Nightlife · Aruba
Aruba nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Aruba, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Nightlife centres on Palm Beach, with beach bars, casinos and lounges along J.E. Irausquin Boulevard, and on a handful of bars in Oranjestad. It is lively in high season but more relaxed than the Caribbean's big party islands. The main areas are Palm Beach strip, Oranjestad and Beach bars.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 3
- Stay near the action
- Palm Beach
- Local drink
- Balashi beer
Where to go out
Palm Beach strip
Beach bars, hotel lounges, casinos and late-opening restaurants within walking distance of the high-rise hotels.
Oranjestad
Bars and clubs around the harbour and marina, busier with locals on weekends.
Beach bars
Open-air bars on the sand on the west coast serve rum punch and cocktails at sunset.
Nightlife tips
- Happy hours around sunset are common at beach bars and hotel lounges.
- Taxis wait outside hotels and casinos late at night; agree the fare first.
- Do not drink and drive; police run checks and taxis are easy to find.
What to drink
- Balashi beer — Aruba's own pilsner is brewed on the island using desalinated seawater. It is a light lager suited to the heat, and the brewery also makes the shandy-style Chill.
- Ponche crema — A thick, eggnog-style cream liqueur flavoured with rum, nutmeg and vanilla, drunk especially around Christmas and New Year.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. August has the warmest evenings, with lows around 27°C (81°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 18:33 | 25°C (77°F) | 6 |
| April | About 18:52 | 26°C (79°F) | 2 |
| July | About 19:10 | 27°C (81°F) | 3 |
| October | About 18:21 | 27°C (81°F) | 5 |
Getting home late
- Bus — Buses on the hotel route are frequent during the day; services thin out in the evening, so check the last bus before heading out.
- Taxi — Confirm the fare with the driver before setting off.
Late-night bites
- Pastechi — Snack bars and bakeries across the island, especially in the morning.
- Pika di papaya — On the table at most local restaurants; bottled versions sell in supermarkets.
- Croquettes and bitterballen — Snack bars, beach bars and Dutch-style cafés in Oranjestad and Palm Beach.
- Late-night food trucks — Truck parks and roadside spots in Oranjestad and near the hotel areas, mostly in the evening.
Staying safe at night
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.
- Emergency number
- 911
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, families, nightlife and beach
Palm Beach
Palm Beach is a 3 km run of calm, shallow water backed by the big high-rise resorts and casinos. Wooden piers launch catamaran cruises, parasailing and jet-ski trips, and the parallel J.E. Irausquin Boulevard is lined with restaurants, shops and malls. It is the most convenient base for first-timers and families who want everything within walking distance, though the beach is busy and loungers are packed close together.
- Good
- Walk to dozens of restaurants and bars; Calm water for swimming; Watersports leave from the beach
- Watch out
- Crowded beach in high season; Expensive hotels and dining; Little local character
- Nearby
- Butterfly Farm, Bubali Bird Sanctuary, Malmok, Noord
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Aruba?
Palm Beach strip, Oranjestad and Beach bars. Beach bars, hotel lounges, casinos and late-opening restaurants within walking distance of the high-rise hotels.
+Which area of Aruba is best for nightlife?
Palm Beach: High-rise resorts, watersports piers and the island's densest strip of bars and restaurants.