🇦🇼 Aruba · Places to discover
What to see in Santa Cruz ?
17 places curated by Hozy - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
MAP · OVERVIEW
Landmarks & heritage (3)
Aruba's Abandoned Balashi Gold Smelter
Landmark
Industrial ruins of the Balashi gold foundry, distinct from the Bushiribana mill. A ghostly site amidst the mangroves, rarely visited, where 19th-century mining history is written in stone.Piedra Plat Protestant Church
Landmark
A modest 18th-century Protestant chapel nestled in the arid countryside of Piedra Plat, surrounded by a historic cemetery with Dutch tombstones. One of Aruba's oldest and most understated religious buildings.Cunucu Arikok Traditional House
Landmark
Restored traditional dwelling in Arikok park, built using nineteenth-century techniques with limestone walls and sun-dried cactus thatch. A rare example of preserved rural Aruban architecture.Nature & parks (8)
Wikipedia (en) - CC BY-SAVader Piet Wind Farm
Nature
Wind farm supplying a significant share of Aruba's energy needs. Walking amongst the turbines at sunset with the parched landscape stretching behind creates a visually striking experience.
Wikipedia (en) - CC BY-SABoca Keto
Nature
An isolated rocky cove on the north-east coast, frequented almost exclusively by locals on weekends. Natural rock pools formed in volcanic stone allow for sheltered bathing away from the swell.Wikipedia (en) - CC BY-SAArikok National Park
Nature
Covers nearly 20% of the island with arid landscapes, Amerindian caves and endemic wildlife. The genuine face of Aruba, far removed from beaches and resorts.Pos Chikito (Natural Salt Flats)
Nature
Natural salt lagoons in central-eastern Aruba where pink flamingos regularly feed at dawn. One of the island's rare birdwatching spots accessible on foot without guide or entry fee—pure, unmediated nature.Playa Pabao (Spanish Lagoon)
Nature
An isolated inland lagoon in south-east Aruba, rimmed by mangroves and virtually unknown to tourists. Advanced kitesurfers train here in strong winds whilst seabirds nest undisturbed.Sero Preto (Black Hill)
Nature
Black volcanic hill at the heart of the island, largely overlooked by tourists. The climb on foot rewards with a 360° panorama across the cunucu—the island's arid countryside—and the windmills of the Vader Piet wind farm.Casibari Rock Formations
Nature
Spectacular rock formations with carved stairways leading to the summit. Unobstructed views stretch across the central plains in a quintessentially desert-like atmosphere.Ayo Rock Formations
Nature
Colossal diorite boulders scattered across the landscape, adorned with ancient Arawak petroglyphs. This sacred ancestral site, ringed by towering cacti and unique reptilian fauna, holds powerful cultural significance.Viewpoints (1)
Activities (3)
Aruba's Donkey Sanctuary
Activity
Refuge for Aruba's wild donkeys, an emblematic creature since colonial times. Hand-feed them and wander amongst the herd—both children and adults leave enchanted.Aruba Ostrich Farm
Activity
A unique ostrich farm in the Caribbean, set inland on the island, offering guided tours and the chance to feed the animals. Surprising and authentic — a local curiosity beloved by Aruban families.Fontein Caves
Activity
Limestone cavern within Arikok National Park featuring Arawak rock paintings and impressive stalactites. Guided tour recommended to appreciate the island's pre-Columbian history.Beaches (2)
Andicuri Beach
Beach
A white-sand beach nestled between limestone cliffs on the windward coast. A discreet surf spot and nesting ground for sea turtles — visit early morning for the best chance of spotting them.Boca Prins
Beach
A wild, wave-battered beach on the north-eastern coast, framed by white sand dunes and cacti. Accessible only by 4x4, it delivers raw natural drama—swimming is inadvisable, but the landscape is unforgettable.