Exploring the Desert

Our day, stop by stop

All prices are per person

1. S

   Palm Beach

   Start

   J.E. Irausquin Blvd 1, Aruba
2. Willem's Dutch Pancakes

   20.00 USD

   ~30 minutes

   This restaurant serves up delicious food, the portions are big enough to fill your tummies but not leave you completely full, and the staff are always so lovely. We always get the apple cinnamon dutch pancakes (Alexia) and it never disappoints.

   Arawak Garden, J.E. Irausquin Blvd, Noord, Aruba
3. Taxi / Rideshare · ~15 min·To California Lighthouse·21.00 USD
4. California Lighthouse

   5.00 USD

   ~30 minutes

   There is a small fee associated with this ($5USD per person at time of writing) that we would recommend bringing cash for, as it does make a difference in the view.

   There are stunning views from the bottom of the lighthouse, or, if you’re feeling brave, you can climb up to the top to get stunning views of the leeward and windward parts of the island.

   California Lighthouse, L.G. Smith Blvd, Noord, Aruba
5. Taxi / Rideshare · ~35 min·To the Donkey Sanctuary·35.00 USD
6. Aruba Donkey Sanctuary

   10.00 AUD

   ~1 hour

   The donkey sanctuary is located in Bringamosa and houses almost all the donkeys that are on Aruba. Entry is by donation and you can buy apples and carrots to feed the donkeys on site. There is also a café and visitor centre where you can grab drinks and snacks, which we did for our lunch that day.

   Bringamosa 2-Z, Santa Cruz, Aruba
7. Taxi / Rideshare · ~10 min·To Ayo Rock Formations·10.00 USD
8. Ayo Rock Formations

   ~30 minutes

   Pre-download offline maps... just trust us

   This is a quick little stopover on the way to our final stop that allows you to step back in time and experience some of the ancient and historic rock formations of Aruba.

   6, Aruba
9. Taxi / Rideshare · ~10 minutes·To Hooiberg·13.00 USD
10. Hooiberg

    ~1.5 hours

    There is no water available for purchase on site, nor any refill stations.

    If you can time this hike with the sunset, it would be absolutely spectacular, but we would caution that the hike down could be a bit treacherous in the dark so make sure to have some light if you choose to do so.

    This is an 587 step climb up a volcanic cone that is in the centre of Aruba. It offers breathtaking 360 degree views of Aruba, and we even got to see a peak of Venezuela in the distance as it was a clear day! It is a good workout, taking about 15 to 30 minutes. We were guided up the hike by mountain goats, and could not get over how stunning the views of cacti, the ocean, planes coming in for landing at the airport, and the whole island were.

11. Taxi / Rideshare · ~10 min·To Renaissance Marketplace·19.00 USD
12. Casa Tua at Renaissance Marketplace

    27.60 USD

    ~1 hour

    We headed to downtown Oranjestad and grabbed Italian food in the Renaissance Marketplace from Casa Tua, with a beautiful sunset to cap off an amazing day. There are plenty of options available here if Italian is not your preferred cuisine after your day of adventures.

    Renaissance Market Place, Suite 27, Lloyd G. Smith Blvd 9, Oranjestad, Aruba
13. E

    Renaissance Marketplace

    End

Extend your day

Hotel

Courtyard by Marriott Aruba Resort