Oranjestad, Aruba's capital city, is easily accessible by public transportation from Eagle and Palm beaches, the Arubus terminal, and most major resorts. It offers a variety of stores, boutiques, and electric trolleys for visitors to explore. To avoid pedestrian traffic, check the cruise ship schedule at the Aruba Ports Authority website. The city is also conveniently located near the Arubus terminal.

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Nestled next to the Bubali Bird Sanctuary at the start of Palm Beach, this vibrant spot is home to hundreds of unique moths and butterflies from all over the world, including the well-known blue morpho. Visitors claim that although the free guided tours are quite informative and teach you about the evolutionary cycle of butterflies, you are more than welcome to explore this lush and wonderful tropical oasis on your own. The trips run throughout the day without reservations and last about 20 minutes on average.

 

Enormous in size, Arikok National Park occupies about twenty percent of the island. Its cacti-filled, barren landscape will initially stun visitors, but within is hidden life. In addition to paying the conservation charge, visitors must stop by the Visitor Center to chat with park rangers, take up maps, and learn about the plants and animals they may see.

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Aruba is paradise for snorkelers and divers, offering nearly a dozen locations to witness submerged wrecks. Among the most well-liked is the S.S. Antilla. However, the 400-foot German freighter that sank wasn't "wrecked" in the conventional sense. The crew purposefully destroyed (sunk) it on the day of Germany's 1940 invasion of the Netherlands to prevent the Dutch marines from seizing control of it. After the crew was detained, the ship was let to sit close offshore in shallow waters unharmed until storm waves in the 1950s split it in half.

 

Designated to the S.S. California, a wooden steamship that capsized off this coast in 1891, the lighthouse was built in the early 1900s to alert mariners to the dangers of the reef. Today, it's one of the most visited tourist destinations in Aruba, having undergone a complete renovation in 2016 to enable guests to securely ascend the 117 stairs to the summit for panoramic views.

The majority of island tours end here, although you can get there on your own by car or cab; it's located on the north coast of Palm Beach, just past the area with the tall buildings.

 

A nonprofit group called The Donkey Sanctuary Aruba works to protect the donkey population on the island and to inform visitors and locals on how to take care of them. On the island, donkeys used to be the primary mode of transportation; however, with the arrival of cars, they were abandoned to roam the wild. Thankfully, those who are unable to care for themselves owing to illness or accident now have a permanent home at this amazing retreat.

 

"High view," or Alto Vista, is the name of a neighborhood in the interior of the island that is part of Noord (north). The Alto Vista Chapel, which dates back to the Spanish missionaries' construction of the island in 1750, is the reason it is most well-known. It is still in constant use; on the climb up to the summit, where you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views, you'll note the stations of the cross designating the pilgrimage route. It's a popular stop on practically all island tours, but you are welcome to come here independently (entry is free). Trekkers and yogis alike frequent the "Peace Labyrinth" meditation circle. According to recent visitors, the ideal times to go are before or after dawn or sunset. 

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Live music, outdoor nighttime performances, and DJs during happy hour are just a few of the on-site entertainment options offered by the majority of Aruba's big resorts. To truly enjoy Aruba's vibrant nightlife, however, you'll need to venture off property. Most of it is centered on two areas: the Palm Beach strip and downtown Oranjestad. Public transportation and inexpensive taxi trips (which are zoned by region rather than metered, and you're better off having someone else handle the driving if you are out to party) make it easy to get to both locations. But once you're in either location, it's simple to take a foot tour around the different casinos and bars. On Palm Beach, you may find party piers and waterfront pubs like MooMba and Bugaloe for an exciting night by the sea.

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FAQs on Activities in Aruba

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What are some cruise-related activities in Aruba?

Aruba has a single cruise port, which facilitates convenient vacation planning. Here are a few of the top activities to partake in when cruising around Aruba

• Unwind at Eagle Beach

• Purchase goods at Renaissance Marketplace or on Main Street, Havenstraat, or Schelpstraat.

• Take a swim, scuba dive, or snorkel in the turquoise ocean.

• Discover butterflies or the history of Aruba by going on a guided tour.

• Take a submarine excursion to admire Aruba's marine biodiversity

  

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What exciting nighttime activities are available in Aruba?

 There are plenty of things to do to pass the time after a day in the sun far into the evening.

• Embarking on a cruise at dusk

• Trying your luck at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino, or any other casino.

• Going to the clubs and nightclubs along Palm Beach or Oranjestad's downtown

• Arranging a trip to the island during the summer or fall to attend one of the several music festivals that dominate the area 

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Aside from the beach, what other activities are there in Aruba?

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Here are some things to do and places to see if you get tired of the beach:

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• California Lighthouse

• Arikok National Park Aruba 

• Donkey Sanctuary Aruba

• Ayo and Casibari Rock Formations

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