Aruba
The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino splits its 500-plus rooms between a large adults-only complex with casino and shopping mall in the heart of town, and a lush family-friendly all-suite compound by the water. There's no beach here, but there's a 40-acre private island, complete with beach, spa and swimming lagoon (day pass US$125, including lunch and one drink).
All three sites are linked by water taxi. Room renovations began in late 2019.
7.31 MILES
Powerful wave action has worn this depression into the coastal limestone ridge. The surrounding rocks break the surf, so – with waves crashing all around …
2.64 MILES
Fronting a line of low-rise resorts just northwest of Oranjestad, Eagle is a long stretch of white sand that regularly makes lists of the best beaches in…
5.67 MILES
Limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters and crashing waves make this beach experience different from all others on the island. This east-coast beauty is…
6.58 MILES
Up the hill from Arashi Beach, this tall sentinel is named for an old wrecked ship called the California, which is not the ship of similar name …
2.89 MILES
Aruba's second-highest peak attracts lionhearted souls with its 165m, 587-stair climb. Summiting Hooiberg (it means 'haystack' in Dutch) takes most people…
4.42 MILES
With 18 ostriches, 16 emus and a bunch of ducks, geese, peacocks, chickens and turtles, this well-kept little farm makes a fun and educational stop on…
5.2 MILES
Make an ass of yourself doting on these winsome critters, who will follow you around for attention and snacks. Donkeys were brought to Aruba by the…
3.15 MILES
Tucked between the low-rise and high-rise resort areas, this place will make your heart go aflutter, as the gorgeous gardens are teeming with butterflies…
0.12 MILES
A local landmark – and no wonder, it's a beauty. Dating to 1922, the elegant, emerald-green, white-trimmed house is now part of the city-council complex.
2. Aruba Archaeological Museum
0.13 MILES
The capital's newest museum is housed in the beautifully restored colonial-era Ecury Complex, home to a successful merchant family throughout the 20th…
0.16 MILES
It's not much to look at, but this 18th-century fort was built to defend the port against pirates. The attached Willem III Tower was added later, serving…
0.16 MILES
Fort Zoutman houses a tiny museum featuring rotating exhibits on the island's history. It's worth the price of admission just to climb to the top of the…
0.26 MILES
This shady refuge is a tribute to Queen Wilhelmina, the longest-reigning Dutch monarch (1890–1948).
0.96 MILES
Surfside is a pretty pleasant place to spend an afternoon if you're hankering after some sun, surf and sand. It's the best, most swimmable beach in…
7. Aruba Aloe Museum & Factory
1.52 MILES
You'll see aloe – the spiky desert plant that is the source of the healing and moisturizing aloe-vera gel – sprouting all over the island. Aruba Aloe…
2.33 MILES
Just south of Eagle, this large beach reaches out to a point. It was once a destination for topless sunbathers, but that's frowned upon these days. Still,…