Things to do in Santa Cruz in October

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Overview

October is a good time to visit Santa Cruz. The weather is usually very warm and slightly windy, with temperatures ranging from 83—85°F (28—29°C).

Santa Cruz has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your October trip to Santa Cruz. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to October. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Santa Cruz in October. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout October, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

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Best events and things to do in Santa Cruz in October

Top experiences in October
We couldn't find any experiences in October
Holidays in Santa Cruz in October
October

There are no holidays in Santa Cruz in October

Weather in Santa Cruz in October

Temperatures on an average day in Santa Cruz in October

The average temperature in Santa Cruz in October for a typical day ranges from a high of 85°F (29°C) to a low of 83°F (28°C). Some would describe the temperature to be very warm. The general area may also feel slightly windy.

For comparison, the hottest month in Santa Cruz, September, has days with highs of 85°F (30°C) and lows of 83°F (28°C). The coldest month, February has days with highs of 81°F (27°C) and lows of 78°F (26°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Santa Cruz in October based on historical data.

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Historical temperature average in October
85°F
highs
83°F
lows

General weather summary

Very warm, slightly windy
Feels like
42%
Chance of rain
0.157 in
Amount
17.6 mph
Wind speed
78%
Humidity
11.9 hrs
Daylight length
6:29 AM
Sunrise
6:21 PM
Sunset
27%
Cloud cover
Sleeveless shirt
What to wear
What to wear in October
With an average high of 85°F (29°C) and a low of 83°F (28°C), it generally feels very warm and slightly windy. There might also be a small chance of rain. With that in mind, most people would dress in something very light like a sleeveless shirt and remember to bring an umbrella
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Best attractions for Santa Cruz in October

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Santa Cruz has to offer for travelers in October, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Santa Cruz that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Santa Cruz for October.
Arikok National Park
1. Arikok National Park
4.6
(2709)
National park
Nature & Parks
Protected, geologically diverse natural area featuring hiking, historic caves & beach access.
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We were so excited to finally visit this place. We explored the trails in our rented jeep, made it to the natural pool and all I can say is WOW! The environment in general was spectacular as were the views. It was a bit tricky traversing the trails but we had experience, if you’re not comfortable using 4 wheel drive you can take an excursion guided tour. The flexibility of having the trail riding experience was awesome, we did the pool, caves, visited the beaches and exited the park at the wind mill entrance. What a beautiful place and must do when visiting Aruba.
The scenery is beautiful. But it is not any better than the rest of the gorgeous coastline of the northeast Aruba outside of the "National Park", yet one has to pay an entry fee of $22/person (!). Compare it to the real National Parks in the US where one pays a similar amount for a car, regardless of how many people are in that car. On top of that, unless one rents a 4WD, they will charge you an arm and a leg to drive you to the Natural Pool, because they haven't built any decent road there. And the staff is very unfriendly, and there is nothing to see in the Visitor Center, and points of interest are not well marked, and... yes, they want you to hire a guide and pay more. A tourist trap.
Cute little park great to drive around with the car (you need a jeep if you want to go to the remove beach). Very challenging but very funny to drive if you like off road. Visit the caves …. The beaches on the ocean side (no swim allowed due to rip currents and potentially big waves).
Highly recommend. Pleasantly surprised at how much of the park we could enjoy with a small rental car (not 4x4). Some areas of park are restricted to 4x4s, but we drove main road from visitor center to Dos Playa, caves, and then out the south entrance.
What an amazing place! So well maintained, the staff is helpful. Take their recommendations wisely for what kind of vehicle you are using there. If visiting by regular car go slow over the drain divots! So much to see. If you want to go to the beach you will need a 4x4. There are many places to pull off for a view.
Věry beautiful place. The best idea Is to take a Jeep, because you Are not allowed to visit all places in this park with regular car. Do not forget to take a map in a visitor center. One adult ticker Is 22usd And you can pay with card.
Loved this park! So different from the developed part of Aruba. Staff was so friendly and nice too. We took a tour in an all terrain vehicle. You would be limited if driving in a regular car.
I would suggest making this a day trip and going early so you can experience the entire national park. You MUST have a Jeep styled 4x4 in order to access a portion of the park which includes the natural pool. They do have "taxi" style vehicle that'll take you to the natural pool but I think you're on their time. You can't leave once you're ready to go. We couldn't go that route because of the vehicle we had. Overall it was a nice scenery once you actually got near the water. Make sure you bring water! They have some for sale at the visitor center but just come prepared.
Donkey Sanctuary Aruba
2. Donkey Sanctuary Aruba
4.8
(1591)
Wildlife rescue service
Nature & Parks
Safe haven for injured or abused wild donkeys, with a gift shop & feeding opportunities.
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Very fun experience visiting and feeding the animals. We saw the donkeys, peacocks and chickens all gathering around for food. The donkeys were gentle and never bit us even when hand feeding. Only 3 dollars for a large bag of feed or 1 for a small so its budget friendly. Otherwise its free to come and explore and see the creatures.
We absolutely loved the donkey sanctuary. It’s a little hidden but there are signs that lead to the sanctuary. Watch your steps as you might step in poop. They are a super friendly staff and very easy going. You can purchase feed there for a small amount of money or you can bring your own carrots and feed the donkeys. They have kittens available for adoption as well. Bathrooms have toilet and running water with soap to wash your hands after feeding. The donkeys are very sweet and friendly and will let you pet them. They do a really good job with these animals. I recommend checking it out!
You can park and walk in through the donkey pin to the visitor center where there are toilets, a gift shop, a place to sit and little buckets of food you can buy to feed the donkeys. The food is $1 for a small scoop and $3 for a bigger scoop. When feeding the donkeys you stay behind a barrier for your safety, but otherwise you can walk around and check them out up close. My kid got to hug one. We also enjoyed the peafowl and kitties. They have cats for adoption.
I fell in love with the donkeys. Most are so well behaved. They are hysterical trying to get your attention. They "smile", they have the cutest expressions on there faces as they tilt their heads. Most are incredibly gentle when taking the food from you. They have "pellet" food to buy $3 USD for a large & $1 USD for a small. They have a gift shop also where i bought stickers & a T shirt. All money helps support the sanctuary. I also brought a bag of apples that a cut up & fed to the donkeys. The donkeys really enjoy apples & carrots. Overall I had a great time and would do it again!
A fun place for the whole family, that's a "must-see" in Aruba. And the best part is, it's free. There are dozens of donkeys 🫏 freeling wondering the compound and you are able to interact with them. There is also a visitor center where you can buy a snack, a drink, a coffee mug, a tee shirt, or make a donation. And funds go to support the refuge. This is the kind of place your kids will love regardless of their age!
Excellent experience that didn't disappoint. For entry you must have a car as you drive through the sanctuary. Donkeys are really friendly. The admission cost is $9.00 US per person. Kids and adults will enjoy this stop. Marina owns the sanctuary and will tell you about the history and how she came about creating the sanctuary. Very nice stop.
This place is a gem! It is so relaxed and delightful. The donkeys are lovely and gentle. They’re so happy if you bring carrots to feed them! (Fred them only from the porch, so they don’t swarm you outside!) There are peacocks and roosters roaming around, and lots of kittens! You can visit anytime during opening hours and hang out with the donkeys as you wish, no formal tours or time slots needed. It’s totally free to visit as well! Definitely the most relaxed animal encounter I’ve ever been to, with donkeys that seem very happy and healthy. Would highly recommend a visit if you’re in Aruba!
God bless this sanctuary. They take care of the donkeys so well and there are a large number of them. Bring lots of fruits for them to eat. And please bring cash to make a donation for entry.
Rancho Loco
3. Rancho Loco
4.8
(233)
Ranch
Outdoor Activities
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My husband and I had the most amazing time on this tour! It is an incredible experience to take in the beauty of the island and see the other side and swim in the natural pool. The views are breathtaking. The horses were exceptional and well trained and cared for. Highly recommend this company and this experience.
We had a great afternoon with Rancho Loco. The horses are well taken care of and hydrated, which is important to me. They’re very well trained and good for both new and experienced horseback riders. I loved the dogs, chickens, and iguana wandering around the ranch as well. Our guide matched us to our horses based on weight and experience level. The dip in the natural pools was quick but refreshing. I’d recommend using a towel to change into dry clothes for the ride back to the ranch.
This ended up being my favorite part of the trip. I was a little nervous as a first-time rider, but Patrick really took the time to make sure we felt comfortable. He picked out the right horse for each of us, and was with us every step of the way giving guidance and encouragement. The trail was stunning, and the natural pool full of colorful fish felt like a reward at the end. I left feeling invigorated, confident, and calm all at once. I'm going to find some places near me where I can continue to learn.
The staff at Rancho Loco was amazing. They did a great job pairing people up with horses and keeping things moving on the ride. The horses were some of the best we have ridden. The views on the ride were breathtaking and the natural pool was beautiful. A lot of time in the sun so don't forget sunglasses, hats sunscreen etc.
I was dragged here by my wife unwillingly, but happy wife happy life. I am a dare devil for rollercoasters and bungee jumping, but was always scared of horses. Patrick the main horse instructor really spent time with everyone to make sure that they felt comfortable. He specifically picked the horse for the rider based on their comfortably. My wife and I really had a great time and always felt safe, even walking through some tough terrain. The horses are so well trained and truly beautiful animals. Will definitely recommend to a non horseback rider.
This is not your typical trail ride! From Patrick discovering the right horse for you, to the hills you go up and over, you'll be hooked! The views are not like anything you'll see anywhere else and your horse wont just trod. They will trot and in some small areas some will get into a small gallop! We now have a set week timeshare and we will come back here every year! If you love horses, the Natural Pool and raw natural beauty of the island, this is a MUST DO!
Wonderful experience. Friendly humorous lead guide. The views were spectacular and swimming in the natural pool was fantastic. Hotel pick up, friendly accommodating staff
Riding with rancho loco was one of our favorite parts of our honeymoon trip. We had so much fun, the views were amazing, the horses were great for riding and clearly well taken care of. Even though we unfortunately couldn’t swim due to the wind and current, to no fault of the ranch obviously, we still had a great time and would do again. Very kind and attentive staff, would highly recommend.
Rancho Daimari
4. Rancho Daimari
4.4
(57)
Farm
Outdoor Activities
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Amazing experience! Booked w/Action tours and completely satisfied.ranch was clean and horses sound and well kept. My guide Carlos was knowledgeable and so friendly. Great trail with amazing views and led to the natural pool where I spent an hour swimming . A must do tour while in Aruba !
Did not visit the ranch. Walked the trail to the beach. Pictures do not do it justice. Jaw dropping beauty.
Very nice place, for hiking
We had a great time on our house back ride. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. The terrain we we saw was breathtaking. It was beautiful to see the “other” side of the island. I would highly recommend this adventure to anyone.
We loved this. Went on a Saturday morning tour with Francisco- it was just two of us on the tour so felt like it was a private tour. The natural park is absolutely beautiful- definitely the highlight of our Aruba trip. I would suggest doing the early morning tour because we were the only people at the natural pool when we arrived at around 9:30, but by the time we headed back there were hordes of people coming in (there must be tour buses that go directly to the pool or something). Francisco was wonderful- thoughtful and informative- and he took lots of pictures for us which was very kind! The horses were gentle and sweet :)
Best time of my life. I finally rode a horse with confidence and on the BEACH!! Amazing trip. Rafael was the tour guide and he did not disappoint A true islander that made every minute unforgettable. I highly recommend this to people of all ages. The Natural pool is something everyone visiting must see. Thanks again Rafael.
I would not recommend this place to anyone if I could rate in the negative I'd give it a-10 our guide was a creeper he was hitting on my wife and was hiding in the rocks at the natural pool waiting for us to go swimming needless to say we did not go swimming and then he told us the road was damaged and might not be able to get us back to town. Not a good idea for women to go out there alone. Our guides name was Carlos and they also had a lot of sick horses there as well.
A perfect starting point for a beach-front hike to Conchi Pool in the National Park. Make sure to get an entry pass at the visitor center, a map, and preload a map to your phone since there is no cell signal out here. Beautiful scenery and goats.
Fontein Cave
5. Fontein Cave
4.5
(901)
Nature & Parks
Caverns & Caves
Small limestone cave with pictographs created by Arawak people & graffiti left by early Europeans.
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Cave with a lot of cave art. Also little stream with fish that you can put your feet in.. This is a small little place but the kids thought it was the coolest thing and didn't want to leave. The cave itself is shallow place you can walk around and visit and also somewhat dark as you go in. Careful to stay on the path. Not as grand as the other cave, but has the art and stream outside of the cave.
The cave is small, but a very nice park ranger walked us around and showed us things. Unfortunately people have defaced much of the cave, but some ancient drawings are still there for viewing. There is a fish pond nearby that you can stick your feet into and the fish bible on your toes also.
I admit to being a little freaked out by the bats. We could hear them squeaking and saw one flying about twenty feet away. I would have been reluctant to enter if we hadn't been with a guide. I am glad I did. The cave markings were interesting and this is the first cave I have been in that felt warm and not cold.
Not much of a cave to be honest, only a few yards deep, but there are some great pillars inside. The old planation ruins are very close by as is the little pool where you can have the local fish clean the dry skin off your feet if that's your think.
Cave with indigenous paintings that are well preserved and quite bright red. Look on the roof for the paintings in the first part of the cave. Recommend waiting to take a tour of the cave with a park guide. Very informative. Accessible by regular car in Arikok national park. $22US daily park fee. If in regular rental car drive very slowly over the rocky runoff areas along the road or you will bottom them out.
One of the most underrated experiences on the island. Cost $22 per person which is a little high given the bats were blocked off, and they had a few things closed. But still having fish nibble on your feet is amazing!
This is a place to learn about Aruban history. The guides here are passionate about their history and culture. Please come here. There is history written on these walls. There is also a spot to have fish nibble your toes.
The interesting part of this cave is near the entrance, where there are indigenous rock paintings in red paint. Not all of the images can be clearly interpreted – let your imagination run wild. The cave itself is small, as the rear part is closed off to the public. Unfortunately, some new graffiti and carvings have destroyed the entrance area.
Boca Prins
6. Boca Prins
4.7
(27)
Bay
Outdoor Activities
Narrow stretch of remote beach surrounded by jagged cliffs, known for strong waves & sunset views.
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This is an absolutely beautiful landscape. Must visit. If the weather is good, you're gonna get the best pictures from the trip. The sea is rough, so swimming is not allowed. But there are little stairs, to go down and get a closer and beautiful view.
One of my favorite spots in Arikok National Park for scenery. This is an absolute must stop! Be sure to take the steps down to the beach and get pictures from there.
The serf here is extremely rough, so no swimming, but the view is incredible. Worth a stop just to see this beautiful landscape and stand in awe of the power of the sea.
Beautiful, scenic secluded beach in Arikok National Park.
Great beach and easy to reach. Unfortunately it is not recommended to swim here due to waves and current, but it is beautiful to take photos of. Nearby you also have the Boca Prins Dunes which are pretty nice to see as well.
This was a great spot for watching the waves come in. Definately stop here if visiting the caves.
Great sights, lots of cute little crabs running around
Pro Kite School Aruba
7. Pro Kite School Aruba
4.7
(64)
Kite shop
Classes & Workshops
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My wife got a lesson with Pechi and she had a great time, was very impressed with how professional he was as well as detail oriented and safe during the lesson. Also it is an absolutely beautiful spot to learn and visit. Would definitely recommend learning here versus other locations on the island giving the wind direction and the utter chaos of people/offshore gusty conductions over at the huts. Thank you Pechi we will see you again soon! 🤙🏽😁
Pechi is calm, friendly and an amazing teacher with a focus on safety. Made a lot of progress and I highly recommend taking lessons with him.
I got rescued by Pechi and this man knows exactly what he is doing, on the board and everything around. Awesome dude!
Be careful with the road to reach this school: I had booked a kite lesson here, but unfortunately nobody informed me about the correct road to take. I simply followed Google Maps, which led me onto a sandy path. At first it looked like a road, since there were tire marks from other cars, but eventually my car got stuck in the sand. It’s true that I should have been more careful not to drive on the sand, but at the same time the school could have warned me in advance about the right way to get there. When I called the owner/instructor, he immediately came to help. Even though we couldn’t push the car out, he stayed with me the whole time, waited patiently, and kept me company until the problem was solved. He was very kind, welcoming, and genuinely sorry about the situation. In the end, I had to pay for a towing service instead of the lesson, and unfortunately no discount was offered. Still, I appreciated his support and attitude during this unexpected experience. I’m leaving 4 stars because the lesson itself didn’t happen, but the owner’s helpfulness and kindness deserve recognition. Just watch the immagine below and be careful so you make sure you know the correct road before driving here.
Never thought about taking advanced lessons until I met Pechi. Calm & straight instructor with an amazing list of tricks which don’t even have names 😂 What an amazing spirit at the beach. Open minded and courteous community 🥰 always having good talks and helpful & encouraging tips, everybody is eager to progress and move on in his skills
Pechi Is the best teacher anyone can ask for. I had lessons in Holland and they were very bad and I had an accident during my 3rd lesson. So I felt very scared to start again. Then I met Pechi, wow what a great experience. He made me feel save and gain back confidence. He teaches very clearly and thorough. Everything you need to learn and more. When we return to Aruba I will take more lessons. I recommend Pechi to everyone.
It’s definitely the best part of aruba to learn kiteboarding. The beach is downwind and the school is great I took 3 days of lessons with them.
Nice beach, even for non-kiters, with waves, safe. The kitespot is very nice and the instructor friendly and skillfull.
Dos Playa
8. Dos Playa
4.7
(84)
Beach
Outdoor Activities
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Stay out of the water here, the surf has changed over the past decade due to forming sand bars which produce converging breaks at the SSW side and a powerful northward current towards the north that pushes you out. Conditions can change in minutes too.
Part of Arikok national Park. $22US daily park fee. Take a left before getting to the Fontaine cave. Don’t park right at the beach. Pull in on the road just before it and park on the plateau. You’ll see both beaches from there. If you go to the parking lot, you’ll only see one. Video taken from parking lot. Photo showing both playas taken from alternate spot.
Unreal. Worth the drive.
Very beautiful point and view. Sure do visit as it is very close from many other attractions. When we visited, it was too sunny, so we couldn't get nice pictures. Swimming is not allowed. The sea is too rough.
Beautiful views of the beach but swimming is not allowed due to the rough water. A closer look at the cliffs and geology of the island reveals itself with layers of volcanic rock and coral from the ancient see bed.
Picture perfect but I wouldn’t really call it a beach. The ocean on this side of the island is angry! Huge waves and rip tides. Come for photos but don’t go in the water!
This is an excellent place to visit but highly discourage those thrill seekers full of adrenaline from swimming here. The views and scenes of the crashing waves against the reefs are fine enough without having the urge or temptation of stepping foot into the water. In other words, look but don’t touch. The waves on this northern side of Aruba is unforgiving and does not think twice of causing harm, so please, don’t get into the water as signs are posted stating so. We did see a couple go on the edge of the beach and once they noticed us walking by, they immediately got out. The signs are posted for a reason. Other than that, this place is stunning and beautiful.
This beach is BREATHTAKING!!! Beautiful blue water and white sand. As the other reviews have stated, this is not a place for swimming. Although signs are posted there were a few people in the water, the waves were large and appeared to be unforgiving. It’s a great beach to explore and get your feet wet, or just to bring a towel and relax for the day.
ArubaSalsa Dance Company
9. ArubaSalsa Dance Company
4.9
(46)
Dance school
Nightlife
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Reggie is an amazing teacher. His attention to detail and instruction is spot on. Crisp, clear and concise, Reggie was my wife’s and My first instructor. We have since gone on to have 5 dance instructors only because we are not local. Reggie hands down is the best we have had. If we lived on Aruba we would be so much further ahead, than where we are now. Every time we are in Aruba we are definitely taking as many lessons as we can with Reggie. I suggest you do the same. You won’t be disappointed.
Pleasant and knowledgeable trainer
I have been attending classes for Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba at Aruba Salsa. I started off with private classes to assess at which level I should join and the private tutor was excellent! Thereafter, I have been attending the group classes from July 2020 and I enjoy them immensely. The Tutors are very knowledgeable, professional and they make the classes fun. Even with the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions , the school is a safe environment and there is strict adherence to the rules for social distancing and sanitizing. So if you are looking to practice and develop your dance skills in a fun safe environment then Aruba Salsa is the school for you.
Great place to learn dance and all the aspects relating to it! Patient, knowledgeable teachers who bring fun and passion into dancing. Also a great group of students who help each other. I Feel safe while dancing because of the rules of the school that each student upholds.
I need an extra star to give them 6 stars! This place is not only extremely professional and friendly but magic. They helped me overcome my fear of dancing Bachata and I ended up falling in love with dancing. It was supposed to be a summer hobby while I was on vacation but now I don’t think I want to stop dancing. Reggie knows how to handle our nerves and make the class enjoyable to a point where you forget you were even nervous to begin with. I progressed really fast with private bachata lessons and I also took their group salsa workshop where I could mingle with the locals. There’s both male and female instructors who dance really well and support the group classes. Honestly, they set the bar really high for my next dance teacher :) I highly recommend ArubaSalsa Dance Company!
Great dance classes and fun team! An overall happy vibe during all the classes with step-by-step guidance making sure you look like a professional dancer at the end of every season. I highly recommend ArubaSalsa :)
Great class. We had private classes with Gabriel and it was truly amazing! We learned a lot. We highly recommend it. I love Salsa ❤️
I had a wonderful time in salsa and bachata level one. Reggie and Meritza are kind, patient, knowledge, and attentive. Amazing direction, wonderful inclusivity, all around pleasant and fun.
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