How many days · Aruba
How many days do you need in Aruba?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Misty Johnson, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
7 days is the sweet spot for Aruba, and 4 days is the minimum to see the main sights. 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.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 7 days
- Minimum
- 4 days
- Day trips available
- 4
- Daylight
- 11.4 h (Dec) to 12.9 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, Arikok National Park and Conchi natural pool |
| 2 days | Rushed | Conchi natural pool, Fontein and Quadirikiri caves and Baby Beach |
| 3 days | Rushed | California Lighthouse, Boca Catalina and Tres Trapi and Antilla shipwreck |
| 5 days | Good | The highlights plus a day trip to Southeast coast: Savaneta, San Nicolas and Baby Beach |
| 7 days | Ideal | A slow trip with day trips such as Southeast coast: Savaneta, San Nicolas and Baby Beach and Arikok and the east coast by jeep |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Aruba add up to roughly 24–31 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Eagle Beach (Half a day), Palm Beach (Half a day) and Arikok National Park (Half a day to a full day).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle Beach | Half a day | Eagle Beach |
| Palm Beach | Half a day | Palm Beach |
| Arikok National Park | Half a day to a full day | Northeast coast |
| Conchi natural pool | 2–3 hours including the drive | Arikok National Park |
| Fontein and Quadirikiri caves | 1 hour | Arikok National Park |
| Baby Beach | Half a day | San Nicolas |
| California Lighthouse | 1 hour | Malmok and Arashi |
| Boca Catalina and Tres Trapi | 2 hours | Malmok and Arashi |
| Antilla shipwreck | Half a day by boat | Malmok and Arashi |
| Mangel Halto | 2–3 hours | Savaneta |
| Alto Vista Chapel | 30 minutes | Noord |
| Bushiribana gold mill ruins | 30 minutes | North coast |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 7 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 4 days | Focus on Eagle Beach and Palm Beach |
| With children | 8 days | Slower days and time for Eagle Beach |
| With day trips | 9 days | Add Southeast coast: Savaneta, San Nicolas and Baby Beach and Arikok and the east coast by jeep |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 11.4 hours of daylight) than in June (about 12.9 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Aruba with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Cartagena | About 646 km | 5 days |
| Punta Cana | About 693 km | 7 days |
| Barbados | About 1,133 km | 7 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 4 days enough in Aruba?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 7 days is more comfortable. 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.
+Is a week too long in Aruba?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Southeast coast: Savaneta, San Nicolas and Baby Beach and Arikok and the east coast by jeep.