White-sand beaches and welcoming waters draw travelers to Aruba, an all-season beach destination outside Hurricane Alley. Even away from the beaches, visitors will find plenty of things to do in Aruba, from admiring the colorful architecture of the capital, Oranjestad, to exploring the rugged terrain of Arikok National Park by foot, horseback, or ATV. Snorkeling and scuba diving are also top draws on the Caribbean island, home to the Antilla Shipwreck and a healthy reef at Arashi Beach, but both can be seen by semi-submarine tour for those who prefer to stay dry.
With consistently warm year-round temperatures, there’s no bad time to visit Aruba—the average temperature is 82°F (28°C). However, the best time to travel is during the low season, from mid-April until mid-December, when hotel prices are lower and the beaches less crowded. Aruba lies far outside the hurricane belt, but rain showers may occur between October and January.
Aruba is a small island, and its roads are modern and fairly easy to navigate, which makes driving around Aruba pretty straightforward. (You can rent a vehicle from Queen Beatrix International Airport.) Getting around by taxi is a good option as taxis have fixed rates for destinations and can be rented by the hour. Cruise ship passengers can also make use of the island’s streetcars, which provide free transportation between Oranjestad’s downtown area and the cruise ship terminal.
Aruba is a multilingual society where many people speak four or more languages. The official languages are Dutch and Papiamento, an Afro-Portuguese Creole language influenced by Spanish, English, and Dutch. Spanish and English are also spoken widely. Travelers will likely hear Papiamento words and phrases such as bon dia, which means “good morning”—but you will have no problem communicating in English.
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White-sand beaches, wind-swept desert-like vistas, some of the Caribbean Sea's best wreck diving, and year-round tropical weather are just a few of the reasons why visitors are drawn to Aruba. The island is also notable for its charming pastel-colored, compact capital, Oranjestad.
...MoreAruba’s weather is consistently warm all year round and the island has the good fortune of sitting well outside of the Caribbean’s hurricane belt, which means that you can visit in the summer months with little threat of tropical storms. The summer months also typically draw far fewer visitors than winter.
...MoreAruba is a relatively small island and its main attractions can easily be covered in just a few days. To truly soak up its atmosphere, however, and enjoy some downtime soaking up the sun on its gorgeous beaches, aim to spend at least five days.
...MoreFrom 4-wheel driving over sand dunes to horseback riding along the rugged trails in Arikok National Park, Aruba is a prime destination for outdoor adventure away from the beach. Scuba divers and snorkelers should explore Aruba’s reef- and shipwreck-filled waters, and everyone should spend a few hours strolling the colorful streets of Oranjestad.
...MoreFrom beachfront lounges to flashy casinos, Aruba’s diverse nightlife caters to all tastes. Palm Beach is a favored after-dark destination and its many bars and clubs offer perks to draw in visitors such as happy-hour specials and free salsa classes. If you can’t decide on a spot, hop on a party bus.
...MoreJust a stone’s throw from Baby Beach, and far from the resorts, tranquil Rodgers Beach boasts the same white sand and turquoise waters but none of the crowds. In Savaneta, Zeerovers restaurant is a popular local hangout that serves seafood freshly plucked from the sea and is a prime sunset-viewing spot.
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