Aruba Landmarks: Lighthouse, Caves, Ruins
A Sightseeing Plan by Area
Aruba’s landmarks sit close together, so a rental car or a few taxi rides will cover them. This page sorts them by part of the island instead of by popularity, so you can string stops into a half-day loop. Prices are in US dollars. Shade is scarce, so save open-air stops for early morning or late afternoon, and carry water.
Noord and the North Coast
California Lighthouse. Standing at Hudishibana, it was built between 1914 and 1916 and named for a ship, the S.S. California, that went down off this coast. The climb costs $5, the lighthouse opens every day from 9:00 to 19:00, and tickets are sold on the spot.
Alto Vista Chapel. A Venezuelan missionary, Domingo Antonio Silvestre, raised the first chapel here in 1750. After a plague emptied the area, it was abandoned. The present chapel was finished in 1952 on the old site. A Stations of the Cross path runs up to it, and there is no charge.
Bushiribana gold mill ruins. On the north coast, the remains of a 19th-century gold mill. It is free, open air and unstaffed, so treat it as a roadside stop. A second set of mill ruins stands at Balashi, also free and open air. Both date from the 1800s, and Balashi was built in 1899.
The Interior Boulders
Casibari and Ayo. These two groups of diorite boulders lie in the middle of the island near Paradera. San Nicolas is far from either. Ayo is known for Caquetio rock paintings. Go early, before the heat builds.
Inside Arikok National Park
An adult pass is $22, under-17s pay nothing, the park runs from 8:00 to 16:00 and the San Fuego visitor center keeps hours of 8:00 to 15:30.
- Fontein Cave has reddish-brown Caquetio drawings. The cave is shallow and a park guide is often at the entrance.
- Quadirikiri Cave has two chambers lit by openings in the ceiling, and bats live there. A flashlight helps. It has no wall drawings.
- Huliba cave, called the Tunnel of Love, may be open or closed, so ask a ranger on arrival.
The East Coast: Natural Bridge Site
At Andicuri, a large stone arch once stood over the water. It fell on 2 September 2005. A much smaller arch, known as Baby Bridge, remains beside it. Strong currents run along this stretch, so keep out of the water.
The South: San Nicolas Murals
San Nicolas holds more than 60 murals, and the Aruba Art Fair adds work every September. Walking the streets costs nothing.
A Sample Loop
- Early: Casibari and Ayo.
- Mid-morning: Arikok and one of its caves.
- Late afternoon: Alto Vista Chapel, then the lighthouse for sunset.
Getting There
The Arubus network sells single rides at $2.60 and a day pass at $15. Taxis run on fixed fares with a $10 minimum, plus $5 on Sundays, holidays and between 23:00 and 07:00.
Safety and Season
Leave nothing of value in a parked car at a viewpoint. Hurricane season is June through November.
Read more: walking tours in Aruba , attraction tours and the 3 day itinerary .
Island circuit tours can be searched on GetYourGuide . The lighthouse entry is on aruba.com , and the park’s fees are on the conservation foundation page .