Interesting sites to visit
California lighthouse
This "faro" lighthouse is built on Hudishibana in the years 1914-1916. The lighthouse is named after a ship "California", which sank off the coast. In 1912 when the Titanic was sinking, the California received the SOS signals, but no action was undertaken. Later a misfortune took place and the California sank.
While standing on the plateau, the view is just marvelous.
Bubali Bird Sanctuary
The freshwater pond is home for birds that either visit the pond as far as the United States and Venezuela. It's hidden by the shrubs and trees, which grow around it. The pond which already existed, expanded in 1973, when the hotels began to use that location for depositing their refuse water. The water undergoes treatment and birds, fish and other animals moved in, and transformed it into an Aruban attraction.
Casibari rock formations
Visitors can climb to the top of these huge Diorite boulders and enjoy the spectacular view of great part of the island.
One can also view the cruiseships when in port of Oranjestad.
Tropical plants and trees surround the boulders.
Hooiberg 541ft / 168m
This hill is in the center of Aruba and by climbing almost 600 steps you will reach to the top.
There is a viewing tower at only a hundred steps enabling more people to enjoy Aruba's fascinating topography. Remember to bring your camera along.
Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins
Gold was discovered in 1824 by a young man of 12 years called Willem Rasmijn in the dry creek of Rooi Fluit in upper Santa Cruz.
The ruins are the remains of a gold melting furnace (1872) located in the vicinity of the natural bridge.
Natural Bridges
Visitors to Aruba can appreciate the other unique natural landmarks Aruba offers, like the baby bridge adjacent to the popular grand natural bridge, which collapsed on sept. 2 in the Caribbean Sea and the natural bridge at Warirui Beach, a bit north of Bushiribana Gold mine ruins.
Other landmark highlights are the uniquely carved by mother-nature into threesome unified bows are the bridges at Black Stone Beach, further south of Andicuri Beach and at Seroe Colorado a bit east of Baby Beach.
The terrain consists of batholith of some 85-90 million years. Also there is Gabbro, for example in the area of natural bridge and Bushiribana. The youngest rocks on Aruba are limestones which surround the old core of the island.
Ayo Rock Formations
These huge quartz diorite boulders are shaped by nature some 90-95 million years ago, reflecting for example a giant mushroom and a face of a gorilla.
It is the marking of ancient native Indians whose drawings in the caves are protected by iron bars, to prevent goats from rubbing against the walls.
Arikok National Park
The terrain is impressive and is categorized by many types of landscaping. The region is the habitat of various species of plants and animals. To mention a few, the rattlesnake (Crotalus unicolor) unique in specie and to the world, Arubian owl (Athene cunicularia arubensis), bats (Glossophaga longirostris), parakeets (Aratinga pertinax arubensis), variety of cacti (Lemaireocereus griseus, Cereus repandus, Cephalucereus lanuginosus, Melocactus, Opuntia elotor,ect.) watapana (Caesalpinia copiaria), aloe vera (Aloe vera), kibrahacha (Tabebuia billbergii) and more . . . The park has important historical sites, caves, types of rocks, indian drawings, gold mines and cunucu (countryside). It covers 17% of the island.
Boca Prins
Boca Prins white sand dunes are for the pastime. Please do not ride with your vehicle on the white sand. Parking spaces are available. Adventurous and young at heart. Dune sliding can be a fun and enjoyable.
Fontein cave
Fontein distinguishes itself from the other caves like Quadirikiri, Baranca Sunu (Tunnel of Love) and Huliba, because this is the only cave where indian drawings can be found.
The Long-tongued bat (Glossophaga longirostris elongata) uses Fontein as its resting and breeding place. They leave the cave early in the evening to search for nectar and pollen from the trees and cacti.
Without these bats, some of these plants will not bear fruits and produce seeds. Large stalagmites and stalactites are an attraction at this cave. The cave has a depth of 95 meters and an area of 1700 sq.meters.
Guadirikiri cave
A two chamber cave where the natural sunlight illuminates through is home of unique bats. Aruba is home of six species of bats.
Guadirikiri is formed by natural elements and it turns every picture into a souvenir to cherish forever. Impressive stalagmites and stalactites are also to be found in the cave. This cave has a depth of 150 meters and an area of 660 sq.meters.
Baranca Sunu alias Tunnel of Love
Be adventurous and explore the 300ft tunnel.
It became famous as the Tunnel of Love due to its heart shape at the entrance.
Lourdes Grotto
This grotto carefully created in the natural limestone cave is a shrine to many pilgrims and is located at Sero Preto, San Nicolaas. The Lourdes Grotto dates back to 1958, which marked the 150 years that the Holy Virgin appeared before of Bernadette.
Balashi Gold Mine Ruins
Built in 1899 and located close to "Spaans Lagoen" Spanish Lagoon, exporting was the main activity during the 18th century. Nowadays, not only crumbling walls, but even kettles and ovens are still left. An abundance of parakeets (Aratinga pertinax arubensis) and aloe vera (aloe vera) keep the ruins company. This unique site takes you back in history.
Yamanota 617ft / 188m
This is the highest elevation of Aruba and is located in the vicinity of the Balashi Gold Mill Ruins and Mira Lamar gold mine complex.
Lots of animals and plants, typical to Aruba are to be found in this area.
Alto Vista chapel (1750)
The Pilgrim's Chapel of Our Lady of Alto Vista was built in 1750.
Tuesday masses are celebrated for the devoted.
The surroundings of the sea and the untouched countryside is breathtaking and a special place to contemplate.
Santa Anna church
St. Anne's church was constructed in 1776 and was rebuilt in for the first time in 1831 and again in 1886; The final renovation took place in 1916.
The church's stained glass windows date from 1932. The solid oak hand carved altar is a classic neo gothic design and was the work of sculptor Hendrik van der Geld. This altar won an exhibition award during the religious art exhibition held in Rome in 1870. The altar was donated to Aruba in 1928.
Oranjestad
Around 1790 white colonization starts and Oranjestad came to be.
This little town called Playa in the past and still referred to by locals today, needed a proper name, according to the Commander. During a visit of the governor of Curaçao in 1824, it was suggested during a meeting to name the capital after the Royal House of Orange. Oranjestad, the town was formed around 1790.
Oranjestad has many landmarks, like the Nassaustraat, nowadays it is called Caya G.F. (Betico) Croes, which was the first paved street of Aruba during 1929 when the Lago refinery started operation.
The executive council of Ministers is also housed in Oranjestad on Lloyd Gaston Smith Boulevard.
This building was built during the World War II, 1942, as an officer's mess; in 1945 it became the government's boarding house. In October 1952 the island government moved in. The Wilhelmina Park is also a beautiful park to visit. This park is named after the former Queen of Holland and grandmother of Queen Beatrix, “Wilhelmina”. Driftwood restaurant, which serves local food, welcomes you to sample their delights.
Buildings of historic value
Fort Zoutman and Willem III Tower (1796)
The Fort Zoutman was built in 1796; this is the oldest building in Oranjestad In 1929 the top was altered. The fort was restored and is today a historical museum.
Hotel Colombia (1918)
This building is situated at Zoutmanstraat/corner Oranjestraat and was built in 1918 to serve as the consulate of Venezuela, and later became the first Aruban hotel. Complete restoration took place and it's once again in its original dark red color. It now serves as the "Town Hall" together with the Eloy Arends building.
The Eloy Arends building (1922)
This mansion was constructed between 1922 and 1925 in connection with the marriage of Eloy Arends to Maria Monica Laclé where Aruban dignitaries celebrated the festivities at this house. It now serves together with the Hotel Colombia building as the city council.
The 1888 School in Wilhelminastraat
This neo-classical building at Wilhelminastraat 6 was the first public school in Aruba. The wing in the back was added on in 1920. It served as a military barrack during the World War II. From 1955 until 1982 the building accommodated the Public Library. Today the Advisory Council and General Audit Office is located here.
Zoutmanstraat 1 (1911)
This Governmental building dates back to 1911 and housed many offices in the past, like postoffice, radiostation, harbourmaster's office, and the archeological museum. Presently it houses the "Monumenten Bureau", the "Monumenten raad" and the "Monumenten Fonds".
Protestant Church in Oranjestad (1846)
This little church at Wilhelminastraat 1 did already exist, when in 1858 Aruba got its first preacher, because around 1780 along with the immigration from Curaçao came Protestantism to Aruba. The larger Protestant Church adjacent to this was constructed in 1950.
Ecury complex (1910, 1929)
The buildings of Aruban houses and the two more sophisticated Caribbean townhouses date back respectively from 1910 and 1929. As a whole they embodied the commercial success of the Ecury Trading Company. In 1997 the Country of Aruba acquired the building complex.
Paardenbaai alias horses' Bay Harbor
The harbor acquired its name after the shipment of horses that took place towards the end of the eighteenth century. The horse trade took on quite a large volume. Due to lack of harbor facilities, the unloading of the animals took place as follows. When a ship entered the harbor, the interested merchants would bring a horse to a sloping part of the coast. Two crewmembers of the ship would then throw the horses overboard one by one, upon which they would instinctively swim towards the horse standing ashore.
Neighbourhoods
Sabaneta
Sabaneta or Savaneta is the oldest settlement of Aruba and became in existence around 1840. In the Dutch period the name Commander's Bay became popular. When the Commander in 1790 moved to Ponton (north of Oranjestad) and some time later to the new little town, Playa (meaning Beach) at Paardenbaai, the name Commander's Bay was dropped. Later in the years 1840, when the place starts blooming again due to cochineal breeding, the place is called Sabaneta (small meadow) to distinguish it from the more westwardly Sabana Grandi (big meadow). It is home of the respected Brisas Del Mar restaurant overlooking the sea, and serving local cuisine.
San Nicolaas
The most important industrial center where the refinery is located owes its existence to the phosphate mining in 1879 and afterwards. In 1859 guano or calcium phosphate was discovered.
The place was called after a former landowner in that region, Nicolaas van der Biest. It is home of Costa Riba restaurant which serves authentic local cuisine and also Charlie's Bar restaurant, over 50 years of family tradition.
Sero Colorado
In 1958 Lago adopted this name Sero Colorado (it means colored hill) for the residential section of its employees. Deep into Sero Colorado shafts and passages are still found, left from the time of the phosphate mining activities.
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