Leave Only Footprints: How to Respect and Preserve Aruba’s Beauty

As locals, we take great pride in our island's natural beauty and cultural heritage. 

This guide will show you how you can play a part in preserving Aruba’s unique environment and rich traditions during your visit, ensuring that the island remains a paradise for all who call it home and those who come to explore its treasures.

Preserve nature

If you’ve been to Aruba, you’ve most likely seen and taken a few pictures of the iconic Fofoti trees located on Eagle Beach. Fofoti trees are known for being a natural compass on the island, as they always lean southwest. These trees are not only visually stunning but also ecologically significant, helping to prevent soil erosion and providing habitat for local wildlife. Protecting the Fofoti trees is crucial, as they contribute to the island's biodiversity and play a key role in preserving Aruba's unique landscape and cultural heritage. To protect these vital trees, it’s important not to hang any items on them, as this can damage their structure and hinder their growth. When capturing pictures, please remember not to sit or stand on the trees. This has a significant impact on Aruba’s Fofoti trees, especially when hundreds of people visit weekly.

Another essential way to preserve Aruba's natural beauty is by respecting the environment and leaving nature exactly as you found it. This includes avoiding practices like rock stacking, which may seem harmless but can significantly impact the island's delicate ecosystem. Rocks in their natural positions serve as crucial shelters for small species like crabs, geckos, and insects, providing them with protection and refuge from predators. By rearranging or stacking these rocks, we disrupt their habitats, making it harder for these creatures to survive. 

Leave no trace behind

For all fauna and flora in Aruba, it is important that we leave no trace behind. This means that when visiting any location in Aruba, always make sure to throw your trash in a trash bin, and if there isn’t one available, take your trash with you. Unfortunately, a lot of trash ends up in Aruba’s nature, and on the beach, the wind can blow it into the water. If you encounter any trash that isn’t yours, please help Aruba by cleaning it up. Even the smallest effort can have a big impact if we all work together.

To reduce waste, consider bringing a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic ones during your vacation. Aruba has some of the cleanest and tastiest drinking water in the world, meeting the highest quality standards according to The World Health Organization. Aruba has a local desalination plant that converts seawater into pure and delicious drinking water using a reverse osmosis process. By bringing a refillable bottle and drinking straight from the tap, you can help reduce plastic waste and keep Aruba clean.

Activities with a small environmental footprint 

Consider adding some activities will small environmental footprint to your time in Aruba. Activities with a small environmental footprint are those that minimize negative impacts on the environment while allowing people to enjoy experiences in nature. These activities are typically low-impact, sustainable, and often involve minimal use of resources. 

Go on a hike and explore Arikok National Park with its monthly group hikes, which are a great way to connect with and learn about the local nature. Kayaking and snorkeling offer excellent ways to view Aruba’s reefs without disturbing the delicate ecosystem. You can also enjoy bird watching at Spaans Lagoon, home to species like the Wara Wara and Aruba’s protected Shoco owl. For a different adventure, try the many mountain biking routes that offer stunning views. By making thoughtful choices, we can help protect natural resources, reduce pollution, and support eco-friendly tourism.

Sharing culture

In Aruba, we take pride in our strong sense of community, warm hospitality, and the rich traditions passed down through generations. Whether it’s through our music, dance, cuisine, or language, Aruba’s culture is something we cherish and share with all who visit.

There are countless ways to immerse yourself in Aruba’s culture and show respect for our traditions. Learn a few phrases in Papiamento, our native language, to connect more deeply with the locals. Two phrases to help you get started: "Masha danki" means "thank you very much," and "pasa un bon dia" means "have a nice day."

Experience Aruba’s local heritage by visiting museums such as the National Archaeological Museum, attending cultural events like the Bon Bini Festival, and exploring historical sites to gain a better understanding of Aruba’s rich history. Respect our customs by dressing appropriately, especially when visiting religious or cultural sites such as the Alto Vista Chapel. When visiting, it’s important to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, avoid bringing alcohol, and keep noise to a minimum, as the church is a daily place of worship for the local residents. 

Lastly, support local businesses, including artisans, markets, and family-owned shops, to help sustain our community. These businesses are essential to Aruba’s economy and culture. By purchasing local products and services, you’re directly contributing to the livelihoods of Aruban families and helping to maintain the vibrant traditions that make our island special. 

Meaningful experiences

Another way to support local communities, connect with culture and protect the environment is by participating in meaningful experiences in Aruba. These are travel experiences that go beyond mere sightseeing and leisure to provide deeper, more enriching interactions and memories. 

To give you some inspiration on how you can help make a positive impact in Aruba, here are some of my favorite meaningful experiences:  

The Donkey Sanctuary Aruba is a safe haven dedicated to the protection and care of the island’s donkeys, which were once used as the primary mode of transportation. You can support the sanctuary by bringing treats like carrots and apples, making a donation, volunteering, or symbolically adopting a donkey, which helps fund their ongoing care and medical needs.

Ban Lanta y Planta Aruba is an organization focused on reforesting the island by planting native trees and plants to restore Aruba’s natural landscape. You can help by volunteering to plant trees, donate, or spreading awareness about the importance of reforestation, which plays a crucial role in preventing soil erosion and supporting local wildlife.

ScubbleBubbles is an NGO in Aruba focused on coral restoration, reef surveys, and clean-ups to protect and preserve the island’s marine ecosystems. On their social media, you can follow updates on coral restoration and even participate in clean up efforts to help the reefs.

Aruba Bee Haven is a family-run business dedicated to bee conservation and education, crucial for maintaining the island’s biodiversity. They offer local products like honey, candles, and soaps, and provide informative tours to showcase the importance of bees in Aruba’s ecosystem, including their role in pollinating plants and supporting agriculture.

Thank you for taking the time to learn how to be a responsible traveler during your stay in Aruba. By making thoughtful choices and creating unforgettable memories, you are helping to preserve our island for future visitors and generations to come. 

Learn more about how to care for Aruba’s beautiful underwater life here.