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20 Unique and Unusual Things to do in Aruba (Things You WON’T Find in a Guidebook!)

While Aruba is known for its stunning pristine beaches, this island is so much more than that! If you want to explore off the beaten path and check out some lesser-visited spots, check out this list of unique things to do in Aruba. I guarantee these memorable things to do will keep you talking about them for years!

Most of these unusual things to do in Aruba aren’t listed in guidebooks either, making them especially unique and will get you away from the crowds. All you need to do is rent a car (this is a must to explore the best of Aruba on your own!) and you’ll be on your way.

Although there are some incredible things to do in Aruba, like go on snorkelling trips, sunset cruises, or Arikok National Park tours, there are a ton of other exciting things to see and do if you want to explore a little off path.

Visiting Aruba on a budget? Some of these activities are free to do, but I also have a complete list of free things to do in Aruba while you’re there.

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1. Flying Dress Photo Shoot

Looking for some epic photos to remember your trip to Aruba? Either for an engagement, solo shoot, or with a bunch of friends?

Flying Dress Aruba has some stunning photo opportunities where you can wear your chosen colour of dress against stunning backdrops. Whether it’s the aqua blue beaches, rugged terrain, or a sunrise or sunset shoot, these photos will leave you in awe. They’re spectacular!

2. Picnic Aruba

Aruba has a ton of amazing places to eat, but if you want a different change of pace on your own timeline, then look at having a meal catered by Picnic Aruba!

What’s more romantic than sitting on a soft sandy beach as the sun sets, with a beautiful charcuterie board or private meal? This is perfect for couples looking to enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace.

Whether you choose to celebrate life’s big or small moments, it’s a memorable way to enjoy your time in Aruba. Choose from breakfast picnics, picnics on the beach, or under the stars. Everything is provided for you, so all you have to do is show up!

They specialize in proposals, elopements, and vow renewals, so check out Picnic Aruba for your next big moment!

Photo by Picnic Aruba

3. Sunset Floating Massage

For one of the most unique experiences in Aruba you can find, the Aruba Floating Massage offers a truly unique and tranquil experience, blending relaxation with the island’s natural beauty. This luxurious treatment takes place on a floating platform 15 metres from shore on the clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea!

This is a perfect romantic activity to do as a couple and includes a bottle of sparkling wine and charcuterie which you can opt to do in the morning, afternoon, or evening. If you’re solely looking for this different experience without the bells and whistles, it can also be booked as just the floating massage.

4. Visit Blackstone Beach

Blackstone Beach is one of Aruba’s hidden gems, known for its striking and unique landscape. Unlike Aruba’s typical white sandy beaches, Blackstone Beach doesn’t have sand at all – rather it has dark, rugged volcanic rocks and pebbles.

It’s a bit off the beaten path and is a one-of-a-kind secret hideaway. Part of Arikok National Park along the northeastern coast of the island, it can be reached by guided tour, self-driving in a 4×4, or by hiking from Andicuri Beach. While you can’t swim here (it’s not safe!), the scenery is stunning and gives you a glimpse of the raw and untouched side of Aruba.

5. Visit a Glass Blowing Studio

Another unique thing to do in Aruba is visit the glass blowing studio at Studio Murano Art

A free glass blowing demonstration is on daily from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, but if you want to try your hand at creating your own masterpiece, you can sign up for a glassblowing studio session. Watch as the traditional method of mixing sand, soda, ash, and limestone comes to life as they’re melted to 2000°F – the same temperature as lava from a volcano!

There’s also a cute cafe located on site where you can enjoy a meal and a show at the same time. 

6. Take a Mural Tour

If you love street art, then the murals in San Nicolas can’t be missed. This town is going under revitalization to draw more people to it, and one of those efforts to draw people to the area is the street art. 

You can visit San Nicolas Information Centre for a free map and take a self-guided tour and wander the streets like we did, or you can sign up for a free walking tour of the street art (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm) so you don’t miss a thing!

7. Visit a Cigar Factory

If you or someone you’re travelling with is a cigar fan, check out Aruhiba Cigars. This cigar factory offers a unique experience and inside look at the art of cigar making! You’ll be able to watch as tobacco leaves sourced from the Caribbean and Central America are rolled into Aruba’s favourite cigars.

While Aruhiba Cigars is small – don’t let its size fool you! This quaint and welcoming spot offers a fun chance to watch the artisans at work and learn about the different blends that make each cigar unique.

It’s a great place to relax (there’s a really unique bar inside!), enjoy a freshly rolled cigar, and immerse yourself in Aruba’s rich culture and craftsmanship.

8. Alto Vista Winery

Did you know Aruba has wine? You can find just one winery on the island – Alto Vista Winery. This is a unique and relatively rare find in the Caribbean, where the climate typically isn’t one you’d find good for winemaking. With a creative effort, Alto Vista was able to succeed in the commercial growing of grapes. Aruba’s terrain reflects its unique flavours and you’ll find red, white, and rose wines here. 

Visit and unwind on their deck with great views Monday-Saturday from 5:30 – 9:00 pm or sign up for a guided tour of the winery and sample their wines amongst the rugged terrain. Tours include a guided vineyard walk before touring the distillery and tasting room, where you’ll enjoy four wines and a charcuterie board. You can even taste their rum, made on-site as well.

Take a stroll or drive down to Alto Vista Chapel afterwards to admire the views.

Alto Vista Winery vineyard

9. Beekeeping Experience at Bee Haven Aruba

One of the coolest things you can do in Aruba is interact with bees with a beekeeping experience at Bee Haven Aruba

Their Cunucu Bee Adventure really is a one-of-a-kind lifetime experience that’s fun and educational, where you learn all about the bee population in Aruba and their importance from the safety of a beekeeping suit. Learn how honey is made before sampling some of the apiculture products!

10. Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

When you visit Aruba, it’s hard to not notice the stray dogs and cats. Sadly they’re prevalent on the island. Last time we visited we brought two suitcases of supplies to Nina Lives Aruba to help out, since the charities that work to protect the stray dog and cat population are charities that rely on public support. 

If you have a few hours you want to dedicate to helping out, you can sign up to volunteer at one of these shelters. You can feel good about making a difference and get a chance to interact with some adorable animals.

Other animal rescues in Aruba that need ongoing support:

11. Plane Spotting at Surfside Beach

Surfside Beach Aruba is a planespotter’s paradise! Located beside Queen Beatrix Airport, you can watch planes soar overhead as they take off or land — it’s a thrilling sight! 

Relax at Surfside Beach Bar and grab a drink or bite to eat, or lounge on the beach watching the planes come and go. It’s also a popular spot to watch the sunset. There aren’t a ton of beach loungers (so bring your own like we did by renting from Travel Light Aruba) or just stop by for a drink to catch the views.

Looking towards Surfside Beach as a plane is landing

12. Westpunt Boca

One of my favourite spots on the island is Westpunt Boca. If you don’t want to take a guided tour in Arikok National Park or rent a 4×4 jeep to visit, then my suggestion is to drive to Westpunt Boca, located by Arashi Beach and the California Lighthouse. 

It’s accessible by car (just go slow, because there are a lot of potholes) and you’ll come to the most northwestern part of the island, where the waves crash against the shoreline. It’s mesmerizing to watch the water crash against the limestone rock, and you can see how its rugged and jagged landscape has been formed by the force of the waves over time.

13. Visit Sea Glass Island

Sea Glass Island in Aruba is a hidden treasure, known for its unique beauty and colorful, glass-filled shores. Located near the island’s northern coast, this small island has earned its name due to the abundance of smooth, sea-worn glass pieces scattered along the beach. 

The glass, which comes in various colors, is believed to have been washed ashore from shipwrecks, discarded glass bottles, and other debris over the years, creating a stunning, natural mosaic.

Only a handful of tour operators on the island offer trips to Sea Glass Beach in Aruba, largely due to ongoing debates about whether it should be a tourist hotspot. I personally find the cost for this expensive for what it is – but it is a truly unique experience and a stunning destination.

There are a couple ways for you to get there which include rave reviews about the local guides.

  • Boat Tour: Sea Glass Tours Aruba offers a unique way to visit Sea Glass Island without much physical effort on your part! You’re given a couple of hours to tour around the island looking for that perfect piece of sea glass.
  • Kayaking: You can kayak over to Sea Glass Island in about 10-15 minutes and hunt for sea glass for a couple of hours before making the return trip. Book with One Happy Kayak for the best value, either by contacting him directly or booking through Viator. Ericko is super friendly, passionate, and provides an amazing experience!

14. Tour Aruba’s Water Treatment Plant

Did you know you can take a tour of Aruba’s Water Treatment Plant? The Water-En Energiebedrijf Aruba (WEB) offers free guided tours of the plant that’ll take you on an interesting 90-minute journey through the water and electricity plants.

Learn how Aruba’s water is desalinated (as desalinating seawater is only source of the island’s water!) and filtered, and how it’s the cleanest water in the Caribbean you can drink. It produces over 40 million litres of water a day!

Tours are entirely free – and in lieu of tips they ask for a positive review online.

15. Donkey Sanctuary

Ok so I kind of lied about this one because it is one of those activities that’s often recommended, BUT, if you didn’t know, there’s a donkey sanctuary in Santa Cruz. Who doesn’t love donkeys? The Aruba Donkey Sanctuary is a fun (and free) activity for couples and families. 

Donkeys in Aruba have an interesting but sad backstory. They were originally brought over in the early 1500s by the Spanish and were a key part in the island’s development. They not only served as transport, but were responsible for carrying goods across rugged terrain.

With the advancement of technology and modern transportation, the need for these gentle animals diminished. By the 1970s they were left abandoned and wild, struggling to survive and often abused.

The Aruba Donkey Sanctuary works to protect this piece of Aruba’s heritage, offering a safe haven and care for over 130 donkeys. While it is entirely free to visit, I recommend considering donating to this non-profit while you’re here. We brought some carrots and apples for them,too. You can also purchase feed for $1-$2/cup, and they welcome public donations to help keep the sanctuary running.

If you’re feeling inspired, you can also sign up for their volunteer program which provides an apartment and shared car in return for committing 20 hours of volunteering a week!

16. Balashi Gold Mill Ruins 

A lesser-visited spot than the Bushiribana Ruins, the Balashi Gold Mill once produced 3 million pounds of gold during its heyday. Built in 1899, there’s not much left but its skeleton, but it does provide some views of the surrounding area and rolling hills.

It’s also a great spot to watch the sunset. The Spanish Lagoon is close by which offers a chance for some prime bird watching.

It’s free to visit, and located a short distance from the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary.

17. Hike Hooiberg Mountain at Sunrise

Hiking Hooiberg Mountain is one of my favourite free things to do in Aruba, and hiking isn’t something people typically want to do while on holiday. But if you time it right for sunrise, you’ll get amazing views over the island and on clear days, over to Venezuela! 

It’s a short hike up a set of stairs that can take anywhere from 10-30 minutes, but the views are worth it. We used our phones as a guide for light since it can be pretty dark (there aren’t any lights in the area!) and you’ll need navigation to help you get to the parking lot, but we loved it so much we did it twice.

Head over to Bright Bakery or Huchada Bakery afterwards – they’re just down the street – to get amazing pastechi before heading to the beach!

18. Visit Fort Zoutman and Climb the Clock Tower

Fort Zoutman in Oranjestad is a unique historical gem. Built in 1798 by the Dutch to fend off pirates, it’s the town’s oldest remaining structure and a fascinating peek into Aruba’s colonial past. The tower’s Dutch colonial architecture stands proudly in the heart of the city, alongside the Willem III Barracks, now home to the Historical Museum of Aruba.

Don’t miss the iconic Willem III Tower clock. It was originally built in 1868 as a lighthouse and guided ships safely to harbour for over a century before becoming a clock tower. Climb to the top for stunning views of Oranjestad. Visit during the lively Bon Bini Festival (every Tuesday 6:30 – 8:30 pm for $15/person) to experience Aruba’s vibrant culture with music and dancing.

We stopped by after enjoying coffee at Santos Coffee With Soul, right across the street. We loved this place for its vibe and great breakfast and drinks.

19. Ostrich Farm

While this isn’t entirely a hidden gem, I had to include it because it’s not one of those very well known facts about Aruba that the island has ostriches!

The Aruba Ostrich Farm is the perfect place to get up close with these fascinating, large birds. This family-friendly farm offers a chance to learn about the history, behaviour, and importance of ostriches.

You’ll be guided on a tour where you can feed these massive birds, watch them interact with each other, and even capture some fun photos with these curious creatures.

Stop by the gift shop filled with local arts and handmade crafts and grab a bite to eat at Savanna Restaurant which is decorated with figurines from Zimbabwe. You can even try an ostrich or emu egg! If that’s not unique, especially in Aruba, I don’t know what is!

20.Aruba Aloe Tour

I fully admit this isn’t a secret place by any means, I wanted to include this because a lot of people bypass this free unique activity at the Aruba Aloe Factory. I consider this a must-visit while you’re in Aruba!

Aruba’s second top grossing industry is aloe production, after tourism! You can visit Aruba Aloe for a free tour of the plant. You can also sign up for a free guided tour which will take you out to the aloe fields for some hands-on interaction.

We love the Aruba Aloe products, and while they’re pricey, they’re well-worth it. The body wash smells incredible!

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