Aruba

Aruba is a gem of the Dutch Antilles, renowned for its white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Home to approximately 107,000 inhabitants, the island offers a fascinating blend of Caribbean flair and European influence. The capital, Oranjestad, is famous for its bright, pastel-colored architecture in the Dutch colonial style.

Due to its dry climate, Aruba features a unique landscape filled with cacti and iconic Divi-divi trees. A major highlight is Eagle Beach, consistently ranked among the world’s most beautiful beaches. Beyond the coast, the Arikok National Park invites exploration. Aruba is widely considered one of the safest and most welcoming destinations in the Caribbean.

Aruba tours to go

We had already booked an excursion through Aruba Tours to Go before our trip. Rensley is Aruban and his wife, Rita, is German. Both now live in Aruba and love showing visitors the island's most beautiful spots. They are both very personable, and Rensley is an outstanding guide. He met us directly at the ship with his minibus. The group size is limited to a maximum of 16 people.

Aruba Aloe

Our first stop was the Aruba Aloe Farm. Rensley explained everything about the cultivation, processing, and the various uses for Aloe Vera products. After a brief tour of the factory, we had the opportunity to purchase products in their shop.

Casibari Rocks

Aruba’s landscape is defined by the mysterious Ayo and Casibari rock formations. These gigantic tonalite monoliths appear almost as if placed there by giants amidst the otherwise flat desert terrain.

The Casibari Rocks offer visitors well-maintained paths and stairs leading to the summit. From the top, you can enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view of the island and the iconic Hooiberg hill. In contrast, the Ayo Rocks were considered a sacred site by the native Arawak Indians. Even today, prehistoric rock drawings can still be admired there. Surrounded by cacti and iguanas, these geological wonders provide a fascinating contrast to the white sandy beaches and are an absolute must for every nature and history lover.

Natural Bridge

The Natural Bridge on Aruba’s rugged north coast was once one of the largest natural coral stone bridges in the world. Over thousands of years, it was carved out of the rock by the relentless power of the surf. Although the main bridge spectacularly collapsed in 2005, the site remains one of the island's most visited attractions. Right next to it lies the smaller but still intact "Baby Bridge," which gives visitors an idea of the former grandeur. The island's raw, wild side—with its crashing waves and jagged cliffs—offers a fascinating contrast to the calm, turquoise beaches of the south.

California Lighthouse

The California Lighthouse stands majestically on a hill at Aruba’s northwestern tip and is one of the island's most famous landmarks. Named after the steamship "California," which sank off the coast in 1891, the lighthouse has served since 1914 to warn ships of the treacherous coral reefs. Today, the white tower is a popular viewpoint that can be climbed for a small fee. From the top, visitors enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the rugged northern coastline and the luxurious hotel districts to the south. The lighthouse is especially magical at sunset, perfectly capturing the island's wild beauty. Rensley treated us to a coconut smoothie with cinnamon—absolutely delicious and incredibly refreshing in the tropical heat!

Eagle Beach

To wrap things up, we headed to Eagle Beach for a relaxing swim stop. Eagle Beach is Aruba’s flagship beach and is consistently voted among the most beautiful in the world. Famous for its powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, it offers the perfect postcard setting. The beach's trademark features are the iconic Divi-Divi trees, whose characteristic leaning shape is sculpted by the trade winds, making them a favorite photo spot. Unlike the bustling Palm Beach, Eagle Beach is quieter and more spacious. It also serves as a vital nesting ground for sea turtles, which lay their eggs in the warm sand between May and November.

Fazit

We had a fantastic day in Aruba and highly recommend Aruba Tours to Go. Rensley was a great guide, and we learned so much about the island. The day was very diverse, and Eagle Beach is truly a dream. We especially loved that you can simply walk into the ocean there without having to step over rocks. At almost all the other beaches, water shoes would have been very helpful. We found our souvenir magnet in one of the small, colorful houses on the way out of the harbor, where a local vendor sells exclusively handmade souvenirs.

Cruiseportguide Aruba

Here you will find information about the location of the port, public transportation, rental cars, and options for independent excursions.

The Cruiseport from Aruba

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Meine Landausflüge

Meine Landausflüge offer you fantastic cruise trips at the most popular ports worldwide. Typically, they are available in much smaller groups and at more affordable prices than the cruise line’s own excursions. All our options are carefully selected to guarantee you an unforgettable outing experience.

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