Savaneta is a quiet fishing village on Aruba's south-west coast and the island's first capital, a role it kept until 1797, when the capital moved to Oranjestad (aruba.com, read 7 November 2026). Come for fresh seafood on a working pier and for snorkeling at Mangel Halto, just to the north; there are no large resorts here.
Highlights
Zeerovers
A fishermen's pier restaurant where you can buy fresh fish to take away or have it cooked on the pier. The tourism board says Savaneta's restaurants are known for very fresh seafood and Caribbean-influenced cooking.
Mangel Halto
A beach just north of Savaneta, surrounded by mangroves, with aquamarine water. A reef further out keeps the water calm and the snorkeling is good; see our page on Mangel Halto.
The old town
The historic part of the village has the oldest house on Aruba, a mud hut about 150 years old, according to the tourism board.
Sports and fishing
The Roly Bislick Olympic Pool hosts swimming and synchronized swimming training and international competitions, and the annual Presidential Challenge Aruba Cup fishing competition is held at Varadero.
Practical info
Tips
- Savaneta has no big resorts, only small hotels, apartments and bed-and-breakfasts, so it suits travelers who prefer a local base to the high-rise strip. If you would rather not snorkel alone, the guided Mangel Halto and Baby Beach snorkeling tour listed in the offer box below is rated 4.5 out of 5 from 309 reviews on Viator (read 7 November 2026). For the north-coast alternatives, see Arashi Beach and snorkeling tours in Aruba.
How to get there
Savaneta is on the south-west coast of the island. A rental car or taxi is the simplest way; see renting a car in Aruba and getting around Aruba.
Opening hours
Nearby
See on the map →
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