Aruba Walking Tours: Oranjestad, Murals
Walking Routes on Aruba
Aruba is hot, dry and shadeless, so the best walks are short, early or late in the day. Carry water, wear a hat and keep to marked paths. Prices are in US dollars.
Oranjestad Heritage Walk
Start near the cruise terminal and work along Main Street. Fort Zoutman dates to 1796, and the Willem III Tower beside it was added in 1868. The fort houses the Historical Museum of Aruba. The National Archaeological Museum (MANA) is at Schelpstraat 42 and is open around Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00. Check admission and hours before you go.
The free Oranjestad Arutram streetcar covers 1.9 km with 10 stops between the cruise-terminal area and Main Street. It usually runs from about 10:00 to 16:00, not on Sundays, with 2 or 3 trolleys depending on how many cruise ships are in port. A weekly schedule is posted on arutram.com . Rain can pause it.
San Nicolas Murals
San Nicolas, in the south, is known for street murals, with more than 60 on the walls. You can wander them on your own for free. Guided Aruba Mural Tours, led by the ArtisA gallery, run about 2 to 3 hours and are listed from $15 to $35 depending on the tour. The Aruba Art Fair is held here every September.
Hooiberg
Hooiberg is a volcanic hill about 165 m (541 ft) high in the middle of the island, and a concrete staircase of around 590 steps leads to the top. It is free and open all day. There is no shade, so climb at dawn or in the late afternoon. Hooiberg is the Dutch word for haystack, which describes its shape.
Arikok Guided Hikes
Arikok National Park runs ranger-guided hikes on four trails: Miralamar, Cunucu Arikok, Jamanota Hill and Rooi Tambu to Dos Playa. Each hike costs $25 for a group of up to 10, booked by email to reservations@acf.aw through the Aruba Conservation Foundation , and is separate from the $22 park pass. Under-17s enter the park free. The park is open from 8:00 to 16:00 daily.
Do not swim at Dos Playa or Boca Prins. The north coast has rip currents and heavy surf, so enjoy the views from shore.
Self-Guided Tips
Use the Arubus network for the longer distances: $2.60 for one ride, $5 for a return card or $15 for a day pass. Taxis are not metered and charge a $10 minimum. Wear closed shoes on rocky trails and bring a refillable bottle, because tap water is safe to drink.
Practical Notes
Leave valuables in your hotel, not in a parked car. Hurricane season runs June to November.
Read more: Aruba sightseeing and a 2 day Aruba itinerary .
Guided city and mural walks can be compared on GetYourGuide . Fort and tower details are on visitaruba.com .