Aruba travel guide

Getting there

Queen Beatrix International Airport near Oranjestad has direct flights from North America, Europe and South America. Cruise ships dock right in Oranjestad's harbour.

Best time to visit: Year-round – Aruba sits outside the main hurricane belt; Apr–Aug is quieter.

Flights: see the cheapest month to fly to Oranjestad, with live one-way and return fares from your nearest airport.

Tougher months: No bad time – Aruba lies outside the main hurricane belt, though October-December brings brief showers.

Weather by month in Oranjestad

• 30°J●
• 30°F
• 31°M
• 31°A
• 32°M
• 32°J
• 32°J
• 33°A
• 33°S
• 32°O●
• 31°N●
• 30°D●

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: America/Aruba. Compare with your local time.

Official advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-08-20). Read the advisory.

Stay

Most trips to Aruba are based around Eagle Beach, Palm Beach or Oranjestad. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$120–170 for a backpacker and US$250–450 mid-range, per person.

Connect

Plug types: A, B, F. Voltage: 127 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +297.

Mobile data: set up a travel eSIM or check your roaming plan before you fly, so data works as soon as you land.

Do

• Eagle Beach (West coast · beach): A wide, uncrowded stretch of white sand often ranked among the world's best beaches.
• Palm Beach (West coast · resort strip): The lively heart of beach life, with calm water, water sports and an easy promenade.
• Oranjestad (Capital · town): Pastel Dutch-colonial buildings, museums and Fort Zoutman make for a pleasant stroll.
• Arikok National Park (East · desert park): Nearly a fifth of the island, with caves, rock art, rugged coves and the Natural Pool.
• Baby Beach (South · lagoon): A shallow, crescent-shaped lagoon ideal for families and gentle snorkelling.
• San Nicolas (South · arts town): The former refinery town now celebrated for murals and its annual art festival.
• Arashi Beach (Northwest · beach): A quieter beach with clear water and good snorkelling near the lighthouse.

Things to do

• Lounge on Eagle Beach. Sink into powder-soft sand beside the famous fofoti trees that lean dramatically away from the trade winds.
• Snorkel the Antilla wreck. Swim over one of the Caribbean's largest shipwrecks, a WWII German freighter now covered in coral.
• Hike Arikok National Park. Trek through cactus-studded hills to hidden caves with ancient Caquetío drawings.
• Swim at the Natural Pool. Bump along a 4x4 track to a rock-ringed pool where waves crash over the edge.
• Explore San Nicolas murals. Walk the streets of Aruba's 'Sunrise City', transformed into an open-air street-art gallery.
• Kitesurf at Boca Grandi. Ride the constant trade winds on the island's wild southeastern coast.
• Climb Hooiberg. Tackle the stairs up this haystack-shaped hill for a 360-degree view of the island.
• Visit the Ayo Rock Formations. Scramble among giant volcanic boulders that seem randomly dropped in the desert.

Eat and drink

• Keshi yena – a round of cheese stuffed with spiced meat and baked
• Pastechi – fried pastries filled with cheese, meat or fish
• Funchi – cornmeal side dish, similar to polenta
• Pan bati – slightly sweet cornmeal pancake

Money and safety

Currency: Aruban florin (AWG). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: 10–15%; a service charge is often included.

Emergency numbers: 911 police, fire & ambulance.

• The Aruban florin is the local currency, but US dollars are widely accepted.
• Credit cards work almost everywhere and ATMs are common in Oranjestad and the hotel areas.
• Aruba is one of the safer Caribbean destinations, but don't leave valuables unattended on beaches or in cars.
• The north and east coasts have strong currents – swim only at calm western and southern beaches.