Villa services · Island Tours
Explore Aruba with our team
Beyond the garden walls, another side of Aruba is waiting: bright water, wind-shaped coastline, colorful streets and little places you might otherwise pass by. Let a local guide show you around, with the day's plans shaped around your group and Bali Retreat waiting at the end of it.
An optional experience for Bali Retreat guests.
Your group. Your kind of island day.
A private van tour gives your group its own air-conditioned vehicle and local driver-guide. Pickup and drop-off can be at the villa, so the outing begins at your door. There is no need to gather everyone at an unfamiliar meeting point before the day has even started.
Tours can run from four to eight hours. Choose a start time and tell us the places you are curious about; our team will help shape a route that fits the time you have. A beach stop, an island landmark and a wander through town can make very different days, and that is part of the pleasure.
Start with the places that catch your eye
Perhaps the California Lighthouse is on your list, or the little Alto Vista Chapel. Perhaps you would rather see Oranjestad's colorful streets and leave time for the sea. Our illustrated location guide is a lovely place to begin collecting ideas.
You do not have to decide on a perfect itinerary by yourself. Tell us what interests your group, how much walking you would enjoy and whether beach time is part of the plan. We can discuss a sensible combination, including any attraction admissions or other costs before you agree to it.
And then, back to your own retreat
The best part of a day out might be knowing what you are coming back to. A swim, a quiet corner of the garden, a cold drink on the Verandah – and everyone comparing the place they liked most.
A little planning, a lovely day
Your island day, in detail
Choose the time, the company and the places that speak to you. Here is what our private outings include, what to budget, and the details to know before you decide.
Private van & local driver-guide
Four hours. All yours.
Start and finish at Bali Retreat. Your own air-conditioned van, a flexible route and a guide who helps the day flow.
Build your budget
The base fare is $399 for four hours and the first three adults. Each extra hour adds $100. Each adult beyond the first three adds $25 for every hour of the tour. Add 9%, then round the final van total down to a whole dollar.
Children ages 0–12 have no van-tour fare. From age 13, the adult rate applies. Everyone, including babies, counts toward vehicle capacity.
A few complete examples
| Your group | 4 hours | 6 hours | 8 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 adults | $434 | $652 | $870 |
| 6 adults | $761 | $1,143 | $1,524 |
| 9 adults | $1,088 | $1,633 | $2,178 |
Five- and seven-hour outings are available too. Multiple vans are priced separately. Ten full-size adults need a larger-vehicle quote: the standard van’s tenth seat is compact.
Already included
- Private air-conditioned van and local driver-guide
- Pickup and return at the villa, fuel and parking
- Bottled water and a cooler with ice
- Beach towels, adult and junior masks and snorkels
Allow a little extra for
- Admission at paid attractions, shown below
- Meals, other drinks and personal purchases
- Beach chairs, umbrellas and paid facilities
- Optional gratuities and separately arranged activities
Swimming and snorkeling are self-guided. Your driver-guide is not an in-water guide or lifeguard. Children need their responsible adult’s supervision.
25 places to start dreaming
Where would you love to go?
A four-hour outing usually suits four to six stops. Longer swims, lunch, caves and longer drives need more time. Choose a few favorites or leave the route to our guide; these are possibilities, not a promise to visit them all.
For a first taste of Aruba
Think lighthouse views, a quiet chapel, rock formations and a beach pause.
For a slower coastal day
Choose a few beaches and leave generous time for swimming or simply watching the sea.
For the island’s southern side
Pair San Nicolas’s murals with Baby Beach or the southeastern coast, allowing time for the journey.
Explore each group below. Admission amounts are in USD and paid separately at the attraction; local prices, opening hours and access can change. Attraction child-age rules differ from the van’s free-child policy.
Beaches & time by the water9 places
Tres Trapi
A small rocky cove for a swimming or snorkeling stop when conditions suit. Wild turtles are sometimes seen; sightings are never guaranteed.
No entry fee
Mangel Halto Beach
A peaceful beach with shallow waters, perfect for swimming or snorkeling.
No entry fee
Eagle Beach
Broad white sand, turquoise water and the familiar silhouettes of Aruba’s divi-divi trees.
No entry fee
Malmok Beach
Ideal for snorkeling with its rocky shores and clear waters.
No entry fee
Palm Beach
The buzzing heart of Aruba's high-rise hotel area, with many restaurants and shops
No entry fee
Arashi Beach
A local favorite for snorkeling, with calm waters and abundant marine life
No entry fee
Rodgers Beach
A quiet alternative to Baby Beach, perfect for those seeking tranquility
No entry fee
Boca Catalina
Relax on this secluded beach or dive into the pristine waters for amazing snorkeling.
No entry fee
Baby Beach
Swim in calm, crystal-clear waters at this picture-perfect lagoon
No entry fee
Landmarks, rocks & island views9 places
Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins
Channel your inner treasure hunter at these 19th-century ruins
No entry fee
Natural Bridge & Baby Bridge
Discover the remains of Aruba’s famous natural arch and its still-standing little sister, the Baby Bridge, close to the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins.
No entry fee
Ayo Rock Formation
Wander among towering boulders and discover the natural beauty of Aruba’s dramatic rock formations.
No entry fee
Casibari Rock Formation
Scramble over massive boulders for sweeping views of Aruba’s island landscape.
No entry fee
California Lighthouse & Sand Dunes
Explore the lighthouse setting and nearby sand dunes for beautiful coastal views. Climbing the tower is entirely optional.
No entry fee
Sero Colorado Natural Bridge
A dramatic sea-carved arch on the southeastern coast. A viewpoint and photo stop, not a swimming location.
No entry fee
Hooiberg Mountain
A steep stair climb up Aruba’s distinctive hill, with wide island views from the top.
No entry fee
Red Anchor
Pose with this quirky, oversized anchor – a favorite Instagram spot!
No entry fee
Alto Vista Chapel
Find serenity at this yellow chapel, Aruba's spiritual cornerstone
No entry fee
Colorful towns & wildlife6 places
Donkey Sanctuary Aruba
Meet the friendly donkeys and learn about their significance to the island's history.
No entry fee
Oranjestad
The colorful capital city with its vibrant Dutch colonial architecture
No entry fee
San Nicolas
Soak up the vibrant street art and laid-back vibes of Aruba's "Sunrise City"
No entry fee
Philip's Animal Garden
Make furry and feathered friends at Aruba's largest animal sanctuary
Admission: $10 adults · $5 kids · Child age band: confirm for your group
The Butterfly Farm
Step into a tropical garden filled with colorful butterflies, between Palm Beach and Eagle Beach.
Admission: $19 adults · $16 seniors/students with ID · $10 ages 4–17 · Under 4 free
Ostrich Farm
Get a closer look at these fascinating birds at Aruba’s Ostrich Farm.
Admission: $17 adults · $10 kids · Child age band: confirm for your group
Arikok’s two caves1 places
Arikok National Park
Explore Quadiriki and Fontein caves, with limestone chambers, indigenous rock drawings and a natural spring with a "fish spa". Our van visits both caves. Other park locations require a Jeep tour.
Admission: $22 ages 17+ · Under 17 free · One admission covers both caves
For the rugged side of Aruba
A private Jeep adventure
For the Natural Pool and Arikok’s off-road landscapes, choose a guided Jeep outing. The route is tailored to your group, with villa pickup and return included. Access and any swimming depend on park and sea conditions.
Arikok admission is separate: $22 for visitors ages 17 and over; under 17s enter free. One admission covers the park visit. Longer Jeep outings can be arranged with a confirmed quote. The van’s free-child fare does not carry over to Jeep pricing.
Jeep terms: arrange at least 24 hours ahead. Payment is due 24 hours before the outing. Changes and cancellations are free before that cutoff; cancellations within 24 hours are charged in full.
An afternoon on the water
Your own private yacht
A 14-meter motor yacht, reserved for your group of up to 12. Choose a morning, afternoon or sunset departure and spend your time coastal sightseeing, sunbathing, snorkeling or fishing.
| Duration | Up to 6 guests | Each extra guest |
|---|---|---|
| 3 hours | $1,500 | $50 |
| 4 hours | $1,700 | $60 |
| 5 hours | $1,900 | $70 |
| 6 hours | $2,100 | $80 |
Settle into the sea breeze
A mixed platter, spirits, local beer, mixers, juice, water and ice are included. Snorkeling and fishing equipment are available on request; tell us what you would enjoy when planning.
We confirm the departure point, timing and any transport arrangements with you. The van’s free-child fare and villa pickup inclusion do not automatically apply to a yacht cruise.
Yacht terms: a card secures the cruise; payment is due 72 hours before departure. Changes and cancellations are free before that cutoff; cancellations within 72 hours are charged in full. If unsafe weather cancels the cruise, choose a reschedule at no extra cost or a full refund.
Before your van tour
The practical little details
Time, comfort & the route
Plan for four to eight hours, measured from pickup to final drop-off. Driving, meals, swimming and requested waiting all use that time. Our guide helps choose an order that works with traffic, opening hours and your pace.
Standard vans have nine regular passenger seats plus a compact tenth seat. Tell us about child seats, strollers or mobility equipment in advance. Request an infant seat at least 48 hours ahead and wait for confirmation. Vans have no wheelchair ramp or lift; a low-walking route can be discussed.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection, swimwear and a dry change for a beach day. Bring a card and some US-dollar cash for attractions and purchases.
Van payment & cancellation
Arrange your outing at least 24 hours ahead; ask Maria about short-notice availability. Under the current van-tour terms, a card secures the booking and the agreed fare is collected 24 hours before confirmed pickup.
Cancellation is free before the 24-hour refund deadline. At that deadline, the fare becomes nonrefundable; late cancellations and no-shows remain payable. Rescheduling has no change fee until 60 minutes before pickup, subject to availability. Moving a tour later does not reopen a refund deadline that has passed; agreed increases cost extra.
If we cannot operate the tour, you pay nothing or receive a full refund. Tell us promptly if a canceled flight prevents your tour: the flight-cancellation exception applies. For delays we try to reschedule, subject to availability. Illness and other exceptional circumstances are considered individually.
Extra time on the day depends on the van and guide being available; agree on the price first. On-tour extensions are paid in cash. Unused time is not refunded once the refund deadline has passed. Van, Jeep and yacht outings each have their own price, availability and terms, separate from your villa stay; the details are confirmed when arranged.
A few useful details
Will the tour pick us up at Bali Retreat?
Yes. A private van tour can start and finish at the villa; our team confirms the pickup time and arrangements with you.
Is this a shared bus tour?
No. The private van tour described here is for your group, with your own driver-guide and air-conditioned vehicle.
Can we choose where to go?
Yes. Share your preferred sights and pace. Our team will help plan a route that works within your chosen tour duration.
Make it part of your stay
These services are exclusively for guests with a confirmed Bali Retreat stay. You can request them as optional add-ons when booking your accommodation, or arrange them with us later, before you arrive.
All services are priced separately. Maria checks availability and confirms the details with you before any service is booked.
Plan your stay