πŸ—ΊοΈ Landmarks & nature πŸ“ Alto Vista, Noord

A bright yellow chapel at the end of a road of white crosses

It is small (genuinely small, a single room) and it sits alone on a rise above the north coast with nothing around it but cactus and wind. It is also one of the most affecting stops on the island, and it costs nothing.

Aruba's first Catholic church was built on this spot in 1750, by a Spanish missionary working with the island's Caquetio people. The chapel you see now is a 1952 rebuild on the same site, painted a yellow you can spot from a long way off.

The approach is the memorable part for kids. The last stretch of road winds up the hill lined with white crosses (the Stations of the Cross) and there is a stone peace labyrinth nearby you can walk. Inside, the chapel has a handful of wooden pews and a quiet that lands even on children who were arguing in the car two minutes earlier.

It is an active chapel, so quiet voices and modest dress are the expectation. Ten to fifteen minutes is enough. It sits naturally on the same loop as the California Lighthouse and the north coast ruins.

Tell your kids this

The little yellow chapel on the hill marks where Aruba's first church stood in 1750. The winding road to it is lined with white crosses.

Look after it

Quiet voices; it's an active chapel.

More finds nearby

Turn the list into a treasure hunt

Buska gives kids 75 Aruban treasures to find and photograph (this one included) and turns the trip into a keepsake book. Free to start, no ads, private by default.

Start free →