Aruba Sightseeing: Lighthouse, Caves, Murals

October 30, 2026

Sights Worth a Drive on Aruba

The island is small enough to see its main sights in two or three days by car, taxi or bus. Prices are in US dollars. Most outdoor sights have little shade, so go early or late in the day and carry water.

California Lighthouse

At Hudishibana in Noord, the lighthouse was built between 1914 and 1916 and named for the S.S. California, a ship wrecked offshore. Climbing it costs $5. It is open daily from 9:00 to 19:00 and needs no reservation.

Alto Vista Chapel

A Venezuelan missionary, Domingo Antonio Silvestre, founded the first chapel here in 1750. The first chapel was abandoned after a plague, and the present chapel was completed in 1952 on the original site. A Stations of the Cross route leads to it, and entry is free.

Gold Mill Ruins

Two 19th-century gold-mining ruins are free and open-air. Bushiribana stands on the north coast, and Balashi is the second set of mill ruins. Both are industrial ruins from the 1800s. There are no staffed opening hours, so treat them as roadside stops.

Casibari and Ayo Rock Formations

These groups of diorite boulders lie in the central interior near Paradera, not near San Nicolas. Ayo also has rock paintings made by the Caquetio people.

Arikok Caves

Arikok National Park charges $22 for adults, and under-17s enter free. The park is open from 8:00 to 16:00, and the San Fuego visitor center opens from 8:00 to 15:30.

Fontein Cave has reddish-brown Caquetio drawings on its walls. It is shallow, and a park guide is usually at the entrance.
Quadirikiri Cave has two chambers lit by skylights in the ceiling, and bats roost inside. Bring a flashlight. It has no rock drawings.

Ask the rangers whether the Huliba cave, known as the Tunnel of Love, is open before you go.

The Natural Bridge Site

The big stone arch on the east coast near Andicuri collapsed on 2 September 2005. A much smaller arch, called Baby Bridge, still stands nearby. Do not swim here, because currents on the north and east coast are dangerous.

San Nicolas Murals

San Nicolas, in the south, holds more than 60 murals, and the town hosts the Aruba Art Fair each September. Walking the streets on your own is free.

Getting Around

Arubus buses cost $2.60 per ride or $15 for a day pass. Taxis are not metered and charge a $10 minimum.

Practical Notes

Never leave valuables in a rental car at a lookout. Hurricane season runs June to November.

A guided circle tour of the main stops can be found on GetYourGuide . Park fees and hours are on the conservation foundation site , and the lighthouse is listed on aruba.com .