2 days in Aruba

Day by day

1. Day 1: Eagle Beach and Palm Beach

   Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, Arikok National Park and Conchi natural pool, then Palm Beach strip in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Eagle Beach

      The two fofoti trees leaning towards the sea at its northern end are among the most photographed sights on Aruba. Public palapas give some shade, and the beach is free to use.

   2. Late morning

      Palm Beach

      It is the place for people-watching, sunset drinks and watersports rather than solitude.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Keshi yena

      Local restaurants in Oranjestad and Noord that serve Aruban home cooking.

   4. Afternoon

      Arikok National Park

      Paved roads reach the visitor centre and Fontein Cave, while the rough tracks to the Conchi natural pool need a 4x4, a horse or a long hot hike.

   5. Late afternoon

      Conchi natural pool

      Reaching it involves a bumpy off-road drive inside Arikok, which is why most visitors come on a guided jeep or UTV tour.

   6. Evening

      Palm Beach strip

      Beach bars, hotel lounges, casinos and late-opening restaurants within walking distance of the high-rise hotels.

2. Day 2: Fontein and Quadirikiri caves and Baby Beach

   Fontein and Quadirikiri caves, Baby Beach, California Lighthouse and Boca Catalina and Tres Trapi, then Oranjestad in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fontein and Quadirikiri caves

      Both are reachable on paved roads and suit families.

   2. Late morning

      Baby Beach

      Snorkellers head to the rocky edges near the breakwater, where the current picks up beyond the bay.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pastechi

      Snack bars and bakeries across the island, especially in the morning.

   4. Afternoon

      California Lighthouse

      The hill gives wide views over the dunes, the north coast and the hotel strip, and it is a popular spot at sunset.

   5. Late afternoon

      Boca Catalina and Tres Trapi

      Tres Trapi is named after the three steps cut into the rock that lead into the sea.

   6. Evening

      Oranjestad

      Bars and clubs around the harbour and marina, busier with locals on weekends.

If it rains

• Swap in Fort Zoutman and Willem III Tower (Oranjestad): Pair it with a walk along Main Street and the National Archaeological Museum, a few minutes away.
• Swap in National Archaeological Museum Aruba (Oranjestad): A good choice for the hottest part of the day or a rare rainy afternoon.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 18–23 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.4 hours in December to 12.9 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Bus. Arubus runs frequent services from the main terminal in Oranjestad along the hotel coast to Eagle Beach, Palm Beach and Malmok, with routes to San Nicolas and Baby Beach.

More or fewer days

• One day in Aruba
• 3 days in Aruba
• 5 days in Aruba

Questions travellers ask