Jeep Tours

Be sure to have a look at the whole island, not just your very tempting beach. The biggest tour operator is DePalm Tours, with desks in every major hotel. This firm offers an excellent half-day tour aboard air-conditioned motor coaches with hotel pick-up. At the conclusion of the tour, you can return to your hotel or get off in downtown Oranjestad for an afternoon of shopping.

DePalm Tours also operates open air jeep tours of the island’s rugged countryside. The open-air, yellow jeeps bounce along the desert terrain for the best view of this unique island. We’ve done this with our daughter and the ride is an exhilarating one, especially for teens (reconsider it for young children.) Pack old clothes for this one; you’ll be covered in dust.

DePalm also rents ATVs, a very popular (and sometimes, honestly, a little too scary on busier roads) way to get around town.

Island tours reveal a terrain with a windswept family beauty that families learn to love for its contrast of ochre colors against the turquoise sea and for its rugged beauty. You’ll have an excellent view of the cunucu, or countryside, atop Casibari Rock Formation. It’s a fairly easy climb (although you’ll find yourself bent over and squeezing between rocks a few times), but wear good shoes for this trek. It's best for families with schoolage kids and older.

Return to Aruba with Kids