Things to do in Aruba › Aruba tours › Shore excursions from the cruise port › Aruba Island Sightseeing Tour
Aruba Island Sightseeing Tour
★ #12 of 12 in our Shore excursions from the cruise port list Picked from the 199 Aruba tours on Viator that pass our bar and kept for a cruise day, the way we pick every tour. Also #6 of 12 in our Island sightseeing tours list.
Checked October 21, 2026 Viator listing, prices by option, departure times and pickup notes; the operator's itinerary
El Tours & Transfers takes you around Aruba by bus to the aloe factory and Bushiribana ruins. The tour lasts 3.5 hours at $49 per adult. Pickup is inside your cruise terminal or outside your hotel lobby. The Morning Departure leaves at 8:30 a.m. The Afternoon Departure at 2 p.m. is only for cruise passengers whose ships dock after 8 a.m.
Our check
Aruba Island Sightseeing Tour at a glance
| Transport | Bus with air conditioning |
| Duration | 3.5 hours |
| Price is per | $49 per adult or per child ages 3 to 12 |
| Departures | 8:30 a.m.; 2 p.m. only for ships docking after 8 a.m. |
| Tour ends | Morning tour at noon; afternoon tour at 5:30 p.m. |
| Pickup | Inside your cruise terminal or outside your resort lobby |
| Hotel guests | 8:30 a.m. Morning Departure required |
| Infants | Children under 3 ride free if they do not occupy a seat |
| Main trade-off | Full $49 per child ages 3 to 12 |
| In the price | hotel pickup and drop-off, all taxes, fees and handling charges, in-vehicle air conditioning, port pickup and drop-off, professional driver and guide, bottle of water |
| Not in the price | gratuities, alcoholic drinks (available to purchase at certain stops), food and drinks, unless specified |
| Guide languages | English, Spanish, Dutch |
| Cancellation | Full refund until 24 hours before the start; nothing after |
Read from the operator's listing on Viator for the named options, October 15, 2026. Prices are Viator's listed prices in US dollars, re-read every night; last read October 21, 2026.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Professional driver and guide
- Bottle of water
What's not included
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase at certain stops)
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Price by option
Which option to book
The 2 options give you the 8:30 a.m. Morning Departure or the 2 p.m. Afternoon Departure. You pay $49 per adult and $49 per child ages 3 to 12.
| Option | Price | Departures |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Departure | $49 per adult · $49 child 3 to 12 · free infant 0 to 2 | 8:30 a.m. |
| Afternoon Departure-LIMITED | $49 per adult · $49 child 3 to 12 · free infant 0 to 2 | 2 p.m. |
The catch: Children ages 3 to 12 pay the full $49 per child. Children under 3 ride free only if they do not occupy a seat.
Route
How does the day work?
The bus starts with 45 minutes at the aloe factory and finishes with 20 minutes at California Lighthouse.
- 45 min
1. Aruba Aloe Factory, Museum and Store
At the factory and museum you learn about aloe production and its history during 45 minutes.
- 30 min
2. Ayo Rock Formations
The rock formations allow 30 minutes to explore.
- 30 min
3. Bushiribana Ruins
You spend 30 minutes at the gold mill ruins on the northern coast.
- 20 min
4. Alto Vista Chapel
Alto Vista Chapel gets 20 minutes. The road there is lined with white crosses.
- 20 min
5. Aruba Downtown Walking Tours
The California Lighthouse stop lasts 20 minutes near Arashi Beach on Aruba's northwest tip.
Stops total 145 of the tour's 210 minutes, and you reach California Lighthouse last before the 8:30 a.m. tour ends at noon. The 2 p.m. departure ends at 5:30 p.m. It's only for ships docking after 8 a.m.
Pickup and meeting point
- Cruise terminal: You meet inside the cruise terminal building where your ship is docked.
- Resort pickup: Resort pickup is outside your lobby for the morning departure only.
- Confirm pickup: Check pickup time and location with El Tours during office hours at least 1 day before the tour.
- After booking: Pickup needs your call: El Tours asks you to get in touch at least 1 day before the tour, in office hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The operator's phone comes with your Viator booking confirmation.
From the desk
- If you need a later departure, I'd first check when your ship docks. The 2 p.m. option is only for ships docking after 8 a.m. and finishes at 5:30 p.m.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
Choose this for island sightseeing in 3.5 hours if you want a bus with air conditioning. Pickup is inside the cruise terminal or outside your resort lobby. The 2 p.m. departure is only for ships docking after 8 a.m.
Take Fantasy Tours' island bus at 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. if you need a later morning start. The downtown walk costs $39 per adult if you prefer a cheaper outing on foot. For beach time, RockaBeach's beach bus gives you 40 minutes at Arashi.
Who it's not for
- The 2 p.m. departure excludes hotel guests.
- The afternoon tour excludes you if your ship docks at or before 8 a.m.
- Children ages 3 to 12 don't get a reduced fare.
Good to know
Know before you go
The 2 p.m. departure is only for cruise guests whose ships dock after 8 a.m. Hotel guests must book the 8:30 a.m. Morning Departure.
Check with El Tours to reconfirm pickup time and location at least 1 day before the tour. Office hours run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Your ship's name and docking time are required at booking. Disembarkation and reboarding times are also required.
Children ages 3 to 12 pay $49 per child. Travel is free under 3 without a seat. Infant seats are available by request at booking, and children need an adult with them.
Bottled water is included and other food and drinks cost extra. Your ticket is mobile and each booking holds up to 30 travelers.
Cancellation at least 24 hours before departure gets a full refund; cancellations within 24 hours receive no refund.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour should I choose instead?
A later morning bus
Half-Day Aruba Island Tour from OranjestadThe sightseeing bus has air conditioning and port pickup. It takes 4 hours from $55 per adult with departures at 9 a.m. or 10 a.m.
★ 4.7 · 1,511 reviews · from $55 per adult
A lower adult fare
Aruba Downtown Historic and Cultural Walking TourThe guided Oranjestad walk takes 2.5 hours from $39 per adult. You get 2 local bites.
★ 4.8 · 674 reviews · from $39 per adult
Time at Arashi Beach
Colorful Beach Bus Sightseeing Tour of ArubaThe open beach bus takes 3 to 5 hours from $66 per adult. It finishes with 40 minutes at Arashi Beach.
★ 4.7 · 799 reviews · from $66 per adult
All 12 Shore excursions from the cruise port we picked · Aruba tours by category
Good to know
People also ask
- How much does El Tours' Aruba Island Sightseeing Tour cost?
You pay $49 per adult from age 13, and children ages 3 to 12 also pay $49 per child. Infants under 3 ride free only if they don't occupy a seat.
- Who can book the afternoon El Tours sightseeing tour in Aruba?
Only cruise passengers whose ships dock after 8 a.m. can book the 2 p.m. departure. Take the 8:30 a.m. Morning Departure if you're staying at a hotel. The afternoon tour ends at 5:30 p.m.
- Where does El Tours' Aruba sightseeing tour pick up passengers?
You meet inside the cruise terminal where your ship is docked or outside your resort lobby. Pickup time and location must be reconfirmed with El Tours at least 1 day before the tour.
- How long is El Tours' Aruba Island Sightseeing Tour?
The tour lasts 3.5 hours, with the 8:30 a.m. Morning Departure finishing at noon. The 2 p.m. departure finishes at 5:30 p.m.
- Can I cancel El Tours' Aruba sightseeing tour for a refund?
You get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Cancellations within 24 hours receive no refund.
Prices as Viator lists them, re-read every night; last read October 21, 2026. Times and conditions as of October 15, 2026. Tours book on Viator at Viator's price; if you book through the button, Viator pays us a commission and your price is the same.
Pickup needs your call: El Tours asks you to get in touch at least 1 day before the tour, in office hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The operator's phone comes with your Viator booking confirmation.