One of my favorite things to do in Aruba is mountain biking. Aruba has a great network of well maintained trails on the rugged, natural east side of the island. The MTB scene has been growing, supported by local bike shops and regular race events.
Where to rent a bike in Aruba
The local bike shops rent bikes by the day or week. Rental inventory is going to include hardtail aluminum and e-bikes. An e-bike is nice if you are riding in the midday heat.
For a rental, check out FX Sports in Noord, Tri Bike and Specialized, both closer to the airport.
Where to ride
There is a network of trails that follow the eastern coast from the northern part of the island all the way past the Bushiribana gold mill, to Daimari beach. There are also trails in and around the national park.
Aruba is a small island and you are never very far from a paved road or a cell signal. You might take a wrong turn but you’ll never get completely lost.
Have a look at the Strava heatmap to get a sense of where the trails are. If you rent a bike, the shop will get you oriented and propose some routes.
If you are staring in Noord or at FX sports, take the trails to the Alto Vista Chapel and then on to the Bushiribana gold mill.
What is the terrain like
Well maintained trails flanked by cactus, boulders and Watapana shrubs. The ground can be sandy and give way if it hasn’t rained for a long time. There are several rock gardens. It’s hilly but the peaks aren’t too high. There are a few table top jumps but no ‘lumber features’.
There are some technical sections of the trails such as boulders and a few cambered downhills but these sections are short and a less experienced rider can briefly slow down or dismount.
Group rides
Some of the bike shops organize group rides. When you run into local riders, you can ask them and you might get invited to their next group ride. Arubans are very friendly. People here tend to ride very early in the morning, often before sunrise, to avoid the heat and to get a ride in before work.
Some of the bike shops offer guided tours tailored to your skill level.
What to wear
Aruba has a dry climate and there are cactus and thorny bushes everywhere. It’s a good idea to wear warm weather gloves to absorb sweat. I wear full-fingered gloves to protect from cactus scrapes.
Because this is xc trail riding, most people wear bibs and jerseys but anything is fine. Just remember to wear sunscreen.
What to carry on rides
Of course, water. There aren’t many places to fill up or get a drink if you want to stay on the trails. There’s often a food truck at the gold mill.
Bring your phone and download the Maps.me app or the offline Google map for Aruba. There are some spots with no cell reception.
I also carry plugs and a small air pump.
Dealing with flats
Punctures are very common in Aruba. Your MTB will most likely be tubeless and have sealant. It’s very important to stay on the trails to avoid thorns. If you get a puncture and you don’t have plugs, put your finger on it and give the sealant a chance to work. The local trick is to plug the hole with a thorn.
If you get a bad flat, you might be SOL. Call the bike shop and see if they can pick you up.
Happy riding!