Description
The following stops are made on this tour:
- Aloe Vera Factory
- Casibari Rock Formation
- Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins
- Alto Vista Chapel
- California Lighthouse
- and many more sights along the way…
Included in the tour:
- Free pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or cruise ship
- Refreshments (Water)
- English, Spanish and Dutch speaking guides
(French, Italian and German guides available for groups of at least 10 persons)
Duration: 3½ hours
Explore Aruba in an air-conditioned bus. Your friendly and professional tour guide will show you the attractions and natural landmarks of Aruba.
You will make a visit to the Aloe Vera Factory and Museum. Aloe, first introduced to the island in 1840, became a very important part of Aruba’s history. At one point Aruba was the largest exporter of Aloe in the world with almost two-thirds of the island covered in plants. You will have the opportunity to take a tour through the state-of-the-art Aruba Aloe Factory and learn more about its history in the adjacent museum.
You will also see some of Aruba’s famous attractions including Casibari Rock Formations which is a natural rock formation which can be climbed to get some amazing views of the island and also the Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins. Gold fever is a treacherous condition in which many men dream but few get rich. Aruba experienced this malady beginning in the early 19th century. Early prospectors were local men with shovels and picks. Starting in 1854, the rights to mine went to a successive list of professional companies who tried and usually failed to be profitable. One of them, the Aruba Island Gold Mining Company, built their elaborate mill on the northern coast in 1874 along with roads and a pier. The English company abandoned the smelting operation in 1881. By 1916, the gold rush was over. These ruins along the coastline are fun to explore.
Next you will travel to Alto Vista Chapel. The chapel was built on the site of the first Catholic Church built in Aruba in 1750 by a Spanish missionary. It is a special place for peace and contemplation, surrounded by the Aruban countryside. Your final stop will be at the famous California Light House, named after a ship called the California, which has the distinction of having received distress signals from the Titanic as she went down in icy waters in 1912. This area offers some of the most beautiful scenic views of Aruba.
Type: Scenic, Cultural
Activity Level: Easy
Recommended attire: We recommend comfortable clothes and sensible walking shoes or sneakers. Sunglasses and sunscreen are also suggested.
Restrictions: Guests must be able to walk on pavement, as well as uneven packed dirt surfaces. Some paths on the tour have inclines.
Wheelchair passengers must be able to walk short distances and go up some steps into the tour vehicle.
Wheelchair must be collapsible for storage purposes.
Days of operation: Daily
Reservations MUST be made at least 24 hours in advance.
