ARUBA Island Tour + Travel Guide! 🇦🇼 (18 best things to do & vacation tips!)

We're headed to the ABC Islands to visit our 30th country - ARUBA! We spent a full month in this destination, so in this vlog we're going to play travel guide and give you a tour of the entire island! We'll show you some of the the best things to do and see in Aruba!
We're Brandi & Alan, full-time travelers and creators since 2018. We post fun vlogs and informative guides to both document our travels and help you on your own journey.
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Planning your own trip to Aruba? Add these to your itinerary!
1. Hooiberg - the tallest point on the island!
2. Mangel Halto - a locally popular beach and some of the best snorkeling in Aruba
3. Zeerovers - probably the best restaurant on Aruba!
4. Oranjestad - the island's capital!
5. Casibari & Ayo Rock Formations - Unique geologic formations and popular tourist attractions.
6. Where to get groceries in Aruba - seems silly to include, but informative
7. Donkey Sanctuary - A free thing to do in Aruba!
8. Balashi Gold Mill Ruins - ruins of one of the former gold smelters on Aruba.
9. Spanish Lagoon - next to the Balashi ruins! A protected wetland and walking area in Aruba.
10. Bushiribana Ruins - the second set gold mill ruins. Set on the ocean and near hiking trails, including the old mines!
11. J.E. Irausquin Blvd - a hotel zone filled with shops and restaurants! We drive through to show you around!
12. Tres Trapi & Boca Catalina Beaches- the best beaches for snorkeling in our opinion! Lots of fish and sea turtles to see! We also have an encounter with an extremely rare white green sea turtle here!
13. Alto Vista Chapel & Walking Trail - the oldest church in Aruba and major sight to see! Right next to what we think is the best hiking trail on the island!
14. California Lighthouse and Smoothies - another major sight in Aruba featuring a lighthouse you can visit and the best smoothies on the island! It's also right next to several walking trails and an ATV riding area that we point out.
15. Arikok National Park - a large protected area on the island. It has tons of hiking trails, 4 wheel drive paths, beaches to view (don't swim in them though, it's too rough!), and caves - some of which have more petroglyphs!
16. Baby Beach - a beautiful beach on the southern end of the island!
17. Seroe Colorado - an old lighthouse over a rocky viewpoint of the island!
18. Eagle and Manchebo Beaches - the most popular beaches on Aruba and a great place to catch the sunset!
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:33 Hooiberg Hike
1:54 Mangel Halto & Zeerovers
3:38 Oranjestad
10:49 Casibari and Ayo Rock Formations
13:30 Grocery Run!
14:24 Donkey Sanctuary
16:29 Balashi Gold Mill Ruins & Spanish Lagoon
18:25 Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins & Mine Walking Trail
19:50 J.E. Irausquin Blvd
20:47 Tres Trapi & Boca Catalina
21:44 Alto Vista
23:20 California Lighthouse and Smoothies!
25:06 Arikok National Park
27:25 Baby Beach & Seroe Colorado
28:50 Eagle and Manchebo Beaches
30:05 Thanks for watching! Subscribe for more adventures! :D

[@genesiscabralgusmao7909]

Hi there! I’m Arubian and I HAVE to say that your video is fun but also super informational! I love how you guys brought a little of history out at every stop. I loved how Alan was like “Much donkey” ‘cause it does sound like “masha danki” which means “thank you so/ very much” in Papiamento🤣 I’m absolutely obssesed with your video. Looking forward to watching more content like this from y’all!🙌🏻

[@IfWeGoTo]

Ahh thank you!!! Means a lot to us that a local enjoyed it!! We love your little island!! 🥰 Hahah the donkeys there are the best!! Thanks again!!

[@StephenandAndie]

Hey you two! Just a few minutes in and this is already looking so amazing. That first view from the top! And the Dutch pancakes, YES! Totally with you guys on the tourist-y/Trip Advisor type spots, but awesome that the food was better than you expected. Also, we NEED those hats, they're amazing!

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you both so much!!! Hahah the pancakes shocked me, but it was a pleasant surprise that they were actually super good! If by some miracle that hats make it back to the states we’ll send them your way!!! 😂 if not, when you make it to Aruba they’re only a few bucks! I think the Aruba one was $8!

[@22nees]

Dutch pancakes are the best! You can’t go wrong with that!

[@IfWeGoTo]

They were sooooo good! Definitely need to try a few more of them!

[@pointofviewgr]

Your 30rd country? That's really impressive! I'm glad for you ☺️

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you!! Covid has slowed us down quite a bit, but on the upside it did give us the time to start a youtube channel!! How many countries have you been to?

[@ChrisandCourt]

Congratulations on 30 countries! Aruba looks amazing, those views are incredible!

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you guys!!! Aruba was a fun little stop for sure!! You have any new travels coming up?

[@louisecallanta5968]

Thank for sharing! Love seeing your adventures.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Sorry this one was so long!!! Lol

[@louisecallanta5968]

@@IfWeGoTo I just watched it in parts.

[@IfWeGoTo]

I thought about splitting it, but it also wouldn’t split nicely! Lol

[@MathewLauren]

Honestly loved how you showed on a map all the different locations you visited. That’s such a nice touch friends

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you guys!!! 😃 hope Switzerland is awesome!

[@MathewLauren]

@@IfWeGoTo we have been here less than 24 hours an it’s so breathtaking

[@josephfahey7477]

Just got back. Definitely need to eat at Barefoot and Azia.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Ohh thank you for your recommendations! Next time we visit we will have to give them a try!!

[@SorgiStories]

Great video! Congrats on 30 countries. Aruba looks awesome. -Anthony

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you!!! Aruba was so much fun!

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Great video! I loved Aruba when I visited last 💙

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you!! Its really a lovely island! Did you get to visit any of the other ABC islands too?

[@BirdNerdSophie]

@@IfWeGoTo not yet but I'd love to go to Bonaire to see the parrots (unsurprisingly 😂)

[@IfWeGoTo]

@@BirdNerdSophie The parrots are so cute!! I see them in the garden every couple of days. If I manage to snag a good pic of them I'll send it to you on IG!

[@cyruscrossan]

Beautiful island. Loved the editing for this one, I appreciate all the little sound effects and pop outs. "Only mildly interesting" Lol! The mining ruins look pretty neat. I also enjoyed Alan's takes on all the anthropology and geology.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you!! I'm glad you liked it!! Alan is a bit more knowledgable than I am!!

[@JNTravels]

We are stopping here for a day in October. Thanks for all the information.🐸

[@IfWeGoTo]

You guys will have a blast!!! Anytime! I hope it helps!

[@vs123]

Thank you very much for us to see beautiful place

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you so much for watching! Aruba is a lovely island!!! Happy to share it!

[@Bangaly16kaba]

I really appreciate you both for showing us the “poor peoples experience” in Aruba 😭😭😭it’s gonna be fun when I go with friends

[@IfWeGoTo]

Bahahaha, it was very tempting to pretend to be boujee, but our wallets just couldn't agree. When are you headed there? You guys will have a blast!!

[@KikiAndJeffreyPearl]

Great Video!!! Karen and I are heading to Aruba for couple of weeks. We love Aruba! Wishing You Great Health Abundant Happiness And Outrageous Love!

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you both!!!! I hope you have so much fun on your trip!!

[@KikiAndJeffreyPearl]

@@IfWeGoTo thanks! Watch for our hotel Review

[@AwakeAbroad]

great vid guys!

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you guys!!! 😃

[@stacyb6461]

Thank you for the tour. Excited to go in September

[@IfWeGoTo]

Ahh thank you for watching! Really hope it helps on your travels. And hope you have a wonderful trick, you will love it!!!

[@stacyb6461]

@@IfWeGoTo how did you find driving? For September we will be in palm beach with no car but when we return next year with our kids, we want to rent a car

[@IfWeGoTo]

Very easy driving there! A little bit of traffic sometimes and a few roundabouts around and a couple of one-ways in town, but generally calm drivers and easy to navigate. Google maps works well too! I would check a guide on dutch road signs just so you know what the signs say, some of them are confusing without knowing! lol

[@prosecutor101]

Awesome video!

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you!! So happy you enjoyed it!!!

[@mejn10]

So beautiful happy Easter you and friend and family

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you!! Happy Easter! ❤️

[@mejn10]

@@IfWeGoTo your welcome and thank you

[@voyagestoursfrancais]

excellent video I subscribe greetings from Switzerland

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you!!!

[@maameakuaa.a-a5255]

Loved the silly little donkey :)

[@IfWeGoTo]

They are soooo cute!

[@sammyhamawi6407]

The new tourist on youtube

[@IfWeGoTo]

Ok we’ll check it out! :)

[@juliezak8512]

I've been there it is so good

[@IfWeGoTo]

It’s an amazing spot right??

[@AdvisorDanny]

Nice 😊❤️🌍

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you!!! 😃

[@teunpijnenburg927]

You guys are such underrated... keep it up!

[@IfWeGoTo]

Wow thank you so much!!! So happy you enjoyed it!

[@teunpijnenburg927]

:) and thank you for entertaining me...

[@IfWeGoTo]

It is a pleasure! Where are you watching from??

[@teunpijnenburg927]

@@IfWeGoTo the netherlands...

[@IfWeGoTo]

Ah awesome!!! We’ll be visiting the Netherlands again soon!! 😃

[@Jacob-qo4hp]

Great video! 😃 Going to Aruba soon and would be happy to know where you got that good deal with the rental car? Thanks alot 🤩

[@IfWeGoTo]

We used Alamo rental car at Alamo Riu Palace! It’s a taxi away from the airport, but it saved us a lot even with taxi fares both ways! I’d search for other non-airport locations too just too see and compare! :) Hope you enjoy your trip! 😃

[@stacyb6461]

We plan to have dinner inside California lighthouse at sunset 🌅 . I’m excited for that experience

[@IfWeGoTo]

That's soooo smart!! Definitely the best place for sunset!! Do you have a public instagram?? Would love to see your posts from there!!!

[@stacyb6461]

@@IfWeGoTo yes it is lifestlyeofstacyb (Only sounds fancy haha) thanks so much!!

[@IfWeGoTo]

@@stacyb6461 Hahah I love it though!! I will add you!!

[@stephen7322]

Donkey wine... mmmm. Nothing sus about that 🤭. Those buildings in the main city look edible. Thanks for sharing your adventures 👍

[@IfWeGoTo]

Hahaha would you try it though?? The city is so gorgeous! I wish more places used color like that! Thanks so much for joining along on them! 😃

[@stephen7322]

@@IfWeGoTo Oh absolutely. But nothing lower than goat wine... I do have standards 😳

[@IfWeGoTo]

You know rat wine sounds delectable!!! 🐀 🍷

[@stephen7322]

@@IfWeGoTo well la-dee-dah 😂

[@IfWeGoTo]

@@stephen7322 Hahahah.... youve gotta try it!

[@z821]

Nice

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you!!!

[@1vegasdood]

I saw your quick I mean quick tip on rental cars and not at the airport. Is that easy to figure out once you arrive?

[@IfWeGoTo]

Definitely book beforehand, but it was easy to get to and from the airport!! There are cabs outside of the airport and when we left the car rental place was in the bottom floor of a hotel and we just asked the staff if they could call us one! :)

[@kukubanana478]

Thanks for video. I have question: If I travel in one direction (for instance from Airport to Palm beach) I need to take two buses with a change stop at Oranjestadt bus station. Do I pay the second fare of 2.60$ on the second bus or just continue my trip without second payment ?

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thanks for watching!! I’m not sure on that, I would ask your driver! Usually with buses day passes are offered for all routes, but it depends on where! If you can get a flat rate day pass for a lower fare I would try that!

[@hamnarasheed1153]

Good

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you!!!

[@karannavani7554]

Nice couple you look so beautiful and country is also beautiful

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you so much for your very kind comment!! 🥰

[@na95vlog81]

Woo biutiful

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thank you!!

[@angelahathaway1031]

Understand

[@jamesondavisfilms]

Where did you get your rental car from? I'm going to aruba this weekend 🎉

[@IfWeGoTo]

I believe Thrifty Car Rental. Whatever is cheapest is usually what we go with lol

[@jamesondavisfilms]

@IfWeGoTo ok awesome. Lol that's usually the route I go too 🤣. Cheap

[@IfWeGoTo]

Hahah definitely!! Also be sure to check locations other than the airport. For us we got like $400 off for going to one of the hotels on the island for their pickup/drop off location, it was cheaper to get taxis each way than the airport fees by far!

[@jamesondavisfilms]

@IfWeGoTo wow thanks for the heads up!!

[@alexfernandohuenten1374]

Idole

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thanks!! 🤗

[@eddiearaya2456]

Where did you rent the car from?

[@IfWeGoTo]

Hi!! We rented from the Alamo at Riu Palace. Hope that helps! :)

[@mortimersnerd1348]

Wow. You guys packed in a lot of attractions in such a short time frame. Our family had to make 3 trips to Aruba to encompass the same attractions. We love Aruba and keep coming back for more. It's a great destination especially if you just want to lay around in the sun and chill (kinda like the little feline you had at your AirBnB).

[@IfWeGoTo]

Hi there!! We were very lucky to spend a month there and really get a a feel for where everything was, so it was easy to film this over just a handful of days!! That's so cool you have been three times! When is your next trip? Have you been to Curacao or Bonaire as well? Aruba is definitely the best relaxing beach destination!! Warm, sunny, beautiful, friendly people, great resorts! :)

[@mortimersnerd1348]

@@IfWeGoTo We've not been to Curacao or Bonaire. Our last trip to Aruba was back in January 2022, so it'll probably be another 3 or 4 years before we can afford to go again. We've been to other parts of the Caribbean: Freeport Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Barbados, but Aruba is our favorite. We love it so much, we even spent time with a real-estate agent to see what properties were available. In the end, we decided there were too many hoops to jump through and the properties too expensive.

[@IfWeGoTo]

@@mortimersnerd1348 Oh no way! We came just a little bit after you guys it sounds like. At least your last trip was recent! Would love to check out All of those islands (minus Barbados, we've been there!) They all sound lovely! Buying foreign property is definitely a pain, but hey it's always fin to visit. Then you don't have to maintain it! lol Do you usually do the resorts?? We did an Airbnb, and granted it wasn't fancy or anything, but it was a nice spot and only $700 for a month in Aruba!! Though i imagine a beach side resort is much nicer lol. No driving is a huge plus.

[@colincraigo5793]

The weather really decided to be a pain for this trip. That’s too bad…

[@IfWeGoTo]

We just always manage to go somewhere during a cold/rainy year 😂

[@sammyhamawi6407]

This is ours on the concacaf youtube channel

[@IfWeGoTo]

Will check this out too!

[@phmx182]

Most stores are closed due to covid and or rent prices are too high.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Sad to see it happening. I hope they can recover. :(

[@amyc6355]

Do you have a thing against touristic areas as you should avoid them if you do ! 😂

[@IfWeGoTo]

Oh definitely not - we’re also tourists, visit tons of touristy spots, and lived in one of the most touristy cities in the world! Hahaha. It depends on what type of touristic though… we don’t really love the type of touristy place that’s built just for the tourist, loses its local charm, and has the goal of getting as much as they can out of them. Or somewhere completely over marketed and over touristed to the point you can’t enjoy it. Say like… a purpose-built resort that restricts access to a beautiful natural beach to patrons only, then builds over it and destroys it. Or visiting Venice by a cruise ship and only seeing the gift shops. That type of idea.

[@hamnarasheed1153]

Impakistan

[@IfWeGoTo]

You’re from Pakistan?? We would love to se your country one day!! 🤗

[@johncorners2594]

Sorry pal, but I watched the whole clip....good job young lady... thank you for being informative....him.... wow, little critical don't you think? (I'm trying to be nice)

[@IfWeGoTo]

Was it because he said he didn’t like Johnny Depp in pirates?? 😂 But for real, he’s working on his camera presence. It’s a bit nerve wracking staring into a lens and talking lol

[@johncorners2594]

@@IfWeGoTo sorry, I just didn't like his comments...."not much to see in Oranjestad".... just came off very standoffish...... just being honest. I hope this helps in your future videos....

[@IfWeGoTo]

Hmmm well we’re working on his presentation butttt… he was referring to the city itself though… and he’s right, there wasn’t much there. Especially post-Covid. It’s extremely small! Don’t think that was meant to be stand-offish or offensive! Well continue working on it! Thanks!

[@sammyhamawi6407]

Major league baseball

[@spscorse]

That’s not a vacation I’ve been to Aruba and what you did is not what it’s about. Go to the beach rent a Palapa relax go in the water get a piña colada and chill. Then go back to hotel Change go out to eat tons of great restaurants next morning Repeat.

[@IfWeGoTo]

I think we have to disagree and say that’s totally a matter of opinion! For us, visiting a place is about exploring all it has to offer - especially natural places! Spending the entire time at the beach/hotel would drive us nuts! Lol. We were lucky enough to spend an entire month on Aruba (though in an airbnb) and made this video over multiple days. So we went to the beach to relax too, but I think that would be boring to watch someone on the beach for the entire video! Lol.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Thanks for watching though! Hope you enjoyed your time there!

[@sammyhamawi6407]

Noisey lebanon on youtube

[@IfWeGoTo]

???

[@adalgisavillar5005]

Toooooo Windy!

[@IfWeGoTo]

Yeah it was SO windy some of our days there. 😱

[@chrisrm18]

Btw, Aruba has nothing to do with "Caribbean Netherlands" 🤦🏽‍♂️. That's only the name for the 3 islands of Bonaire, Saba and Statia(they are Dutch municipalities). Aruba is just Aruba, or as you said in your intro, a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands(which is made up of the 4 constituent countries of Aruba, Curaçao, St Maarten and the Netherlands). Dutch Caribbean ≠ Caribbean Netherlands😎 Good job skipping the rennessaince/flamingo Island. It's just an overpriced gimmick(tourist trap). Locals don't care for it and no point in paying 20$ for a beer. Palm Island > Renessaince Island. +1 going to the local supermarkets of save more + Do It Center. Most tourists only jam into the Dutch owned Super Food for some reason 😅. The other one being Lings(Jamaican owned).

[@IfWeGoTo]

Oh I thought it was used to describe the former Netherlands Antilles?! I’m very confused now… hahaha. Oh man I don’t want to fix that thumbnail. 😩 We went to those stores once each.. they were way too much! I see why though, prime tourist real estate! Lol

[@chrisrm18]

@@IfWeGoTo Kingdom of the Netherlands; Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands. These are all separate and autonomous parts. Like the United Kingdom with Scotland, England etc. Dutch Caribbean: All former islands of the now defunct Dutch Antilles(Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, St Maarten, Saba and Statia) Caribbean Netherlands: name of the Dutch municipality that encompasses Bonaire, Saba and Statia. These islands are part of the country of the Netherlands. European Netherlands: the Netherlands.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Ahhh ok gotcha. So Aruba is part of the Dutch Caribbean but not the Caribbean Netherlands. Makes sense! Thanks for pointing it out! It’s easy to get the info wrong as a visitor and nice to learn the correct way! 😃

[@JP-mj9ns]

Aruba is not a country. It's part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Oh I thought it separated as its own country in like the 1980s?

[@JP-mj9ns]

@@IfWeGoTo I don't think so...I'm not 100% sure, however, I feel fairly certain it's not considered an actual country.

[@IfWeGoTo]

@@JP-mj9ns Ok I was curious about it and did some reading, it is its own country and is autonomous, but it is also part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands... I'm not sure on the exact arrangement, but I would think it's kind of like how Guam or Puerto Rico are to the USA - part of it, but also their own country.

[@JP-mj9ns]

@@IfWeGoTo Good to know. I was under the impression it was part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, along with: the Netherlands, Curaçao and St Maarten. All of them comprising the Kingdom of the Netherlands, however, the only one that could actually be "officially" counted as an actual country was the Netherlands. I guess I was incorrect.

[@IfWeGoTo]

@@JP-mj9ns I think Curacao recently did the same thing as Aruba and is its own country, but still part of the Kingdom.. kind of, but Bonaire is still a part of the Kingdom and not technically a country... I'm not totally sure how this all works, it's a bit confusing! They kind of make it easy to misunderstand. hahaha.

[@angelahathaway1031]

She speaks too fast to understand

[@IfWeGoTo]

Oh really?? I’m sorry! I have never gotten this feedback before so this is helpful. Will try to slow it down. Thank you!!

[@franceslock1662]

When Aruban police find Natalee Holloway and shut down the human trafficking, more people might consider going there.

[@IfWeGoTo]

Hadn’t heard of the case, it’s very unfortunate that happened.