Aruba Driving Tour: South End of the Island

From Oranjestad. Exploring the southern end of the island onto the Arikok National Park. From Oranjestad simply head south out following the main road 1A (southbound)/1B (northbound). The first major sight on the right hand side is going to be Queen Reina Beatrix International Airport. Not worth a stop I know, but at least you will know you are heading in the right direction.

Continue along this roadway heading south past the Balashi Brewery and Desalination Plant (WEB). Once you get to the southern end of the island you will see the oil refinery, you can wind your way down from the highway through downtown San Nicolas to Rodgers Beach and Baby Beach. Baby beach is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike for swimming and snorkeling. Save the snorkeling for later in the day. Get out take your pictures and keep on touring. Imo, Rodgers Beach, although closest to the refinery, is more picturesque. Just try to look south and not north to keep the Refinery out of eye sight.

For a short version of this tour, I understand there is only so much time, skip Arikok National Park, by turning around after Baby Beach and head northward back towards Oranjestad.

To see Arikok National Park, from Baby Beach, continue the tour towards Arikok, make your way east towards the dirt path which will take you on a circuit around the southeastern coast of Aruba. This is the windward side of the island and swimming on this side is extremely treacherous and discouraged due to the winds and currents. The large flat building with guard towers, surrounded by barbed wire, is the prison, KIA, with an oceanview. Before passing the prison on your left, on the right you will see the Sailor's Memorial, huge red anchor, large enough it is hard to miss.

The first small beach along this route is Bachelors Beach and the second expansive one is Boca Grandi.

Anywhere between this area and the Boca Prins is where we have most recently been sighting wild Donkeys on a regular basis. Past here, off of the path, to the right, you will see paths towards the ocean. Depending on the type of vehicle you are in, and depending upon the rocks/coral, driving cautiously you can drive close to the coast for some great photos of the crashing waves (protect your camera from the spray) and in some spots, small beaches.

Continuing along the coastline you will see a sign on the left for Guadirikiri Cave. The cave is open to the public with tours given by the National Park Service free of charge. We customarily tip the guide a few dollars for the tours. Be forewarned the cave tour is pretty extensive and you will be warned before entry that it you are afraid of bats, or have respiratory problems, you should not take the tour. The cave is VERY hot and EXTREMELY humid. I was glad I have seen it once and now do not have to go back.

Continuing down the path round the bend and you will see a spot for refreshment. To the right is Boca Prins and the White Sand Dunes. A quick left after the restaurant/bar and a short ride down the path will bring you to Fontein Cave. This is a gentler cave, though also includes bats.

To get to the next stop on this tour, from Boca Prins you need to follow the path inland a bit to get around the sand dunes and being part of the park, are protected. Continue following the path and once past the dunes, the path will wind back towards the east and the coast. This next sight is Dos Playa. If anything it is a great photo opportunity and one of my favorite natural treasures on the island. In order to get to the second beach one would need to hike across that portion of the park. I have never done it myself, but have always suggested this is the ultimate spot for a romance, a picnic and sunbathing au naturelle. Just remember to glob on the sunscreen! And no swimming, the water is too treacherous.

There is parking at both Boca Prins and Dos Playa. If you do not wish to walk over to the second beach at Dos Playa, walk out to the point over the rocks towards the ocean of the first beach and you will get a glimpse of the second beach of Dos Playa.

In order to get back to Oranjestad you can retrace your path from which you came, or head west following the path away from Dos Playa back through the interior of the park. You will ride quite a way to arrive back to civilization. Looking closely there will be some good photo ops (I have ALWAYS seen them on the right hand side) of wild goats and a couple of VERY picturesque Divi-Divi trees. Once out of the park, stay on 7A/7B heading west following the signs for Santa Cruz and Oranjestad.

Article Source: http://www.newarticleseek.com

The author is the owner of the website Aruba Bound!, an Aruba blog, Blogging to Aruba, as well as Weddings in Aruba and has traveled to Aruba numerous times.

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