Land Excursions

De Palm Island

For a family day out, ask about trips to De Palm Island for hours of fun at the Blue Parrot Water Park, snorkeling and more.

Spanish Lagoon Wetlands

Legend has it that the Spanish Lagoon was once a hideaway for pirates, whether this is true or not, the quiet waterway and the surrounding mangroves are a haven for wildlife, including herons, osprey, owls and parrots. The lagoon is located between Pos Chiquito Bay and the ruins of the Balashi Gold Mine. Follow the nature trail from the lagoon through the wetlands to Balashi and the Cunucu di Aloe plantation.

Butterfly Farm

See some of the world’s most beautiful and colorful insects at the Butterfly Farm. On the guided tour through the tropical gardens you’ll learn about their life cycle and their importance as environmental indicators. They are extremely sensitive to climate change, pollution and deforestation and a large butterfly population with diverse species denotes a healthy ecosystem. Open daily: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Palm Beach

Arikok National Park

Protecting one third of the island’s surface, Arikok National Park is a patchwork of rolling hills covered in cacti and bent divi trees, strange rock formations (lava, quartz diorite and limestone), caves and a stretch of coastline with beaches, dunes and rock platforms.

The arid landscape is home to a surprising variety of birds including the endemic shoko or Aruba burrowing owl and prikichi or parakeet, orioles and hummingbirds, snakes, lizards, iguanas, wild donkeys and goats.

Despite its inhospitable appearance, Arikok has been inhabited for thousands of years. Rock paintings in Fontein Cave and on huge boulders and the vestiges of ancient villages are testimony to the earliest Amerindian inhabitants. The park is also dotted with stone dwellings or cunucu which date from the Colonial period and housed the poorest settlers and their estate workers.

A network of trails traverses the park and guided tours are available.

California Lighthouse

Located near the island’s northwestern tip, the 270-foot-high lighthouse is the perfect spot for sunset watching and panoramic views of the shoreline.

Alto Vista Chapel

Overlooking the sea, this isolated chapel was built in the early 18th century by a Spanish missionary.

Aloe Vera Plantation

Introduced to Aruba in 1840 from Africa, the aloe vera plant prospered in the arid conditions and by 1890 it was being grown for the export market. At one point aloe plantations covered two thirds of the island’s surface and Aruba became the world’s biggest exporter of this miracle plant, prized for its healing properties. A plant even appears on the national coat of arms.

Nowadays, Aruba aloe vera is used to make skincare, after-sun and hair products and you can find out more about the production process by visiting the Aruba Aloe Vera Factory and Museum and find out more about this miracle plant.

Explore Further

Other sites of interest on the island include San Nicolas, the second largest town which grew up around the oil refinery and attracted workers from many of the British Caribbean islands. They kept their own customs, including calypso, carnival, steel bands and cuisine and the community has a unique ambiance.

Visitors can go into the bush to explore the ruins of the 19th century gold smelters at Bushiribana and Balashi or the rock formations at Casibari and Ayo.

The Donkey Sanctuary in Santa Lucia was founded in 1997 to provide a home for stray animals and for a glimpse of Africa you can also call in at the Ostrich Farm.

Explore on your Own

Rent a car and explore the island at your own pace. The Car Rental desk is located in the lobby, ext. 645.

Water Sports

Curacao's Coral Reef

Crystal-clear waters, multicolored marine life and a chain of coral reefs hugging the leeward coast make Aruba a popular scuba and snorkeling destination. If this wasn’t enough, the island has the added attraction of more than a dozen wrecks – including a 400-foot-long freighter to explore – leading some divers to call it the “wreck diving capital of the Caribbean.”

Start your underwater exploration with a snorkeling adventure; there are plenty of shallow reefs and sheltered bays along the leeward coast where you’ll see a variety of colorful fish. Many visitors make a beeline for the calm waters of the Arashi Underwater Park where the reef lies at a depth of between six and 45 feet and gaudy parrot and angelfish flit between the brain, star and elkhorn corals.

Divers will see fish of all sizes ranging from the diminutive sergeant major, squirrelfish, silversides, wrasses and grunts to blue tangs, snappers, yellow tail and groupers. Lobster, shrimp and sea horses hide among the corals and sightings of spotted eagle ray, mantas, barracudas and sea turtles are frequent.

If you enjoy snorkeling but are still not quite ready to take that all-important resort course to become a fully-fledged diver, how about Snuba, which is a combination of snorkeling and scuba? You can also try the Sea Trek, a walk along the seabed wearing a special mask that enables you to breathe underwater. You do not need to be an expert swimmer or diver to enjoy either of these activities.

See the reefs without getting wet and show your children the wonders of the underwater world by booking a trip on a glass-bottomed boat, the Seaworld Explorer semi-submarine and the Atlantis Submarine, which takes you down to a depth of 120 feet.

A Day on the Waves

Ready for a day out on the waves, how about a snorkeling trip along the coast, a catamaran cruise to De Palm Island or a pirate adventure on board an authentic 85-foot teak schooner? Your options include half and full-day trips, Happy Hour, sunset and evening cruises.

Kayak Trips

Sign up for a guided kayak trip along the sheltered southern coast and explore the mangrove forest, sea caves and a crystal-clear lagoon that was once a refuge for pirates. You’ll stop along the way for a spot of beach and snorkeling time. No previous kayaking experience is required.

Windsurf

The prevailing trade winds that blow across Aruba at a constant 15 knots cause choppy conditions along the windward shore, making beaches like Boca Grandi unsuitable for swimming and snorkeling but highly desirable for experienced windsurfers, kite boarders and surfers. Indeed, the island has its own windsurfing community and over the past few years, several local windsurfers have triumphed in international tournaments. The island also hosts the annual Hi-Winds Amateur World Challenge Windsurfing competition.
If you would like to learn how to windsurf and feel the thrill of coursing through the waves, ask at the Concierge Desk about classes available from local water sports centers. You’ll start off on the leeward coast where the breeze is much gentler.

If you are a keen windsurfer, you might like to try kite boarding and see for yourself why it has caught on around the world.

Gone Fishin’

If you are an old hand with a rod and net or you have always wanted to try fishing, the waters around Aruba provide plenty of challenges. Game fish such as sailfish, blue and white marlin, wahoo, tuna, bonito and dorado are plentiful year-round. You can charter a boat for a day or a half-day and the experienced crew will take you right to where the fish are running. Help preserve local fish stocks by adhering to the catch and release policy.

Save Aruba’s Sea Life

Help local people protect the coral reefs:

• Don’t touch the coral; the slightest brush causes damage that takes hundreds of years to recover.
• Avoid churning up sand near the reef; sand blocks out the light that coral needs to survive.
• Do not remove shells, fish, coral fragments or sea fans from the reef.
• Use only eco-friendly sun products.

Restaurants & Bars

Where to Dine Tonight

One thing is certain you’ll always eat well on Aruba! The island boasts a tempting array of restaurants in a choice of romantic settings for your dining pleasure. Delicious fresh seafood, Asian fusion dishes, Continental classics and traditional Caribbean recipes are all on the menu. Be sure to try the traditional Indonesian rijsttafel, a banquet of rice and spicy garnishes that is a favorite wherever the Dutch have settled in the world, Latin American dishes from the mainland or indulge yourself with Indian, Japanese and Thai cuisine. There are French bistros, International restaurants and pizza and pasta lovers can literally dine at a different Italian restaurant every night. If you are a meat lover, you’ll find everything from US steak houses, Brazilian churrasquerias, prime beef from the Argentinean pampas to home-style hamburgers and BBQ ribs.

Local Recipes

Sample some Aruban cuisine or kuminda krioyo during your stay. Island favorites are keshi yena, a baked Gouda cheese with a chicken stuffing, Pastechis (meat pastries), Pisca del foil (fish cooked in foil with peppers, white wine and pernod), Giambo, a local version of gumbo, and seafood cooked with yerba nole, an aromatic herb.

Dining at the Resort

Start your island taste tour right here at Costa Linda, you have a range of options to choose from:

Casinos

Lady Luck Smiles

Monte Carlo, Las Vegas…next stop Aruba. The island has some of the most prestigious casinos in the Caribbean, its own brand of stud poker and hosts several international tournaments during the year. Spend an evening at the roulette, baccarat, blackjack and poker tables, join in the nightly Texas Hold’Em and bingo and try the latest video games and slot machines. You may strike lucky and you’ll certainly enjoy yourself.

Shopping

Shopping in Aruba

Shopping Sensations

Search for your own island treasures in the stores, malls and markets of Aruba, it’s a shopper’s paradise!

If you cannot resist the lure of glitter, then you’ll enjoy window shopping in Oranjestad as storefront after storefront proudly exhibits a magnificent collection of gold, gemstones and signature pieces of jewelry and watches from the world’s leading designers. Fashion is not far behind, with collections of Italian, French and American designer and casual wear, lingerie, Brazilian swimwear, and leather accessories. You can also find bargains in perfumes, cosmetics, cameras, electronics, crystal, fine china, linens and Dutch lace and chocolates and be sure to save space for some Caribbean crafts and Cuban cigars.

If you are looking for a unique island souvenir, why not invest in a painting or sculpture by Aruban artists. The Kunsthuis Cultural Center and Gallery is a good place to start scouting for local talent.

Shopping at the Resort

Tropical Temptations Market
The resort convenience store has a wide selection of imported snacks, cookies, candies, soft drinks and liquors. Free delivery service to your suite.

Before you start your island shopping spree, call in at the Gift Shop area of Tropical Temptations. It’s convenient, well-stocked and prices are competitive. Whether you are looking for a new swimsuit or cover up and a straw hat or beach bag in tropical colors to match or a colorful wooden gift for a friend back home, you’ll find it here. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Aruba Shopping Malls

Paseo Herencia
J.E. Irausquin Blvd 382-A, opposite the Holiday Inn

Seaport Mall and Marketplace
On the waterfront

Renaissance Mall
Renaissance Resort, Oranjestad

Current & Cool Events

Bon Bini Festival

For a glimpse of island culture and a sampling of local music, dance, cuisine and crafts, don’t miss the popular Bon Bini Festival staged every week in the courtyard of the History Museum in Fort Zoutman, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.