If you’re looking to rev up your Aruba vacation, try the Andicuri UTV Off-Road Safari from De Palm Tours. This adventure lets you jump behind the wheel of one of De Palm’s UTV vehicles and drive all over the island in the company of a tour guide. You’ll get in more than a few UTV-inspired adrenaline rushes—and learn about the island’s best tourist sites while still having tons of fun.
We sent Kara Phelps, the communications specialist for Divi Resorts, on the Off-Road Safari to test it out. Here’s her take:
Hi there! If you’re ready to spice up your jaunt in Aruban paradise with a rough-and-ready good time, look no further than De Palm Tours’ Andicuri Off-Road Safari. Stop by the De Palm activities desk in the lobby at your resort to sign up—the coordinator will set up your tour and arrange for your pick-up from the resort. The tours take place daily at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., but you’ll most likely be picked up a few minutes earlier by bus to take you to the tour’s launching point.
At the launching point, located at De Palm’s headquarters in Oranjestad, our small group learned a few quick pointers on UTV safety from our tour guide, Giovanni. He also gave us bottles of water and bandannas to protect our mouths and noses. Aruba’s strong trade winds, coupled with the dust kicked up by your fellow UTVers in their vehicles, makes this a very gritty adventure. If you’re afraid of getting dirty, you might want to look elsewhere. Definitely wear the bandanna given to you, and bring an extra T-shirt to change afterward! If you get a rush being out in the elements, this tour will be the highlight of your trip.
We drove down quiet side roads and plenty of unpaved wilderness trails through the desert, passing through all six of Aruba’s districts. We made stops at several Aruban landmarks as Giovanni explained their significance to us, including the California Lighthouse and the trattoria nearby, the Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins, Andicuri Beach, Wariruri, the Ayo Rock Formation and the Alto Vista Chapel.
Don’t forget to wear sunscreen and sunglasses—there isn’t much shade. Sneakers, as opposed to sandals, will make driving and walking around easier. Extra money is also a good idea, as you may want to buy a snack, something to drink or a souvenir at one of the stops. Good luck out there on the trail!
You can sign up for the De Palm UTV tour at the activities desk at your resort on Aruba, or online at www.depalmtours.com.