Aruba is the sort of destination that positively sings to those lucky enough to find their way to its shores. This is a small but perfectly formed Caribbean island that serves up one delight after another delight, from its 19 miles of white-sand beaches to the unbeatable relaxation of its spas and the gorgeous food of its restaurants. In between all of that serenity is no shortage of adventure, and the tightrope between the two is also traversed in the form of SUP (stand-up paddling).
The slogan “One Happy Island” is very accurate, as Aruba is an island that beams with cheer. Why wouldn’t it? If flamingos prancing around on white sand backed by glistening blue water isn’t heaven, what is? These are the best things to do in Aruba, the happiest island in the Caribbean.
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What is it: A tour above and below the sea’s surface on underwater electric scooters.
Why go: Seabobs are no bigger than a backpack, easy-to-use, self-controlled, and able to both skim above the surface of the water and dive 130 feet below it. Reserve a Seabob tour with Seabob Aruba, and they’ll pick you up and drop you off at your hotel, give you a wetsuit and a tutorial, and show you a whole new world under the Caribbean Sea.
What is it: A private island with friendly, free-roaming flamingos.
Why go: It’s an Instagrammer’s dream. Part of the Renaissance Hotel, this private island has hammocks over the water, private huts, separate adults-only and family areas, a bar a restaurant, and of course, the flamingos. It’s hard to access if you’re not a hotel guest (only 30 $99 passes are available each day for purchase), but get one and you might find your new Instagram co-star—these flamingos love the spotlight.
What is it: A daily two-hour catamaran sail with open bar, appetizers and good music.
Why go: You can’t ignore the sunset in Aruba. (If you forget to look, trust us: someone will remind you.) This sail is the most fun way to see it, and it’s hosted by young tour guides that double as comedians. The boat leaves five nights a week from Hyatt pier, so if you’re staying on Palm Beach, it’s easy to find; just walk there.
What is it: The place for beach tennis—like beach volleyball or badminton, but played with a fat paddle and a deflated tennis ball.
Why go: Beach tennis originated in Aruba! Plus, there’s a court at one of Palm Beach’s most popular bars, MooMba Beach Bar, and it’s just $5 per person to play. The rules are simple: Hit the ball over the net, and if your opponent misses it, you get a point.
What is it: It’s the jeep tour you won’t expect.
Why go: Strap into the bed of a caravan while a driver from ABC Aruba Tours whips you past The Natural Bridge, Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, Arikok National Park and the Natural Pool at 'Conchi’ at high speeds. We don’t want to spoil the surprise, but we’ll give you two tips: don’t eat a big meal before you go and definitely hold on tight.
What is it: A private island with water sports, buffets and an open bar.
Why go: De Palm Tours is Aruba’s most popular tour company, and this 9am-5pm boat excursion goes to its namesake island. Spend the day eating, drinking, snorkeling, getting beach massages, taking banana boat rides and salsa lessons, and even getting temporary tattoos. While there, keep those Aruba Aribas coming—De Palm Tours will drive you home, so you don’t have to.
What is it: Your not-so-average party bus.
Why go: No other party bus compares to the Kukoo Kunuku. It looks like a Caribbean-colored, open-air school bus complete with a dancing pole, ‘90s hip-hop soundtrack and lots of drunk people. It’ll take you to three or four bars or clubs, give you a shot at each one and even do donuts in an abandoned parking lot late into the night.
What is it: The place where all the world’s Aruban aloe is made.
Why go: Aloe has been growing in Aruba since the late 1800s, and today, there’s a modern factory that produces all of the island’s aloe products. You can tour the factory and museum for free from Monday through Saturday, and buy soothing soaps, lip balms, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, bath bombs and more. It’s all made with the aloe harvested right from those lots.
What is it: Guided paddle boarding through Aruba’s mangroves.
Why go: This isn’t your average SUP tour. Dennis, the friendly owner of Aruba Surf & Paddle Boarding School, will take you around Mangel Halto, a part of Aruba known for its mangroves and shallow waters. He’s a passionate local, so expect a trip that’s part SUP lesson, part eco tour, part whatever he wants—even if it means ducking while Dennis pushes your board through a bridge drainage pipe.
What is it: Roulette. Also known as that game you play at casinos that no one really understands.
Why go: The tables are always crowded at this chi-chi casino. Don’t like roulette? Try something else; there are 265 slot machines, two sports-betting kiosks and 17 table games, from Black Jack and Let it Ride to Caribbean Stud Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’ Em. Fun fact: you can play all the tables until 4am.
What is it: An aloe vera, rum and hot stone massage you won’t forget
Why go: You’ll lay on a massage table in a dimly-lit room, while a therapist douses you in warm rum, rubs you down in cold aloe vera, places healing hot stones in all the right places and massages you for 80 dreamy minutes. This service is only available at eforea spa, and in case you’re still unsure… yes, you want one.
What is it: It’s basically Aruba’s national cocktail.
Why go: Aruba Aribas are an Aruban pastime—some might say a rite of passage. This bright red drink is made with vodka, rum, Coecoei, crème de banana, fruit punch and a splash of Grenadine and Grand Marnier. Coecoei is a local liquor that comes from agave sap and not exported out of Aruba, so when we say this drink is local, we mean it. You literally can’t get it off the island.
What is it: A seafood shack on a fisherman’s pier.
Why go: Named after the Dutch word for “sea pirates,” Zeerovers is as no-frills as it gets. Sit at one of the long picnic tables under a tiki hut, and get served colorful baskets of fried fish and shrimp caught and cleaned by the fishermen docked right beside you. Pair it all with a local Balashi beer, and you’re in paradise for less than $10.
What is it: A guided tour that lets you drive a UTV as you go off-roading in the desert
Why go: Yes, ABC Aruba is on this list twice, and for good reason. During this action-packed excursion, feel the dirt hit your face as you skid through the desert, onto the beach and down public roads. You’ll be two to a car and driving behind a guide, who will stop to let you jump off cliffs, snorkel in the Indian Caves and explore Dos Playa Beach.
Figure out what you’re craving—whether it’s mile-high açaí bowls, coffee from a cafe-turned-late-night bar, fried shrimp in a shack (one of the top things to do on-island, in our opinion) or a romantic toes-in-the-sand dinner with award-winning seafood—and find it at one of our favorite restaurants, listed below.
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