Aruba – Travel Guide
Aruba, a Dutch Caribbean island, beckons with its pristine beaches, including Eagle Beach and Palm Beach, renowned for their powdery white sand and turquoise waters. The capital, Oranjestad, showcases Dutch colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and luxury shopping. Arikok National Park offers rugged landscapes, unique wildlife, and the iconic Natural Pool. Aruba is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts, with excellent conditions for snorkeling, scuba diving, and windsurfing. The island`s welcoming atmosphere, diverse cultural influences, and year-round sunny weather make it a popular Caribbean destination.
All about Aruba
Aruba FAQ
What is Aruba known for?
Aruba is nicknamed `One Happy Island`, the fun-size Dutch Caribbean Island, known for its outstanding blonde beaches, luxury beachfront resorts, hidden natural wonders, Oranjestad the charming colorful capital port, and endless rugged outdoor adventures found in Fontien Cave, and Conchi the sparkling natural pool. The heart of the island is an arid desert landscape overflowing with wild beauty and home to the striking wonders of Arikok National Park, breathtaking beaches stretch along the coastline with Eagle Beach, the largest and famed as one of the best in the world. Mesmerizing waters teeming with colorful marine life can be seen offshore and scuba diving to some of the best-known shipwrecks in the Caribbean like the Antilla. Sooth sun-kissed skin with the islands famous aloe founded in 1890, visit the factory for a tour and pick up the naturally nurturing skin-soothing wonder plant products. Dine on distinctive diverse cuisine with authentic local dishes such as Keri Keri, colco stoba, and pan bati. Taste the cheese! Aruba`s Dutch heritage comes through in the islands an abundant supply of cheese! and stroopwafels, the highly influenced Dutch specialty loved by Arubans.
What are the best places to visit in Aruba?
Aruba Island offers visitors gorgeous idyllic beaches and annual warm temperatures that hover around 80 degrees with cooling and calming trade winds. A small island offering great activities including snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, kayaking, and horseback riding. Eclectic culinary delights on the island should not be missed, along with authentic lively bars and a great nightlife scene. Exploring the rugged rocky coastlines with limestone cliffs provide some breathtaking views and the sprawling desert landscape of the interior of the island is where Arikok National Park can be found and explored.
How many days should I spend in Aruba?
We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.
What is the best way to get around Aruba?
The best way to get around Aruba is by car, renting a car is made easy with international brand rental companies found at the airport and in major cities and from the cruise terminal. The well-established road infrastructure on the island is great, with safe and modern roads providing access to all areas of the island by car. A 4X4 is handy to explore the off-road terrain in the Arikok National Park area and the rugged east coast landscapes.
Taxis are another great option to travel around, with a fixed rate, reliable services that are easy to find all over the island Oranjestad is the country`s port of call and a busy cruise ship port with other sea transportation options available.
What is the currency of Aruba?
The currency of Aruba is the florin, Afl, or AWG, US dollars are widely accepted. There are currency exchange desks at the airport and major banks which are open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am until 3:00 pm and some may open on Saturdays.
Do people speak English in Aruba?
The official language spoken in Aruba is Dutch or Papiamento, many people speak English especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants. Most of the island’s inhabitants have a good comprehension of the English language. We recommend you get a good English-Dutch guidebook and learn common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.
Best time to visit Aruba
Aruba`s weather is relatively consistent year-round providing the perfect sunshine-filled vacation destination. The island boasts balmy weather with sunny skies, cooling breezes, and calm seas every month of the year, so there is never a bad time to visit Aruba.
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April through August is said to be the best months to visit when prices for flights, accommodations, and attractions are at an all-time low and due to its location in the Netherland Antilles, Aruba is outside of the Hurricane belt. Average daily temperatures range from the mid to high 80s or slightly higher in the summer between May to October and the most rainfall can be expected from September to January. The island’s high season occurs during the winter months, beginning in November and typically lasting through March when travelers flee from the cold up north. This tends to be a crowded time of year throughout the island with sold-out resorts and hotels, busy beaches, and long lines for restaurants and attractions.
Tipping in Aruba
The currency of Aruba is the florin, Afl, or AWG, US dollars are widely accepted. There are currency exchange desks at the airport and major banks which are open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am until 3:00 pm and some may open on Saturdays.
Top cities in Aruba
What to expect while traveling
