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What is There to do in Aruba?

Mangroves, pirate tours, snorkeling, and Dutch pancakes. Those are the four things I listed when asked what is there to do in Aruba.

But this Caribbean country offers much more than that curious quadruplet. And its size and accessibility make it a cinch to visit. Read on to find out how to have a fulfilling, responsible and incredibly fun trip to Aruba :)

What is There To Do in Aruba?

Culture

Read our article on basic facts (including the history and culture) of Aruba too.

red trolley going down street with palm trees on sidewalks — Oranjestad

Oranjestad: Aruba’s capital is a mix of Dutch, Spanish and Caribbean influences. Check out the food and museums. It’s very walkable due to its size (only 28,000 people).
San Nicolas: Take a stroll around this hidden gem! Nicknamed “Sunrise City,” San Nicolas is popular for its art displays and specifically its murals.

Outdoor activities

Arikok: Aruba’s sole national park houses a ton for exploration: 2,500-year-old petroglyphs, an abandoned gold mine, “Aruba’s Stonehenge“, a natural bridge, more excellent beaches, and some beautiful caves. Hike (book here), ride a horse (book here) or rent a jeep or ATV.
Boat Tours: Jump ropes, snorkeling stops, and unlimited drinks are included in the 3-4 hour tours. Buy tickets early- these sell out weeks ahead of time! My recommended one? The pirate ship!
Flamingo Beach: I’d avoid this one. It’s a privately owned island with 6 domesticated flamingos (their wings are clipped). And it’s $125 for a day pass. Beside the flamingos, the apparent attractions are the beach and drinks, which are not exactly hard to find in Aruba.
Kitesurfing: Also windsurfing. Because you only live once.

How and Where to Snorkel

black, blue fish with yellow spots in water — Fishies!

This totally deserves its own section. That’s because you can spend every day swimming with tropical fish and tortoises in the coral reefs!

All of these spots are on the western part of the island (the eastern side is too dangerous for snorkeling). Always consider the conditions (waves, current) before going in, and go with a friend.

Baby Beach: This beach’s waters are shallow and calm, and are excellent for beginners. Stay inside the seawall.
Mangel Hato: An additional plus is you walk through mangroves before taking a dip in the bay here.
Arashi: Another good spot for beginners, Arashi stands out for its coral reefs.
Catalina Cove: I really like this beach’s name. But it’s also famous for its tropical fish. Win-win!

You can rent equipment when you arrive. Watch this safety video first.

Conclusion

I doubt you need convincing to go to Aruba. But our challenge was to make our trip fun and Earth-friendly. So we found activities that mix real cultural experiences with epic outdoor adventures.

It was surprising easy!

One more thing to note: you don’t have to plan too much in advance (besides a pirate catamaran tour) because everything is so close. You can get from one end of the island to another in literally under an hour by car.

Check out basic information on Aruba, including its history and culture, in our article here.

Stay cool & stay free!

Did Someone Say Aruba? Yes. We Did!

If I learned one thing, it’s that the short winter days in the USA make me want to escape to a sunny tropical paradise. Like Aruba.

You’ve at least heard of Aruba before. And, rightly so, may be thinking of cruise ship stops, luxury travel or all-inclusive resorts. These normally aren’t on our travel itineraries. That hasn’t changed- they aren’t in our plans for Aruba either. See, it turns out this Dutch “constituent country” offers way more to travelers than I had thought:

It has a history and culture distinct from its island neighbors and the South American continent (which you can see from its beaches).
Its food and capital city, Oranjestad, offer a fusion of Caribbean, Latin and Dutch influences.
20% of the island is a national park dedicated to conserving ecosystems and providing awesome adventure opportunities.
You can snorkel the clear blue waters at any of the 40 beaches. Which is what I plan to do.

Oh, one final point: it’s just a 2 hour and 45 minute flight away from the US mainland! (Apologies to those reading from other countries)

This trip will be particularly special. Our families are meeting up (mine from the US, Janina’s from Peru). It’s the first time since Covid that we’ll have this reunion, and for some it’s the first time they’ll ever meet!

Aruba was smack dab in the middle of both countries, making it even more perfect.

Conclusion

Stay tuned for posts on our trip and more exciting updates! And check out our older articles that are updated for 2022:

The 2022 Travel Guide to Machu Picchu
The Ultimate Guide for Taking the Boat to Iquitos

We’ll soon discuss 2 more epic adventures that are already on the calendar. We’re super pumped and can’t wait to share more content with you.

Stay cool and free!

-Brad

Ecotourism in the Amazon

By Diego Shoobridge

One can find indigenous communities all over the Peruvian Amazon. Most of them have their own territories full of lush tropical forests. In this region are diverse ethnic groups. Each has its own culture, traditions and knowledge. Ecotourism in the Amazon is a crucial piece to cultural preservation today.

In the last 30 years tourism to native communities has been increasing. Native people are open to tourists and to benefit from their presence. And so some communities have lodges and guest houses. These are usually linked to tour operators with nonprofit or private support.

Because early experiences in tourism were positive, more communities have recognized tourism as a possibility for sustainable income. They understand that healthy forests can generate diverse opportunities other than forest-destroying logging activities.

Why is Ecotourism Important in the Amazon?

But these communities cannot reverse or escape from the vicious circle of forest degradation if tourists do not come. There is no value in preparing infrastructure if tourists will not arrive. While communities provide good service and infrastructure, they often need to be linked to tourist agencies and websites to get business.

Communities that don’t receive business often lower expectations and can lose interest in ecotourism. This damages ecotourism’s potential for future development. So, when visiting indigenous communities in the Amazon, one directly contributes to sustainable development and conservation. This is why our presence as a tourist is so important.

Tips to Visit the Amazon

The Amazon is obviously worth visiting. It’s beautiful and a unique ecosystem. It’s even better if you do it the local way. Inform yourself about boat services departing from Iquitos, Pucallpa or Puerto Maldonado (all regional capital cities with airports) to towns or communities and select a few as potential destinations.

It’s a good idea to visit the port in the city and have a look at boat destinations. Inquire about conditions, prices and points of interest. From here a truly unique experience can start.

Be Prepared to Rough it!

Once on your trip, one never knows what will be found in the communities. A hotel or a guest house are common accommodations. But for a more cultural experience, many families let you camp one their land. The cost is very reasonable.

Do not expect much, and be prepared with your tent and mosquito net. Seriously, bring a mosquito net!! Take an air mattress if camping, and of course warm-weather clothes. It’s also very advisable to pack a personal medicine box and extra food.

Distance from the main city makes a difference among the communities. Those nearer to cities are usually more integrated, and one can find more tourist-oriented amenities. Those further inland are not so integrated and are not used to visitors. And those deep into the jungle have even fewer amenities and less awareness of tourists.

When going by yourself or with a group of friends to visit a community without prior coordination, the first thing you must do is visit the chief or president of the community. If they are not around, another local authority that can accept your presence there. They will also announce your visit and provide recommendations. They can also inform you of where to stay, local attractions, and guides.

What to Do in an Amazon Community

It is worth visiting the farm with the families. Definitely go with them to their agricultural plots and have a look to what they produce and how they work. You can join them to go fishing in their canoes. You will be invited on a hunt if truly lucky!

Some communities have shamans who will be open to giving you Ayahuasca (for a price). One needs to be sure they want Ayahuasca. If you have doubts, just put it off for next time. Someone in your group needs to stay sober too.

Conclusion

Moving around as a local and visiting indigenous communities has no comparison. Granted, backpacking in the jungle takes more homework than trotting through Europe. But your visit will be a life-changing experience for you. And, it will be a true contribution to communities´ sustainable development.

Write us at GringoInca@gmail.com to be a part of ecotourism in the Amazon!

Diego Shoobridge has decades of experience working in sustainable development and with indigenous communities in Peru. He currently works at Upper Amazon Conservancy.

Things to do in Aguas Calientes

One goes to Aguas Calientes because it’s the last stop on the way to Machu Picchu. Because of that, there isn’t actually much to do IN Aguas Calientes besides shop for souvenirs and have your choice from countless hotels and restaurants. It’s less “things to do in Aguas Calientes” and more “what do I do in this ~~tourist trap~~ tiny town while I’m not at Machu Picchu?!”.

However, there is a good hike to the mountain of Putukusi, just outside of Aguas Calientes towards Machu Picchu. Putukusi is a sacred mountain, and the strenuous trip takes 3 hours roundtrip. You’ll climb up ladders at the steepest parts, earning excellent views of Machu Picchu and the town of Aguas Calientes once you arrive at the top.

get your bus ticket to Machu Picchu

SAFETY NOTE: Talk to a tour operator to visit Putukusi. Parts of the path were washed away by rains, and it’s easy to get lost among the steep trails.

Aguas Calientes gets its name from the town’s thermal baths located 400m (1,300 ft) from the main plaza. Soak in the warm waters after finishing the Inca Trail! They are open from 5am to 8pm, and entrance is S/ 20 (about $6 USD).

How to Get There

The easiest (and most expensive) way to arrive at Aguas Calientes is by train. Inca Rail and Peru Rail leave from Cusco (3-4 hrs) and Ollantaytambo (1.5 hrs). Peru Rail also provides service from Urubamba (2 hrs 45 minutes to 3 hrs). For a roundtrip ticket from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, economy class goes for $140 (yes, DOLLARS).

If you’re Peruvian, the local train costs S/ 10. You can only get on the local train with a Peruvian passport.

A few people walk along the train tracks from Ollantaytambo. I’ve never done this and am not sure how safe it is. To get to Ollantaytambo from Cusco, take a bus from Pavitos street in Cusco. The trip takes about 90 minutes and costs S/ 12. Of course, from Ollantaytambo you can also take the train to Aguas Calientes or a bus to Santa Maria (see below).

The back way via the “hidroelectrica” has gotten more attention from backpackers in recent years. This takes longer but is considerably cheaper. First, take a bus from Terminal Quillabamba in Cusco for Santa Maria. This takes about 5-6 hours. Once in Santa Maria, you take another car to Santa Teresa (a journey of 1.5 hours). You can stay in Santa Teresa for the night.

From Santa Teresa another car takes you to the “hidroelectrica” within an hour. Trains leave Hidroelectrica at 6:45 AM, 12:35 PM, and 1:30 PM. You can only buy tickets at the station in Hidroelectrica. Tickets are only sold in cash, and the price seems to have gone up annually. The latest I saw was $40 for a one-way ticket. From Hidroelectrica, the journey to Aguas Calientes takes 35 minutes.

Alternatively, walking alongside the tracks from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes takes 2-3 hours. Bring water!

How to Get to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes

Things to do in Aguas Calientes: photo of Machu Picchu — Photo by Rodrigo Flores on Unsplash

That’s the big question! The INC (Instituto Nacional de Cultura) has an office next to the train station in Aguas Calientes. There you can buy tickets for Machu Picchu and for the bus to Machu Picchu. You can buy ahead of time, too.

Buses leave close to the INC office. The first leaves at 5:30 AM, and they depart about every 15 minutes until 3PM. Catch the first one to see the last part of sunrise at Machu Picchu. The ride to Machu Picchu takes about 30 minutes. Return buses leave Machu Picchu for Aguas Calientes from 6:30 AM until 5:45 PM.

You can walk from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, too. Just walk on the side of the road that the buses take. There are stairs in some spots to save you from walking alongside the road the entire time. The hike takes 2 hours and is fairly strenuous (you’re going uphill pretty much the whole time).

No food or drink is sold inside Machu Picchu. For this reason, no matter how you get to Machu Picchu, bring plenty of snacks and water!!

Weather

Year-round highs are in the low 60s F (16-18 C) and hover around freezing at night, dipping below freezing from June through August. Definitely bundle up and wear layers!

When to Visit Aguas Calientes

Basically, “when to visit Machu Picchu”. The one time NOT to visit is in February, when Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are closed for maintenance. The rainy season is from November to March, so prices are cheaper but your experience might be hampered.

The BEST time to go is late April and May, when the vegetation is still lush from the rains but it is not yet peak tourist season.

Finally, the Inca’s celebration of Inti Raymi is the biggest date for tourists to Machu Picchu, occuring on the summer solstice.

Where to Stay in Aguas Calientes

This town does not lack hotels. But I always go for sustainability and adventure-focused establishments, so I recommend Rupa Wasi.

This beautiful lodge has a garden, terrace, massage services, and bar area. It’s a 3-minute walk to the bus station for Machu Picchu. The packed lunches are a nice touch for those waking up early (there are no food or drink options in Machu Picchu).

Conclusion

Machu Picchu is the reason Aguas Calientes gets so many visitors. And unless you do the Inca Trail, chances are you’ll end up in Aguas Calientes before Machu Picchu. Fortunately there are some things to do like hike Putukusi mountain or go in the hot springs.

If you’re ready to stop reading about places and want to go, here’s my itinerary to Southern Peru.