×

Aruba🇦🇼 | landmarksBushiribana Gold Mill RuinsRoofless smelter, arched windows, coastal wall climb, sharp coral shore | things to do and best time to go

Explore Ayo Rock FormationsExplore California Lighthouse

Backpacking in Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins
👌 Worth visitingunique site ranked #5
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 20, 2026

The ruins are not a working mine, and no gold was ever dug here; the mill only processed ore brought in from the Miralamar and other mines inland, and the site is free to walk around. Bushiribana sits on the rugged north coast of Aruba, east of Noord and the high-rise beaches, on a stretch where the road turns to open scrub and cactus. The wow-factor is modest but real: a roofless stone fortress of a building with arched openings facing a wild, wave-lashed shore. Crowds come in waves with jeeps and ATV tours, then vanish. Climb the walls for photos, skip any idea of a long visit, and do not expect a museum. Twenty to forty minutes is plenty. Wear closed shoes, because the loose stone and sharp coral rock are unkind to flip-flops, and bring water, since there is no shade or shop.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Aruba Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
towns
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #5 unique site in ArubaReasons people choose to visit here

Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins gives you the one piece of Aruba’s past that most beach itineraries skip: the island’s 19th-century gold rush, standing in plain view with no ticket booth between you and the stones. The walls are climbable, the sea crashes just beyond them, and the contrast with the soft white sand of the resort coast is sharp. That is the main reason to come. The second is how well it fits a north coast loop. It sits close to the Natural Bridge site and the collapsed arch beside it, and a short drive from the California Lighthouse area, so you can string together the island’s wild side in half a day. It also costs nothing, which matters when Aruba’s prices add up quickly elsewhere. Go for the photos of arched stone windows framing the surf, and for a quiet look at the rough, windy Aruba that existed long before tourism.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins

  1. The Smelter Building Ruins: The main attraction is the roofless, fort-like stone shell of the mill itself, built in the 1800s. Its thick walls and arched doorways make it the signature photo spot.
  2. Rooftop and Wall Climb: You can scramble up the interior stonework to a high platform. The view runs along the rocky coast in both directions, with the wind loud in your ears.
  3. The Arched Windows Facing the Sea: Stand inside and frame the waves through the openings. The light here is at its softest when the sun is low.
  4. The Crushing and Smelting Layout: Look closely at the floors and chambers, where ore was crushed and processed. You can still trace how the operation was arranged, which makes the walk more than a photo stop.
  5. The Wild North Coast Shoreline: Just past the walls, black limestone and coral
… read more 👉
  1. The Smelter Building Ruins: The main attraction is the roofless, fort-like stone shell of the mill itself, built in the 1800s. Its thick walls and arched doorways make it the signature photo spot.
  2. Rooftop and Wall Climb: You can scramble up the interior stonework to a high platform. The view runs along the rocky coast in both directions, with the wind loud in your ears.
  3. The Arched Windows Facing the Sea: Stand inside and frame the waves through the openings. The light here is at its softest when the sun is low.
  4. The Crushing and Smelting Layout: Look closely at the floors and chambers, where ore was crushed and processed. You can still trace how the operation was arranged, which makes the walk more than a photo stop.
  5. The Wild North Coast Shoreline: Just past the walls, black limestone and coral rock take the full force of the Atlantic swell. Keep a safe distance, as the waves can surprise you.
  6. Tiny Roadside Souvenir Stalls: A few vendors set up near the parking area, selling local crafts and cold drinks. Prices are casual and small purchases are the norm.
  7. Nearby Ruins of the Balashi Smelter: A second gold smelter ruin sits on the other side of the island, near Balashi, and gives useful context for how the industry worked, though it is less dramatic.
Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins needs no ticket or advance booking, as entry is open and free.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins

Island Jeep Safari with Natural Pool Baby Beach and Lunch

Island Jeep Safari with Natural Pool Baby Beach and Lunch

5.0(10329) 8h
From €126
per personViator
Aruba UTV & ATV Adventure

Aruba UTV & ATV Adventure

4.9(9057) 4h
From €147
per personViator
Aruba UTV Adventure to Natural Pool Jeep Transfer

Aruba UTV Adventure to Natural Pool Jeep Transfer

5.0(7256) 6h
From €317
per personViator
Aruba UTV Off-Road Driving Experience North Coast Stops

Aruba UTV Off-Road Driving Experience North Coast Stops

5.0(6024) 4h
From €253
per personViator
Aruba North Coast ATV Desert Adventure

Aruba North Coast ATV Desert Adventure

4.9(2763) 4h
From €86
per personViator
Half-Day Aruba UTV Adventure Tour

Half-Day Aruba UTV Adventure Tour

5.0(1852) 4h
From €200
per personViator
Half-Day Aruba Island Tour from Oranjestad

Half-Day Aruba Island Tour from Oranjestad

4.7(1511) 4h
From €50
per personViator
Aruba 2-Seater UTV Tour Adventure

Aruba 2-Seater UTV Tour Adventure

5.0(799) 4h
From €109
per personViator
UTV Morning Tour: Discover Aruba's Hidden Treasures

UTV Morning Tour: Discover Aruba's Hidden Treasures

4.9(861) 4h 30m
From €200
per personViator
Aruba Off Road UTV Island Tour: Rugged Coastline & Culture

Aruba Off Road UTV Island Tour: Rugged Coastline & Culture

4.9(701) 4h
From €90
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins

  • Dry Season (Jan to Apr): The coast here is windiest and driest, with daytime highs of 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F) and the trade wind keeping the exposed ruins on the northeast shore bearable. Rain is rare, though the sea is rough and rarely calm.
  • Peak Crowds (Dec to Apr): Cruise and tour jeeps arrive mid-morning, and lodging prices on the island climb 30 to 50 percent.
  • Summer (May to Aug): Highs reach 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F) with lighter wind, so the stone mill gets hot by late morning. Fares and room rates ease.
  • Wetter Months (Oct to Dec): Short showers come mostly in November and December, and the unpaved tracks nearby can turn muddy. Days run about 11.5 to 12.5 hours of light all year.
Arrive when the gates of the day open, around sunrise, and climb the walls before tour buses pull in.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: good for travelingFEBFebruary: good for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
aruba-unique-site-bushiribana-gold-mill-ruins
© Google | Carlos Lozano

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutAruba Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Aruba
The digital guide (138 pages) contains:
✅ 34 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 2, 3 & 5-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Aruba

Oranjestad is the best base for backpackers, sitting roughly 20 to 25 minutes by car from the ruins. It has the island’s widest choice of budget beds, the main bus terminal, supermarkets and the most social evenings, so you can meet other travelers and split a rental car or taxi to the northeast coast. Expect dorm and budget private rooms in the US$30 to 90 range, depending on season.
Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are the other practical options, about 30 to 40 minutes from the ruins. They are quieter and resort-heavy, but guesthouses and apartments back from the sand suit pairs or small groups sharing … read more 👉
Oranjestad is the best base for backpackers, sitting roughly 20 to 25 minutes by car from the ruins. It has the island’s widest choice of budget beds, the main bus terminal, supermarkets and the most social evenings, so you can meet other travelers and split a rental car or taxi to the northeast coast. Expect dorm and budget private rooms in the US$30 to 90 range, depending on season.
Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are the other practical options, about 30 to 40 minutes from the ruins. They are quieter and resort-heavy, but guesthouses and apartments back from the sand suit pairs or small groups sharing a room, and both are well served by buses into town. Streets are well lit and walkable after dark.
San Nicolas, in the south, is cheaper and more local, though it is a longer drive and has fewer travelers. Staying right beside Bushiribana is not an option, as the coast is undeveloped, so choose Oranjestad, rent a car or scooter for the day, and combine the ruins with the Natural Pool and California Lighthouse.
Best hostels in Aruba


Best quality hotels in Aruba

👛 Costs (as of 20 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins costs about US$75 to 110 a day for a backpacker, and the site itself is free.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
EntryUS$0The ruins are open-air with no ticket or gate, and visitors can walk the walls freely.
Accommodation (high season)US$35 to 60Dorms or basic private rooms around Oranjestad, with prices rising in winter.
Getting thereUS$10 to 45Taxi from Oranjestad runs roughly US$30 to 40 one way. Rental cars cost about US$45 to 70 a day, and buses do not reach the site.
FoodUS$15 to 30Snacks at roadside trucks and local lunch spots in town. There is no food at the ruins, so bring water and sun protection.
Activities nearbyUS$0 to 25The Natural Pool and Arikok National Park, which charges about US$20 admission, are close by.
Total Daily BudgetUS$75 to 110Based on high-season
… read more 👉
Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins costs about US$75 to 110 a day for a backpacker, and the site itself is free.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
EntryUS$0The ruins are open-air with no ticket or gate, and visitors can walk the walls freely.
Accommodation (high season)US$35 to 60Dorms or basic private rooms around Oranjestad, with prices rising in winter.
Getting thereUS$10 to 45Taxi from Oranjestad runs roughly US$30 to 40 one way. Rental cars cost about US$45 to 70 a day, and buses do not reach the site.
FoodUS$15 to 30Snacks at roadside trucks and local lunch spots in town. There is no food at the ruins, so bring water and sun protection.
Activities nearbyUS$0 to 25The Natural Pool and Arikok National Park, which charges about US$20 admission, are close by.
Total Daily BudgetUS$75 to 110Based on high-season accommodation, a shared car or taxi, food and one nearby sight.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQFrequently asked questions about Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins

Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins are the crumbling stone remains of a gold smelter built in 1872 on Aruba’s rugged northeast coast. The mill processed ore from nearby mines until the early 1900s, and you can climb its walls and arches for sea views at no charge. It lies roughly 20 to 25 minutes by car from Oranjestad, close to the Natural Pool.
Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins need about 30 to 60 minutes for walking through the arches and climbing the walls. Add 2 to 3 hours if you combine them with the Natural Pool and the rough coastal drive. A half day from Oranjestad covers the whole northeast loop comfortably.
Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins are reached by car, scooter or taxi from Oranjestad in about 20 to 25 minutes along paved roads toward the northeast coast. Taxis cost roughly US$30 to 40 one way, and rental cars start around US$45 a day. Public buses do not run to the site, and jeep tours from the resort areas include it for about US$80 to 120.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Aruban landmarks near Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins

Explore more nearby:

  • Cave Pool—Rock-ringed basin, cliff ledges, rough park track, crashing outer wall| 0 km away
  • Ayo Rock Formations—Diorite boulders, hematite drawings, lizard-filled scrub, shaded overhangs| 3 km away
  • Alto Vista Chapel—Yellow chapel, Stations of the Cross, wind-bent divi-divi, northern coast terrace| 4 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Aruba including Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all landmarks

Or checkout all Aruba has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Aruba
Country photo of Aruba
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins is often treated as a quick photo stop from a jeep convoy, and that is the mistake. Arrive when the tour groups have left, and give yourself time to climb the walls and look closely at the stonework. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and keep clear of the wet rocks by the shore.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Aruba. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story