When you think of Aruba, chances are you’re picturing sun-soaked beaches, swaying palms, and crystalline water. But nestled just beyond the shoreline lies something refreshingly different—Aruba’s desert heart, and with it, one of the island’s best-kept secrets: the Aruba Aloe Factory & Museum.
If you’re traveling this September, skip the usual souvenir shop stops and take a quirky detour into Aruba’s aloe legacy—it’s weird, it’s wonderful, and yes, it’s wildly underrated.
Wait… Aloe? On a Caribbean Island?
Yep. While Aruba may look like a beach-lover’s dream, its interior is dry, rugged, and perfectly suited for growing aloe vera. In fact, this tiny island was once the world’s largest exporter of aloe, with over two-thirds of the land covered in it back in the day. The Aruba Aloe Company, founded in 1890, is still going strong and is now one of the oldest aloe companies in the world.
A Free Tour That’s Anything But Ordinary
Head to Hato (just 10–15 minutes from most resorts) and join a free factory tour—offered daily in multiple languages. You’ll walk through sun-baked aloe fields, see leaves being hand-cut and filleted on the spot (yes, it’s gooey and oddly satisfying), and watch how they transform this humble plant into lotions, gels, and even sunscreen.
Spoiler: The factory smells amazing.
Why It’s Perfect for September Travelers
With fewer crowds and cooler breezes, September is a great time to explore Aruba beyond the beach. A visit to the aloe farm is a perfect half-day trip—a blend of nature, history, and a touch of wellness. Plus, you’ll go home with a better souvenir than a magnet: Aruba-grown, skin-soothing aloe your future self will thank you for.
Pro Tip
Staying at Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club? Make a morning of it: visit the aloe factory, then stop in Oranjestad for a bite at a local café before heading back to the beach. You’ll feel like you unlocked a whole new side of Aruba.
So if you’re headed to Aruba this fall, step off the sand for a bit—and step into the soothing, slightly weird, and surprisingly fascinating world of Aruba Aloe. Trust us, your skin (and your travel stories) will thank you.
Ready to book your fall stay at Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club?
For Bookings, please contact Megan Schweizer at Concierge Realty via email at megans@conciergerealty.com or by phone at 689-388-9435
