Bushiribana Ruins || Aruba Travel Guide

The Bushiribana Ruins have always been one of my favorite sites in Aruba.  Part of this is nostalgia; I remember visiting these gold ruins with my brother when we were younger, affectionally calling it the "Pirate's Castle".  We would climb through the ruins and make up stories about the pirates that (we thought) once lived here.  The reality is very different: this location is where around 3 millions pounds of gold were processed during the gold rush in Aruba.  

One popular theory is that the name "Aruba" is derived from the Spanish word for gold ("oro"), although no gold was discovered on the island until 1824.  The Bushiribana Gold Mine was built in 1825 and operated for 10 years.  It is located on the rocky northern coast, not too far from the Natural Bridge.  There is another gold smelter, Balashi, on the southern coast of the island.  

Until a few years ago, you were allowed inside the ruins and could climb all the way to the top.  The last time that I visited (November 2021), there was a bright yellow 'No Trespassing' sign posted outside of the door with a warning that it is illegal to go into the ruins. 

Below are a few older photos from when you were allowed inside the ruins, taken in July 2015.  The view from the upper level through the windows towards the ocean is gorgeous.  While it is sad to see the inside closed off to visitors, I can understand why this was done.  Even 15 years ago when I first explored the mine, it was starting to fall apart.  There were still rocky stairs and steps, but you definitely needed to be careful where you stepped to avoid slipping or stepping on an unstable rock.  

Even though the allure of exploring the ruins are no longer an option, I still recommend the Bushiribana Ruins as a stopping point if you are touring the island.  There are many guided tours that stop at Bushiribana, but you can also reach the ruins if you rent a car.  You do not need 4-wheel drive to reach it.  There are also new bike trails that use the ruins as a stopping point.  

In addition to the ruins, you get a beautiful view of the rough waters of the north coast.  It's way too dangerous to swim, but as you get close to the edge you can feel the mist from the crashing waves.