5 Most Instagram-Worthy Attractions On Aruba

The rocky shoreline of Arikok National Park. Image courtesy of the Aruba Tourism Authority.

Pro tips for optimizing your Instagram feed while exploring Aruba

We all choose vacation destinations for different reasons. Call me Instagram-obsessed if you must, but one of the things I always look for in a destination is its photogenic potential. Before I book, I want to know what’s worth photographing while I’m there and how other people have shot it. This too was the case while planning my most recent international trip to Aruba.

Now that I’ve returned from One Happy Island, I have a few tips and tricks to share. In an effort to help other budding photographers, I’ve come up with a list of places and attractions on Aruba that I found to be the most Instagram-worthy. You can see them in full, 360 degrees in the video below, which should make planning your shot list a snap.

Atardi

One of the best sunsets I saw in Aruba was at Atardi, a pop-up restaurant on Palm Beach. Part of the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Atardi features contemporary Caribbean cuisine with local flair and some killer cocktails.

Pro tip: Arrive about 10 minutes before sunset to get your bearings and explore the space. You may also want to photograph the sun as it peeks through the resort’s adjacent palapa grove.

Aruba’s Natural Pool

On its own, the Caribbean Sea vacillates between hues of sapphire, royal blue, turquoise and azure. Add the juxtaposition of Aruba’s rugged, rocky coastline, and you’ve got an image that really pops. If landscape photos are your thing, head to Arikok National Park for its dramatic rock formations, cliffs and beaches. The big payoff here is going for a swim in Aruba’s Natural Pool, which is no easy feat to find (you’ll have to take an ATV or an off-roading Land Rover tour).

Pro tip: Bring a waterproof camera with you and a sturdy tripod—the wind can be unpredictable.

Fort Zoutman

Located in Oranjestad, Fort Zoutman is Aruba’s oldest building as well as a historic museum that’s open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Climb its narrow stairs and ladder to the top of the tower for 360-degree views of the city and marina, where massive cruise ships pull up for the day.

Pro tip: You’ll want to have your hands free to navigate the ladder, so make sure you have a small backpack for your gear and travel lightly the day of your visit.

Flamingo Beach

Arguably the most Instagrammed attraction on Aruba is Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island. Here, flamingos walk up to you in search of food pellets and might even eat right from your hand if they are hungry enough. To get to the island, you’ll have to take a boat from the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, which is free for hotel guests and $99 for everyone else.

Pro tip: Arrive as early as you can in the morning for two reasons: 1) There will be fewer people on the beach trying to get selfies with the flamingos and messing up your shots 2) The flamingos will be hungry and more interested in interacting with you.

Ruins of Aruba’s Natural Bridge

There is much to see in Arikok National Park, including the ruins of Aruba’s National Bridge. Formerly the most photographed attraction on the island, the limestone arch collapsed in 2005. Even though it doesn’t live up to its full potential, what remains is an elegant ode to nature amid crashing waves. Steps away is a smaller naturally-formed arch that visitors can cross. Locals have their own nickname for it—Son of a Bridge.

Pro tip: Wear closed-toed shoes so that you can get as close to the ruins as possible and walk all over Son of a Bridge (he deserves it).

The seaside town of Oranjestad. Image courtesy of the Aruba Tourism Authority

For more tips on what to see and do, read my article about the top seven things to do on Aruba. You can check out my Instagram feed, including a few choice Aruba pics, below. My trip was made possible by the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. Views expressed are my own.