Travel can be expensive… So it’s always a good idea to sprinkle in some quality, FREE fun so you don’t break the bank! Fortunately, there is “One Happy Island” that offers a ton of FREE things to do, see, and experience. Aruba can be as expensive or as budget-friendly as you want it to be; you just might need to know where to look. Lucky for you, this post is the best place to start!

Visit the Aruba Aloe Factory and Museum

Just on the outskirts of Oranjestad, you’ll find the Aruba Aloe Factory and Museum. Tours of the factory are offered every 15 minutes, seven days a week: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30; Saturday 9:00am-4:30; and Sunday 9:00am-12:30. It’s completely FREE to visit, but you will likely want to get a few souvenirs from their gift shop. Aruban aloe is reportedly the best quality in the world, and you can find it here in lotions, sunscreens, after sun remedies, soaps, hand and foot treatments, and more! Take home a little something from yourself, and maybe for some friends or family.

More here: What to Pack for Your Trip to Aruba

Enjoy the World’s Best Beaches

Aruba is home to several beaches on many a “world’s best” list. With those Caribbean blue waters, so many sunny days, white sand, and sunset views, how could it not? Eagle Beach has been rated the #1 beach in the Caribbean and #2 in the world! Be sure to work in some time to soak it all in at Eagle Beach, Arashi Beach, Malmok Beach, Palm Beach, and beyond. But be sure to bring the sunscreen, too!

Also helpful: The 9 Things You Forgot to Pack for the Caribbean

Explore Wilhelmina Park

This small park is a great place to walk around, just outside of downtown Oranjestad, next to the Renaissance Hotel and Resort property. You can admire the statue of Dutch Queen Wilhelmina while you’re here, of course, but don’t miss the iguanas while you’re at it! They hang out here, right by the shoreline, which, by the way, also boasts beautiful, Caribbean views.

Not free (with a caveat), but could be worth your while: Your Ultimate Guide to Flamingo Beach on Aruba

Tour the National Archaeological Museum

This FREE museum located in the heart of Oranjestad takes visitors through 4500 years of prehistorical finds! But don’t be intimidated. It’s a small museum, and there is not a test at the end. People have visited or inhabited Aruba for thousands of years, so the artifacts are fascinating if history and archaeology are your thing, or something you’re the least bit curious about. The Museum is open Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm; closed Saturday and Sunday, and it’s on the FREE Trolley loop to boot.

Essential info: Your Ultimate Guide to Traveling on Aruba

Hike Up Hooiberg Mountain

If you’re looking for a way to get your “floors” and “steps” in on Aruba, you’ll want to introduce yourself to Hooiberg Mountain and its trail of nearly 600 stairs! It’s not a long trail, but the ascent is just over 300 feet (just under 100 meters). It should take about half an hour to climb up and back down, depending on how long you want to stay and marvel at the 360-degree views from the top. Parking and climbing the trail are completely FREE!

More here: Your Ultimate List of Hiking Tips for Travel

Visit the Bubali Bird Sanctuary

Located just steps away from Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, and several major hotels, this is one of the most easily accessible bird watching spots on the island. Two manmade lakes create an ideal sanctuary for scores of birds. While you’re here, look for herons, cormorants, gulls, terns, and even ducks! It’s a fun place to take the kids, or whoever happens to be traveling with you–I would even go solo! Don’t miss the tower at the north end of the sanctuary to get a “bird’s eye” view of the birds while you’re here.

More here: How to Make Aruba Your Ultimate Romantic Getaway

Go See the California Lighthouse

The California Lighthouse stands tall over the northwest side of the island, watching over the sea and land with its 360-degree views from the top. It does cost $5 to go in and walk up, but you can visit the grounds and get photos here for FREE! It’s named after a shipwreck from 1910, before its construction even started. The name of the ship? The S.S. California. It’s open 9:00am-7:00pm daily, but the grounds are always open. It’s also a great place to watch the sunset!

Keep reading: The Best Places to Eat on Aruba

Visit the Alto Vista Chapel

This little chapel dates back to the 1750s, when the Spanish ruled the island and brought with them their Catholic faith. Situated on a hill, this chapel is picturesquely situated with views of cacti, the Aruban landscape, and the sea. It’s still in use today, particularly for special ceremonies throughout the year. It’s worth a stop, especially since you can visit FREE.

Read on: What to Know Before You Visit the Caribbean

Play with Locals at the Donkey Sanctuary

Why would donkeys need a sanctuary? And on Aruba of all places? The ancestors of these Donkeys came over with Spanish settlers around the year 1500. They were used for work, transportation, and water distribution. They were a major part of the Aruban economy and daily life for hundreds of years. But in the 20th century, cars and other technology replaced the donkeys, and they were in danger of becoming extinct on the island. That’s why the Donkey Sanctuary exists today–to take care of the cuties who took care of the island for so many centuries! You can visit for FREE, although a donation is requested for their upkeep and general needs.

So much more here: Where to Play with Animals on Aruba

Explore the Gold Mill Ruins

Not only was gold found on Aruba in the 19th century, there are two historic gold mill ruins to explore! Bushiribana Gold Mill is the oldest, built in 1872. It’s the located in Noord area on Aruba’s north shore, near the Ostrich Farm and on the way to the Natural Bridge. The Balashi Gold Mill was built in 1899, and is located near Aruba’s south shore, close to the Donkey Sanctuary, Spanish Lagoon, and ferry to De Palm Island. Mining companies would take the gold they found in Aruba’s mines to one of these two locations for refinement between 1872 and 1916. During this time, the industry produced over 3 million pounds of gold! We actually got a little lost and didn’t make it to either set of ruins, but I’m sure you’ll have better luck than we did!

Read next: The Best Ever Air Travel Tips

Get Your Photo with the I HEART Aruba Sign

Everyone loves a great photo-op! You can come any time of day, but make sure you go to the right place. This sign used to be closer to downtown Oranjestad, and it’s still marked there on the map! But it is now located closer to the cruise terminal, on the west side of town, near the Citgo Station. The line was long when we stopped by in the afternoon, and we were not up for a standing in line in the sun. However, when we tried again at 8:30 the next morning, it was just us!

More here: The Absolute WORST Things I Did for Instagram

Want more? Check out my dedicated Aruba Page to plan your trip, see more photos, and feel those island getaway vibes!

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