Things to do in Aruba

6 fun things to do in Aruba

September 1 2015
Last updated: February 8, 2019

Aruba is more than a beach destination!

When you think of Aruba, you naturally immediately think of sun, sea, and sand. Me too! But during our exploration of the island, I discovered that Aruba is much more diverse than I thought. From beaches with flamingos (yes, that beach again!) to beauty and nature. In this blog post, I'll list 6 things to do on Aruba We've all tested them ourselves. You can alternate your lazy days at the beach with something active. If you're up for it!

Tip: Aruba hosts a similar Amsterdam Dance Event every year. It might be fun to combine the two if you're heading that way!

6 things to do in Aruba

Flamingo Beach Aruba

Flamingo Beach >> Things to do in Aruba

If you're looking for an afternoon of ultimate relaxation, a visit to Flamingo Beach at the Renaissance Hotel is highly recommended. You'll take a super-fast speedboat to a private island off the coast of Oranjestad. Spend the day lounging on a beach lounger while flamingos paddle in the water. So cute! Want to discover more beautiful beaches in Aruba? Click here for a blog about the best beaches in Aruba.

>> Read the blog about Flamingo Beach here.

Snorkeling >> things to do in Aruba

I can't leave a tropical island like Aruba without snorkeling. Nothing makes me happier than being on the water! During my Aruba I went snorkeling with Palm Tours for a morning adventure. Whenever I'm near the ocean and the water is azure and clear, I can only think of one thing: I MUST dive in! What can I say? Snorkeling in Aruba is a relaxing day on the water. With lunch, an open bar, and a comfortable sun deck on the catamaran.

>> Read the blog about snorkeling here.

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Snorkeling Aruba

UTV Tour >> things to do in Aruba

You might not think so, but I'm quite the speed demon and adventure seeker. I wouldn't pass up the chance to tear around Aruba in a jeep. UTV Tour Explore the north side of the island and stop at four beautiful spots. I think this is the dustiest excursion I've ever been on. Don't forget a bandana over your mouth and nose! And definitely don't wear white ;).

>> Read the blog about the UTV tour here.

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Spa Day! >> Things to do in Aruba

Looking to escape the crowded beach? Then Tierra del Sol is highly recommended. It's a golf course with a fantastic spa, a lovely pool, plenty of privacy, and beautiful views of the Gold Coast. I went there one morning for a full body scrub. Highly recommended at the start of your holiday. Your skin feels so soft afterward!

Climbing a haystack >> things to do in Aruba

Okay, with Aruba's tropical temperatures, climbing the 184 steps of the Hooiberg staircase is a bit of a feat. But once you reach the top, you'll have a fantastic view of the island. And... you'll also find some street art on the electricity substation. A good workout to finish your lunch break. Corsairs to walk off!

>> Read the blog about Hooiberg here.

Arikok National Park >> things to do in Aruba

Did you know that 20% of Aruba Does it consist of national parks? Arikok is fun to tour for a few hours. You can rent a jeep to explore the park. If you're like me and love cacti, you'll love it here. They're everywhere! It sometimes feels like Arizona! Must-sees in Arikok I love Dos Playos and the caves. Dos Playos is a beautiful beach nestled between the rocks. Huge waves and so much peace and quiet. Beautiful! The caves are also very beautiful. There you can spot old murals and the names of people who used to visit the caves. They're written in 18th-century curly letters, some even dating back to 1820!

>> Read the blog about Arikok here.

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Arikok National Park Aruba

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱! I've rounded up a complete list with the coziest and most festive Christmas markets in Amsterdam you don't want to miss this year. Think twinkling lights, mulled wine, food stalls, live music, unique gifts and lots of Christmas vibes all December long. Whether you're planning a festive day with the fam or friends, or just want to soak up that holiday spirit. These are the markets in Amsterdam to put on your calendar now. 🎄✨ 𝘿𝙧𝙤𝙥 “𝘾𝙃𝙍𝙄𝙎𝙏𝙈𝘼𝙎𝙈𝘼𝙍𝙆𝙀𝙏” 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄'𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝙔𝙇𝘽𝘽-𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙨. Send this list to your festive partner-in-crime, grab a hot chocolate (or mulled wine 😉), and have fun! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #christmasinamsterdam #amsterdammarkets #christmasmarkets #amsterdamguide thingstodoinamsterdam winterinthenetherlands festiveseason christmasvibes marktlovers amsterdamtips
HOME ALONE 4 INCOMING 😅 My trip to NYC ends in a bad (Christmas) movie when the hotel gives my carry-on with my passport to an old lady who doesn't realize it and checks it in for a flight to the UK! Now I'm stuck here in NY without my passport, and I've missed my flight. I've experienced a lot in all the years I've been traveling for Your Little Black Book, but this is a first 😅. This chat video is purely therapeutic in nature 🤣🤣🤣. Because really: HOW?! 🫢 Note to self: better to take my passport with me all day, instead of leaving it 'safely' in the hotel apparently... and from now on, suitcases should be tied together with a cable in the storage room. Even if you're in a luxurious and expensive hotel, everything is still human work. Now I'm stuck in one of the nicest cities in the world, but of course I just want to be home with Manuel as planned. 😔 To be continued 🧳✈️ And thanks for all the sweet DMs ❤️❤️❤️❤️ ✖️✖️✖️ Anne
And do you also have a nice garden? I want to thank you for your patience and help. 𝟳-𝗷𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲! This time we went to @williams.farmhouse one of my favorites for lunch in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid. But is this also fun during the day with kids? We ordered a 'plain' version of the Farmhouse burger 🍔: yes, really just meat + cheese 🤣… and together with the fries it was a mega success. Child happy, us happy… and it was such a cozy, rainy afternoon. I mean this interior, I immediately dream away to the Cotswolds again! Do you have a favorite 𝗸𝗶𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁 in Amsterdam or the Netherlands? Let me know in the comments, I'll collect all for the next 𝗞𝗜𝗗𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗘𝗙! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #amsterdam #amsterdamfood #amsterdamrestaurants #amsterdamfoodie #amsterdamguide amsterdamwithkids kidsproef familyfriendly amsterdamlunch amsterdamoudzuid yourlittleblackbook kidsproofamsterdam
So happy to finally share this! @lefoodwalk is back this winter with four themed walks during the Amsterdam Light Festival, running from November 27th to January 18th. Perfect for a day out with friends, a date, colleagues, or family. From a Street Food Walk to an Oyster Walk and from Cocktails to an Old Amsterdam Drinks Walk. The Le Foodwalk team has listened to you, and there's a different experience available almost every day. Tickets (which are even cheaper than last year 🔥) are live now! I've added a link in my bio. 𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗫 𝗔𝗠𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: Every Thurs-Sat Price: 4 bites + Amsterdam Light Festival app (worth €6,99) 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝘂𝗽: ⦁ @weareedn_amsterdam ⦁ @caferestaurantdebazel ⦁ @soulkitchen_amsterdam ⦁ @blackandblue_reguliers 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: € 43,50 𝗢𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: Every Thurs-Sat 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱: 4 x 2 oysters + Amsterdam Light Festival app (worth € 6,99) 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝘂𝗽: ⦁ Soulkitchen ⦁ De Bazel ⦁ @bellyofthebeastbar ⦁ @vermeerswijnkamer 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: € 43,50 𝗖𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: Every Wed-Sat Included: 3 cocktails (also 0.0%) + Amsterdam Light Festival app (worth €6,99) 𝗖𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝘂𝗽: ⦁ @feijoaamsterdam⦁ @lottisamsterdam ⦁ Belly of the Beast 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: € 35,50 𝗔𝗠𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗠 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: Every Sun-Wed 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱: 3 Dutch drinks & 3 Dutch bar snacks + @amsterdamlightfestival app (worth €6,99) 𝗕𝗮𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝘂𝗽: ⦁ @hetkarbeel ⦁ @proeflokaalvanwees ⦁ @beertemple_amsterdam 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: €33,50 Who do you want to do a Foodwalk with this winter? **Sunday in the evening in Amsterdam.** ✖️✖️✖️ @anne_de_buck #lightfestival #lefoodwalk #amsterdamlightfestival #amsterdamfoodguide #amsterdamfood #amsterdambynight #canalview
I hope everyone gets into the Christmas spirit this Christmas 2020 🎅🏼 The countdown to Christmas has officially begun and I can tell you: this list will immediately get you in the Christmas spirit. 🎄 📍In this new video, I've listed the most beautiful Christmas markets and winter fairs in the Netherlands, from Maastricht to The Hague. Whether you're in the mood for mulled wine, raclette, Christmas carols, ice skating with your besties, or planning a cozy weekend getaway in December, now's the time to block your calendar. Send the tips to your Christmas date ❤️ and comment "CHRISTMAS MARKET" to receive a link to ALL the Christmas market shortlists on Your Little Black Book. Let the Christmas anticipation begin! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #kerstmarktnederland #kerstuitje #winterfair #kerst2025 #weekendtips #thingstodointhenetherlands #magischmaastricht #royalchristmasfair #kerstmarktamsterdam #winterinthenetherlands #kerstvibes #yourlbb #kerstmarkt #christmasmarket
Amsterdam, get your skates ready — ice skating season has officially begun! ⛸️ The first rinks, like @schatbaanmuseumplein, are opening this weekend and we are so ready for it. I already planned a mom & son date — that's how excited we are to hit the ice. 💙 This year, there are some new rinks to discover across the city too. And who knows... maybe we'll even get lucky with natural ice again. Until then, these are the 7 best ice skating rinks in Amsterdam you don't want to miss. Whether you're planning a festive date, a day with friends, or skating with the kids — this guide has you covered. 📍All details are in the Amsterdam Ice Skating Listicle on Your Little Black Book (link in bio). Send this to your skating buddy and start planning your first winter weekend on ice! ❄️ ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #yourlbb #amsterdamwinter #iceskatinginamsterdam #amsterdamchristmas #thingstodoinamsterdam #amsterdamguide #winterinthenetherlands #amsterdamlife #cityguide #amsterdamcheck #wintervibes #travelamsterdam #weekendinams #holidayseason #schaatsen
𝟱 𝘅𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗯𝗯𝗲𝗻. From new hotspots to lowspots and from hand-pulled noodles to an intimate Mediterranean bistro, I've listed 5 new favorite restaurants for you that you definitely want to try. Save this guide for your next dinner date 🍽️ 📍 Orchid House (Oost) Vibe: all day dining at Oosterpark, family friendly and good vibes. Must orders: ceviche, angel hair pasta with sea urchin and picanha. @orchidhouse.ams 📍 Omri (De Pijp) Vibe: small and cozy corner building with a warm interior and dimmed lights. Perfect for a date night. Must orders: the dolmas and lamb shawarma tostada with watermelon. @omri_amsterdam 📍 Chingu (De Pijp) Vibe: mainly focused on take-away, but trust me: you'll want to go out of your way for these Taiwanese rice balls. Must orders: Jumeok Bap with king crab or mayak egg, so delicious. English: @chinguamsterdam 📍 Leonardo's Ravioli Bar (De Pijp) Vibe: Italian bistro full of cozy corners in the always lively Pijp. Now also open for lunch on the weekend. Must orders: as many as possible. And share everything. I can be brief about it. @leonardosraviolibar 📍 Yellow River Handpulled Noodles (Centrum) Vibe: like you've ended up in a Chinese canteen. You order via the kiosk and wait until your number is called. Must orders: choose your favorite thickness noodles + the minced meat noodles. The dumplings are really worth trying too. @yellowrivernoodles Let me know where you're going first. Or where you've had the most delicious meal recently, I'm curious! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #amsterdamfood #amsterdam #amsterdamrestaurant #amsterdamlife #amsterdamtravel #amsterdamrestaurants #hotspots
The most beautiful Christmas shows at garden centers throughout the Netherlands are now open! 🎄 Only 7 more weekends until Christmas... and this cozy and free Christmas outing is perfect to get into the Christmas spirit. Trust me, I've already been ;-). Do you have a favorite that's not in this video? Let me know in the comments! You can also find the complete list of 30 tips via the link in my bio ✨. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #christmasshows #christmasshow2025 #christmasdecoration #christmasinspiration #gardencenter #weekendtip #thingstodo #discoveringthenetherlands #winterouting #cozyoutings #christmasholiday #christmasfeeling #christmasmarkets #decembertips

Plan your trip to Aruba!

KLM flies direct from Amsterdam to Aruba from €756. During World Deal Weeks, they often have offers under €500. Check out the lowest prices here!

⋙Several travel organizations offer affordable package holidays to Aruba, sometimes starting from just €599, such as Camacuri hotel via Tui of Holiday discount. Perfect if you're on a budget but still want to enjoy the sun. Prefer more luxury? Then book a room at the Renaissance hotel so you can take the shuttle boat to the private island with the flamingos every day to relax! 8 days from €1152,- via D-reizen of 9 days from €1228 via Tui.

⋙ A wonderful hotel to stay in Aruba is the Boardwalk Small Hotel In the Noord neighborhood. With a beautiful pool and adorable casitas (cottages) with a private hammock. Discover the Boardwalk Small Hotel here.

⋙ Don't feel like arranging a taxi at the airport after a long flight? Book a transfer in advance for just over €17 per person. More info >>

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ANNE

 

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