3 days in Aruba

Day by day

1. Day 1: Eagle Beach and Palm Beach

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

   1. Morning

      Eagle Beach

      A broad, powder-white beach with gentle surf and plenty of room, Eagle Beach is the island's signature stretch of sand.

   2. Late morning

      Palm Beach

      Walk to the northern end near the piers for slightly clearer water and easy access to the snorkel boats.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Keshi yena

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

   4. Afternoon

      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.

   5. Evening

      Palm Beach strip

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

2. Day 2: Conchi natural pool and Fontein and Quadirikiri caves

   Conchi natural pool, Fontein and Quadirikiri caves and Baby Beach, then Oranjestad in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Conchi natural pool

      Wear water shoes for the rocks, and do not swim if waves are breaking strongly over the edge.

   2. Late morning

      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.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pastechi

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

   4. Afternoon

      Baby Beach

      Stay inside the lagoon when snorkelling; strong currents run beyond the mouth of the bay.

   5. Evening

      Oranjestad

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

3. Day 3: California Lighthouse and Boca Catalina and Tres Trapi

   California Lighthouse, Boca Catalina and Tres Trapi and Antilla shipwreck, then Beach bars in the evening.

   1. Morning

      California Lighthouse

      This stone lighthouse at the northwestern tip of the island, completed in 1916, is named after the steamship California that was wrecked off this coast.

   2. Late morning

      Boca Catalina and Tres Trapi

      Bring your own snorkel gear and come before 10am, when catamaran groups start to arrive.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pan bati

      Served with fish dishes at local restaurants and at Zeerovers in Savaneta.

   4. Afternoon

      Antilla shipwreck

      The German freighter Antilla was scuttled off Malmok in 1940, and its hull now lies in shallow water covered in coral.

   5. Evening

      Beach bars

      Open-air bars on the sand on the west coast serve rum punch and cocktails at sunset.

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

With 3 nights, Palm Beach keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Eagle Beach ($$$$) suits couples, quiet stays, beach and luxury. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 21–27 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.4 hours in December to 12.9 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Aruba
• 2 days in Aruba
• 5 days in Aruba

Questions travellers ask