Island highlights drive

Aruba is about 32 km long and at most 10 km wide, so you can see its main sights in one day by car. This loop starts at the north-west tip, crosses the interior to the rock formations and Arikok, and ends at the island's south-east corner — mostly on paved roads, with traffic driving on the right. Allow 6–8 hours with stops.

What is the route?

1. California Lighthouse – on the Hudishibana plateau near Arashi Beach. Built around 1914–1916 and first lit in 1918, the 30 m tower is named after the SS California, a British steamship that sank off this coast on 23 September 1891. A spiral staircase of 123 steps leads to the top; check on the day whether it is open.
2. Alto Vista Chapel – about 8 km from the lighthouse. A Venezuelan missionary, Domingo Antonio Silvestre, built the first chapel here in 1750; today's building dates from 1952. White crosses marking the Stations of the Cross line the road up from Noord, part of which is unpaved.
3. Bushiribana gold mill ruins – stone ruins near the north coast, a reminder of the gold rush that began in 1824 when a 12-year-old herder, Willem Rasmijn, found gold.
4. Ayo and Casibari rock formations – piles of giant boulders in the island's interior, two of Aruba's best-known landmarks.
5. Hooiberg – the 165 m conical hill near Santa Cruz. A concrete staircase built in 1951 leads to the summit; a 2022 count put it at about 587 steps.
6. Arikok National Park – enter at San Fuego (visitor centre open daily 8:00–15:30; conservation pass US$ 22 per adult in 2026). Park roads have a 20 km/h limit. The Natural Pool is 4×4-only: ordinary cars are not allowed beyond the park checkpoints.
7. Savaneta and Zeerovers – the south coast road towards San Nicolas; a natural lunch stop.
8. San Nicolas and Baby Beach – see the street art walk, then swim in the sheltered lagoon. From the Palm Beach hotels, Baby Beach is about 45 minutes' drive.

Return along the south coast to Oranjestad for sunset.

When is the best time to drive?

Start early: the north coast and Arikok have almost no shade, and average daily maximums run from 30 °C in January to 33 °C in August–September (Departamento Meteorologico Aruba). Doing the loop clockwise as above puts you in the park before midday and on the calm south coast in the afternoon. The rainy season (roughly September–January) brings short showers that can leave dirt sections muddy.

What do people commonly misjudge?

• Off-road access – the north-coast tracks and Arikok's interior are rough; stay on marked roads, and remember that ATVs and UTVs are prohibited in protected nature areas (see jeep and UTV tours).
• Swimming – the north and east coasts have strong currents; save swimming for Baby Beach or the west coast.
• Time – the distances are short but stops add up; if you want to hike, split the loop over two days, as in the 5-day first-time itinerary.
• Fuel, water and cash – carry water and some cash; facilities are sparse once you leave the towns.

Can you do it without a car?

Partly. Arubus line L10 reaches Arashi near the lighthouse, lines L1, L2 and L3A connect Oranjestad and San Nicolas, and L900 runs from San Nicolas to Baby Beach (single fare AWG 4.50 / US$ 2.60 in 2026). The interior sights and Arikok are much easier by car. See getting around Aruba.