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Are you planning to hit the caribbean? Well, here are 3 exciting things to do in Aruba.
Aruba is a beautiful island just south of the Caribbean sea, gifted with instagram worthy beaches, baby blue water, rainbows of fish and views so dreamy, you will forget life is real!
This “One Happy Island” is littered with adventures that not only are cheap but cater to anyone’s inner thrill-seeking, adrenaline junkie, you just got to know where to look.
Here are three budget-friendly gems to consider when hitting the shores of this dry salty destination.
#1 Body Surfing in once shark infested waters
- Location: Andicuri Beach
- Cost: $11/per person
This great escape is hidden between rigid limestone cliffs and mostly only known by locals. Andicuri Beach is a haven for bodyboarders, and experienced surfers with its strong currents and massive waves.
Located within Arikok National Park (hence the $11 admission fee), this hidden gem is situated on the Island’s windward coast, just south of the collapsed Natural Bridge and Black Stone Beach.
My partner and I spent an entire evening bodysurfing at Andicuri and let me tell you, it was the best experience I ever had.
According to some locals, Andicuri was once infested with sharks but as currents became stronger over time, they no longer swim in the area. Andicuri now is home to seasonal sea turtles who journey to the beach for hatching their young, typically between May and November.
If you decide this adventure is worth the trip, I highly recommend bringing food, water and lots of sunscreen.
Courtesy of the island of Aruba
What kind of car do I need to rent in Aruba?
Andicuri can easily be accessed through Arikok National Park, but in order to get there you will need some form of transportation. Do not be fooled by other travel sites where they insist you need to rent a UTV, ATV or Jeep. When I flew into the happy island, I made sure to rent out the cheapest car they had available: a teenie compact car with no 4WD – and I managed to stroll through the park just fine.
Now, if you are planning on purposely offroading, driving through tough terrain, and envision yourself doing donuts on the beach, I will only then highly recommend renting out either a UTV, ATV or Jeep.
Now you may be wondering: How do I get to Andicuri Beach?
If you would not like to enter the beach through Arikok National Park, but would like another route I suggest to get directions to Caya G.F. Betico Croes driving heading east from Oranjestad. You will then follow signs to Hospitaalstraat. Once you reach a the roundabout follow directions to Sero Blanco that brings you to road 6.
After arriving on road 6, you will encounter another roundabout at Paradera. You will then turn right and start driving on road 4. Once you hit road 4, you will enter Piedra Plat neighborhood. You will then take the first left and follow directions to Ayo.
You will then continue driving east to Andicuri Beach, this journey should take about 25 minutes, maximum.
Again, if you plan on body surfing, I recommend to not go alone (since the waters are very strong) and to bring a backpack filled the things you need the most: towels, water, snacks, portable charger and sunscreen.
#2 Parasailing over the sunrise and above the Thalassic Sea
- Location: Palm Beach
- Cost: $30/ per person
Parasailing is a luxury experience that only costs a couple of bucks.
I recommend making Groupon your best friend when traveling, because once in a while the app can really hook you up with cheap deals. Through the discount savings app, I was able to purchase two parasailing tickets for a total of $60 at moments notice.
What is Aruba best known for?
Aruba is a teenie island, about 20 miles in length and 8 miles in width, and is best known for its marvelous sandy beaches turquoise waters, and aquatic sports such as parasailing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking and much more!
Since this dry paradise is so compact, its whole mass can easily be seen just by parasailing. But what is parasailing and is it safe?
Parasailing is when you glide into the open air with support of a parachute towed by a speedboat. This activity can be enjoyed even by those afraid of the water and unknowing of how to swim, since this adventure does not require any drip of H20. You take-off and land directly on the boat, when parasailing.
This thrilling activity is 100% safe and should not cause alarm. All parasailers are placed into a harness and are also required to wear a lifejacket the entire time.
Now let me tell you, there is no better way to grab an entire snapshot of Aruba than by parasailing off the coast of Palm Beach. Not only is parasailing an exciting way to enjoy the Island’s beautiful views but it is also the perfect way to start your morning.
I recommend parasailing during the sunrise, because nothing beats watching an island come to life.
Parasailing in Aruba can end up costing you a whole lot of money if you aren’t smart, so again, I recommend using Groupon to help lower the costs of your adventures.
Is parasailing worth doing?
Now you may be wondering, is parasailing worth doing? Yes it is! Nothing can top the feeling of exhilaration just as your parachute fills with air and you lift off into the sky!
This is a must-do for adventure seekers as it fulfills your inner adrenaline junkie and encompasses views straight out of a lucid-dream.
#3 Snorkel alongside rainbows of fish and a sunken shipwreck
- Location: Palm Beach
- Cost: $60/ per person
Aruba is one of the best places to explore underwater. The Caribbean sea is home to an array of exotic fishes, beautiful coral reefs and even a sunken shipwreck.
If you tag along a guided snorkeling tour, you can take total advantage of their seaside open bar and yummy snacks! If there is one thing you should cross off your bucket list, it’s drunk snorkeling and exploring remnants of a sunken shipwreck.
Aruba is home to a vast variety of fishes, according to marine biologists there are a total of 12,046 marine species residing in the Caribbean region, and what better way to see them than by snorkeling alongside them?
What types of fish live in Aruba?
Common species include Smooth Trunkfish, Great Barracuda, Four Eye Butterflyfish, Goliath Grouper, Peacock Flounder, Queen Angelfish, Blue Striped Grunt and Squirrelfish.
All fishes near the Island are friendly and diving down the warm Caribbean blue sea is an exciting way to encounter them.
I was able to score two snorkeling passes for $60 each through Groupon, and the pass included an open bar and endless snacks. Another snorkeling perk includes a guided tour of the Antilla shipwreck.
According to the Island, “Antilla is the largest shipwreck dive in the Caribbean, covered by tube sponges, coral formations, tropical fish, shrimp, lobsters, and orange anemones.”
What is the history behind the Antilla shipwreck?
According to the Island, the M.S. German freighter Antilla, was anchored in the waters of Aruba as World War I raged on.
Historians state the moment Germany began to invade the Netherlands, the peaceful island of Aruba automatically became enemy territory, which included the waters the German ship, M.S Antilla was sailing on.
Once German soldiers realized the risks that accompanied saving their freighter, they decided to set fire to the fleet and watch it sink from a far.
Since the war, the M.S. Antilla has been identified as the largest sunken shipwreck known to be found in the Caribbean.
Rumor has it, the 400 ft tall shipwreck is also haunted (which in my opinion makes the dive even BETTER.) And if you have the guts to do so, tour guides will allow you to dive down to the wreck and explore various sections of the ghostly ruins.
The Antilla shipwreck is truly every diver’s bliss.
I hope you enjoyed this post regarding my top 3 exciting things to do in Aruba, let me know in the comments if you have any questions!
