Aruba may be best known for its beautiful beaches and perfect weather, but venture off the sand and you’re sure to be amazed by an incredible set of new and exciting things to do. Escape from the daily hustle and bustle during your Aruba vacation.
Breakfast at Linda’s Dutch Pancakes
Try the best breakfast in Aruba by ordering typical Dutch pancakes at Linda’s. They are huge and delicious! Whether for breakfast, brunch, or lunch at the cozy family restaurant in the heart of Palm Beach, they have been serving authentic Dutch pancakes for over 20 years.
Dutch pancakes are larger and thinner compared to American pancakes. It is a must-try when you are in Aruba. Choose from classic Dutch pancakes such as the Apple and Bacon Dutch Pancake, with sliced apples and bacon strips cooked inside, or create your own with a choice of over 40 different toppings. Omelets and sandwiches are also served.
There is a spacious terrace where you can enjoy your meal and drinks in Aruba’s cooling breeze, as well as an air-conditioned indoor seating area with booths. Open on Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Visit Butterfly Farm
A visit to Aruba’s Butterfly Farm is an unforgettable encounter with nature in all its beauty and diversity. Step into a tropical garden teeming with butterflies, the world’s most colorful creatures. Observe the life cycle of these fascinating animals from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. Tour guides will entertain you with commentary on butterfly habits and the miracle of metamorphosis.
The butterfly farm is a rare opportunity for photography and a sure delight for visitors of all ages. Arrive early in the day and witness new butterflies emerging from their chrysalis and taking their first flight. The Butterfly Farm is located in the famous Palm Beach area, just across from the Aruba Divi Phoenix.
Explore at Arikok National Park
The Arikok National Park is a great place to spend the entire day enjoying the dramatic landscapes. There is a small entrance fee that goes towards the preservation of the park, educational programs and the animals who roam freely throughout the 7,907 acres.
Arikok National Park is home to a variety of unique attractions and cultural heritage sites, including spectacular caves, original Indian rock drawings, unusual land formations made from lava, quartz diorite and limestone, guided nature walks through dry river beds to secluded bays like Moro, Boca Prins and Dos Playa.
The Guadirikiri Cave is famous for its two chambers, illuminated by the sunlight streaming through holes in the roof of the cave. The cave extends for about 100 feet. In the darker portions of the cave nest hundreds of harmless bats.
The Fontein Cave is the most popular of the caves as it is the only one that has the drawings of Arawak Indians on the ceilings, providing a real sense of island history.
The park is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Swim at Eagle Beach
Enter the white sands of Eagle Beach, 2022 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award Winner for 3rd Best Beach in the Caribbean and 5th best in the world.
Boasting the widest beach in Aruba and famous for its pristine and soft white sands, Eagle Beach offers beautiful Caribbean ocean views, ample parking, shaded areas, some beach huts, and a variety of water sports. Four species of sea turtles nest in Aruba, most on Eagle Beach. And Eagle Beach is home to two of the most photographed and renowned fofoti trees in Aruba, with its trademark silhouette pointing in the direction of the Caribbean. These trees have been starring in various Aruba advertising campaigns as unique and highly recognizable features.
Several of the Aruba low rise hotels are nearby or just across the road. Some provide cabanas and lounges on Eagle Beach for their guests. And evey year during Easter week in Aruba, local families enjoy the tradition of camping on the beach.
You can fly direct to Aruba aboard United Airlines from NYC/ Newark ( EWR ), Chicago ( ORD ), Houston ( IAH ) and Washington Dulles (IAD). To book your flight, click here.
