Aruba travel guide

Aruba Tourism | Aruba Guide

You're Going to Love Aruba

The Caribbean island of Aruba has something for everyone with white sandy beaches, activities including snorkeling, diving, horseback riding, and hiking, and shopping in the capital Oranjestad.

What to do in Aruba

1. Explore Marine Life

Aruba is a haven for snorkeling and diving in and around the Aruba Reef. There are spots, such as Mangel Holto on the south coast, where marine life, including coral of all colors and shapes, is plentiful. You can also explore the Antilla Wreck near Malmok Beach.

2. Go Horseback Riding

There are a number of horseback riding opportunities in Aruba. Horses are well-trained and tours can be done with a guide. The Gold Mine Ranch runs tours on the north-east coast of the island and Rancho La Ponderosa can organize custom-made tours.

3. Visit Oranjestad

Take a trip to see the colonial Dutch architecture in the capital city of Oranjestad. The colorful gabled buildings and Fort Zoutman, one of the oldest structures on the island, are well-preserved reminders of the colonial history of Aruba.

4. Go to the Beach

There are miles of pristine, sandy beach around the island of Aruba. Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are well-known tourist spots and if you want a slightly less crowded beach, then venture to Manchebo Beach in the west of the island.

5. Take in the Museums

Learn about the history of Aruba with visits to the Historical Museum at Fort Zoutman in Oranjestad and the Etnia Nativa Art Gallery & Museum in Noord.

1. Explore Marine Life

Aruba is a haven for snorkeling and diving in and around the Aruba Reef. There are spots, such as Mangel Holto on the south coast, where marine life, including coral of all colors and shapes, is plentiful. You can also explore the Antilla Wreck near Malmok Beach.

2. Go Horseback Riding

There are a number of horseback riding opportunities in Aruba. Horses are well-trained and tours can be done with a guide. The Gold Mine Ranch runs tours on the north-east coast of the island and Rancho La Ponderosa can organize custom-made tours.

3. Visit Oranjestad

Take a trip to see the colonial Dutch architecture in the capital city of Oranjestad. The colorful gabled buildings and Fort Zoutman, one of the oldest structures on the island, are well-preserved reminders of the colonial history of Aruba.

4. Go to the Beach

There are miles of pristine, sandy beach around the island of Aruba. Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are well-known tourist spots and if you want a slightly less crowded beach, then venture to Manchebo Beach in the west of the island.

5. Take in the Museums

Learn about the history of Aruba with visits to the Historical Museum at Fort Zoutman in Oranjestad and the Etnia Nativa Art Gallery & Museum in Noord.

When to visit Aruba

Aruba has a marine tropical climate, so there is little temperature variation throughout the year, with an average temperature of 82°F. Expect some rainfall between October and December and slightly higher temperatures from January to March.

How to Get to Aruba

Entry Requirements

US, Canadian, EU, British and Australian passport holders will need a passport valid for the duration of stay and will not need a visa to visit Aruba for a period of less than 90 days. It is necessary to be in possession of a return or onward ticket.

Plane

Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba receives flights from several international airlines, including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines with connections to the rest of Europe, and American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airlines from the US.

Boat

Cruise ships from companies, such as Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International, stop in the port in Oranjestad and passengers can disembark to explore the island.

Entry Requirements

US, Canadian, EU, British and Australian passport holders will need a passport valid for the duration of stay and will not need a visa to visit Aruba for a period of less than 90 days. It is necessary to be in possession of a return or onward ticket.

Plane

Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba receives flights from several international airlines, including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines with connections to the rest of Europe, and American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airlines from the US.

Boat

Cruise ships from companies, such as Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International, stop in the port in Oranjestad and passengers can disembark to explore the island.

Popular airports in Aruba

Popular airlines serving Aruba

KLM
Good (1,348 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (8,655 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,828 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,108 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,801 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,510 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (8,328 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,223 reviews)
Spirit Airlines
Good (8,131 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (3,310 reviews)
Avianca
Good (2,708 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (1,892 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (1,739 reviews)
GOL
Good (1,109 reviews)
American Airlines
Good (11,888 reviews)
Sun Country Air
Good (405 reviews)
Southwest
Excellent (4,897 reviews)
WestJet
Good (2,823 reviews)
Wingo
Good (133 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Aruba

Most of the hotels in Aruba are on the southwest coast around Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. Midrange hotels can be found away from these main resort areas and there are bed and breakfast options in less touristy areas.

Where to stay in popular areas of Aruba

Most booked hotels in Aruba

Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
S$ 612+
The Ritz-Carlton Aruba
5 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
S$ 1,268+
Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
S$ 575+
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort And Casino
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
S$ 847+
Eagle Aruba Resort
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
S$ 367+
Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
S$ 425+

How to Get Around Aruba

Public Transportation

There is a bus service, operated by Arubus, which links Oranjestad with the various outlying resort areas. These run every 10-20min. Arubus also runs a trolley bus Oranjestad that has single and double-decker carriages.

Bus

Buses are the best way to travel around Aruba and there are routes to most of the beaches and supermarkets on the island. The buses to Aroshi and Malmok stop in front of all the hotels en route and a single fare is around 4 AWG (2 USD).

Car

Car rental companies, such as Avis and Thrifty (international) and Aruba Top Drive (national), exist on the island and cars can be collected from the airport. Driving is a good way to see the island and main roads are reasonably well-maintained.

Public Transportation

There is a bus service, operated by Arubus, which links Oranjestad with the various outlying resort areas. These run every 10-20min. Arubus also runs a trolley bus Oranjestad that has single and double-decker carriages.

Bus

Buses are the best way to travel around Aruba and there are routes to most of the beaches and supermarkets on the island. The buses to Aroshi and Malmok stop in front of all the hotels en route and a single fare is around 4 AWG (2 USD).

Car

Car rental companies, such as Avis and Thrifty (international) and Aruba Top Drive (national), exist on the island and cars can be collected from the airport. Driving is a good way to see the island and main roads are reasonably well-maintained.

The Cost of Living in Aruba

Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels and shops and ATMs accept Cirrus and PLUS cards. Nevertheless, carrying cash for small transactions is advisable. The US dollar is also accepted as currency on the island. Groceries might cost around 8 AWG (4 USD) for a 0.2 gallon of milk and a dozen eggs. Eating out in a slightly cheaper restaurant will cost around 24 AWG (13 USD) for a meal per person.

Popular cities in Aruba