Nestor was nice enough to let me ride his amazing horse Pamela Anderson after hearing I just had acl surgery 5 months ago. Pilo was a great trail guide and made a ride so much fun. We a couple of stops during our ride for pictures and to take in the beauty of Aruba.

●●○○#2 of 11 Nature & Parks in Noord

Rancho Notorious Aruba

Name: Rancho Notorious Aruba
Rating: 4.6

★★★★½4.6 out of 5 · 823 reviews

land

outdoor

Photo: © tammypE5929UE via TripAdvisor

Rancho Notorious Aruba is a land tour rated 4.6/5 by 823 TripAdvisor reviewers; from about $75 per person; lasts 2 hours.

About

Rancho Notorious sits just inland from Noord, off the main coastal stretch, and runs horseback rides into Aruba's dry backcountry. It's the #2-ranked nature outfit in Noord, and the 4.6 across 800+ reviews suggests they're doing something consistently right—probably the mix of terrain and the fact that the horses know the trails cold. The rides last about two hours and head into scrubland and desert terrain that most visitors never see from the beach. Intensity is moderate, so expect some trotting and uneven ground, not a gentle walk. They take riders of all ages. Price is around $75, which is standard for the island's better outfitters. Book directly through them. Wear closed shoes, bring sunscreen, and know that Aruba's interior is hotter and dustier than the coast—you'll feel it.

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Horseback Riding: compare the 3 ways to do it

At a glance

Category: land
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $75
Minimum age: None
Intensity: ●●●○○
Setting: outdoor
Booking partner: direct
Product ID: —

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Visiting in October?

You're visiting during shoulder season when crowds are moderate and construction is common at several resorts. Weather is warm and humid, with occasional rain showers, but beaches remain beautiful. October sees returning visitors enjoying quieter beaches and Eagle Beach's exceptional calm waters.

Based on 150 traveler reports

Recent Pulse

What travelers are saying.

Steady

Low confidence

Travelers say Rancho Notorious delivers a reliable two-hour ride through Aruba's rocky desert interior to the wild northern coast, led by guides who know the horses and trails intimately. The horses—most frequently named Victoria, Bonnie, Dolly, and John Wayne—are described as well-trained and confident on the narrow, uneven paths through cactus groves. Riders appreciate that guides stop for photos at scenic points, especially along the ocean, and many note the surprise of seeing Aruba's untouched backcountry instead of the resort strip. First-timers feel safe because the horses follow the lead without much steering. A handful of voices raise concerns about horse welfare—citing visible injuries, heat stress, or overscheduling—and two reviewers report miscommunication or refund disputes with third-party booking platforms.

Standing out

Horses confidently navigate narrow rocky trails through cactus without rider intervention
42 mentions
“The horses know every inch of the trail and I barely had to pull the reins”
Guides Nelson and Max stop multiple times to photograph riders at ocean viewpoints
38 mentions
“Our guide took great pictures of us on horses with the surf behind us”
Seeing Aruba's desert interior and windward coast feels like a different island
29 mentions
“You see untouched cactus groves and rough ocean cliffs you'd never reach from the resorts”
Early 7am rides beat the heat and sometimes coincide with sunrise over the coast
17 mentions
“Starting at seven put us on the beach for sunrise and kept us cooler”
Experienced riders get opportunities to canter and gallop on open stretches
15 mentions
“Max let us open up into canters and short gallops when terrain allowed”

Watch-outs

Four reviewers report horses with visible injuries, infections, or signs of overwork
4 mentions
“My horse had scabs under the saddle and another showed an ear infection”
Booking through Viator led to refund disputes when pickups were missed
2 mentions
“We missed pickup and were refused a refund by both ranch and Viator”
One horse bit a rider's leg causing swelling and bruising
1 mention
“My daughter was bitten by a horse they said nibbles—her leg swelled and bruised badly”

Tips from travelers

Book the 7am ride to avoid midday heat—temperatures climb fast in the desert interior
Wear long pants and closed shoes; the trail passes thorny plants and rocky footing
Bring cash for post-ride drinks and to tip guides and buy horse treats
Book directly with the ranch to avoid third-party refund complications

Maybe skip if: Skip this if you expect beach cantering in the surf or are uncomfortable with desert heat—most of the ride is inland through rocky scrubland, with only brief ocean stops.

More activities

OutdoorFrom $100© Management via TripAdvisor

Around Aruba Tours

Around Aruba Tours runs UTV excursions out of Noord, and the #1 ranking among outdoor activities in the area reflects thousands of trips without drama. This is a four-hour route through Arikok and the natural sites on the east side—caves, the Natural Bridge ruins, Alto Vista Chapel—straightforward land touring without the add-ons some operators bundle in. The price sits at $100, which puts it between the budget half-day trips and the seven-hour safaris that include natural pool swims and cruise port coordination. What you're paying for is reliable organization and the UTV format itself, which handles the dirt roads better than most rental cars and feels more hands-on than riding in a van. The 4.9 rating across 7,600-plus reviews suggests the operation runs consistently. If you want the longer day with natural pool access, ABC Tours offers that at a higher tier. If you just want the backcountry without committing to a full-day schedule, this is the middle option that works.

land

Exploring the hidden treasure only accessible on our tour.

OutdoorFrom $150© Management via TripAdvisor

ABC Tours Aruba

ABC Tours Aruba operates out of Oranjestad and has held the #3 spot among outdoor activities in the capital for a reason — it's a full-day commitment. The standard safari runs seven hours, which is longer than most competitors, and covers Arikok National Park, the natural pool, caves, and a handful of beaches in one loop. That scope explains the $150 price point, which is about double what shorter half-day land tours charge elsewhere on the island. The back-to-back Travelers Choice awards and the volume of reviews point to consistent execution, and the guides get mentioned often — not just for driving, but for pacing the day so it doesn't feel like a forced march. Families book this because the private routes skip the roughest terrain and can accommodate infants, which matters if you're trying to see the interior without bounce-testing a car seat. If you're on a cruise, ABC coordinates timing around port schedules. If you'd rather spend half the day at a beach club, this isn't that.

land

Choose a Snorkel or Sunset Cruises aboard the Jolly Pirates.

Jolly Pirates Cruises

Jolly Pirates runs a four-hour catamaran cruise out of Hadicurari, the fishing pier on the northwest coast near the high-rise hotels. The boat is ranked #7 among Oranjestad water sports for a reason: multiple snorkel stops, rope swings off the stern, and a crew that keeps the vibe relaxed without being forced. You'll hit at least two reef sites, and the water is shallow enough that kids can snorkel comfortably—this is the lowest-intensity water activity in the category. Morning departures include a full meal; afternoon trips are drinks only, so check the schedule when you book. At $90, it's positioned between De Palm Tours' beach club package with slides and banana boats and the pricier land-based jeep safaris. If you want open water over a beach club, and sailing over driving through Arikok, this is the call. Book direct through their site. Cash tip for the crew is standard.

water

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Pairs well with

Jolly Pirates Cruises

Octopus Sailing Charters

Octopus Sailing Charters runs three-hour trips off the Palm-Eagle Beach coast, and the 4.7 rating across thousands of reviews suggests they keep things consistent. The Travelers Choice award backs that up. It's a mid-intensity outing — you're on a catamaran, not in a kayak — so it works for most ages and fitness levels. The boat makes stops for snorkeling and usually swings by a shipwreck or two depending on conditions. Crew handles the sailing; you handle the sunscreen. The $75 price point sits in the middle of the water sports market here, which tracks for a half-day charter with gear included. Groups tend to be mixed, so expect other travelers. Book directly through their site. Morning departures are cooler and the water's usually calmer before noon, though afternoon light is better for photos if that matters to you.

Delphi Watersports

Delphi Watersports runs out of the Hyatt Regency beach on Palm Beach, and it's been doing it long enough to land at #7 among water sports operators in Noord—plus a 2025 Travelers Choice award. The 4.7 rating across 3,200 reviews suggests they get the logistics right, which matters when you're dealing with boats and gear and group timing. They offer two-hour trips that lean moderately active—think snorkeling, tubing, or a mix depending on what you book. It's a straightforward setup: walk down to the towel hut, check in, and you're on the water. Pricing sits around $75, which is middle-of-the-pack for Palm Beach excursions. Book direct through them if you can; it usually saves a step and sometimes a fee. They're used to handling families and mixed groups, so the intensity stays manageable even if you're not a strong swimmer.

Beaches nearby

Palm Beach

Palm Beach runs along the high-rise hotel strip on the northwest coast, and the location is the whole selling point. You're steps from restaurants, bars, and nightlife — Bugaloé Pier alone has rentals, food, and drinks without leaving the sand. The beach ranks #7 among Palm–Eagle Beach attractions and pulls a Travelers Choice Best of the Best nod, so the crowds show up. That means limited towel space and a lively atmosphere that skews resort-entertainment rather than quiet escape. The tradeoff: water quality takes a hit from watersport boat traffic. Reviewers flag visible fuel and oil in the shallows, and the ocean floor can look murky. If snorkeling or pristine swimming matters, Baby Beach or Eagle Beach will serve you better. Palm Beach makes sense if you want convenience — walk off the sand to dinner, catch July 4th fireworks from the high-rises, or grab a cocktail without moving your car. The wind stays calmer here than on other parts of the island, which helps for floating but doesn't fix the boat residue.

Noord

Malmok Beach

Malmok Beach sits on the northern tip of the island past the high-rise strip, and most people drive right by it on the way to the California Lighthouse. The #6 ranking among Palm-Eagle Beach attractions comes entirely from what's underwater — this is a snorkeling beach, not a lounging beach. The rocky shelf drops into calm water where several small wrecks sit close to shore, and the fish density is noticeably higher than anything you'll see off Eagle or Palm Beach. The entry requires water shoes; the sand quality doesn't compete with Eagle Beach a few miles south. There are no chair rentals, no shade structures, no beach bar. You park on the shoulder, walk over the rocks, and swim out. If you're renting a car and you care more about seeing parrotfish and sergeant majors than having a perfect sand day, Malmok delivers something the resort beaches can't. Baby Beach on the southern end offers easier wading and comparable marine life if the rocky bottom here is a problem.

Source: TripAdvisor · view on TripAdvisor →

Photos by individual contributors as credited above.

Review summaries are AI-paraphrased from public traveler reviews.