Things to do in Aruba: Arikok, the Natural Pool and the beaches
Beyond the beaches, Aruba is desert, caves and a wild windward coast. How to plan the days and where to start.
Aruba is better known for its beaches than its interior, but the island has another side: dry, cactus-strewn desert and a rugged windward coast that feels a world away from the resort strip. The trick is to do both.
What to do
Arikok National Park covers nearly a fifth of the island, a landscape of limestone cliffs, caves and cactus crossed by rough tracks. Tucked into its wild north coast is the Natural Pool, or Conchi, a sheltered saltwater pool ringed by volcanic rock, reached only by four-wheel-drive, on foot or on horseback. At the northern tip, the California Lighthouse looks out over the dunes, and back in town, Oranjestad brings Dutch colour and street art. The famous beaches, Eagle and Palm, are for the ends of the day.
Where to start
Museum of Industry
164 Bernhardstraat
Community Museum
Van Slobbestraat, Savaneta
National Archeological Museum Aruba
42 Schelpstraat, Oranjestad
The Butterfly Farm
J.E. Irausquin Boulevard, Noord
Plaza Bolivar
Oranjestad
Before you go
The Natural Pool and the windward coast need a four-wheel-drive or a guided tour, so do not try them in a hire car. The number on each page is the operator’s own.