Aruba is a beautiful island in the Caribbean Sea and a favourite destination for Americans and Dutch people. The island has a tropical climate with year-round temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius. Not so familiar with Aruba? I wrote you 10 travel tips before visiting this beautiful island.
1. Weather
Hurricane season is in September and October and can create a lot of chaos for the Caribbean islands. However, a fun fact that a lot of people don’t know, is that Aruba is south of the hurricane belt in the Caribbean. This makes the island a rare hit. The last hurricane was in 2007. Hurricane Felix grazed over the island but caused minor damage. This makes Aruba your best option during hurricane season.
Anytime of the year is the perfect time to visit Aruba. The weather is always nice and around 30 degrees. The best time to visit is June-August, this is Aruba’s low season. Around this time prices tend to be lower. “Rainy” season is from October until January, but you will barely notice this. It’s just short showers that mostly happen overnight. High season is from December until May. Around this time prices tend to be higher and places more crowded.
2. Languages
The official languages in Aruba are Papiamento and Dutch but expect most Arubans to speak a minimum of four languages. Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish and English. Schools require students to learn English, Spanish and to an extent also French.
This makes Aruba also one of the easiest places to get around as a tourist. Arriving from Colombia, I loved seeing the signs in Dutch, Spanish and English. Never thought I would see those three languages, that I speak and understand, together.
3. Money and currency
Let’s be honest: Aruba is expensive. Which is the same for many Caribbean islands, where much of the produce, food, and other goods are imported from elsewhere. You can expect to spend at least 50 USD per person, per day, on food and just living your life. Decent hotels will rarely be cheaper than 200 USD a night. In this case I recommend looking for accommodation on Airbnb, this tend to be cheaper than all the resorts and high-end hotels.
The currency on the island is the Aruban Florin or also called Guilder (AWG). You can exchange your currency, but it’s not really necessary unless you like to pay your vacation by cash. Master, visa and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Paying with dollars is also common and widely accepted.
If you want to withdraw extra cash, there are ATM machines around the island that you can easily Google. They give you both dollars and Aruban Guilder. Don’t forget to put your debit card on world and to check for any hidden fees of your bank.
4. Visa requirements
All passengers must be able to show a current passport when entering Aruba. Make sure you have 6 months left on your expiring date and at least 2 empty pages for your visa on arrival. EU, Canadian, and American citizens do not require an Aruba visa, nor do most South Americans.
Visa-required tourists need to apply for a visa before going to Aruba. The visa must be applied for in person at an embassy or consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In some countries certain approved travel agencies can apply for a visa on behalf of their customers.
5. Vaccinations
When you are planning to visit Aruba, you should know that some vaccinations are recommended, although in most cases they are not mandatory. Yellow fever is the only mandatory vaccine when coming from a high-risk area.
Tip: bring some mosquito repellent. You can find more information on KLM health services.
6. Safety
Aruba is considered one of the safest islands of the Caribbean. However, theft and crime can still occur. Always use your common sense and be aware of your surroundings when traveling.
It’s also generally safe for solo and female travelers. You should take precautions of leaving your belongings in public spaces, especially on the beach or when exploring in town. Best is to leave your belongings at your accommodation and only bring the things and cash that you really need.
I bought a waterproof fanny pack where you can put your belongings and even take it swimming. Furthermore, when exploring the island by yourself, make sure you have data and a map. Don’t forget to share your location or itinerary with your family and friends at home. You can read more about safety tips in another blog on my website.
One piece of advice would be to forget about doing some activities in the north part of the island. There is a place where three currents meet, and it is considered to be dangerous.
7. Transportation
Getting around Aruba is easy compared to other islands. The roads are safe and easy to drive.
- Car rental
The best way to roam freely around the island, is to rent a car. You can rent a car at the airport or downtown in Oranjestad. Keep in mind that most companies are mostly sold out when you show up last minute.
However, you can also prebook your car. Compare prices and find cheap offers on Discover Cars. Prices can range from 40 – 100 USD per day.
- Public transportation
When you are traveling on a budget or don’t want to drive, your second-best option is to travel Aruba by bus. The island’s Arubus system is reliable and affordable with buses running every 15 minutes from 5:45 AM until 6 PM. You can find the central bus station in downtown Oranjestad, next to the cruise ship terminal. Day passes cover unlimited travel on all routes cost 10 USD.
- Taxi
Most taxis in Aruba have a fix rate. Before you get in, ask the drive what the price will be to get to your destination. You can flag them down off the street or have your accommodation call one for you.
To avoid high prices and the hassle when being tired from a long flight, I prebooked a shared transfer instead of a taxi. This is one of the cheapest options if you don’t mind the driver dropping off other people first.
8. The best beaches are the farthest
One of Aruba’s best-known beach is Eagle Beach. This beach is frequently listed among the world’s most beautiful beaches, and I completely understand why. The white sand and crystal-clear water are really all you need in this life. Another famous beach is Palm Beach, which is bigger but also more crowded because of the nearby resorts.
If you really want to enjoy Aruba fully, you still may want to check out all the other beaches on the island. A few of my favorite beaches are Baby Beach, Rodger’s Beach and Druif Beach.
The sun is very strong. Don’t forget to bring an eco-friendly sunscreen with a higher SPF.
9. 18% of the island is a national park
The Arikok National Park in Aruba comprises almost 20% of the island. The protected area of Arikok was officially established in 2000. Arikok is 34 square kilometers (7907 acres) of natural area, located at the north-eastern part of Aruba which contains examples of most of the island’s flora and fauna.
You can find a few stunning locations in the National Park of Arikok that will make your trip even more worthwhile.
- Cunucu Arikok: Remains of an old farm where various plants were cultivated.
- Arikok Hilltop: A viewpoint from where you can a big part of the island.
- Jamanota Hilltop: The highest point on the island, 188 meters.
- Boca Prins: Beach where turtles nest.
- Dos Playa: Relatively calm seas, it is possible to surf or bodyboard here.
- Natural Pool (Conchi): A calm pond, protected from the rough seas on the east coast by surrounding rocks.
10. Aruba has a lot more to offer than only beaches
While there are plenty of people who come to Aruba to relax on the beaches, others enjoy spending their time among the destination’s several other activities. Aruba is one of the world’s best places to go kitesurfing and windsurfing. But there are a lot more activities that the island has to offer.
- Kayak and paddle through the mangroves
- Try deep-sea fishing
- Aruba is the prime destination for snorkeling, scuba diving and wreck diving
- Swim in the rock pools
- Hike around Arikok National Park or hop in a jeep for an off-road adventure
- Horseback riding along the coast
- Visiting local rum shops
- Take a walking tour around Oranjestad
Do I even need to list more? The options are endless.
A few fun facts about Aruba
- Aruba is considered one of the safest islands in the Caribbean.
- Aruba is only 10 kilometers from the coast of Venezuela.
- Iguanas are natives on the island. You might see them pop up everywhere.
- Gambling is legal in Aruba.
- You can drink the tap water in Aruba, it’s completely safe!
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