Noord in Aruba: Hotels and the California Lighthouse

The California Lighthouse was built in Noord in 1910. This gives the town a specific historical point of reference. When looking for hotels in Noord, it is also worth taking a look at Aruba as an island: nature and culture offer a sense of the different sides you can include in your travel plans.

The California Lighthouse and Aruba’s coast

On Aruba, the old stone California Lighthouse stands in Hudishibana near the island’s northwestern tip. The lighthouse offers views of the west coast, with its beaches and coral coastlines. Arashi Beach is at Aruba’s northern tip, beyond Malmok and on the road to the California Lighthouse. The year it was built anchors the lighthouse in Noord; Hudishibana and Arashi Beach offer additional points of reference on the island.

Aruba’s nature and landscapes

Over thousands of years, waves and strong winds have shaped several natural bridges in the limestone cliffs along Aruba’s north coast. Mangel Halto is a secluded beach with calm, shallow, biodiverse waters and a network of mangroves. The coastal landscape therefore includes both the limestone cliffs of the north coast and a beach characterized by shallow water and mangroves.

Aruba’s coastal reefs are suitable for snorkeling and shore diving. Diving around Aruba also offers the chance to explore shipwrecks and plane wrecks teeming with marine life. The Bubali watch tower offers a different focus for wildlife watching: from there, you can observe more than 80 species of migratory birds in their resting and breeding grounds. In Ayo, informative trails make it possible to explore the sacred Indigenous site and the area’s natural and cultural heritage.

Culture and history in Aruba

In Oranjestad, the Historical Museum features a permanent exhibition on the most important events in Aruba’s history, as well as changing themed exhibitions. Fort Zoutman dates back to 1798 and is Aruba’s oldest building. The Bonbini Festival takes place in the fort’s open-air courtyard in downtown Oranjestad. The Archaeological Museum displays artifacts from the pre-ceramic period around 2500 BC. Alto Vista Chapel is also among the island’s cultural highlights: it is a small place of worship with historical and cultural significance.

Another glimpse of Aruba’s culture can be found in San Nicolas. Artists from around the world and local artists took part in the Aruba Art Fair, leaving works on walls and buildings around Main Street. Aruba’s central bus station in downtown Oranjestad is also useful for getting around: it is next to the cruise terminal and Royal Plaza. Buses run regularly to the hotel areas.

Discover more destinations: Oranjestad, San Nicolas, Paradera, Savaneta, Santa Cruz, Palm Beach

For the main travel overview: Aruba.