Season guide · Aruba
Aruba in the winter high season
December–April: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Dje9537459 assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain
Quick answer
Sunny, dry and breezy with highs around 30°C, Carnival in January–February and the highest hotel rates of the year. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F), with about 22 rainy days across December–April. January–April are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- December–April
- Temperatures
- 25°C (77°F) to 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 22
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F) to 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in the winter high season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C (86°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 6 | 11.5 h | 5/5 |
| February | 30°C (86°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 3 | 11.7 h | 5/5 |
| March | 31°C (88°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 2 | 12 h | 5/5 |
| April | 31°C (88°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 2 | 12.4 h | 4/5 |
| December | 30°C (86°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 9 | 11.4 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 30°C (86°F) against a yearly 31°C (88°F), and 22 of the year's roughly 46 rainy days fall in these 5 months. Crowds rate 5/5 and hotel prices 5/5 on average.
What's on in the winter high season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Carnival season — parades and jump-ups (usually January to February, ending before Ash Wednesday)
- January: Betico Croes Day — public holiday (25 January)
- February: Grand Carnival Parade in Oranjestad (usually the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, February or early March)
- March: National Anthem and Flag Day (18 March)
- April: King's Day celebrations (27 April)
- December: Dande — New Year's musical tradition, groups visiting homes and businesses (late December)
- December: New Year's Eve fireworks
Make the most of the weather
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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
Walk to the northern end near the piers for slightly clearer water and easy access to the snorkel boats.
- 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
Wear water shoes for the rocks, and do not swim if waves are breaking strongly over the edge.
- 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
Day trips in the winter high season
- Southeast coast: Savaneta, San Nicolas and Baby Beach (About 40 minutes by car from Palm Beach) — Drive down the south coast for snorkelling at Mangel Halto, a fried-fish lunch at Zeerovers in Savaneta, the murals of San Nicolas and an afternoon swim in the shallow lagoon at Baby Beach.
- Arikok and the east coast by jeep (About 30 minutes to the park entrance from Palm Beach) — Most jeep tours loop through Arikok National Park to the Conchi natural pool, the caves at Fontein and Quadirikiri, and the dunes at Boca Prins, often returning past the Bushiribana ruins and the California Lighthouse.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the winter high season a good time to visit Aruba?
Yes: January–April are among the best months. Sunny, dry and breezy with highs around 30°C, Carnival in January–February and the highest hotel rates of the year.
+What is the weather like in Aruba in the winter high season?
Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F), with about 22 rainy days over the season.