Top Aruba Horseback Riding

There are plenty of high-quality Aruba horseback riding tours to choose from. Looking at ratings and reviews given by previous customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Horseback Ride Tour to Natural Pool in Arikok National Park

• Aruba Beach Ecological Horseback Ride

• Aruba Countryside: Horseback Adventure to Urirama Cove

• Aruba Horseback Riding Tour For Advanced Riders

• Sunset Horseback Ride in Aruba

Prices of Aruba horseback riding tours are pretty competitive and don’t vary much. On the low end of the price range you’ll find 1.5-hour group tours starting around US$100 per person. Tours that are two hours start around US$140 per person. If you’re booking a private tour, expect to pay around US$50 more per person than you would in a group tour.

Yes, guided Aruba horseback riding tours are worth it. You'll experience Aruba from a unique perspective, whether you opt for a sunset ride on the beach, an inland excursion to the hilltop Alto Vista Chapel, or a morning tour of Arikok National Park. Horses make you slow down, look up, and feel more in tune with nature. Plus, via your horse (which your expert guide will match you to), you'll be able to access more remote and less-crowded destinations.

Per one customer who booked the Horseback Ride Tour to Natural Pool in Arikok National Park, "The ride is through the ranch, into town, through the national park, all the way up to the natural pool. The ride is scenic, fun and the guides are very helpful! The horses were well trained and behaved. I've never trusted a horse like the one I was assigned to. It made the experience enjoyable not having to fear my horse. If you're on the fence, don't be... Book It! You won't regret it."

Consider your level of experience before booking Aruba horseback riding tours: Some tours are marketed toward more advanced riders while others welcome beginners. Read the physical and age requirements, too. Most tours aren’t suitable for pregnant travelers or travelers with back problems, and almost all tours have a maximum weight limit. Some tours aren’t available to children under the age of 5, while other tours will take kids as young as 3 (or even younger), as long as their legal guardian signs a waiver.

To fully enjoy horseback riding in Aruba, pay attention during the safety briefing, and don’t hesitate to ask your guide to make adjustments to the saddle or reins if you don’t feel comfortable. Some tours will let you ride Western or Eastern: Western is usually most comfortable for beginners. Take advantage of helmets, if they’re offered, and bring bottled water. While the horse will be doing most of the work, you’ll be surprised by how much of a workout you get, too.

Even if you're short on time, you can find Aruba horseback riding tours to fit your schedule. Here is one popular Aruba horseback riding tour to enjoy in an hour or less:

• Aruba Horseback Riding Tour to Hidden Lagoon

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Aruba aside from horseback riding tours. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Aruba Jet Ski Rentals

• Aruba Sunset Cruises

• Aruba Snorkeling Tours

• Aruba 4WD Tours

• Aruba Catamaran Cruises

The best place to go horseback riding in Aruba depends on what you’re hoping to see, but most tours take place on the north end of the island along the rugged east coast, where you’ll find rocky beaches with few tourists. It’s a great place to look for wildlife, too. Other horseback riding excursions take place in Arikok National Park, which is farther south on the east coast.

Most Aruba horseback riding tours last 1–2 hours. All tours include a safety briefing, but other than that, expect to be in the saddle for most of the excursion. Longer tours can last three hours and may include other activities, such as swimming in a natural pool.

Anyone going horseback riding in Aruba should wear long pants, preferably made of a thicker fabric like denim—you don’t want bare skin rubbing up against the horse or saddle, or you may experience rashes or chafing. Plus, the metal components and leather of the saddle can get extremely hot in the sun. Boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes are also a must, and while helmets aren’t usually mandatory, most tour operators offer them.

Yes, Aruba has sunset horseback riding tours, especially on the northeast corner of the island. Most excursions begin at a ranch before riding through the desert and along the coastline, where you’ll eventually stop at a viewpoint to watch the sunset. Don’t worry about riding in the dark, as your guide should have you back long before you’d need a headlamp.

That depends. Some horseback riding tours in Aruba are only for experienced riders, as they take place on more challenging trails. However, most horseback riding tours in Aruba are tailored for beginners, and some are even suitable for young children. Good guides will match you with a horse that is compatible with your skill, comfort, and energy level.