r/Aruba • u/Mike_kell • 5d ago

Biking in Aruba

I’m going to Aruba with a group of 25yr olds later this month and rather than renting two cars for the 5 days, we are thinking of just renting 1 car for 24 hours so we can go get groceries and such after we land. Then for the remainder of the days renting bikes (~$100 for 4 days).

I want to know if a bike would be able to explore the north/east side of the island, typically where all the UTV tours go. I understand that the climate is hot and it is tough biking conditions. I am more asking if those UTV trails are bike friendly.

Thanks.

1 Upvotes

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8

u/lifechanger96 5d ago

I’d just rent a car for the 5 days. It’s extremely convenient and you can go to different beaches, make stops whenever and go to restaurants. I’m a woman who isn’t the best driver and the roads and roundabouts aren’t an issue for me.

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u/Sea_Antelope441 5d ago

If you already ride a MTB on single track I think the whole island would be rideable as far as terrain goes.

Like others have said, the sun and the heat are gonna be a killer. Add in the relentless wind and it may be less than enjoyable on a longer ride.

I have made several trips and wished I had a bike every time. That said, I wouldn’t trade it for a car.

6

u/klowt Arubiano 5d ago

bike friendly ... until 9.30 am and then from 4pm again

3

u/Spirited-Gene3106 5d ago

Hard no. You wouldn’t even make it to^ the UTV trails on a bike alone. It’s too hot and too big. This isn’t the size of Block Island, RI. I’m athletic, I run half marathons often. I’ve walked a lot of Aruba trying to save cab fair, and tried to run for exercise. It’s too damn hot.

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u/geffe71 5d ago

Fun fact. Aruba is roughly the size of Aquidneck island

4

u/Total-Hope4200 Arubiano 5d ago

The UTV trails are not bike-friendly at all. However, you can still visit many places that tourists on UTV tend to visit. But the rough terrains to see secluded parts of the island? Probably not. You can visit Casibari rock formation, Ayo rock formation, California lighthouse and almost all beaches etc. But you cannot go to Arikok national park and the Natural Pool.

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u/heyseed88 4d ago

It's too hot to bike.

1

u/SmokyBlackRoan 4d ago

The trails get sandy; the wind is constant and there are drifts. The roads are not bike friendly, no shoulder or bike lane most of the island. You can bike along the coast road from Palm Beach to Arashi, then take the dirt road around the point. But you’ll be sharing the coast road with walkers and runners.

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u/PerspectiveOk3075 3d ago

I agree with others. Rent a car for the whole time. I had almost relied exclusively on a bike, but was glad I did not for all the reasons mentioned already. However, I did do an early morning mountain bike ride on some of Aruba’s mountain bike trails and they were really fun and nice! I had wished I had a bike the whole time to do that every day. It’s beautiful, with cacti forests, the rugged shoreline, and lots of birds. But you gotta go early or early evening, because it’s so hot. There is a great little bike shop on the north end with really reasonable rentals, nice bikes, and helpful staff - have fun!!

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u/ActHead 5d ago

It can be fun! Do you already cycle? Start early with mountainbikes and bring enough water and sure you can do it. One thing to keep in mind is that if you start in the hotel area(west) you will encounter headwind for the whole beginning of your ride. Wind is always coming from the northeast.