Recommendations
Beaches
Close by and really quiet usually: Mangel Halto in Pos Chiquito., a favorite of our guests (snorkeling)
Tres Trapi in Malmok is recommended for snorkeling. Many people have spotted turtles and stingrays in the area. Best to go before 9 am to see them and beat the crowds.
Baby Beach, beautiful but can be crowded
Eagle beach, (if you go to the part of the beach in front of Tulip restaurant, you might find shade you can sit under for free! Other beach huts and chairs can cost a lot!).
All Aruban beaches are public, even the ones behind the hotels. Only the use of beach chairs/ huts can be charged, but you are allowed to sit or lay anywhere on the beach sand you want! :)
Arashi beach, a local favorite and if you go to the left side while facing the water, snorkeling between the rocks can be awesome (depending on visibility of course!)
Boca Grandi, the local Kite and windsurfing favorite spot. Spectacular and most of the time pretty quiet.
Hiking
You can start your hike into the park right from your doorstep!
Please take loads of water with you and put on a lot of quality sunscreen! (try not to be out there between 11am and 3 pm, which is the hottest time of the day!
Leave the premises and follow our private dirt road to the entrance/ mailboxes, turn left onto the the main dirt road , this leads into the national park. Officially now you also need to pay an entree fee to enter park via this back entrance, but the chance you bump into a ranger is small and you can pay him/ her on the spot, in case you do. :)
If you continue straight on the main dirt road for approximately 20 min you will arrive at the foot of Mount Jamanota where a steep asphalt road leads you up to the highest point in Aruba (620 feet/ 189 m) and the most spectacular views. Try to get to the absolute top (going around the gates, through the whole in the fence) and you can enjoy a 360 degree view of the entire island.
Hike up the Jamanota before sunrise (before 6:30 am) and you can see the sun come up in a most spectacular way! The total hike from home to the top takes 30 min tops.
Fun fact: The Jamanota is the highest hill in Aruba, not the Hooiberg/ Haystack, eventhough everyone thinks so and it looks higher, it is definitely not!
Maps with clearly marked hiking trails inside the park are available at the Visitor Center (free entrance to center) at the main entrance of the Arikok National Park in San Fuego (St Cruz).
Must Do
How to get to Aruba's natural Pool (avoiding crowds and organized tours)
Due to some changes along the route(authorities trying to prevent us from going on our own), this hike is now only suitable for the dare devils, experienced hikers and physically fit!!!! You can get there by organized tours as well.....
Best to leave after 2 pm (or really really early in the morning and get there before the tours and crowds), take your time getting there(walking on a normal pase, aprox 60 min) spend a bit of time at the beaches and get to the Pool after 4-4:30 Pm, when most people start leaving with their tours.
At the end of OUR dirt road turn right and again right at the point where the dirt-road turns in to asphalt. At the next crossing keep going straight, for aprox. 5min always straight no matter if the road curves or turns from dirt to asphalt and back keep going straight ( do not follow any signs that say Natural pool along the way) until you arrive at a large intersection with a large green traffic sign with says Daimari, there you turn right.
Now drive for a few hundred yards and look for start following the small handpainted signs next to the road on the left that say "Rancho Daimari" and don't follow signs that say "Natural pool". ( those lead to paying park entree fees and mass tour routes)
The Rancho Daimari signs will take you off road onto dirtroads leading towards the Horse Ranch and former palmtree plantation called Daimari Ranch located at Daimari beach. Ignore the signs saying “dead end”!
The dirt road now is going to get really bad and bumpy... if you feel like your car can’t go any further park and lock it and start the hike from there or.... Continue “driving” along the really bad road andpark and lock your car on top of the hill overlooking the Daimari Ranch below, take lots of water and sunscreen with you. You walk down the hill straight passed the ranch, to the right side of the ranch and continue on the little dirt road that goes to the left towards the ocean and Daimari beach(there is a new sign there that says that you have to pay an entree fee to enter the park, but we ignore it, convinced that’s only meant for cars!
After a little ways you will encounter a big hole, the government has dug a huge hole in the middle of the path where you will have to climb and hike around the top side of it (take the highest route, it’s the easiest one) and continue the hike following the path on the other side of the hole! This is really the hardest part and it’s smooth sailing from now on (until you return of course)
You can decide to go and take a closer look at Daimari beach and walk down to your left or continue straight towards the cliffs where the "path" turns to your right towards the "Natural Pool”.
Just keep following the coastline and the small path, it will take you through crazy looking yellow dunes and "Secret beach" on your way there( if you go at my recommended time of day, you might be all by yourselves!). Swimming is really not recommended at "Secret Beach", there is a really strong under tow, but getting your ankles wet is safe enough!
After you have taken all the pictures you possibly can take, keep following the coast/ path in the same direction you were going for another 10 to 15 min (depending on your pace) and you arrive at the Natural Pool!
Hopefully you can time it so to get there after 4 PM, this is the best chance that the large tour groups will have left and you can sometimes find the pool all to yourselves. Be careful on the very slippery rocks, stay in the middle of the pool as much as possible because waves can pull you towards the sides and rocks, and try snorkeling (bring snorkeling gear if you can! We have a few sets at your disposal!).
When you are ready make your way back the same way you came, making sure you don't leave much later then 5-5:30 so you are sure to be back before dusk. Sun sets in Aruba really fast in between 6:30 (midwinter) and 7:45 (midsummer). Especially with the big hole in the road it really best to climb past it before it gets dark! This hike is most definitely on top of our list of things we love to do ourselves! (We went there 25 years ago as best buddies and returned the happiest couple to this day!!! :)
Fun To Do
None of the following activities have any connection to us, we just like them.
Kayaking Guided private kayaking tour along the southern reefs of Aruba with Alvin. By far the most fun trip! Unforgettable! Tell Alvin we sent you! Tel.nr.: +297-5970010
Go sailing and snorkeling with: tranquiloaruba.com snorkeling cruises and private charters pelican-aruba.com Sailing snorkeling and sunset cruises jolly-pirates.com Sailing snorkeling and party boat
The Ostrich farm: A fun filled experience for sure! You learn all about these funny birds, you can feed them (great photo op!) and can even try exotic meals at the restaurant. arubaostrichfarm.com
Donkey sanctuary: Aruba’s most visited animal attraction. Unique experience. Fun guaranteed. Only 3 min drive from here.
The butterfly farm: Our favorite. The most beautiful butterfly’s flying around you, whilst you learn everything about these amazing creatures. Fantastic experience. MUST DO
Renaissance island/Flamingo Island: Private luxury island getaway. Flamingos on the beach. Pricy but beautiful.
The Palm Island: All inclusive, all you can eat and drink. Water park on a reef island. Lot’s of activities (. Seatrek (under water walking), Snuba snorkeling, and much more.
Aruba aloe factory: Really interesting tour and loads of great products. www.arubaaloe.nl
Ayo and Casibari Rock formations: These formations are uniquely Aruban. Really fun to climb onto (or through) and the giant rocks offer amazing views from the top.
Diving: Aruba Palm Beach divers has been really good to our guests. They really take the time and will show you the best diving spots.Ask for owner Robin. palmbeachdiversaruba.com
Island Tour: We don’t recommend the popular expensive, over crowded mass tours, especially not the ATV/UTV tours. They have been destructive and damaging to Aruba’s nature and are really frowned upon by most locals. You can very much enjoy the beauty of our little island with a normal rental or by renting a Jeep for a day. Or ask Jimmy: Private tour Aruba : +297-5944400 (5 stars!)
Restaurants
Fish and seafood: Zeerovers: (casual and local favorite) in Savaneta Marina Pirata ($$): on a deck on the water in Pos Chiquito Driftwood: (rustic and fresh) located Downtown Hadicurari($$$): Next to Moomba
Sushi: Sushi Factory($): 3 min away in Santa Cruz, or in Pos Chikito, or in Oranjestad Ketsu Sushi ($$): Located in the high rise hotel area
Local food: Urataca ($): (3 min drive) Local favorite after a long beach day! Shahai ($): Simple local take away food. Next to 88food The Old Cunucu house ($$): (traditional local) in Palm Beach
Steak and International: Texas de Brasil($$$) (all you can eat grill and salad bar) High Rise hotels area El Gaucho($$) (Classic Argentinian grill) Downtown Wilhelminastraat
Special restaurants and with vegetarian options: Nusa ($) Overlooking the harbor waterfront this very affordable delicious Indonesian restaurant is now our favorite. Tandoori($): (simple but delicious Indian cuisine) At the high-rise hotels Yemanja($$): (fusion) Downtown Que Pasa($$) (a little of everything/ unique surroundings) Downtown
Romantic Sunsets: Kokoa($): (tapas and pizza) on the beach with your feet in the sand Matthews($$): Cocktails and vegetarian dishes beach side
Great for lunch and or happy hour: Surfside beach bar ($-$$): Great location and delicious finger foods. Watch the planes land right on top of you! Battata Beach bar ($): Little hidden gem, off the beaten path and absolute fun!
IF YOU DISCOVER A GOOD AND AFFORDABLE RESTAURANT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND , PLEASE TELL US ALL ABOUT IT AND WE WILL ADD IT TO THIS LIST!