Aruba is more than just a pretty beach destination. 

How do we know? 

We seek out at least ONE adventure per trip and this trip included an Aruban outback adventure we will NEVER forget.

For those seeking an exceptionally exhilarating Aruba Off-Road experience for the adventure in you, get ready because this is the one you don’t want to miss. 

Whether your party is of 2 or 32, book this off-road outback experience. 

It did not matter that it rained during the start of our morning, the tour goes! 

Go with the bare minimum of personal belongings and use simple clothing, because it’s about to get rough, wet, and dusty! 

Besides, every vacation needs at least one early morning crazy good experience, just don’t drink coffee before you go!

I can assure you, your adrenaline will peak on the ride, and surpass any jolt caffeine might provide! 

Let’s go, and don’t forget to BUCKLE Up! 

Exhilarating Aruba Off-Road Experience  

Our adventure was hosted by De Palm Tours, however, opinions, images, and stories are my own, based on my personal experience. 

While sitting on the beach every day is perfection, Mike (my husband) and I, always have found the greater good in adventure while vacationing. 

Honestly, I am so glad we booked this tour for our trip as the weather was not cooperating with our vacation timing in Aruba. 

I know right? 

So, instead of caring that the rain kept on coming, and the wind was savage, we experienced Aruba beyond the beaches, yet ended up right at the Natural Pool, as part of our off-road experience. 

We chose a half-day morning, Natural Pool Safari, for my party of 3. 

Don’t start your morning with beverages because you are about to bounce, jump, and experience terrain beneath your bottom beyond your imagination, unless you’ve done 4×4’ing in a Jeep on those humongous boulders somewhere. 

All The Things You Need To Know About Our Off-Road Experience with De Palm Tours 

First things first, the weather is out of their control. 

Be on time, in the lobby for pick up where and when they say! 

Seating In The Open-Air Safari Vehicle Matters 

Once you get into the open-aired vehicle, it’s where you are sitting. 

If you are not a fan of bumps, don’t sit in the last 2 rows of seating. 

However, do know, that does not make the bumping stop, it just makes you less likely to take flight while in a seatbelt, lol! 

Buckle up. 

Did I say use your seatbelt? 

In short, buckle up and don’t take it off unless you are getting OUT of the vehicle. 

Are You A Photo Person? 

Want the best photos?

Choose an end seat!

What Should I Bring and Wear? 

Less is more on this trip, plan accordingly. 

Dress in swim attire, and bring a towel. (the Natural Pool )

I suggest sunscreen before you go, instead of lugging it. 

More importantly, bring money (cash works best). 

Along the way, you will make stops where you can eat, and purchase souvenirs. 

Also, you need a few dollars to use the bathrooms at the Natural Bridge, so shove cash somewhere. 

Don’t forget to TIP your drivers, they are going to give you the adrenaline rush you will crave again! 

The less you can bring the better as you will bounce in the vehicle over rocky terrain and keeping your stuff is a challenge. 

Therefore, small bags are the best. 

Avoid hats, you will lose them, Michael did. 

Sunglasses are important because of sand, debris and the sun! 

Bring your WANT to adventure and experience. 

A bottle of water is a great idea, though you can buy some along the way!

Our Day Started off Dreary and Raining 

Yes, it was raining when they picked us up, and it was so cold. 

So not every day or minute is great, but we countered the yuck with fun!

Since it was raining, and the vehicle is ‘open-aired’ you will get wet.

We drove to pick up more people at other hotels and met up with the other driver of the other vehicle.

Here’s what I am going to say, straight out, “if you don’t like dirt, water, bumping, splashing and flying out of your seat, DON’T TAKE THIS TOUR!”

Your towel or a light hoodie might be good for the morning tours in January. 

Remember this, if you have the towel on, once you start moving you need to ‘hold on to that towel!’ 

What I Never Expected In Our Aruba Off-Road Experience 

My son smiled from start to finish. 

I questioned my choice of seating for the entire ride! 

Bumps are extreme and we definitely flew out of our seats, BUCKLED in!

Michael and Niko (husband and son) couldn’t get enough! 

Both drivers in each vehicle were amazing. 

Our driver was ‘less’ punishing with puddles whereas the other group got blasted with mud and water. 

Never did I imagine that we could off-road like this in Aruba. 

The drivers are constantly monitoring the Natural Pool conditions. 

Expect that you might not be able to swim in the Natural Pool due to rough conditions, it’s for safety reasons. 

Never expect to have a dull moment. 

And, never did I expect to want to do it again! 

Don’t expect to STOP at the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, you pass by them!

What You Will See On This  Aruba Off-Road Experience 

Natural Pool. 

Well, we saw it and captured some amazing photos (IMO), but we could not swim in it due to the rough waters. 

We got splashed by it and the timing was perfect for photos of crashing waves over the Natural Pool!

The bouncy and bountiful rocky terrain approach to the Natural pool was crazy fun and the beginning of …more to come! 

Trust me, when I tell you that the vehicle jumped, bumped, and literally took flight at points, I’m not kidding (well maybe we took flight with seatbelts on). 

Blackstone Beach ~ Definitely off The Beaten Path 

Blackstone Beach was a really great experience for both scenery and photographs. 

Pay attention at ALL points in time to the water behind you. 

The currents are strong and the waves surge, especially when you are just taking pictures in the cove. 

We experienced this first hand. 

The Natural Bridge is Part of your Aruba Off-Road Experience 

Again, great photos, history, and something extraordinary to ogle at. 

IT’s also where you can buy souvenirs, food, water and use the restrooms. 

Do have cash I think it was $2 a person to use the restrooms here. 

Behind the building is a great place to see crashing waves. 

Below the natural bridge is also something to really see. 

Passing By The Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins

Blink and you might not see the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins. 

Make sure you are seated on the end seat (driver side) to get a good photo!

You won’t stop here, but you will pass by. 

There’s not much to stop for anyway, it’s better to snap, and keep on 4×4’ing down the beach. 

Watch the wind here as it has been known to take a few ‘hats’ off those wearing them. 

Bumps along this ride, on the beach, are included, lol! 

Hold on tight, you are almost at the last stop and then, there are no more bumps, jolts, seat-flying fun as it’s back to civilization. 

We Need All The Blessings We Can Get 

The Alto Vista Chapel is along the way, and you can walk through the Labyrinth. 

Stopping here, you might get to experience a small souvenir and beverage stop depending on it if it set up in the parking lot!

Remember, every time you visit a new church, to make a wish. 

Last Stop – The California Lighthouse 

Stunning. 

Maybe an understatement. 

When the Aruba sky is blue and clear, it’s picturesque and gorgeous. 

The restaurant is another place you can use the restrooms (and trust me, if you are in the back, and ride via the beach, you will understand WHY you need it!). 

Getting here, you’ll experience a beach ride with unending off-road fun. 

Lively jolts, occasionally offering flight even when locked in the seatbelt occur. 

Would I Do This Again? 

Yes, and the next time I would opt with the other parts we did not see. 

The sand is bumpy, the drivers comply with their group. 

As mentioned, ours would ‘miss’ the puddles and we were all too happy. 

However, the lead driver in the other vehicle hit the bumps even harder and SPLASHED their group. 

We cheered, and they booed us — all in fun! 

You will get dirty, and be windblown. 

Pull your hair up, wear your swimsuit, and have the best half-day ever! ~ Dana XO