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.
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.
Popular airports in Aruba
Popular airlines serving Aruba
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
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.
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.