Horseback riding is the quiet way to see Aruba’s wild north coast: cactus country, limestone cliffs, hidden coves and, on the longer rides, the Natural Pool inside Arikok National Park. No engine noise, no dust cloud from the vehicle in front, and you do not need to have ridden before. Here is how to choose the right ride, what it costs, and which tours actually get booked.
- Duration
- 1.5-2 hours (coast and countryside) or about half a day (Natural Pool)
- Price range
- About $85-$155 per rider for group rides; private and sunset rides cost more
- Experience
- Beginners welcome on most rides; separate tours for advanced riders
- Pickup
- Hotel transfer included on many tours, otherwise the ranch is a short taxi from Palm Beach
- What to wear
- Long pants, closed shoes, sunscreen, a hat that ties on
- Cancellation
- Free up to 24 h on most bookings
Top-rated Aruba horseback riding tours
Which horseback ride should you book?
| Coast & countryside ride | Natural Pool ride | Sunset ride | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | About 2 hours | About half a day | About 2 hours, timed for golden hour |
| Where it goes | North-coast trails, cactus fields, rock formations, a beach or cove stop | Through Arikok National Park to the Natural Pool, with time to swim | Countryside and coast as the sun drops |
| Swim stop | Sometimes (cove or beach) | Yes, the Natural Pool itself | Rarely |
| Best for | First-timers, families with older kids, cruise passengers | Riders who want the island's most famous swim spot | Couples and photographers |
| Typical price | $85-$125 | Around $155 | $130 group, more for private |
The most-booked rides right now
- Horseback ride to the Natural Pool in Arikok National Park (about $155, 4.9 stars from more than 1,200 reviews). The headline ride: you cross the national park on horseback and swim in the Natural Pool, the rock-ringed sea pool most visitors reach by 4×4 jeep (UTVs and ATVs are banned inside the park).
- Ecological & coastline ride with a beach photo stop (about $115, 4.6 stars, 1,300+ reviews). The classic two-hour loop along the north coast, good for beginners.
- Two-hour ride to the Little Natural Bridge (about $116, 4.9 stars). Ends at one of the surviving coral-rock bridges on the wild coast.
- Morning ride (about $110, 4.9 stars). Cooler air and softer light; the best choice from June to October when afternoons are hot.
- Wariruri Beach ride (about $93, 4.9 stars). Shorter and cheaper, to a dramatic cove on the north coast.
- Sunset ride (about $130 group, about $285 private). The one couples book for anniversaries and proposals.
Prices are what the tours were listing at the time of writing; the live price shows on each tour card above.
What a typical ride looks like
- Pickup or arrival at the ranch, most of them in the countryside between Noord and the north coast, 15-20 minutes from the Palm Beach hotels.
- Waiver, helmet and a short briefing. The staff match each rider to a horse by size and experience.
- The ride out, at a walk, through cactus fields and along the cliffs. Advanced rides may trot or canter; standard group rides do not.
- The stop: a cove, a natural bridge, a rock formation or, on the long ride, the Natural Pool, where you climb down rocky steps to swim.
- The ride back and a drink at the ranch.
Before you book
- Age and weight limits: every ranch sets a minimum age and a maximum rider weight. They vary by tour, so check the listing before booking for kids or larger riders.
- Experience: most rides are walk-only and suit complete beginners. If you ride at home and want to go faster, book a tour labelled for advanced riders.
- Heat: Aruba is hot and the north coast has almost no shade. Morning or late-afternoon rides are noticeably more comfortable.
- Clothing: long pants stop the saddle rubbing; closed shoes are usually required. Leave loose hats and anything you cannot afford to drop.
- Swimwear: wear it under your clothes for Natural Pool and cove rides.
- Cash: a tip for your guide is customary.
Horseback, jeep or UTV?
All three reach the same rugged half of the island. A jeep tour covers the most ground with the least effort and suits mixed-age groups. A UTV tour is the adrenaline option: you drive, and you get dusty. Horseback is the slow, scenic and quiet choice, and the only one where the trip itself is the highlight rather than the stops.
Pair it with
An afternoon at Arashi Beach to cool off, a sunset at the California Lighthouse, or a full day on the water with a catamaran cruise. For more ideas see things to do in Aruba.
🌴 Rather go private? ISLA’s private jeep tours visit the Natural Pool, caves and hidden beaches with just your group, hotel pick-up included and no time limits. Private tours from $399 →
