On Foot in Aruba: Town, Murals, Stairs
Four Kinds of Walk
Aruba has no long trails, but it has four short walks worth planning: a harbor-town stroll in Oranjestad, a mural trail in San Nicolas, a stair climb up Hooiberg and ranger-led hikes in Arikok. The sun is the real limit. Walk at dawn or late in the day, wear a hat and closed shoes, and carry water. Prices are in US dollars.
Hooiberg: The Haystack Climb
Hooiberg is a volcanic hill in the middle of the island, about 165 m (541 ft) tall. A concrete staircase of around 590 steps climbs it, and counts vary a little between sources. It is free and open all day. The steps have no shade, so go at dawn or late in the afternoon. The name is Dutch for haystack, a good description of its shape.
San Nicolas: A Town of Murals
San Nicolas, in the south, has more than 60 murals, and the Aruba Art Fair brings new work each September. Walking them on your own is free. If you would rather have a guide, Aruba Mural Tours, led by the ArtisA gallery, runs for 2 to 3 hours and is listed from $15 to $35 depending on the route. The gallery is on Bernard van de Veen Zeppenfeldstraat.
Oranjestad: Fort, Museums and Streetcar
Fort Zoutman was built in 1796 and the Willem III Tower next to it in 1868. The Historical Museum of Aruba is housed there. The National Archaeological Museum, MANA, is at Schelpstraat 42, and weekday hours of about 9:00 to 17:00 are posted, so check the fee and times before you go.
The Arutram streetcar is free. It covers 1.9 km and 10 stops between the cruise-terminal area and Main Street. Service usually runs from about 10:00 to 16:00, never on Sundays, with two or three trolleys a day depending on which cruise ships are in port. The weekly schedule is posted each Monday on arutram.com . Rain or an obstruction on the rails can pause it.
Arikok: Hikes With a Ranger
The conservation foundation leads hikes on Miralamar, Cunucu Arikok, Jamanota Hill and Rooi Tambu with Dos Playa. Each costs $25 for a group of up to 10, booked by email to reservations@acf.aw , and none is part of the $22 park pass. Under-17s enter free. The park is open from 8:00 to 16:00. The foundation’s experiences page has the details.
On the Dos Playa and Boca Prins coast, stay on the shore. The surf and rip currents make the water unsafe.
A Suggested Order
| Time | Walk |
|---|---|
| Dawn | Hooiberg stairs |
| Morning | Arikok ranger hike |
| Late morning to afternoon | Oranjestad fort, museum and streetcar (not Sunday) |
| Late afternoon | San Nicolas murals |
Between Walks
Arubus buses cost $2.60 a ride, $5 for a return card and $15 for a day pass. Taxis start at $10 on fixed fares. Tap water is safe, so top up a bottle each morning.
Safety and Season
Do not leave valuables in a parked car at a trailhead. Hurricane season runs from June to November.
Read more: sightseeing in Aruba , bus tours and the 2 day itinerary .
Guided city and mural walks can be searched on GetYourGuide . Details on the fort and tower are on the tourism board page .