Travel guide · Aruba
Aruba travel guide
Dry, breezy Dutch Caribbean island of white beaches and desert cactus
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: SIryn, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Aruba is a small, dry island about 30 km long, lying some 25 km off the coast of Venezuela. Almost all hotels line the calm west and southwest coast, from the low-rise resorts of Eagle Beach to the high-rise strip at Palm Beach, a short drive north of the Dutch-colonial capital, Oranjestad. Inland and along the wind-battered northeast coast the landscape turns to cactus scrub, boulder fields and the caves and dunes of Arikok National Park. Steady trade winds keep the heat bearable and make the island a kitesurfing and windsurfing base. Plan 7 days for a first visit; the best months are January–May.
Key facts
- Country
- Aruba
- Best time to visit
- January–May
- Ideal stay
- 7 days
- Main airports
- AUA
- Mid-range daily budget
- $250–$400 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, Arikok National Park and Constant trade winds
Why visit Aruba
- Eagle Beach and Palm Beach give long stretches of white sand and calm, clear water on the sheltered west coast.
- The island is dry and sunny most of the year and sits south of the main Caribbean hurricane track.
- Arikok National Park covers about a fifth of the island, with cave petroglyphs, sand dunes and the Conchi natural pool.
- Snorkelling off Boca Catalina, Arashi and Mangel Halto, and diving on the Antilla shipwreck, are all close to the hotels.
- Fresh fish at Zeerovers, pastechi from snack stands and Dutch croquettes give the food scene a mixed Caribbean and Dutch character.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Beach · Eagle Beach
Eagle Beach
A broad, powder-white beach with gentle surf and plenty of room, Eagle Beach is the island's signature stretch of sand.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Couples
- Photo spot
Beach · Palm Beach
Palm Beach
Palm Beach has calm, shallow water in front of the high-rise hotels, with piers for catamaran and snorkel cruises and stalls renting paddleboards and jet skis.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Active
Nature · Northeast coast
Arikok National Park
The national park protects about a fifth of the island: cactus-covered hills, the sand dunes at Boca Prins, the small sheltered bay of Dos Playa and caves with Arawak rock drawings.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Active
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Nature · Arikok National Park
Conchi natural pool
A ring of volcanic rock on the rugged east coast shelters a calm pool from the Atlantic waves that crash over its rim.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours including the drive
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
Nature · Arikok National Park
Fontein and Quadirikiri caves
Two limestone caves inside Arikok: Fontein Cave has Arawak drawings on its ceiling, while Quadirikiri has two chambers lit by sunlight streaming through holes in the roof and is home to small bats.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- History
- Nature
- Photo spot
Beach · San Nicolas
Baby Beach
A shallow, almost enclosed lagoon at the island's southeastern tip, Baby Beach has waist-deep turquoise water ideal for small children.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
Where to stay
Palm Beach is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, families, nightlife and beach
Palm Beach
High-rise resorts, watersports piers and the island's densest strip of bars and restaurants
$$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays, beach and luxury
Eagle Beach
Low-rise resorts behind one of the widest beaches in the Caribbean
$$$ · Best for budget, shopping and culture
Oranjestad
The capital's pastel Dutch-style buildings, cruise terminal and harbour-front shops
$$ · Best for budget, families and quiet stays
Noord
Residential district inland from Palm Beach with apartments, supermarkets and local restaurants
What to eat
- Keshi yena — A ball of Gouda or Edam cheese stuffed with spiced chicken, olives and raisins and baked until the cheese melts.
- Pastechi — Fried half-moon pastries filled with cheese, ham, chicken, beef or tuna, eaten for breakfast or as a mid-morning snack across the ABC islands.
- Pan bati — A slightly sweet cornmeal pancake, served as a side with fish, stews and soups.
- Fried fish and funchi — Whole red snapper, wahoo or mahi-mahi fried crisp and served with funchi (firm cornmeal, similar to polenta), pan bati or fried plantain.
- Stoba — A slow-cooked stew of goat (cabrito), beef or chicken with tomatoes, peppers and spices, served with rice, funchi or plantain.
- Pika di papaya — A fiery hot sauce made with unripe papaya, onion, vinegar and Madame Jeanette chilli peppers, spooned over fish and stews.
When to go
Aruba is a year-round beach destination thanks to its dry climate and position south of the main hurricane belt. The driest, busiest and highest-priced period is January to April; May to September is hotter and windier but noticeably better value. October to December brings short showers, especially in November, while the holiday weeks of late December are the most expensive of the year.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter high season | December–April | Sunny, dry and breezy with highs around 30°C, Carnival in January–February and the highest hotel rates of the year. |
| Early summer | May–July | Hotter and very dry, with strong trade winds for windsurfing and kitesurfing and lower prices than winter. |
| Late summer | August–September | The hottest weather and warmest sea, lighter winds and some of the best hotel deals of the year. |
| Rainy period | October–November | The island's short rainy season, usually brief afternoon or night showers rather than long washouts; quiet beaches and low prices. |
Getting there and around
Queen Beatrix International Airport is on the south coast about 4 km from Oranjestad. Taxis reach Eagle Beach in about 15–20 minutes and Palm Beach in about 20–25 minutes; most hotels can also arrange transfers.
Aruba is small: Oranjestad to Palm Beach is about 15 minutes by car and the island's southeastern tip about 40 minutes. Public buses cover the hotel coast well, but a rental car or jeep for a day or two is the easiest way to see Arikok, the north coast and Baby Beach.
Plan your days
Four days allows beach time, an Arikok jeep tour and a snorkel trip. A week is the usual stay and leaves room for Baby Beach, San Nicolas street art, a catamaran sail and slow days on Eagle Beach.
Practical information
- Currency
- AWG
- Language
- Papiamento, Dutch, English and Spanish
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 127 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is desalinated seawater and safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 911
- Tipping
- Many restaurants include a service charge of around 10–15%; add a little extra only for good service.
Do not swim on the north and east coasts, where strong surf and currents are dangerous; swim on the sheltered west and south coasts. Lock rental cars and keep valuables out of sight at remote beaches and viewpoints, where break-ins can occur.
Flights to Aruba
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Aruba?
Four days allows beach time, an Arikok jeep tour and a snorkel trip. A week is the usual stay and leaves room for Baby Beach, San Nicolas street art, a catamaran sail and slow days on Eagle Beach. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Aruba?
Aruba is a year-round beach destination thanks to its dry climate and position south of the main hurricane belt. The driest, busiest and highest-priced period is January to April; May to September is hotter and windier but noticeably better value. October to December brings short showers, especially in November, while the holiday weeks of late December are the most expensive of the year.
+What is Aruba known for?
Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, Arikok National Park, Constant trade winds, Windsurfing and kitesurfing, Divi-divi trees and Dutch colonial Oranjestad. Eagle Beach and Palm Beach give long stretches of white sand and calm, clear water on the sheltered west coast.
+Is Aruba expensive?
Aruba is expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $250–$400 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Aruba?
Not for a beach-hotel stay on the west coast, where buses and taxis cover everything. A car or jeep for a day or two makes it easy to see Arikok, the north coast, Savaneta and Baby Beach.