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Baby Beach – ArubaEagle Beach – ArubaPalm Beach – ArubaOranjestad – Aruba
📍 Baby Beach📷 No machine-readable author provided. Dje9537459 assumed (bas · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
🌍 North America🗓️ Best: Year-round

Aruba ✓

Sunny, breezy island of white beaches and desert landscapes

🕒 –:– local time4 stories this week5 sources 6 top placesCapital Oranjestad

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Aruba📸 Photo album · 6 photos · Ultra-HD
Aruba📜 History of Aruba

The story of Aruba

Long before cruise ships arrived, Aruba was home to the Caquetío, an Arawak-speaking people who crossed from the nearby Venezuelan coast. They fished, gathered and farmed, and left behind pottery and red-brown rock paintings that can still be seen in the caves and boulder fields of Arikok and Ayo. Spanish explorers reached the island around 1499 but, finding it too dry for plantations, labelled it one of the 'useless islands' and shipped many of its people away to work elsewhere.

The Dutch took control in 1636 during their long war with Spain, using Aruba mainly to raise livestock and as a lookout for nearby Curaçao. Because large plantations never developed, the island's society grew differently from much of the Caribbean, mixing Indigenous, European and African heritage. A small gold rush in the 19th century left ruined smelters on the rugged north coast, followed by a boom in aloe cultivation that once made Aruba one of the world's leading aloe exporters.

Read the full history

In the 20th century a huge oil refinery at San Nicolas brought workers from across the Caribbean and beyond, shaping Aruba's multilingual, cosmopolitan character. Aruba's people pushed for more self-rule, and in 1986 the island gained 'Status Aparte', becoming a separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands rather than part of the Netherlands Antilles. Tourism soon became the backbone of the economy, built on reliable sunshine and white-sand beaches.

Today visitors find a friendly, safe island where Papiamento, Dutch, English and Spanish are heard in the same conversation. Beyond the resort beaches, travellers can explore Caquetío rock art, gold-mining ruins, the pastel colonial facades of Oranjestad and the colourful murals of San Nicolas, all of which tell the story of this small but distinctive island.

Timeline

  1. c. 1000 ADCaquetío people living across the island
  2. 1499Spanish expeditions reach Aruba
  3. 1636The Dutch take control of the island
  4. 1824Gold discovered, sparking a mining boom
  5. 1929Large oil refinery at San Nicolas begins operating
  6. 1986Aruba gains 'Status Aparte' within the Kingdom of the Netherlands
  7. 2000Arikok National Park formally established
Aruba✨ 10 best things to do in Aruba

Things to do in Aruba

  1. Lounge on Eagle BeachSink into powder-soft sand beside the famous fofoti trees that lean dramatically away from the trade winds.
  2. Snorkel the Antilla wreckSwim over one of the Caribbean's largest shipwrecks, a WWII German freighter now covered in coral.
  3. Hike Arikok National ParkTrek through cactus-studded hills to hidden caves with ancient Caquetío drawings.
  4. Swim at the Natural PoolBump along a 4x4 track to a rock-ringed pool where waves crash over the edge.
  5. Explore San Nicolas muralsWalk the streets of Aruba's 'Sunrise City', transformed into an open-air street-art gallery.
  6. Kitesurf at Boca GrandiRide the constant trade winds on the island's wild southeastern coast.
  7. Climb HooibergTackle the stairs up this haystack-shaped hill for a 360-degree view of the island.
  8. Visit the Ayo Rock FormationsScramble among giant volcanic boulders that seem randomly dropped in the desert.
  9. Watch sunset at the California LighthouseCatch golden light over the dunes at the island's northwest tip.
  10. Eat keshi yenaTry this local comfort dish of cheese stuffed with spiced meat, a legacy of Dutch-Caribbean trade.
Aruba🗺️ Where to visit in Aruba

Where to go in Aruba

  • Eagle BeachWest coast · beachA wide, uncrowded stretch of white sand often ranked among the world's best beaches.
  • Palm BeachWest coast · resort stripThe lively heart of beach life, with calm water, water sports and an easy promenade.
  • OranjestadCapital · townPastel Dutch-colonial buildings, museums and Fort Zoutman make for a pleasant stroll.
  • Arikok National ParkEast · desert parkNearly a fifth of the island, with caves, rock art, rugged coves and the Natural Pool.
  • Baby BeachSouth · lagoonA shallow, crescent-shaped lagoon ideal for families and gentle snorkelling.
  • 📍
    San NicolasSouth · arts townThe former refinery town now celebrated for murals and its annual art festival.
  • 📍
    Arashi BeachNorthwest · beachA quieter beach with clear water and good snorkelling near the lighthouse.
Aruba✨ Must-do experiences
  • Explore the rugged trails of Arikok National Park by jeep
  • Snorkel around a shipwreck like the Antilla
  • Try kitesurfing or windsurfing in the steady trade winds
  • Watch the sunset from Eagle Beach
Aruba🍽️ Taste of Aruba
  • Keshi yena – a round of cheese stuffed with spiced meat and baked
  • Pastechi – fried pastries filled with cheese, meat or fish
  • Funchi – cornmeal side dish, similar to polenta
  • Pan bati – slightly sweet cornmeal pancake
Aruba🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Aruba

Best time to visit Aruba

Aruba has a semi-arid tropical climate with steady trade winds and little rain all year. Temperatures barely change between seasons, with a short, light rainy period late in the year.

BestJanuary-April – sunny, breezy and dry, ideal for beaches and outdoor trips.
ShoulderMay-August – hot and windy with fewer crowds, great for kitesurfing.
AvoidNo bad time – Aruba lies outside the main hurricane belt, though October-December brings brief showers.
30°💧Jan
30°☀️Feb
31°☀️Mar
31°☀️Apr
32°☀️May
32°☀️Jun
32°☀️Jul
33°☀️Aug
33°☀️Sep
32°💧Oct
31°💧Nov
30°💧Dec

Typical daytime highs and rain in Oranjestad (approximate averages).

Aruba🎉 Festivals & events in Aruba
  • January-February
    Aruba CarnivalWeeks of parades, music and costumes culminating in the Grand Parade before Lent.
  • March 18
    National Anthem and Flag DayAruba celebrates its national symbols with folk music, dance and cultural events.
  • June 24
    Dia di San JuanA traditional harvest festival with the 'Dera Gai' song-and-dance ritual.
  • Autumn
    Aruba Art FairSan Nicolas hosts artists who add new murals and installations to the town.
Aruba🧭 Aruba itinerary ideas

How many days in Aruba?

4 daysBeach and highlights

Day 1 Eagle and Palm beaches, Day 2 Oranjestad and an evening at the California Lighthouse. Day 3 snorkel the Antilla wreck and Arashi Beach, Day 4 a 4x4 trip through Arikok to the Natural Pool.

8 daysIsland in depth

Day 1-3 beaches, snorkelling and Oranjestad. Day 4-5 hike Arikok, the caves and Ayo rocks, Day 6 San Nicolas murals and Baby Beach. Day 7-8 kitesurfing lessons or a day sailing trip and long sunsets.

Aruba🎒 Backpacking Aruba – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $120–170 a day

  • Aruba is pricey, so look for apartments with kitchens or guesthouses in Noord or near Oranjestad rather than beachfront resorts.
  • Arubus public buses connect Oranjestad with the hotel strips and San Nicolas cheaply.
  • Shop at supermarkets for picnic lunches and grab snacks like pastechi from local snack bars.
  • All beaches are public by law, so you can enjoy the best sand without staying at a resort.
  • Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a refillable bottle – tap water on Aruba is desalinated and safe to drink.
Aruba🛡️ Safety & money in Aruba

Stay safe

  • Aruba is one of the safer Caribbean destinations, but don't leave valuables unattended on beaches or in cars.
  • The north and east coasts have strong currents – swim only at calm western and southern beaches.
  • The sun is intense even with a cooling breeze, so use high-factor sunscreen and drink water.
  • Use a 4x4 or guided tour for Arikok's rough tracks rather than a regular rental car.

Money

  • The Aruban florin is the local currency, but US dollars are widely accepted.
  • Credit cards work almost everywhere and ATMs are common in Oranjestad and the hotel areas.
  • Many restaurants add a service charge; check the bill before tipping extra.

Emergency: 911 police, fire & ambulance

Aruba🛬 Getting to Aruba

Queen Beatrix International Airport near Oranjestad has direct flights from North America, Europe and South America. Cruise ships dock right in Oranjestad's harbour.

✈️ Cheap flights to Aruba: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Aruba💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Aruba
  • Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands but is a constituent country in its own right.
  • The island lies only around 30 km off the coast of Venezuela.
  • Aruba's divi-divi (fofoti) trees all lean southwest because of the constant trade winds.
  • Papiamento, a Creole language with Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and African roots, is an official language.
  • Aruba has one of the largest seawater desalination plants in the Caribbean.
Aruba❓ Aruba travel FAQ

Aruba travel questions

Is Aruba safe for tourists?

Yes, Aruba is considered one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. Use normal precautions with valuables and be careful of strong currents on the north coast.

When is the best time to visit Aruba?

Aruba is sunny all year, but January to April is the driest and most popular period. It is also outside the main hurricane belt, making summer and autumn good value too.

How many days do you need in Aruba?

Four to five days covers the main beaches, Oranjestad and Arikok National Park. A week lets you add diving, kitesurfing and plenty of beach time.

Do I need a visa for Aruba?

It depends on your passport. Check the official government site or embassy before you travel, as there may also be an online entry form to complete.

What language do they speak in Aruba?

Papiamento and Dutch are official, and almost everyone also speaks English and Spanish. Getting around in English is easy.

Aruba💰 What a trip costs
$$$$price level
$120–170backpacker / day
$250–450mid-range / day

Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).

Aruba🚌 Getting around

Arubus public buses run along the main coast, and taxis are easy to find. Rent a car or jeep to explore the wilder east side.

Aruba🛕 Sacred & spiritual places
  • Alto Vista Chapel – Small yellow chapel on a quiet hill, on the site of Aruba's first church
Aruba🤝 Local etiquette
  • Say 'bon dia' (good day) in the local language, Papiamento
  • Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the coral
  • Wear swimwear only on the beach

📰 Older Aruba stories Everything our agents ever found – keeps loading as you scroll

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