Opened in 2025 by Tito Bolivar, founder of the Aruba Art Fair and Artista gallery, SPACE21.art gives local artists and craftspeople a vibrant modern space to showcase their wares. In a sleek, whitewashed space, you’ll find a revolving choice of unique handcrafted jewelry and colorful bags, hand-painted fashions, modern art pieces, classic oil paintings, driftwood art, and more, all created by a collective of over 50 artists and managed by notable driftwood artist Alejandra Vallejo, Bolivar’s talented wife. It also has a cool little lounge for elegant sips, snacks, and socializing.

The island's largest casino is open 24 hours a day and offers 400 modern interactive slots, including the Vegas-favorite Jackpot Carnival. The 17 gaming tables offer craps, roulette, poker, blackjack, and more. There's also a state-of-the-art sports betting operation. Don't forget to join the VIP Club program to earn points, comps, and prizes. Entertainment in Lounge 101 on-site includes DJs and live bands.

This large, beautifully restored cunucu house offers daily glassblowing exhibitions by a master artisan from the island of Murano, Italy, famous for its glass art. Also on the property is a large bar--restaurant with a very interesting and eclectic choice of international fare. It’s an odd combination but it really works, and it’s become a popular stop for groups doing island tours. Watch free daily glassblowing presentations between 10 am and 1 pm, and shop for original souvenirs on-site; you can also book a workshop to make your own glass art souvenir.

This super-lively casino right on the waterfront, across the street from the Renaissance Marketplace, is open until 4 am. With more than 300 modern slots, four blackjack tables, Caribbean stud, roulette, and regular poker, there are also state-of-the-art race and sports book operations. The casino is behind the giant flamingo statues.

Aruba’s first estate winery opened in 2023 and proved the impossible on such an arid desert island. Guests can tour the vineyard, the distillery, and the winery; do a wine or rum tasting; have some snacks; and hear the whole intriguing story. Tours, which last about 1½ to 2 hours, happen daily except Sunday. Comfortable shoes are encouraged. On-site deck patio for stand-alone wine sampling is open until 9 pm.

At the park's main entrance, Arikok Visitor Center houses offices, restrooms, and food facilities. All visitors must stop here upon entering so that officials can manage the traffic flow and hand out information on park rules. This is the meeting place to begin a guided hike with Aruba Conservation Foundation's Experience Rangers.

Aruba has the ideal conditions to grow the aloe vera plant. It's an important export, and there are aloe stores all over the island. The museum and factory tour reveal the process of extracting the serum to make many products used for beauty, health, and healing. Free guided tours are available in English, Dutch, Spanish, and Papiamento every 15 minutes, or you can do a self-guided walking tour after their audiovisual presentation. There's a store to purchase their products on-site, but they are also available online. Look for their reef-safe sunscreen; it's available island-wide.

The red anchor logo of this locally owned craft distiller comes from the sculpture in San Nicolas dedicated to fishermen who perished at sea. It produces premium vodka, rum, gin, and whisky, which are available in many bars across Aruba. You can watch how the magic happens and sample their wares at their small outlet in the Metro Mall, where they do all the fermentation, distillation, filtration, flavoring, aging, and bottling. The owners have also opened their own little bar called the Boutique Speakeasy in the Palm Beach area to experiment with craft cocktails made from their products.

This small eastside beach is known for its crescent of white-powder sand. Snorkeling and diving can be good there, but bring a guide. The currents can be very strong and the winds unpredictable. Only very experienced windsurfers or kiteboarders should be on the waves here. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; windsurfing.

A fairly isolated strip off a residential area, this tiny white-sand cove attracts snorkelers with its shallow water filled with fish and cool little caves. Swimmers will also appreciate the calm conditions. There aren't any facilities nearby, just a few public shade palapas but no chairs, so pack provisions and your own snorkel gear. It's popular with locals on weekends and is a regular stop for the day-sail snorkel ships that often anchor just offshore.  Tres Trapi, a tiny cove tucked between Boca Catalina and Malmok Beach, is a popular site for snorkeling and spotting sea turtles. It is facing conservation challenges from increased boat traffic and human interaction and may be closed to the public. If it isn't closed, and you choose to go, please read the important conservation signs on-site. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.