Aruba walking route: Aruba Beaches to National Park Hiking
Explore Aruba's coastal attractions on this 1.5 km route connecting the island's popular beaches with scenic hiking trails at Aruba National Park. This short route showcases two distinct ways to experience the island's natural landscape, from relaxation on sandy shores to active outdoor exploration.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Aruba Beaches
- End
- Aruba National Park Hiking
- Stops
- 2
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Aruba Beaches — Starting location with beautiful beaches and cave paintings
- Aruba National Park Hiking — Hiking activity and natural park exploration
Useful for your trip
- Tip
- Research which Caribbean island suits your travel style before booking. Jamaica offers different experiences than Aruba, Barbados, St. Kitts, Cuba, or Puerto Rico - each has distinct cultures, people, and foods.
- Tip
- Don't assume cruise ship ports of call represent the entire island culture. Ports like Ocho Rios in Jamaica have many tourists, touts, and restaurants but don't reflect authentic local life.
- Transport
- For cruise travelers interested in specific activities like archaeology or nature, hire a private guide instead of cruise excursions. Private guides allow flexible pacing without large tour groups.
- Timing
- If booking a private guide for a cruise port visit, plan to return well before the ship departs. Private tour operators will not wait for late passengers like cruise ship group tours do.
- Timing
- Expect slower service in the Caribbean - restaurant seating, drinks, and meals take longer due to island time. Relax and enjoy rather than rushing.
- Avoid
- Bring sunblock from home before arriving. Caribbean shops sell sunblock at 2-5 times the price due to importing costs and high tourist demand.
- Avoid
- Use strong sun protection including sunblock, beach clothes, and a hat. The Caribbean's sun rays are intense, especially further south, causing severe sunburns.
- Save money
- Budget accordingly - Caribbean vacations are expensive due to island imports and tourist pricing. Eat with locals, use supermarkets for snacks, and limit restaurant meals to save money.
- Avoid
- Don't get upset with beach touts selling items aggressively. Many lack social safety nets and rely on selling trinkets and tours for income. Respond politely but firmly if uninterested.
Video on this route
What NOT to do on a Caribbean Vacation