Top 3 Sustainable Resorts & Family Eco Tourism in Aruba

Aruba is one of the three ABC islands in the southern Caribbean, miles off the coast of Venezuela. The island is 21 miles long and has an area of about 75 square miles. Most accommodations are found on Palm Beach and Eagle Beach. Aruba’s high rise resorts are found on Palm Beach while the low rise resorts are found on Eagle Beach. Aruba’s low season falls between April 15th and December 14th and High Season is between December 15th and April 14th (certain resorts may have slightly different seasonal rates periods). High season is the busiest period in Aruba and several resorts will be completely booked.

Praised for their sustainability efforts Aruba was named the National Geographic World Legacy Award Winner for “Destination Leadership” in 2015.  The government of Aruba is aggressively promoting the use of renewable energy, most notably solar and wind energy. With more than 5,000 wind and 2,500 solar hours annually, Aruba has tremendous potential for sustainable energy generation. Nearly 20 percent of Aruba’s energy comes from clean power. The Vader Piet wind farm generates 20 percent of the island’s electricity needs. We have completed our largest solar park at the Reina Beatrix International Airport, providing a total of 2,238.3KW.

Here I have highlighted three resorts that focus on sustainability. These eco-hotels focus on improving their environmental footprint and prioritizing the local community.

Boardwalk Boutique Hotel

Boardwalk Boutique Hotel is located on a former coconut plantation just steps from Palm Beach. This boutique hotel consists of forty-six unique casitas all including a living area, fully equipped kitchen, and private patios with hammock and BBQ. The casitas are spread over the lush grounds with two pools and an inviting lobby. Enjoy the comfortable beach area on Palm Beach with complimentary beach huts and lounge chairs, or add some wellness to your vacation at the gym with spa and yoga options.

In the daily operations of the Boardwalk Hotel implements 100% LED lights, water reducing faucets, the 32 newly constructed casitas are green buildings built with insulated concrete forms, 80 solar panels on the lobby roof, in-room dispensers with locally made Aruba aloe products, environmentally friendly and biodegradable cleaning products and detergents, using locally made products, and an eco-friendly salt solution in the pools.

It is Boardwalk Boutique Hotel’s mission to offer guests of the hotel insights into the Aruban culture and direct them to local hangouts and less travelled spots so they can experience the many different faces of Aruba, meanwhile creating awareness to preserve the island’s beauty. By doing so, Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba hopes to stimulate the local ecosystem in a variety of ways.

Divi Tamarijn All Inclusive

Located on white sand Druif Beach, a 10 minute drive to Oranjestad and 5 minute drive to Eagle Beach and 7 minute drive to Palm Beach. A stay at Divi Tamarijn allows you access to Divi Aruba, adding up to 10 restaurants and 4 outdoor pools. The sister properties are a 10 minute walk from eachother. A shuttle also runs every 15 minutes between the two. This all inclusive resort features non-motorized sports, a 30-ft climbing wall, volleyball, golf and calm turquoise Caribbean water.

Kids 12 and under stay, play and eat free.

Divi all inclusives hold a level of gold certification from Travelife since 2011. They received the Gold Winner of the Travel Weekly Magellan Award for Overall-Eco-Friendly “Green” Resort/Hotel in 2020. Some environmentally conscious Divi initiatives include monitoring water usage throughout the resort, staff awareness through workshops and seminars, timers on electrical equipment, 100% energy saving light bulbs, promotion of local tours and attractions, elimination of plastic straws and other paper/plastic products.

Divi Tamarijn participates in Aruba’s beach conservation program through hands on help of the employees working to protect the habitat of the endangered loggerhead, leatherback and green turtles that nest on the beaches in front of the resort. Along with beach conservation, the Divi Impact Foundation contributes to the improvement and enhanced well being of the community through social projects and sponsorship.

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort

The Dutch Caribbean atmosphere of the Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort is located across from Eagle Beach. There are 72 unique and handcrafted studios and suites situated 70 paces from the white sand beaches, fofoti trees, and the beachside restaurant and bar, Passions. Every room contains a fully equiped kitchen and is pet-friendly. This all inclusive boutique hotel consists of a freshwater pool with waterfall, kids pool, 2 restuarants, snorkel and bike rentals, scuba diving lessons, weakly family friendly movie night on the beach, and a monthly beach clean-up.

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort has been voted one of the most eco-friendly hotels in Aruba. Every fourth Wednesday of the month is a designated beach clean up which anyone can participate. A few of the main efforts of this hotel include saving water with dual flush systems and aerators, saving energy with solar heaters and insulation, decreasing solid waste generation and re-using when possible, properly managing waste water, encouraging environmental awareness among guests and community members, participating with NGO’s (Non-Government Organizations) in conservation programs to protect local species and their habitat, and staff ensuring that no human influences are hindering sea turtles from laying their eggs.

Earth Check is widely regarded as the world’s most rigorous environmental management program, designed specifically for the travel and tourism industry. It looks at key environmental indicators such as energy and water consumption, total waste production, and community commitment to determine an operator’s standard of performance. Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort received its first EarthCheck certification in 2000 and is proud to be the first hotel in Aruba and second in the Caribbean to obtain the Master Achievement Award.

Travelife is an international sustainability certification scheme where tour operators and accommodation providers work in partnership to protect the environment and the well-being of people—including their staff, customers and suppliers. The Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort holds a Travelife Gold award, which reflects our desires to be sustainable leaders and pave the way for other hotels to join the same effort. As an award-winning eco-friendly beach resort, we are constantly looking for new opportunities for improvement.

Eco Tourism Opportunities

Anual Aruba Reef Care Project: This event occurs in July and is the largest environmental initiative in Aruba. People scuba dive, snorkel, and walk the beaches picking up trash and debris along with way. Contact Mr. Castro Perez at Tel. (297) 740-0797 or castroeperez@gmail.com for additional information.

Sponsor-A-Mile: The Eagle Beach Area Coalition for Aruba’s Sustainable Tourism holds a monthly drive which allows visitors to “adopt” a mile of the beach which they are responsible for keeping clean during their visit. Participating resorts include the Divi Phoenix, Amsterdam Manor, Costa Linda, Bucuti Beach, Manchebo Beach, the Mill, Aruba Marriott, and the Renaissance; contact any of these resorts for more information.

Donkey Sanctuary Aruba: Before cars, donkeys were the main transportation in Aruba. As they became less needed and human population increased, donkeys were often found dead or injured on the side of the road or without food and land. The donkey sanctuary was started to provide food, shelter, medication attention and land for these wild donkeys. If you arrive early enough you can help with the daily chores in caring for these donkeys.

Arikok National Park: Covering 18% of the total country, Arikok is Aruba’s only national park. Established in 1980, this hiking hotspot includes lava formations, gold mines, numerous caves, tons of wildlife and a sea turtle nesting site. The park is open to visitors every day from 8am to 4pm. Adults cost $9.50 and children 17 and under are free.

Bubali Bird Sanctuary: Located within walking distance of Palm beach, the observation tower at the Bubali Bird Sanctuary allows you to watch 80 species of migratory birds looking for places to nest. Two man made bird ponds have been created from run off from the nearby water treatment facility.

Aruba Ostrich Farm: Guided tours run every 30 minutes from 10am to 3 pm. Tours are informative and interactive. $14 for adults and $7 for kids.

The Butterfly Farm: Within a large meshed enclosure you can get up close to hundreds of butterflies flying freely. Guided tours last 15-20 minutes. With a pass to the butterfly farm you can stay as long as you would like from 8:30am to 4:30pm and as many days you would like.