Aruba Noord: Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome

  Your Aruba Noord tour begins by the California Lighthouse, from here, you'll journey inland, discovering fascinating history and breathtaking sights along the way!

• S.S. California

  Your first stop will be at the California Lighthouse, where you'll learn where this landmark got its name and what unfortunate events transpired to prompt the construction of the lighthouse in the first place!

• Arashi Beach

  Next you'll pass Arashi Beach, sporting pristine white sand and crystal clear water. What more could anyone need?

• Catalina Cove

  After that you'll spot Catalina Cove, a favorite spot for sea turtles to lay eggs and, by extension, a favorite spot for seagulls looking for their next meal.

• Spanish Occupation

  During the 15th and 16th centuries, Spain sent expeditions all over the Caribbean in search of gold. This meant lots of galleons crossing these seas ladened with lots of gold -- perfect for pirates on the hunt! Thank goodness they didn’t find gold here -- it would’ve just put a giant target on this beautiful island.

• Francis Drake vs. the Spanish

  During Spanish occupation, Aruba often served as a place for merchants to hide when they feared pirates were chasing them. These merchants feared one pirate in particular above all others: Sir Francis Drake.

• The Dutch and Piracy’s Golden Age

  Spain’s control over Aruba didn’t last forever. A war an ocean away brought an end to that. The Thirty Years’ War raged across central Europe during the first half of the 17th century. The war killed over 8 million people, and no clear winner emerged at its conclusion. To secure peace, the nations involved used conquered territories as bartering chips, as if they were goods to be traded. That’s how the Dutch assumed control of Aruba in 1636.

• Pirate Myths and Misconceptions

  What do you picture when you imagine a pirate? Peg leg, eyepatch, hook hands, skull and crossbones, a parrot on the shoulder… Turns out that actual pirates almost certainly looked nothing like this! This mythologized image comes entirely from famous artist Howard Pyle. Pyle wrote and illustrated popular young adult books in the 1800s like The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. His pirate imagery emerged in the swashbuckling tale, Who Shall Be Captain?

• Alto Vista Chapel

  Continuing on, you'll pass by Alto Vista Chapel, which has roots all the way back in the 18th century!

• Betico Croes: Liberator of Aruba

  It’s been a long time since Francis Drake and Black Bart sailed these seas, so let’s step closer to the present day for a bit. After over 300 years under Dutch colonial rule, Aruba began to fight for autonomy. Nobody was more vocal about this than politician Betico Croes, now known as the “liberator of Aruba.”

• Updating the Seafaring Traditions

  In the age of pirates, Aruba made money by welcoming both merchant and pirate captains alike to rest at their port. It didn’t matter where the sailors came from -- they’d be welcome so long as they had coin to spend.

• Unique Currency: Florin

  After independence, Aruba developed the florin. Artist Evelino Fingal designed it in 1990. The brightly-colored banknotes reflect the tropical landscape, and each one features a different animal found on the island: frogs, snakes, birds and fish. The geometric designs draw inspiration from local pottery of the pre-colonial period.

• Safe Tap Water

  In this dry desert surrounded by salty seawater, you’ll need to stay hydrated– but don’t bother buying expensive bottled water. The tap water is totally safe. It actually comes straight from the ocean! Aruba houses a massive water purification system which draws in salt water, removes the salt, and sends clean drinking water all around the island.

• Casibari Rock Formation

  The next big landmark you'll see is the Casibari Rock Formation. These huge volcanic boulders really stand out against the rest of the landscape!

• Heading to: Ayo Rock Formation

  Your route will take you next to the Ayo Rock Formation, a strange and slightly alien-looking formation which the Arawak believed had spiritual significance. It even sports petroglyphs dating back thousands of years!

• Conclusion

  You’ve now seen that Aruba is a small island with a big history! Centuries of piracy and colonization have dealt the island a rough hand, but it’s come through it all with a powerful sense of independence. The history of seafaring adventure still lives on this island to this day.