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The smallest in the group of ABC islands found in the South Caribbean, Aruba is a former Dutch colony that withdrew from the Netherland Antilles in 1986. Called, One Happy Island, Aruba is full of unique, natural beauty and sunny weather. A popular destination for travelers from the United States, this island has its own currency, the Aruban Florin, but accepts U.S. dollars almost everywhere you go.
Aruba is one of the most popular islands in the Southern Caribbean, and it’s not hard to see why. Visitors flock to its surrounding turquoise waters and pristine white sands for either lots of relaxation or fun—or both! A popular stop for cruise ships, Aruba offers fun activities and a unique landscape to explore. Great shopping and dining await you in the capital city of Oranjestad, along with colorful architecture and a friendly atmosphere. Don’t leave without trying some of the Dutch-influenced local dishes like Keshi Yena, or sweeter treats like Pan Bati and Bolo Borracho.
You’ll be met with gleaming white sands and crystal blue waters that are tremendously clear because of the island’s low rainfall and zero runoff from rivers. This is also what makes Aruba a perfect destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. There are many tours and even catamaran charters that you can take for either activity. Chances are, your tour guide will take you to see some of the various shipwrecks to explore.
Boat charters in general are a popular afternoon or day-long activity for guests visiting the island. Many companies offer brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises or appetizers and drinks aboard. Regardless if you’re looking to go fishing, snorkeling, or want to have a relaxing day out on the water, you’ll find the perfect charter or cruise for your group. Those who don’t experience claustrophobia may want to try a semi-submarine expedition to see the colorful marine life without the snorkel!
An obvious draw to Aruba is the beautiful beaches. People often say that the island feels exclusive and most beaches never feel crowded. Popular public beaches offer chairs and thatched umbrellas to rent that allow you to have a more luxurious and relaxing beach day. Palm Beach and Eagle Beach tend to be the two most popular beaches in Aruba.
Chances are, Eagle Beach will be a lot calmer, and offers picture-perfect views of the ocean and coconut and fofoti trees. Palm Beach is definitely the most crowded, as it’s steps away from the luxury high-rise hotels and resorts as well as many different restaurants and shops. This beach also offers many watersport rentals from traditional to cutting-edge. Popular watersports on the island for tourists are parasailing, wakeboarding, and the ever-so-fun banana boat ride! Those feeling adventurous may take a kitesurfing lesson, as the island is known to be breezy year-round from the trade winds. If not, sit back in your beach chair and watch the pros (and beginners) surf the waterline from December to June.
Other than beaches, there are many other places to explore in Aruba, starting with the capital, Oranjestad. Colorful Dutch colonial buildings line the streets, and if you’d like a faster way to sightsee, take a ride on the city’s streetcar. This Instagram-worthy but incredibly efficient mode of transportation will drop you off at six places of interest that include shopping centers, landmarks, and museums. Make time to visit the Aruba Aloe Factory or the Balashi Brewery—the only type of beer brewed on the island.
The main cruise ship terminal, Oranjestad is the starting point for many. Those taking a tour of a specific part of the island will most likely meet here. If you’d like to explore the island yourself, this is also where you’d pick up your rental car—most likely something with four-wheel drive. Driving in Aruba is pretty similar to driving in the United States, so visitors won’t have much trouble. The island is 21 miles long and pretty easy to navigate.
The Arikok National Park is very popular with visitors. Covering almost 20 percent of the island itself, you’ll be able to bask in the sunshine and take in the landscape filled with sand dunes, beautiful rocks, and cacti. Aruba’s scenery apart from the beaches seems to surprise people but is lovely nonetheless. The national park includes caves, the remaining natural bridge, and the ruins of the 19th-century Bushiribana Gold Mill.
Aruba has wildlife ranging from lizards and snakes to sea turtles and colorful birds. Visitors will also have the chance to visit a few sanctuaries that help rehabilitate many different types of animals. Visit Philip’s Animal Garden, the Aruba Ostrich Farm, the Donkey Sanctuary of Aruba, or even the Butterfly Farm. Taking a beach day surrounded by flamingos is also a high priority for a lot of island visitors, although it’s a very exclusive experience. Actually on a private island just off of Aruba, Renaissance Island is only accessible to guests of the resort or for the lucky few who manage to get one of the few tickets available each day to access the island.
Those wanting to visit Aruba should know that the island is windy year-round. There is no escaping the island breeze because of the trade winds. That also means that even if it doesn’t feel as warm as it should because of the refreshing wind, the sun can still be intense meaning visitors become more susceptible to sunburns! So, no matter the season, bring that sunscreen!
Because where Aruba is located in the Caribbean, rain is sparse. Rainfall is known to be more common from October to January, and even then, it shouldn’t last long. The good news is, your plans for the day probably won’t be a wash. The better news? Aruba doesn’t receive hurricanes. At least, not nearly as many as other islands in the Caribbean. From early June to late November, tourists are typically taught to be on the lookout for powerful tropical storms, but it’s rare to see a storm hit Aruba with full force. That being said, storms in the Atlantic can delay flights, so if you’re traveling during hurricane season, we recommend springing for travel insurance to cover your trip.
The best weather occurs every December to March. Expect to pay a bit more for accommodations and airfare because this is the most sought-after time to visit Aruba. Carnival is also a popular time period to visit the island, so expect more crowds and more fun from January 1st to the start of Lent. If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest time to go, plan on visiting between September and December.
Because of how small Aruba is, and how easy it is to navigate, finding the perfect accommodations for you comes down to what you’re looking for in a resort as well as the price breakdowns. The Queen Beatrix International Airport is in Oranjestad, and as a reminder, you can pick up a rental car in the capital city as well to access the whole of Aruba at your leisure. Taxis are known to be very reliable with fair and regulated pricing, and the only other mode of transportation other than booking your group on a tour is the Arubus, which makes stops at popular island landmarks and beaches for a minimal fee.
There are many all-inclusive resorts, as well as other hotels and vacation rentals on the island. Popular locations are Oranjestad and the high-rise resort area at Palm Beach. There are many beautiful resorts offered on the RCI Exchange that cover a wide range of point options.
Palmera Vacation Club Members also should check Quest Travel Club for discounts on accommodations, rental cars, airfare, and other activities during their stay!
