Technically part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba is just off the northern coast of Venezuela so it’s in the extreme southern Caribbean. Aruba is also almost completely flat, unlike some of the more striking volcanic islands in the region, but it’s also very dry pretty much the whole year round, with barely a rainy season to speak of. All of that said, there are still many things to do in Aruba.
As part of the Netherlands it’s no surprise that the official language is Dutch, but the local tongue called Papiamento is even more common among islanders. However, Aruba is also a very touristy island so English is very widely spoken and understood in any tourist zone, so it’s popular with Brits, Germans, Scandinavians, as well as Americans.
| Population | 105,000 |
| Area | 105,000 |
| Timezone | UTC-4 |
| Currency | Arubian Florin |
| Airports | Queen Beatrix International Airport (UAU) |
There are dozens of resorts and hotels on the island, some of which are all-inclusive. Those staying at an all-inclusive resort tend to stay on the resort’s grounds for most of, if not all, of their vacation. Whether or not you are enjoying an all-inclusive package, there are lots of things to do on the island, however you want to spend it, on land or in the ocean.
If you are interested in seeing old ruins or more of the island itself, you’ll find that there are a few good attractions that are well worth a visit. They also tend to be either free or very cheap.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | - |
| 76.00 - 154.00 |
| 102.00 - 195.00 |
| 200.00 - 326.00 |
| - |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | - |
| Local Breakfast | If you choose to eat outside of your hotel, there are plenty of options for breakfast dishes though they tend to vary a lot in price. | $3.00 - $8.00 |
| Local Lunch | Many chain restaurants that are found in the United States can also be found on the island along with local restaurants. | $8.00 - $16.00 |
| Local Dinner | Baked cheese and other local dishes can be found at most dining options both in and out of the resorts. | $10.00 - $25.00 |
| Beer | Imported dutch beers are a norm with most establishments selling one or more varieties. | $3.00 - $5.00 |
If you decide to take a tour or two during your visit, you’ll find that the boat tours are very popular here, along with the UTV tours. Your hotel will help you set up a tour, or you can contact the tour agency directly.
| Month | High F | Low F | Precip (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 86 | 76 | 0.8 |
| February | 86 | 76 | 0.4 |
| March | 87 | 77 | 0.2 |
| April | 88 | 79 | 0.9 |
| May | 89 | 80 | 0.6 |
| June | 89 | 80 | 0.4 |
| July | 89 | 80 | 0.5 |
| August | 90 | 80 | 0.3 |
| September | 91 | 81 | 0.8 |
| October | 89 | 80 | 1.5 |
| November | 88 | 79 | 2.0 |
| December | 86 | 77 | 1.5 |
Located in the southern Caribbean, just above South America, Aruba’s climate is strictly tropical with very little seasonal variation.
Due to this, you’ll find that the sun is always out and the temps up. Luckily, there is also a near constant sea breeze that helps to cool the island down. Temperatures throughout the year tend to stay in the 70s and 80s with little change each month.
When visiting, it’s best to pack light clothing.
| 21 Mar | 6:44am | 6:51pm |
| 21 Jun | 6:16am | 7:07pm |
| 21 Sep | 6:29am | 6:37pm |
| 21 Dec | 6:56am | 6:20pm |
There are nearly 50 resorts and hotels on Aruba, almost all of which are on the western coast and bunched in the north. There are some reasonably cheap (for the Caribbean) hotels and resorts so it can be very good value compared to other islands, but most of the larger places are in the upper price ranges. The all-inclusive resorts on Aruba aren’t among the cheapest in the Caribbean, but they can be great value if you book a package.
During the winter months, the island is taken over by visitors and seasonal travelers who are escaping the cold winters of the north in favor of beautiful sunny days and mild temperatures. Due in part to this, hotel and flight prices tend to increase significantly making for a more costly vacation.
If you’re looking for both great weather and lower prices, the summer and fall will be your best bet. If you’re looking for something in between, consider visiting during May or early December. Both are consider shoulder seasons with weather and prices that fall in between both the peak and low season.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| - |
| 76.00 - 154.00 |
| 102.00 - 195.00 |
| 200.00 - 326.00 |
| - |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | - |
The entry point will be Queen Beatrix International Airport, which is one of the larger facilities in the Caribbean, easily big enough for wide-body planes and long-haul flights. The airport is connected to many hubs in North America as well as Europe, so nearly everyone is no more than one plane change from arriving in Aruba. For this reason it’s one of the cheaper Caribbean islands to fly into, especially from New York City.
Nonstop flights from:
Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Houston, Chicago, Toronto, London, Manchester, Amsterdam
The easiest way to get around Aruba is by using the local public transportation – the bus. You could also get a taxi if you’d like, but most people use the bus to travel here and there. If you’re staying at a large resort, they help you secure transportation.