Talitha Schouten
Born and Raised · Creative Island Girl
Born and raised in Aruba and always looking for the prettier route, the hidden corner or the perfect photo. Below you find every tour I tested and the tips I would give a friend.
Quick facts
Talitha in six answers
Where I'm from
Born and raised in Aruba
Free time
Discovering new places with friends
Always the one
Stopping for one more photo
Happiest when
Being creative, from arts and crafts to performing arts
In tourism
More than 10 years, half of them with My Aruba Guide
Tours tested so far
12, from horseback rides to sunset cruises
About me
There's no place like home
Born and raised in Aruba, there's no place like home. My friends and I spend our free time discovering new places, returning to old favorites and enjoying the island the way locals do. I'm usually the one stopping everyone because I need one more photo and can't pass a pretty view without taking a picture. I'm happiest when being creative, from arts and crafts to performing arts, and I'm always looking for the prettier route, the hidden corner or the perfect photo.
I've worked in tourism for more than a decade and with My Aruba Guide for half of it, so I know what visitors enjoy and what genuinely feels Aruban. My tips are the ones I'd give a friend who wants to see a little more than the obvious, and maybe make their trip a little more Instagrammable along the way.
Tested by Talitha
Tours I did myself
Every tour below carries my pink hat. I booked it, joined it and wrote down what I really thought, including the things the brochure does not tell you.
Water
Delphi Watersports
Catamaran Dolphin Sunset Adventure Cruise
"We joined Delphi's Catamaran Sunset Cruise, which stands out from most sunset cruises because it actually includes a swim stop instead of just sailing and vibing with drinks. It starts at 5pm, so the sun is still high enough for the water to look great at the first stop near Boca Catalina, where you can get in for a swim or just relax on the boat if you'd rather not. There's a rope swing and a water slide to use at the stop, and depending on the day you either board a dinghy out to the catamaran or it comes right up to the shore. Once the safety briefing is done, grab a spot on the trampoline nets, that's the best seat for the ride back when the sunset can be genuinely stunning. Open bar, snacks, music, and some dancing along the way. A nice way to start the evening either way."
Water
Pelican Adventures
Sailing & Snorkeling Cruise
"Afternoons only, leaving at 2pm. Two snorkel stops: the Antilla shipwreck, deeper and darker and best if you are a confident snorkeler, and Boca Catalina, calmer with fewer waves and that bright blue everyone pictures. Gear, life jackets, open bar and snacks are included, and there is shade if you need a break. Our favorite spot was the trampoline deck up front. One tip: wear a hat you trust, it gets windy and they will not turn back for it. Back around 5pm, in time to freshen up before dinner."
Fun & nightlife
Kukoo Kunuku
Kukoo Kunuku Bar Hopping & Nightlife Tour
"We booked the 5pm Kukoo Kunuku bar hopping tour, the earlier of their two time slots, since the 8pm one leans more into full nightlife party mode. They pick you up and drop you back off, so there's no driving or planning involved, and you get a welcome shot right at the start. From there it's a few different bars, some with genuinely nice sunset views, plus local hotspots with music where you can grab food or extra drinks if you want. There's music on the bus too, and they hand out maracas to wave out the window, people passing by will wave right back. It's all-you-can-drink on the bus itself, with drink specials at every stop and a free souvenir cup to keep. Afterward you can get dropped off or just stay out in the restaurant district. Genuinely fun for a group or a celebration."
Water
Delphi Watersports
Private Boat Ride
"We chartered Delphi's private speedboat for a couple hours, and the best part is how customizable it is, you work with the captain on exactly where to go and what to see. It leaves right from the Delphi hut on the beach, and since it's a speedboat you can really open it up on the water, it gets a bit bumpy at higher speeds but that's part of the fun. The captain doubles as a guide too, sharing the history behind different spots along the coast as you pass them. We added an underwater scooter as an extra, which made for genuinely great snorkeling, and you're free to bring your own drinks and snacks on board. Our tip: ask the captain to stop at Boca Catalina or Arashi, the water there is stunning, whether you want to take photos, use the scooter, or just relax on the boat."
Water
Pelican Adventures
Champagne Brunch & Aqua Safari
"The bigger sister of the Sailing & Snorkeling Cruise: four hours instead of two and a half, and three snorkel stops instead of two. Boca Catalina and Malmok Reef are the bright, clear ones, good for relaxed snorkeling or just swimming; the Antilla shipwreck is deeper and darker. The food is a step up too, with muffins and croissants early on, a full lunch later, fruit skewers in between, mimosas and an open bar. We also tried the third lung, an oxygen mask attached to the boat that lets you go under without any diving experience. Genuinely fun, but skip it if you are flying within 24 hours. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and sunglasses, and hold onto your hat."
Off road
ABC Tours
Natural Pool & Indian Cave Jeep Safari
"We took ABC Tours' half-day Jeep Safari to the Natural Pool and Indian Cave, a shorter option than their full-day tours so you can still do something else with the rest of your day. The jeep itself, a proper Land Cruiser, is genuinely comfortable, built with suspension that soaks up the bumps so the off-road ride never feels rough even though the terrain gets seriously rocky. You can technically walk into Arikok National Park on your own, but reaching the Natural Pool, or Dos Playa Beach, really does need a 4x4 and an experienced guide who knows the terrain. The Natural Pool itself is stunning, a genuine must-do, and we brought snorkel gear to swim right there among the rocks. Our tip: book the morning tour, it comes with a really good homemade lunch, we're still thinking about the barbecue chicken, while the afternoon tour skips the meal entirely."
Water
Delphi Watersports
Waverunner Rental
"We rented a waverunner from Delphi Watersports at Eagle Beach, one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. This one is a rental rather than a guided tour, so after a quick instruction you're free to head out and explore on your own. It's suitable for any skill level, they walk you through everything if you've never ridden one before, and you can bring someone with you on the back as long as they're at least 10 years old, life jacket included. The standard ride is 30 minutes, with the option to add more time if you want. You do need to be 18 or older to drive it yourself. It's genuinely fun going fast and cutting circles in the water, and our favorite part was the view back at the hotel strip from out on the water."
Horseback
The Gold Mine Ranch
Morning Tour & Beach Ride
"We tried the Gold Mine Ranch's morning horseback tour, named after the nearby Gold Mine Ruins that the ride heads toward. It's a family run ranch that clearly takes good care of its horses, and before you get on one they ask about your riding experience so they can match you with a horse that fits, calmer if you're nervous, livelier if you want more thrill. You're in open terrain almost as soon as you leave the ranch, riding along the coast with a strong breeze, past rocky water and a stretch of white sand, though you don't take the horse into the water itself. There's a natural bridge along the way, the instructions are clear, and the horses genuinely know the route, so you can settle into your own pace. It's also the only ranch right on the coast, so there's no inland road to cross to get there."
Horseback
The Gold Mine Ranch
Afternoon Tour & Beach Ride
"We rode with the Gold Mine Ranch in the afternoon, a family run outfit named after the nearby Gold Mine Ruins, and it's clear they take good care of their horses. Before heading out they ask about your riding experience so they can pair you with a horse that suits your comfort level, calmer for nervous riders, livelier if you want more of a thrill. You leave the ranch straight into open terrain, riding along the coast with a steady breeze, past rocky water and a patch of white sand, without taking the horse into the water itself. There's a natural bridge along the trail, the instructions are clear, and the horses clearly know the route, so you can just settle in and enjoy it. It's the only ranch located right on the coast too, so there's no inland road to cross to get there."
Water
Booba's Pontoon Tours
Booba's Pontoon Tours Aruba
"Booba's Pontoon Tour turned out to be the perfect group outing for us. Unlike a sailboat, this is a flat-deck boat with a motor, which makes it feel really steady out on the water, and there's a top deck you can climb onto to jump off with a ladder, plus floaties and pool noodles if you'd rather just float around. You stop first at Surfside, which locals also call Nikki Beach, then head to Mangel Halto, our favorite of the two, where the boat actually parks right over a strikingly bright blue patch of water you can't reach by swimming alone. Snacks and an open bar are included, the vibe is relaxed with chill music playing, and since it's only bookable for groups of 8 or more, it never feels crowded, just you and your friends. Aim for a calm day with little wind, and book ahead since spots fill up."
Off road
ABC Tours
All-Inclusive UTV Tour to the Northern Wild Side
"We had such a good time driving UTVs with ABC Tours out to Aruba's wild northern side. It's a different route from their popular Thrill Seekers tour since this one skips the national park and instead takes you into terrain you genuinely cannot reach without a 4x4. We loved stopping at Blackstone Beach, Andicuri, and the old Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins, all spots that felt wonderfully off the beaten path. ABC Tours runs some of the most colorful UTVs on the island, and they just swapped in a whole new fleet, so everything felt fresh. It's off-road, but it never feels like a wild, dust-throwing adventure ride, more like a genuinely fun way to see parts of Aruba you'd otherwise miss, with the wind in your face the entire time. Our tip: book the morning tour if you can, it comes with a hot lunch back at ABC Tours' own restaurant, while the afternoon version skips straight to the driving."
Horseback
Aruba Horse Tours
Wariruri Beach Horse Tour
"We rode with Aruba Horse Tours on their Wariruri Beach tour, which is beginner-friendly and starts right at the ranch with an explanation before you head out. You cross the street on horseback and head into rougher, more natural terrain, working your way down toward the Bushiribana ruins and a small beach with its own mini natural bridge, which is where the tour gets its name. From there you walk along the coast past the crashing waves on the north side, no swimming with the horses here, just really nice views the whole way. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes if you have them, since parts of the trail brush past branches and cactuses. The horses are clearly well looked after, and the same company also does horse shows and lessons. We'd say go after a bit of rain if you can, the landscape is much greener then, and the morning slot is a nice cooler option if you'd rather skip the afternoon heat."
Straight from my reviews
Things I wish I knew before
The small things that make a big difference on the day. Each tip comes from a tour I did myself.
Hold onto your hat
It gets windy on the catamarans and they won't turn back if your hat blows away.
From: Sailing & Snorkeling CruiseChampagne Brunch & Aqua Safari
Book the morning off road tours
The morning versions come with lunch, the afternoon versions skip the meal and go straight to the driving.
From: All-Inclusive UTV Tour to the Northern Wild SideNatural Pool & Indian Cave Jeep Safari
Long pants for the horse trail
Parts of the Wariruri trail brush past branches and cactuses. Long pants and closed shoes make it a lot more comfortable.
Tell them how you ride
At the ranch they match you with a horse that fits: calmer if you're nervous, livelier if you want more of a thrill.
Flying home soon? Skip the third lung
The oxygen mask on the brunch cruise is genuinely fun, but skip it if you fly within 24 hours of your trip.
Pick a calm day for the pontoon
Aim for a day with little wind and book ahead, spots fill up.
Out on tour
Photos from my tours
Snapshots from the days our team spent testing. Click a photo to see it larger.
The people behind the pink hat
Meet the rest of the team
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