On September 2, 2005, Aruba's Natural Bridge, the coral limestone arch that had been on every postcard for a century, collapsed into the sea. What the postcards never said is that the north coast has more than one. The smaller arches are still standing, and the one at Wariruri is the destination of a ride we book directly with a ranch in Paradera: through the cacti to the coast on Paso Fino horses, a stop under the little bridge with the sea breaking behind you, and back. This guide covers what it costs, who can ride, the rules on the trail, where the pickup goes, and what to wear. Every number comes from the ranch's own terms, recorded on our Little Natural Bridge ride page.
The horse matters: what a Paso Fino is
The ranch rides Paso Finos, the Latin American breed known for a smooth, even, four-beat gait. In plain terms, the horse does the shock absorption, so a first-time rider spends the trail looking at the coast rather than bracing in the saddle. The ranch takes riders from novice to expert; the guide matches the horse to you, and the pace on the trail is a walk.
Horseback Riding on the Beach
75 minutes · from $95 per person. Live prices, dates, and the honest details, one page.
The ride, start to finish
About 1 hour 40 minutes. From the ranch in Paradera the trail runs through the cunucu, cacti and the low thorny trees the trade wind bends westward, with lizards and iguanas on the rocks, and comes out on the north coast at Wariruri. The stop is under the little natural bridge on the sand, with the sea breaking beyond it, for photographs. Then the ride back. Most of the distance is desert trail; the beach is a short stretch at the end, and the horses do not go into the sea.
Two departures a day, Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The afternoon ride puts the low sun on the coast. There are no rides on Sundays.
Traveling with little ones
Land with the crib already sorted
A full-size crib, stroller, and car seat rarely fit in the luggage. Local BabyQuip providers deliver the gear to your hotel or rental for your dates and collect it when you fly home, cleaned and insured per their standards. Pick what you need, see the price for your stay, and board with carry-ons instead of cargo.
- Cribs, pack-and-plays, and toddler beds
- Car seats sized to your child
- Strollers, wagons, and beach gear
Delivered by independent BabyQuip providers on the island. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What it costs, and what is included
$116 per rider, every age the same. Included: the Paso Fino horse, the guide, a helmet, bottled water, and free pickup from the Palm Beach and Oranjestad areas. Not included: gratuities.
Who can ride
- Children from age 6 ride their own horse. Younger children may share a parent's saddle at the parent's discretion; ask in the booking form and the ranch confirms before any payment.
- Weight. The ranch's limit is 230 lbs per rider.
- Not while pregnant, and not after drinking: guests under the influence cannot ride.
- Experience. None needed. Novice to expert, with the horse matched to you.
The rules on the trail
No galloping, apart from a short stretch near the coast if the guide permits it for experienced riders. The horses stay out of the sea. Wear long pants, or bring a towel to lay over the saddle, and closed shoes or sneakers. There is a bathroom at the ranch and none on the trail, so plan accordingly before you mount.
Browse 32 vetted Aruba experiences
Most confirm instantly with free cancellation up to 24h, and 4 of them are free.
Pickup: Palm Beach and Oranjestad, or your own car
The pickup is free anywhere in the Palm Beach and Oranjestad areas and comes 30 to 60 minutes before the ride, with the exact time on your confirmation. Staying at an Airbnb or another address? Enter the exact address in the form and we check with the crew whether the pickup reaches you before anything is paid. With your own car, be at the ranch in Paradera 30 minutes before your ride; the address comes with your confirmation.
Booking direct, and the terms
Pick a day and a departure, count the riders, tell the ranch how you get there, and confirm the fitness rules. We set the ride with the ranch, then a secure deposit link arrives by email: $23 per rider, out of the price rather than on top of it. The booking is confirmed once the deposit is paid, and the voucher that follows is your ticket for the day.
Cancellation. Cancel 48 hours or more before the ride and the deposit comes back in full. Inside 48 hours it is not refunded, but the date can move or the booking can transfer to someone else in your group. If the ranch cancels, you get every cent back, always. The full matrix is on our refunds and cancellations page.
The balance. $93 per rider, paid at the ranch before you mount, in US dollars, in cash or by Visa or Mastercard. The ranch takes no other cards, so bring cash if yours is a different one.
Group size. A departure carries at most 10 riders. For a larger party, write to us and we arrange it with the ranch.
This ride or the Urirama Cove ride
Two rides on this site reach the north coast on horseback, from two different ranches, and they are not the same day. This one is longer, rides Paso Finos, takes children from 6 on their own horse and ends under an arch on the sand. The Urirama Cove ride is shorter, walks past an old quartz mine to a rocky cove, and runs three times a day. Pick by the picture you want at the end: an arch over the sand, or waves against the rocks.
The photographs on the ride page are the ranch's own, on this route.
