The Ultimate Aruba Travel Guide
Aruba is a tiny Caribbean nation located only 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela. The 74.5 square mile island is home to some of the best beaches in the world, amazing resorts, the iconic Divi-Divi trees, ancient ruins, and plenty of adrenaline provoking activities. Read on to discover your Aruba Travel Guide.
Weather you like to lounge on a beach or indulge in cliff jumping - there is truly something for everyone in Aruba. In this Aruba travel guide we will go over the best hotels, things to do, areas to explore, tours to take, and places to dine in Aruba.
This post may contain affiliate links - if you purchase a tour or hotel via Daisies Abroad we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you
Map Of Aruba
About Aruba
The first inhabitants (that we know of) of Aruba were the Caquetío - a branch of Arawak Indians that came from Venezuela in around 1000 A.D.
In 1499 Aruba was discovered by Alonso de Ojeda (a Spanish explorer) and was claimed for Spain. Due to Aruba's lack of resources, it was used for ranching (cattle).
In 1636 the Dutch captured it from Spain and used it at a naval base. Aruda remains under Dutch control.
Language - Dutch and Papiamento (English and Spanish widely spoken)
Currency - Aruban Florin (AWG), but U.S. dollars are accepted almost everywhere
Best Hotels In Aruba
🛎️Luxury Aruba Hotel - Ritz Carlton Aruba
🛎️Middle Range Aruba Hotel - Barcelò Aruba: All Inclusive
🛎️Budget Aruba Hotel - Eagle Aruba Resort
What To Do In Aruba
Wander Around Arikok National Park
Arikok National Park is home to dramatic landscapes, hidden groves, hiking trails, unique creatures, heritage sites, caves, indian rock drawings, and more. The incredible park covers about 20% of Aruba and costs $20 to enter.
Arikok National Park is truly an adventurers dream and certainly cannot be missed while in Aruba. If you don't want to navigate the park on your own there are plenty of tours to take. This one is our favorite!
🥥National Park Arikok Jeep Adventure
Explore Aruba's' Very Best Beaches
This Aruba travel guide would not be complete without a section on its beaches! The main reason anyone ever visits Aruba is really because of the beaches. In Aruba, you will find a plethora of white sand beaches with inviting waters to flounder in. These are our all time favorite beaches in Aruba:
🏖️Eagle Beach - Eagle Beach is often named one of the best beaches in the world on travel sites and magazines. Known for is calm waters, white sand, and lively environment, Eagle Beach is a great option for a beach day in Aruba!
🏖️Palm Beach - Located in Noord, Palm Beach is home to resorts and hotels - chances are if you are staying at an all inclusive resort, you will be staying near Palm Beach. Palm Beach has soft white sand, calm waters, and you will find tons of tour companies that operate out of it.
🏖️Baby Beach - Situated in San Nicolas, Baby Beach is a stunning cove perfect for all things snorkeling and swimming. This beach is known for its calm waters, so it is a perfect place to bring kids.
🏖️Arashi Beach - Located in Noord, Arashi Beach is a great spot for snorkeling and a lazy day. Arashi is a bit more quiet and less crowded by the other beaches and is within walking distance of the iconic California Lighthouse.
🏖️Divi Beach - Divi Beach is a small and quiet beach that is a bit of a local secret. It is great for a relaxing and quiet day in Aruba.
Stop By The California Lighthouse
The California Lighthouse sits in the northern part of Aruba and is best known for its view during sunset and for being the tallest structure in Aruba.
The surrounding area of the lighthouse is pretty cool as well. It is a desert like landscape with views of the ocean in the distance. You may also stumble upon some wild donkeys!
Go Snorkeling
Snorkeling is a must when it come to things to do in Aruba. The crystal clear waters, hidden coves, coral reefs, and underwater shipwrecks make Snorkeling in Aruba unique.
The best way to snorkel in Aruba is by doing a boat tour. If you don't want to spend money on a tour you can just snorkel from a beach (we suggest Baby Beach) - but it won't be as cool.
🤿Half-Day Snorkel Sail Tour (with Caribbean Lunch)
Do an ATV Tour
ATV tours are among the most popular things to do in Aruba - and they are totally worth the hype. Aruba's desert like landscape makes zipping through the islands rugged landscape much more fun.
The best way to explore Aruba on an ATV is by booking a tour. I love this one because you will get the opportunity to explore the islands hidden gems with a local. It includes stops at a secret beach, volcanic landscapes, and cliff jumping opportunities.
See The Ruins
There are marks of history all over Aruba. You can find evidence of civilization on the island that dates back to the Arawak people (estimated to be between 1,000 - 3,500 years old) in the Fontein Cave.
Some more recent ruins include the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins (dates back to the 1870s) and The Balashi Gold Mill Ruins (dates back to the 1800s).
🚗Highlights of Aruba Island Tour (includes stops at the ruins)
Explore San Nicolas
San Nicolas is a small city located in the southern part of Aruba. The charming city is home to stunning street murals, fascinating museums, local eateries, and more. San Nicolas is a great place to explore if you are looking to experience Aruba more locally.
A great time to visit San Nicolas is on Thursday nights as the Carubbian Festival takes place. The Carubbian Festival offers live music, street food, and dancing! There are also picturesque beaches in and around San Nicolas, such as Baby Beach.
See The Red Anchor
Located in the northern part of San Nicolas (right by Boca Grandi Beach), Aruba's Red Anchor honors the country's maritime history and sailors. Many tourists visit the 10 foot anchor for photos and to take in the incredible view of the ocean in the distance.
Catch The Sunset
There is nothing like catching the sunset on a Caribbean Island and Aruba has some of the best in the world! These are our top places to catch the sunset in Aruba... California Lighthouse, Arashi Beach, Baby Beach, Eagle Beach, and Boca Catalina.
Best Restaurants In Aruba
🍴Passions on the Beach (beachfront dining, luxury, located on Eagle Beach)
🍴Driftwood (seafood, authentic cuisine, casual, located Oranjestad)
🍴Gianni’s Italian Restaurant (Italian food, fine dining, located in the Noord)
Best Coffee Shops In Aruba
☕Les Cappuchinas Café & Eaterie (cozy, elegant, located in Oranjestad)
☕Island Grind Coffee Palm Beach (cute little coffee shack, located in Palm Beach)
☕Ritual Coffee Culture (espresso bar, also serves gelato, located in the Ritz Carlton)
How To Get To/Around Aruba
Most people visit Aruba by cruise ship or plane. The main airport to fly into in Aruba is Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA). You can find plenty of flights leaving and arriving daily to AUA. You can find nonstop flight to Aruba from the USA, Central America, and South America. If you are visiting from Europe or any other continent you will need to have a layover.
✈️Checkout The Latest Fares To Aruba here
Like any Caribbean Island, getting around Aruba is quite challenging. Unless you are in the hotel areas, like Palm Beach or Eagle Beach, Aruba is not walkable. That is why if you want to leave the resorts and explore more of the island, tours are great. Or you can rent a car - but driving in Aruba is a bit challenging.
Best Tours To Take In Aruba
🚗Aruba ATV Tour (stop at a cave pool, explore hidden gems with a local)
🚗Half-Day Snorkel Sail Tour (with Caribbean Lunch)
🚗Sunset Sail to Boca Catalina (with BBQ Dinner)
🚗Full-Day Aruba History and Must-See Landmarks Tour
🚗Antilla Shipwreck Seabob Tour
Best Time To Visit Aruba
Aruba is sunny and dry year round. If you are looking to avoid crowds and enjoy Aruba at a lower price we recommend visiting during the shoulder seasons (March - August). Although Aruba is quite touristy year round, you can sometimes get a better deal during these months.
Aruba FAQs:
What month is the best time to visit Aruba?
The winter months are the best in Aruba as it's not too hot out and there isn't much rain. So December - April to give you a ballpark.
How many days in Aruba is enough?
To see all of the main sights, you will need 4 days. But, most people like to just lounge at the beach in Aruba, so however many you want!
What does a US citizen need to enter Aruba?
All you need is a passport and a return ticket!
Is it better to go all inclusive or not in Aruba?
It depends on the kind of trip you want. If you just want to hangout on the beach go all inclusive. If you want to explore the island opt out.
Can you drink the water in Aruba?
Technically you can, but I didn't because there is nothing worse than getting sick on vacation. I would just drink bottled water to be safe.
What is Aruba best known for?
Aruba is best known for its stunning beaches and divi divi trees!
Aruba Travel Guide Wrap Up
Aruba is an incredible country perfect for a vacation. Weather you want to lounge on a beach, explore the hidden gems, or get your adrenaline pumping, Aruba will not disappoint. We hope that this Aruba Travel Guide helps you plan the perfect trip to the tiny island nation. If you liked this post check out our USVI Travel Guides or our Bahamas Travel Guides!
Happy Travels,
Daisy
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