Aruba: UTV Island Tour with Cave Pool & Rock Formations

Summary

UTV adventure across Aruba’s rugged coast, caves, and ancient ruins

You’ll ride your own 2-seater UTV across Aruba’s wild north coast, stopping at Alto Vista Chapel, exploring gold mill ruins by the sea, cooling off in a crystal-clear cave pool, and scrambling over ancient rock formations — all with a local guide who brings each spot to life. Expect dust in your hair, laughter in your group, and stories you’ll remember long after you’ve rinsed off.

What’s the experience like?

We climbed into the UTVs just outside Oranjestad — I could already smell the dust and salt before we even started the engines. Our guide, Jairo, grinned as he handed over the keys (“Don’t worry, it’s not as hard as it looks!”). The first few minutes were bumpy and loud, but honestly kind of fun — I kept laughing every time we hit a big rock and my friend nearly lost her hat. The landscape changed fast: one moment it was scrubby desert, then suddenly you’re staring at Alto Vista Chapel perched on this windy hill. Jairo told us about its history (1750! I didn’t expect that), and there were locals lighting candles inside. It smelled like melted wax and something floral I couldn’t place.

The real surprise for me was the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins. You pull up and there’s this old stone skeleton right by the sea — waves crashing so loud you have to shout to hear each other. Jairo pointed out carvings left by workers from way back when Aruba had its gold rush. There’s a weird energy there, like echoes or something. After that came the “Baby Bridge,” which is smaller than I thought but still cool seeing how the sea carved it out.

I think my favorite part was jumping into the cave pool. The water was freezing at first (I yelped — no shame), but after all that dust it felt perfect. Sunlight came through a crack overhead and made everything look blue-green for a second. We dried off on warm rocks while Jairo handed out bottled water — he joked that if we wanted to try speaking Papiamento he’d rate our accents (I failed miserably). Last stop was Ayo Rock Formations; climbing around those huge boulders felt like being on another planet. Some local kids were playing hide-and-seek between them — their laughter echoed everywhere.

By the end my shoes were full of sand and my hair was stiff with salt, but I didn’t care. There’s something about Aruba’s wild side that sticks with you longer than any beach day ever could.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Aruba's North Coast landmarks

• Drive UTV off beaten path
• Visit Chapel of Alto Vista
• See Baby National Bridge
• Explore Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins
• Swim in Cave Pool
• Discover Ayo and Casibari Rock Formations

Top questions

How long is the Aruba UTV island tour?

The exact duration isn’t listed, but tours typically last several hours including stops at major sites.

What attractions are included on this UTV tour?

You’ll visit Alto Vista Chapel, Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, Baby Natural Bridge, a cave pool for swimming, and Ayo & Casibari Rock Formations.

Is hotel pickup included for this Aruba UTV tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

Can beginners drive the UTVs on this day trip?

Yes; guides provide instructions and support for all experience levels.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No lunch is mentioned; bottled water is included though.

Are there physical requirements or restrictions?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular issues; otherwise suitable for most fitness levels.

Will we have time to swim during the tour?

Yes; there’s a stop at a natural cave pool where you can take a swim.

Are public transportation options nearby after the tour?

Yes; public transportation options are available nearby if needed after drop-off.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or nearby location in Aruba, bottled water to keep you going under the sun (trust me — you’ll want it), all guidance from a local expert who knows every turn of these trails and stories behind each stop, plus drop-off when you’re sandy and tired at the end.