Highlights
Eagle Beach
A broad stretch of soft white sand on the west coast, known for its wind-shaped fofoti trees, which lean away from the trade winds. Sea turtles nest on the beach at certain times of year.
Palm Beach
Aruba's busiest beach, lined with high-rise hotels, with calm water ideal for swimming, paddleboarding and boat trips.
Arikok National Park
A protected area covering a large part of the island's east, with cactus scrub, limestone caves such as Fontein and Quadiriki, and the Natural Pool, a rock-enclosed pool on the rough north coast reached by four-wheel drive or on foot.
Oranjestad
The capital has pastel Dutch colonial buildings, Fort Zoutman, the island's oldest building, and a free streetcar that runs along the main shopping street.
California Lighthouse and Alto Vista
The lighthouse on the north-western tip overlooks dunes and the sea. Nearby, the small yellow Alto Vista Chapel sits on a quiet hill on the wind-swept north coast.
San Nicolas and Baby Beach
San Nicolas, on the south-east coast, is known for its large street murals. Nearby Baby Beach has a shallow, sheltered lagoon popular with families and snorkellers.
Diving and snorkelling
The calm west coast has good visibility and several wrecks, including the Antilla, a large German cargo ship scuttled in 1940 and one of the biggest wreck dives in the Caribbean.
Interesting facts about Aruba
- Aruba lies outside the main Caribbean hurricane belt, so direct hits are rare.
- Papiamento, a creole language with Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and African influences, is an official language alongside Dutch.
- Aruba left the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 to become a separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
- The island's tap water is produced by desalinating seawater and is safe to drink.
- Divi-divi trees, bent sharply by the constant trade winds, always point roughly south-west and are an island symbol.
Best time to visit
Aruba has a hot, dry climate all year, with little rain and constant breezes. The peak season runs from mid-December to mid-April, when prices and crowds are highest. From May to November the island is quieter, and it is less affected by hurricanes than most of the Caribbean, though occasional showers occur in late autumn. Carnival takes place in the weeks before Lent.
Practical information
| Capital | Oranjestad |
|---|---|
| Currency | Aruban florin (AWG); US dollars widely accepted |
| Languages | Dutch, Papiamento |
| Plugs | Type A, B, F |
| Voltage | 127 V, 60 Hz |
| Emergency | 911 |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Many restaurants add a service charge of 10 to 15 per cent; check the bill. Extra tips for good service are appreciated. |
Getting around
Public buses run frequently between Oranjestad, the hotel areas along Eagle and Palm Beach, and San Nicolas. Taxis have fixed fares between zones rather than meters. Renting a car or jeep is the easiest way to explore the island, and four-wheel drive is needed for many tracks in Arikok National Park. Distances are short, and cycling is possible along the coastal path.
Staying connected in Aruba
Mobile coverage is good across most of the island, including the main beaches, Oranjestad and San Nicolas, with 4G widely available. Signal can weaken in the rugged interior and on the north coast within Arikok National Park. Wi-Fi is standard in hotels and common in restaurants and cafés. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
See Aruba eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Aruba
- Google Maps: Driving directions and offline maps for exploring the island and Arikok National Park.
- XE Currency: Convert between Aruban florins and US dollars.
- WhatsApp: Commonly used to contact tour operators, car rental companies and taxi drivers.