Aruba! After a long time at home in the Netherlands, I finally flew back to a tropical destination. My last long flight was to beautiful the Dominican Republic. Finally I could pack my DEET and sunscreen SPF 50 again. I stayed on this lovely island for 8 days and collected all my favourite tips and highlights for you. Check out my article about where to stay on the island for more info about all the accommodations I love and recommend. In this Aruba vacation guide you can read all about the best things to do in Aruba!

Aruba is only 32 kilometres long, so you can drive from one tip to the other in under an hour. Planning stress is not really a thing here. Most of what I loved happens in the water or in the dry, cactus covered north: snorkeling over the SS Antilla wreck, the Natural Pool in Arikok National Park, the flamingos on Renaissance Island and a sunset on Eagle Beach. Below are my top 10 things to do in Aruba.

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Oranjestad | best things to do | Aruba vacation 

Best time for your Aruba vacation

The best time to visit Aruba is from mid-April to August: still dry and sunny, with hotel rates roughly 20 to 30% lower. The high season runs from mid-December to mid-April, when prices peak and the beaches get crowded. September to mid-December is the cheapest stretch. Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt, so storms are rare and you can visit year round. Expect warm weather almost every day of the year.

Getting around Aruba

Getting around Aruba is easy. Renting a car is the most popular option and gives you the freedom to find hidden beaches and local spots at your own pace. Taxis and shuttle services cover the routes between your resort and the main sights, and most hotels arrange transfers on request. Queen Beatrix International Airport is close to the capital, about 10 minutes from Oranjestad. To get to the Natural Pool in Arikok National Park, pick a 4×4: the road there is more rock than road.

Download an eSIM from Saily before you fly, so your maps work the moment you land, and I would not skip travel insurance from SafetyWing either: boats, horses and 4×4 tracks are all on the list.

THE BEST RENTAL CARS

How much does an Aruba vacation cost?

Aruba is not the cheapest Caribbean destination, but you get a lot back for your money. A mid-range Aruba vacation budget is roughly 150 to 250 euros per person per day, covering a comfortable hotel, meals, a rental car and 1 or 2 activities. Booking your hotel and flights well ahead and travelling outside peak season makes a big difference.

Arikok National Park | best things to do | | photos by Remke Vet.

Best hotels on Aruba: where I stayed

During my visit I stayed at the comfortable Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba: truly a home away from home. This adults-only boutique hotel sits in lush tropical gardens with private casitas, a pool and a relaxed atmosphere.

On my last 2 nights I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, where we had a private sunset dinner on the beach. An experience I will not forget.

Not sure where to stay? My complete hotel guide, sorted by area and budget, is one click away.

MY ARTICLE ABOUT WHERE TO STAY

Snorkeling with De Palm Tours and Eagle Beach | Aruba vacation | photos by Boyan Ortse.

Best things to do in Aruba

The best things to do in Aruba are mostly outdoors: on a boat, on a horse or in a 4×4. Plenty of visitors never leave Palm Beach. Their loss.

1. Snorkeling and kayaking along the south coast

When you are on Aruba, you will probably spend a large part of your vacation in the ocean. The crystal-clear water and sandy beaches are made for snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and kite surfing. Book a kayaking and snorkeling trip: instead of paddling with your arms you pedal yourself forward with your legs, and during the snorkeling stop I spotted a shy turtle and lots of colourful fish. For the best chance of seeing a turtle, go early in the morning at Boca Catalina or dive in at the rocky beach of Tres Trapi.

Prefer a slower start? Book a morning boat trip with brunch and champagne. The mangroves of Mangel Halto are one of the best spots for paddleboarding, kayaking and snorkeling in shallow water. If you love this kind of relaxed Caribbean island experience, my guide to Caye Caulker in Belize is worth a read.

2. The SS Antilla shipwreck

The SS Antilla is the best known wreck to snorkel on Aruba and one of the largest shipwrecks in the Caribbean. Its German crew scuttled the 120 metre cargo ship in Malmok Bay on 10 May 1940, the day Germany invaded the Netherlands. It lies on its side in up to 18 metres of water, with part of the hull still above the surface. You need a boat to get there; many snorkel trips combine the wreck with Boca Catalina. It’s a war story you can snorkel over. Not bad for a beach holiday.

Oranjestad | sights | Aruba vacation

3. Outdoor things to do in Aruba: Arikok National Park

Arikok National Park covers almost 20% of Aruba and is where the island turns into a desert. Here you will find enormous cacti, aloe vera plants, deserted beaches with wild surf and the caves Quadirikiri and Fontein. The pristine white sand beach Dos Playa was one of my highlights: nature still has free rein here and you will encounter few other tourists. During your walk between the cacti you might be followed by tiny flies. They do not sting, but keep walking and they will leave you alone.

Book a horseback tour through Arikok Park with a stop at the Natural Pool. The Natural Pool is a sheltered rock pool hidden in the rugged landscape, only accessible by 4×4 or on horseback. Visit Arikok National Park in the morning; by noon there is no shade left in the park.

4. Jeep safari around the whole island

The best way to explore all corners of Aruba in 1 day is a full-day island jeep safari departing from Oranjestad. You will visit the Natural Pool, the California Lighthouse, the California Dunes, the Bushiribana gold mill ruins and the Casibari rock formations. A guide explains the island’s history throughout the day and lunch is included. It is a fun and efficient way to see the entire island, great for families and solo travelers alike.

BOOK THE FULL-DAY JEEP SAFARI TOUR

5. Horseback riding to Wariruri Beach

One of the most memorable things I did during my Aruba vacation was a horseback ride to Wariruri Beach on the wild northern coast. The combination of untouched coastline and riding through the Aruban countryside makes this a very special experience, especially in the early morning or late afternoon light. It is the kind of activity that turns a good vacation into an unforgettable one.

6. Bushiribana, California Lighthouse and Alto Vista Chapel

The north coast is where Aruba keeps its history. The Bushiribana ruins are what is left of a gold mill from 1872, built after a boy found gold on the island in 1824. Yes, Aruba had a gold rush, 24 years before California did. At the northwest tip, the California Lighthouse looks out over the dunes and the coast. Alto Vista Chapel was first built in 1750; the yellow chapel you see today dates from 1952.

7. Things to do in Aruba with kids: Hooiberg, Casibari and donkeys

Most things to do in Aruba with kids are in the middle of the island. The Hooiberg is a 165 metre cone shaped hill in the middle of the island, with 587 steps to the top. Most people need about 20 minutes, and on a clear day you can see Venezuela. Down the road, kids can climb between the giant boulders of the Casibari rock formations. The Donkey Sanctuary in Santa Cruz has looked after the island’s donkeys since 1997 and runs on donations.

8. Things to do in Aruba at sunset: a picnic or a cruise

Two of the best things to do in Aruba happen at sunset. Book a lovely picnic on Aruba. This was the most beautiful picnic I have ever had. We sat by the ocean on soft cushions with delicious snacks and fresh Mimosas. Truly a unique experience that I would recommend to anyone visiting the island. As I shared on my Instagram, it is one of those moments you do not forget quickly.

The picnic and Dos Playa | Aruba vacation tips | best things to do

Aruba sunsets are something else. You can enjoy them on a happy hour sunset cruise from Noord, with drinks on board and the island glowing behind you. For something more intimate, book a romantic sunset picnic in a luxury cabana on Eagle Beach. Cushions, snacks, Mimosas and the turquoise Caribbean in front of you. Travelling solo? Book the cruise anyway. After the first round of drinks nobody remembers who came with whom.

9. Free things to do in Aruba: Oranjestad

Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba, is full of pastel Dutch colonial buildings. Walking around is one of the few things to do in Aruba that costs nothing. Take a ride in the authentic tram to the city centre and visit the National Archaeological Museum for the history of Aruba. The Town Hall is extremely photogenic. When we arrived, there had just been a wedding and guests were leaving the building. Because I was wearing a white dress, cars stopped to congratulate me. We laughed! #notthebride

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San Nicolas | highlights and tips | Aruba vacation

10. San Nicolas street art and Charlie’s Bar

Drive to the town of San Nicolas for the street art. You’ll find murals by local and international artists on almost every block. The best time to go is in the morning or later in the afternoon, to avoid the midday heat. A 1 hour walk is enough for all the art. Finish with a cold beer at Charlie’s Bar, open since 1941 and covered in so much stuff left by decades of visitors that you barely see the walls. Bring a trinket to leave yourself. House rules.

DAY TRIP TO ARIKOK NATIONAL PARK

Best restaurants on Aruba: pastechi, keshi yena and fish

The best food on Aruba is the simple stuff. Not sure what to order? Start with pastechi, a fried pastry filled with cheese or meat that locals eat for breakfast, and keshi yena, a hollowed out round of Gouda or Edam stuffed with spiced chicken or beef. A Dutch cheese doing the heavy lifting in a Caribbean national dish. Fascinating.

For fish, drive to Zeerovers in Savaneta: a no frills spot on the pier where you order the catch of the day by weight and pay in cash only. It is closed on Mondays. Go on another weekday, because at the weekend half the island has the same idea. After dark, Palm Beach and Oranjestad are where you find the bars, clubs and casinos.

Kayaking with Aruba Outdoor Adventures | photo on the left by Hanna Thomas, on the right by Boyan Ortse.

Best beaches on Aruba

All beaches on Aruba are public, including the ones in front of the big resorts. Eagle Beach is the widest beach on the island, with calm water and the famous Fofoti trees. Stop there for a photo. Palm Beach is the busy one, lined with resorts, water sports and beach bars. If you’re looking for a quieter stretch of sand, stay on Eagle Beach. For families, Baby Beach on the southern tip is a sheltered lagoon that stays shallow for a long way out.

The one exception is Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island, owned by the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort. Hotel guests ride the resort’s own water taxi from the resort’s marina in Oranjestad, an 8 minute crossing. Everyone else needs a day pass of 125 dollars, sold only online and released every Saturday for the week ahead. Flamingo Beach itself is adults only, with children allowed between 9 and 10 in the morning. If you want to see the flamingos, a night at the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort is the most reliable ticket.

Things to do in Aruba: Frequently asked questions

What are the best things to do in Aruba?

The top things to do in Aruba are snorkeling the SS Antilla wreck, the Natural Pool in Arikok National Park, a jeep safari, horseback riding on the north coast and the flamingos on Renaissance Island. Add Baby Beach, the street art in San Nicolas and an evening on Eagle Beach and your week is full.

What is the best time to visit Aruba?

The best time to visit Aruba is between mid-April and August. Prices are lower than in the mid-December to mid-April high season and the beaches are less crowded, while the weather stays sunny. Since Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt, any month of the year is a safe choice.

How many days do you need in Aruba?

7 to 10 days is ideal for an Aruba vacation. That gives you enough time for the main things to do in Aruba: Arikok National Park, a jeep tour, snorkeling, Oranjestad and San Nicolas, plus a few slow beach days. I had 8 days.

Are all beaches in Aruba public?

Yes, every beach on Aruba is public, also in front of the resorts. The exception is Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island, which is reserved for hotel guests and a limited number of day pass holders.

Do you need a rental car in Aruba?

Yes, a rental car makes your trip much more flexible, especially for Arikok National Park, Dos Playa and the quiet north coast. Taxis and shuttles cover the routes between the resorts and Oranjestad, but for exploring at your own pace a car is the better choice.

Looking for another warm, unhurried island escape? My guide to Isla Holbox in Mexico is a great next read: no cars, crystal-clear water and a similarly infectious go-slow atmosphere.

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