Aruba Activities: Beaches, Arikok, Costs

October 30, 2026

Planning Your Days on Aruba

Aruba is a flat, dry island about 32 km long and 10 km wide, so nothing is more than an hour’s drive from your hotel. The south and west coasts have calm turquoise water and white sand. The north and east coasts face the open Atlantic and are for looking at, not swimming. Prices below are in US dollars, which are accepted everywhere; the local currency is the Aruban florin (AWG), pegged at 1.79 AWG to the dollar.

Before You Fly

Every air arrival needs a free ED Card, filled in online at edcardaruba.aw from 7 days before you arrive. Visitors aged 8 and over also pay a US$20 Sustainability Fee inside that process, by card rather than cash. Children under 8, residents and repeat visitors within a year of their last stay are exempt. Most cruise passengers do not need the card.

Arikok National Park

Arikok covers much of the island’s rugged east and south. The conservation day pass costs US$22 for adults, and under-17s enter free. The park is open daily from 8:00 to 16:00. Ranger-guided hikes cost a separate $25 per hike for groups of up to 10, booked ahead through the Aruba Conservation Foundation ; the pass does not cover them.

ATVs, UTVs and motorbikes are not allowed in the protected areas. Jeeps and other 4x4 vehicles are. The Natural Pool (Conchi) can be reached by 4x4, with a guided Jeep tour, on horseback or on foot, about 7.7 km round trip from the visitor center. When the surf is high the waves wash over the rim and rangers may close swimming, so ask at the visitor center and wear water shoes.

On the Water

SS Antilla wreck, Malmok Bay. A German freighter scuttled by its crew in May 1940, now lying on its side in up to about 18 m of water. Snorkelers can see the hull from the surface. Divers should stay outside, because the structure is unstable.
Tres Trapi and Boca Catalina, Malmok. Small coves known for cushion sea stars and grazing turtles. Leave the sea stars in the water, keep your distance from turtles and go early, before the tour boats arrive.
Hadicurari (Fisherman’s Huts). Steady easterly trade winds make this the island’s kitesurfing and windsurfing beach. Lessons and rentals are offered by operators such as Vela Sports Aruba and Aruba Active Vacations; check current rates with them.

Never touch or pick up a turtle. Handling them is illegal. On the north and east coast (Dos Playa, Boca Prins, Andicuri) treat the water as no-swim because of rip currents.

Getting Around

Arubus runs the public buses: US$2.60 for a single ride, $5 for a return card and $15 for a day pass. Taxis have no meters and charge government-set fares, with a US$10 minimum and a $5 surcharge on Sundays, holidays and between 23:00 and 07:00. Tap water is safe and among the purest anywhere, so carry a refillable bottle.

Practical Notes

Do not leave valuables in a parked rental car or on the beach, as petty theft happens. Hurricane season runs from June to November, so check the forecast and your cancellation terms if you travel then.

Tours that include snorkel stops or jeep routes can be compared on GetYourGuide .