Aruba Travel Guide

Other Things to See and Do in Aruba

1. Relax on a beach

Aruba’s powdery soft beaches and clear waters make for excellent days full of sunbathing, snorkeling, and swimming. Eagle Beach is the most popular, and its wide stretches of sand mean it’s never too crowded. Then there’s Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island, where you can hang out with actual flamingos; or Drulf Beach, which is easily accessible from Oranjestad. If you want more solitude and quiet, head to Andicuri Beach, where rocky cliffs frame a wide swath of beachfront extending into the turquoise sea. There’s also Boca Prins Beach, which can be found in Arikok National Park (it has incredible views but watch out for the strong waves).

2. Go kayaking

For a relaxing way to explore Aruba’s coast, hop in a kayak. Most hotels offer their guests free use of kayaks. Otherwise, expect to pay around 45 AWG per hour for a rental. The coastline has a lot of little coves to explore, so take your time. Conversely, you can take a tour with Clear Kayak Aruba. Their clear-bottomed kayaks let you see the reefs and coral beneath you. A two-hour guided paddle costs 120 AWG for the daytime tour and 270 AWG for the night tour.

3. Rent a quad

A quad (ATV) lets you get off the beaten track and explore some of the smaller beaches and jungles on the island. While getting a guide is the best option, you can also explore the island on your own. A half-day quad rental is 199 AWG, while it’s 229 AWG for the full day. Tours start from 215 AWG per person.

4. Go golfing

Expensive holiday resorts and golf go hand in hand. Unfortunately, golf here isn’t a budget-friendly activity. If you want to hit the links, expect to pay 160-300 AWG per round at the island’s championship course, Tierra Del Sol. Its gorgeous 18-hole course is right on the ocean. Another option is The Links at Divi Aruba, where you can get in a quick 9 holes for 162 AWG (club rentals are available for an additional fee).

5. Visit the Archaeological Museum

Aruba has a complex history as it has been invaded by several colonial powers throughout the centuries. This former family home has been transformed into a museum displaying a variety of stone, shell, and ceramic artifacts from Aruba’s distant past, dating all the way back to 2,500 BCE. If you want a better understanding of the island’s long history, stay and watch the documentary film on ancient indigenous life. Admission is free.

6. Find tranquility at the Peace Labyrinth

The Peace Labyrinth sits atop a bluff overlooking the Caribbean. Next to a small chapel, here you can walk mindfully through the intricate outdoor labyrinth of stone, which is meant to serve as a sort of meditation. The entire Labyrinth fell into disrepair in recent years, but in 2019 volunteers gave it an overhaul so it looks great again. The grounds are free to wander.

7. Visit the Donkey Sanctuary

Once a major mode of transportation, donkeys have lived on the island of Aruba for over 500 years. After cars arrived, donkeys became less needed and their population hit record lows. Now, donkeys live primarily in this non-profit sanctuary. It’s a fun place to spend the afternoon, especially if you have kids, as you’re invited to feed and care for the donkeys (no riding is allowed). Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

8. Visit the Collapsed Natural Bridge

Once extending over 100 feet across and 25 feet high, this “bridge” was naturally carved into the coral limestone by the sea until it collapsed in 2005. It’s still a top-rated tourist attraction, serving as a scenic viewpoint and lookout, and can be accessed by car via a dirt road. Nearby is the “Baby Bridge” that still stands, which is also recommended to check out while you’re in the area.

9. Take a jeep tour

One of the best ways to view the island is by taking a 4×4 tour that allows you to see parts of Aruba that lie off the beaten track, including the rugged north coast. There are several different tour options that offer an adrenaline rush as you tear up the backcountry, pause to visit caves and go for a swim and explore hidden beaches. Jeep tours start from 150 AWG.

10. Explore Arikok National Park

Located in the northeastern part of the island, you can find most of Aruba’s flora and fauna in Arikok National Park. At 34 square kilometers (13 sq mi), it makes up around one-fifth of Aruba and has lots of different geological features, including volcanic hills and limestone rocks formed from fossilized coral. The park has a couple of stunning beaches, as well as Conchi, a natural pool that’s only accessible on foot, on horseback, or in a 4×4. Arikok is also home to Cunucu Arikok and Fontein Cave, where you can see rock paintings left behind by the indigenous Caquetío. A day pass costs around 20 AWG.

11. Climb California Lighthouse

You can get amazing views of the west coast beaches and the coral shorelines from the top of this lighthouse. It was named after the S.S. California, which sunk before the lighthouse was built in 1910. It’s located in the northwest of Aruba in the area known as “Hudishibana.” Go at dusk for one of the best sunsets on the island. Admission is 9 AWG.

 

For information about other Caribbean destinations, check out these guides:

Aruba Travel Costs

Hostel prices – Aruba has virtually no real hostels and very limited budget accommodation options. Budget private rooms cost around 100 AWG per night. Free Wi-Fi is standard and some budget accommodations have pools.

Camping is not available in Aruba.

Budget hotel prices – Budget two- and three-star hotels start at 170 AWG in Oranjestad but are closer to 225 AWG near beach resort areas. Free Wi-Fi is standard and many budget hotels also have pools. Some even include free breakfast.

On Airbnb, private rooms start at 80 AWG per night while entire homes/apartments average closer to 400 AWG per night. Be sure to book early to find the best deals as prices can double when not booked in advance.

Food – The cuisine in Aruba is a mix of Dutch, Caribbean, and South American flavors. Seafood, of course, is king, with mahi-mahi, red snapper, and grouper all being commonly caught around the island. Fresh fruit is also super popular. Be sure to try cool soup (a cold soup made from fruits), sopi mondongo (a stew made with tripe or bone marrow), cala (a spicy fried snack), and fried plantains.

For a casual seafood meal at a restaurant, expect to pay around 30 AWG. For fast food (think McDonald’s), a combo meal costs around 17 AWG. Chinese food on the island averages around 25 AWG per person for a plate and drink, compared to a pizza which costs around 45 AWG for a large.

If you want to splash out, a mid-range three-course meal with a drink costs around 90 AWG (upscale places cost upwards of 100 AWG).

Beer is 8-9 AWG while a latte or cappuccino is 6 AWG. Bottled water costs around 2-3 AWG.

If you plan on cooking your own food, a week’s worth of groceries costs around 130 AWG. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, seasonal produce, and some meat or seafood. Be sure to do your shopping at large supermarkets as opposed to mini-marts, as they tend to overcharge for convenience.

If you get a chance, order seafood at Zeerovers. It’s delicious!

Backpacking Aruba Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Aruba, my suggested budget is 145 AWG per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel or cheap Airbnb, cooking all of your meals, limiting your drinking, taking the bus to get around, and doing mostly free activities like swimming and relaxing on the beach. If you plan on drinking, add another 10-20 AWG to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 300 AWG per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb or budget hotel, eat out for a couple of meals, enjoy some drinks, take the occasional taxi to get aroundm and do some paid activities like diving or a snorkeling tour.

On a “luxury” budget of 560 AWG or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink as much as you want, rent a car or quad to get around and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

Aruba Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Aruba caters to vacationers and luxury travelers, so there are not a ton of options here for cutting your budget. Here are the few ways you can save money in Aruba:

1. Eat local fish – You’re on an island, so local specialties such as grouper, mahi-mahi, and snapper are less expensive than other seafood options (plus, they’re fresh)! Avoid anything that is imported.
2. Enjoy nature – Relax on the beach, go for a hike, or take in a sunset. Aruba’s natural beauty is breathtaking — and free!
3. Book online – If you’re planning on going diving, or doing any other expensive activities, be sure to check online for discounts before. Some companies offer discounts for direct bookings.
4. Stay with a local – There isn’t a huge Couchsurfing scene here but if you can find a host that can let you stay for free you’ll be able to cut your costs drastically. It’s a great way to meet locals too!
5. Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
6. Cook your own food – Eating out adds up, so book accommodation with a kitchen so you can buy groceries and cook your own meals. It won’t be luxurious but it will be cheaper!

Where to Stay in Aruba

Budget accommodation is limited here so be sure to book early. Here are my suggested places to stay in Aruba (all located in Oranjestad) are:

• Hostel Room Aruba
• Aruba Harmony Hostel
• Pista Q

How to Get Around Aruba

Public transportation – Arubus is the public bus in Aruba, and it gets you everywhere you need to go. Their website, Arubus.com, has a full list of schedules and routes. You can purchase a return ticket for 8.75 AWG, or an unlimited day pass for 17.50 AWG. You pay the driver when you board.

Oranjestad has a free open-air trolley that runs the length of downtown’s main street. It runs every 25 minutes between 10am-5pm. Expect the trolley to be busy on days that cruises come to port.

Taxis – Taxis in Aruba are safe and reliable, but they do not have meters as rates are set by the government. Because of this, there is no ride-shares (like Uber) available on the island. The minimum fare is 12.60 AWG, but you should ask your driver beforehand what the total amount will be.

Car rental – Cars can be rented here for around 75 AWG per day for a multi-day rental. You don’t need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a car here but drivers must be at least 21 and have had their license for two years. For the best prices, use Discover Cars.

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking is safe here but it’s not very common. You’ll want to be flexible with your schedule as waits will likely be long. Check Hitchwiki for more tips and advice.

When to Go to Aruba

Peak season is January to March when temperatures average in the high 20s°C (mid-80s °F). Expect room prices to soar and for the island to be full and lively.

Personally, I think April to August is the best time to visit Aruba, as this is considered the off-season and prices decrease during this time (there are fewer tourist crowds also). Aruba isn’t part of the Caribbean’s hurricane belt, so there’s not much risk of tropical storms either. Temperatures average around 32°C (90°F).

Fortunately, Aruba is usually pretty breezy, so there’s some relief from the humidity.

How to Stay Safe in Aruba

Aruba is considered one of the safest places to visit in the Caribbean as it’s a small island with a low crime rate. However, it’s still best to not leave your valuables out and unattended at the beach (or anywhere) to avoid petty theft as you would anywhere really!

The San Nicolas area is best avoided at night if you’re alone.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here for all those reasons. However, the standard precautions you take anywhere apply here too (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). There are numerous solo female travel blogs that can provide more specific tips.

When in the water, be mindful of strong currents. Avoid swimming and other water activities on the northern end of the island for this reason.

Scams here are rare, but if you’re worried about getting ripped off, you can read about common travel scams to avoid right here.

If you experience an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.

Remember to always trust your gut instinct. Avoid isolated areas at night, and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.