Activities
Activities
Picture-Perfect Places by Susan Campbell This island is always ready for its close-up with such a diverse range of natural beauty and colorful, man-made splendor; so go explore, savor the moments, and share your memories.
Now more than ever, capturing superb souvenir shots of your vacation is a breeze thanks to the excellent quality of cameras on today’s smartphones. And instantly sharing your happy times on “One Happy Island” to make family and friends back home envious of your paradisiacal setting is a popular visitor pastime. But you really need to venture off the resorts to avoid having only typical fun-in-the-sun snapshots. And we know just where to go to garner the type of frame-worthy photographs that truly reflect this island’s unique attributes. So make sure to charge your camera and follow our lead to find Aruba’s most picture-perfect places. Prime Perches
Grab a seat on the upper level of Oranjestad’s double decker eco-trolleys to snap some interesting perspectives
of the capital’s colorful Dutch colonial architecture as you slowly loop through the urban core. Take a guided stroll with Aruba Walking Tours and climb to the top of historic landmark Fort Zoutman for a unique view of downtown and the sea. Want to go higher? Then head for the newly renovated California Lighthouse on the other side of the island and climb the spiraling 123 stairs to the top for a stunning panoramic view. If that’s not enough climbing for you, then take a trek to the 587 steps (the counts vary) leading up to the top of Hooiberg! Locals call it “The Haystack,” and though one would think it’s the highest peak on the island, it’s not! At 620 feet above sea level, the highest natural summit is Mount Jamanota, and you can access it by car for fabulous photo taking. On a clear day, you might even see Venezuela!
The Chapel of Alto Vista is certainly worth a trip. The church is a lovely historic landmark to photograph in its own right, but the views from the summit are stunning. Alto means high and Vista means view, so it’s aptly named. And for a bird’s-eye perspective of more than 80 species of migratory feathered-friends, the sheltered wooden outlook tower at Bubali Bird Sanctuary also provides a perfect perch for picture taking.
shores and cliffs cresting stunning aqua waters are a photographer’s dream. Wild waves on secret beaches and small natural land bridges looking out onto the sea all invite a creative eye. And most of this natural beauty is found within the boundaries of Arikok National Park. E View from Arikok Park
Surreal natural settings
Many visitors are surprised to see how much everything changes mere minutes away from the popular beaches. Aruba’s arid, desert-like landscape of craggy, rocky
Ayo and Casibari Rock Formations
76 Nights
Nights 77