Things to do & places to visit in Santa Cruz, Aruba

Santa Cruz #5 destination in Aruba 2023. The average rating score is 4.54 based on 3.576 traveler reviews, of 13 attractions. Timezone: America/Aruba, current date and time: Friday, May 10, 2024, 3:22.

Top things to do (11)

Top places to visit (26 attractions)

5.0 Rancho Loco (410 reviews)
- Fabulous Ride with a Ranch that Cares!
Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Horseback Riding Tours

Rancho Loco is an equestrian center that is dedicated to boarding and caring of horses, training of juvenile horses, riding lessons for beginners as well as experienced riders and horseback ride tours. See more..
5.0 Pro Kite School Aruba (49 reviews)
- Excellent Learning Experience
Lessons & Workshops

Pro kite school Aruba situated at Boca Grande. The only spot with steady wind on Aruba.We do beginner lessons, but also advanced and freestyle, or wave board riding classes. Down wind trips. Rental. Repair. Trips, supervision and guidance all around Aruba.All classes provided by Petr Pechi Pechacek. Pro instructor, pro rider and world record holder with 14 years of experiences. See more..
5.0 TRI-BIKE ARUBA (25 reviews)
- Great road bike rental
Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Speciality & Gift Shops

TRI-BIKE ARUBA is the longest running and leading swimming, cycling and running shop on Aruba. The shop is established in 1993 by Olympic cyclist & 2-time Hawaii Ironman finisher Gert van Vliet. He was driven to share his sportive passions with his fellow Arubans. Nowadays, we have a great organization where we have top quality brands, an advanced workshop with experienced mechanics and the best rental bikes to discover our One Happy Island. More and more locals and tourists discover the beauty of Aruba on a bike. We offer the best rental road bikes and mountain bikes from premium brands that you can find on the island. We also offer drop-off/pick-up services for your convenience. You can request a rental bike via www.tribikearuba.com/rental-bikes-aruba. We are also more than happy to advice you about the greatest routes and trails on Aruba. You can download routes from the komoot app/website directly to your GPS device or smartphone via www.tribikearuba.com/bike-routes-aruba. See more..
5.0 Sea Bull Aruba Charters (13 reviews)
- Amazing day on the boat.
Friday: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM Boat Tours

Captain Victor and his crew were amazing. We couldn’t have asked for a better staff an boat. There were 8 of us and we were very comfortable We celebrated my wife’s birthday on a 6 hour island cruise. It was amazing. Captain victor took us to beaches that were amazing. He even taught one of our friends who is terrified of water to swim. What a day. See more..
5.0 Milliard MMA Academy Aruba (5 reviews)
- GREAT COACH
Friday: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Health Clubs

Great wrestling/jiu jitsu training with Coach Milliard! True legend of the sport. Can't wait to come again next time! See more..
5.0 Rancho Loco (410 reviews)
- Fabulous Ride with a Ranch that Cares!
Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Horseback Riding Tours

Rancho Loco is an equestrian center that is dedicated to boarding and caring of horses, training of juvenile horses, riding lessons for beginners as well as experienced riders and horseback ride tours. See more..
5.0 Pro Kite School Aruba (49 reviews)
- Excellent Learning Experience
Lessons & Workshops

Pro kite school Aruba situated at Boca Grande. The only spot with steady wind on Aruba.We do beginner lessons, but also advanced and freestyle, or wave board riding classes. Down wind trips. Rental. Repair. Trips, supervision and guidance all around Aruba.All classes provided by Petr Pechi Pechacek. Pro instructor, pro rider and world record holder with 14 years of experiences. See more..
5.0 TRI-BIKE ARUBA (25 reviews)
- Great road bike rental
Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Speciality & Gift Shops

TRI-BIKE ARUBA is the longest running and leading swimming, cycling and running shop on Aruba. The shop is established in 1993 by Olympic cyclist & 2-time Hawaii Ironman finisher Gert van Vliet. He was driven to share his sportive passions with his fellow Arubans. Nowadays, we have a great organization where we have top quality brands, an advanced workshop with experienced mechanics and the best rental bikes to discover our One Happy Island. More and more locals and tourists discover the beauty of Aruba on a bike. We offer the best rental road bikes and mountain bikes from premium brands that you can find on the island. We also offer drop-off/pick-up services for your convenience. You can request a rental bike via www.tribikearuba.com/rental-bikes-aruba. We are also more than happy to advice you about the greatest routes and trails on Aruba. You can download routes from the komoot app/website directly to your GPS device or smartphone via www.tribikearuba.com/bike-routes-aruba. See more..
5.0 Sea Bull Aruba Charters (13 reviews)
- Amazing day on the boat.
Friday: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM Boat Tours

Captain Victor and his crew were amazing. We couldn’t have asked for a better staff an boat. There were 8 of us and we were very comfortable We celebrated my wife’s birthday on a 6 hour island cruise. It was amazing. Captain victor took us to beaches that were amazing. He even taught one of our friends who is terrified of water to swim. What a day. See more..
5.0 Milliard MMA Academy Aruba (5 reviews)
- GREAT COACH
Friday: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Health Clubs

Great wrestling/jiu jitsu training with Coach Milliard! True legend of the sport. Can't wait to come again next time! See more..
4.5 Arikok National Park (1.218 reviews)
- Wonderful Trip Into Nature
Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours National Parks

Definitely a must do when here in Aruba. We had a small Hyundai rental car and we’re able to stay on the paved road and do the two short dirt roads to the caves without any issues. (Numbers 6, 7, 9, and 16 on the map.) You need to drive slowly on the paved road as there are little gullies (which I think help with rain water) frequently throughout the drive. We found the slower drive actually really nice compared to the people blowing past us in jeeps. We were able to see all the little lizards, the wild goats weren’t scared away etc. Sad that some people drive through so quickly just to get to an end destination and miss all the small things while driving through. There are so many cool plants and creatures to appreciate. We definitely recommend getting to the park early as it gets very hot and depending on how much you want to walk around-you’ll want to do that in the cool of the morning. Make sure you bring plenty of water with you. See more..
4.5 Donkey Sanctuary Aruba (987 reviews)
- Fun to Visit, Especially With Children
Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas

Visit Donkey Sanctuary Aruba where you can feed and pet the donkeys from the safety of our enclosed porch. They especially love apples and carrots, so feel free to bring some along. There is no admission fee, though your generous donations are greatly appreciated and are what continue to allow us the ability to care for our donkey family, which has approximately 130 members at the moment. Our volunteers will be more than happy to show you around and answer your questions. And if you get there early enough, you can even help with the daily chores of feeding and caring for the donkeys, a great and educational experience for children! If you’d rather just observe, then you’re welcome to grab a seat on our covered porch, sit back with some coffee or a cold beverage and snack from our concession stand, or take a look inside our gift shop. Whatever you decide, we look forward to seeing you there! See more..
4.5 Rancho Daimari (279 reviews)
- Great and Safe
Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Horseback Riding Tours

"Rancho Daimari" facilities are family oriented ... Something for everybody ... So come on down, saddle up and be ready for the best ride of your life!A little private beach located at the north east side of the Island it's very popular with the local surfers. It's breathtaking views are amazing!!!... Is is one of the most remote places on the Island an experience you can't miss...Free Round Trip Transportation 2-hour guided tour into the most spectacular scenery in Aruba (Natural Pool, Arikok National Park,Andicuri Beach, Sand Dunes & more)Swimming at the Natural Pool!Refreshment all skill levels and Children welcome. Also featuring Private Tours. Come and enjoy Aruba at its best, amazing beaches and panoramas and .... Lots of hidden treasures. You are Welcome!! See more..
4.5 Madi Magical Tours (233 reviews)
- Best Experience in Aruba!!
Sightseeing Tours

Madi is a GREAT tourist guide and we had a lot of fun with her ... she is funny and makes the whole experience worth it. The trip included - * natural pool * andicuri beach * rock formations * 4x4 rugged drive experience * natural bridge Madi knows the whole island as her family has been there for generations. We stopped over at her mom's store to pickup some coconut water (yum!) and later she took us to a supermarket where we could get cheaper drinks/snacks since stuff on the main island is pricey! We even borrowed snorling equiment from her (she has extras in her Jeep). She had all the time and all sorts of stories to tell about the island (from the Prime minister to shark hunting!) Definitely Recommended!!!!! See more..
4.5 Boca Prins Beach (70 reviews)
- Beautiful secluded views, but not for playing in the water.
Beaches

Boca Prins Beach was a real nice contrast after driving around Arakok National Park and climbing in and out of caves most of the morning. It’s quite unique to see all desert then all of a sudden here is a beautiful rocky beach with white sand. The beach is for viewing and not swimming. There is limited parking but you would be fairly safe to park just off the side of the road. Other than people on our tour there was nobody there much like Dos Playa Beach which is a mile past. Certainly recommend a visit for great secluded ocean viewing just sitting there watching the waves crash against the rocks. See more..
4.5 Dos Playa (52 reviews)
- The other side of Aruba
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent More than 3 hours Beaches

Dos Playa (“two beaches”) in Arikok National Park embodies the jagged, unspoiled nature of Aruba. Dos Playa is perfectly imperfect. On one hand, there’s a strong undertow and rip tide that aren’t suitable for recreational swimming. But on the other hand, you will catch a glimpse of Aruba’s pristine, unexplored landscape. At Dos Playa, you’ll be entranced by the sound of big waves crashing against its coral limestone coves. Due to the bumpy off-roads in Arikok National Park, I recommend renting a jeep or 4x4 to get here. Dos Playa is truly a hidden gem! See more..
4.5 Arikok National Park (1.218 reviews)
- Wonderful Trip Into Nature
Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours National Parks

Definitely a must do when here in Aruba. We had a small Hyundai rental car and we’re able to stay on the paved road and do the two short dirt roads to the caves without any issues. (Numbers 6, 7, 9, and 16 on the map.) You need to drive slowly on the paved road as there are little gullies (which I think help with rain water) frequently throughout the drive. We found the slower drive actually really nice compared to the people blowing past us in jeeps. We were able to see all the little lizards, the wild goats weren’t scared away etc. Sad that some people drive through so quickly just to get to an end destination and miss all the small things while driving through. There are so many cool plants and creatures to appreciate. We definitely recommend getting to the park early as it gets very hot and depending on how much you want to walk around-you’ll want to do that in the cool of the morning. Make sure you bring plenty of water with you. See more..
4.5 Donkey Sanctuary Aruba (987 reviews)
- Fun to Visit, Especially With Children
Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas

Visit Donkey Sanctuary Aruba where you can feed and pet the donkeys from the safety of our enclosed porch. They especially love apples and carrots, so feel free to bring some along. There is no admission fee, though your generous donations are greatly appreciated and are what continue to allow us the ability to care for our donkey family, which has approximately 130 members at the moment. Our volunteers will be more than happy to show you around and answer your questions. And if you get there early enough, you can even help with the daily chores of feeding and caring for the donkeys, a great and educational experience for children! If you’d rather just observe, then you’re welcome to grab a seat on our covered porch, sit back with some coffee or a cold beverage and snack from our concession stand, or take a look inside our gift shop. Whatever you decide, we look forward to seeing you there! See more..
4.5 Rancho Daimari (279 reviews)
- Great and Safe
Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Horseback Riding Tours

"Rancho Daimari" facilities are family oriented ... Something for everybody ... So come on down, saddle up and be ready for the best ride of your life!A little private beach located at the north east side of the Island it's very popular with the local surfers. It's breathtaking views are amazing!!!... Is is one of the most remote places on the Island an experience you can't miss...Free Round Trip Transportation 2-hour guided tour into the most spectacular scenery in Aruba (Natural Pool, Arikok National Park,Andicuri Beach, Sand Dunes & more)Swimming at the Natural Pool!Refreshment all skill levels and Children welcome. Also featuring Private Tours. Come and enjoy Aruba at its best, amazing beaches and panoramas and .... Lots of hidden treasures. You are Welcome!! See more..
4.5 Madi Magical Tours (233 reviews)
- Best Experience in Aruba!!
Sightseeing Tours

Madi is a GREAT tourist guide and we had a lot of fun with her ... she is funny and makes the whole experience worth it. The trip included - * natural pool * andicuri beach * rock formations * 4x4 rugged drive experience * natural bridge Madi knows the whole island as her family has been there for generations. We stopped over at her mom's store to pickup some coconut water (yum!) and later she took us to a supermarket where we could get cheaper drinks/snacks since stuff on the main island is pricey! We even borrowed snorling equiment from her (she has extras in her Jeep). She had all the time and all sorts of stories to tell about the island (from the Prime minister to shark hunting!) Definitely Recommended!!!!! See more..
4.5 Boca Prins Beach (70 reviews)
- Beautiful secluded views, but not for playing in the water.
Beaches

Boca Prins Beach was a real nice contrast after driving around Arakok National Park and climbing in and out of caves most of the morning. It’s quite unique to see all desert then all of a sudden here is a beautiful rocky beach with white sand. The beach is for viewing and not swimming. There is limited parking but you would be fairly safe to park just off the side of the road. Other than people on our tour there was nobody there much like Dos Playa Beach which is a mile past. Certainly recommend a visit for great secluded ocean viewing just sitting there watching the waves crash against the rocks. See more..
4.5 Dos Playa (52 reviews)
- The other side of Aruba
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent More than 3 hours Beaches

Dos Playa (“two beaches”) in Arikok National Park embodies the jagged, unspoiled nature of Aruba. Dos Playa is perfectly imperfect. On one hand, there’s a strong undertow and rip tide that aren’t suitable for recreational swimming. But on the other hand, you will catch a glimpse of Aruba’s pristine, unexplored landscape. At Dos Playa, you’ll be entranced by the sound of big waves crashing against its coral limestone coves. Due to the bumpy off-roads in Arikok National Park, I recommend renting a jeep or 4x4 to get here. Dos Playa is truly a hidden gem! See more..
4.0 Fontein Cave (222 reviews)
- Very interesting Arawak Cave Drawings and easily accessible
Caverns & Caves

Fontein Cave was one of the two caves we visited on a tour of Arikok National Park. This cave is much smaller than the Guadirikiri Cave; however, it is much easier to enter since it is at ground level. If you want to see a cave, but have a little trouble walking and climbing I recommend this cave since there are no stairs. Also this cave has lots of Arawak Drawings done by the indigenous people and bats as usual. Due to dripping water there are plenty of stalagmites and stalactites of various colors and forms that are very pretty. Highly recommend a visit. See more..
4.0 Parque Vader Piet (13 reviews)
- Great navigation landmark
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Travelling outside of the Arikok Park towards Baby Beach this wind-farm was our guide to the southern tip of the island. Both Baby Beach and Rodgers Beach can be reached via this as a boundary. See more..
4.0 Fontein Cave (222 reviews)
- Very interesting Arawak Cave Drawings and easily accessible
Caverns & Caves

Fontein Cave was one of the two caves we visited on a tour of Arikok National Park. This cave is much smaller than the Guadirikiri Cave; however, it is much easier to enter since it is at ground level. If you want to see a cave, but have a little trouble walking and climbing I recommend this cave since there are no stairs. Also this cave has lots of Arawak Drawings done by the indigenous people and bats as usual. Due to dripping water there are plenty of stalagmites and stalactites of various colors and forms that are very pretty. Highly recommend a visit. See more..
4.0 Parque Vader Piet (13 reviews)
- Great navigation landmark
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Travelling outside of the Arikok Park towards Baby Beach this wind-farm was our guide to the southern tip of the island. Both Baby Beach and Rodgers Beach can be reached via this as a boundary. See more..