Any traveler who dips their toes into the welcoming waters of Aruba can see what makes it the most visited island in the southern Caribbean. Miles and miles of white-sand beaches stretch along its shores, where year-round beach weather is made even more palatable by the island’s location safely outside the dreaded “Hurricane Alley.” The capital of Oranjestad features colorful colonial architecture and can easily be toured on a two-hour walk. And the ends of the island are arid, craggy, windy, and uncluttered, but still less than an hour’s drive from the city. The official languages are Dutch (because the island is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) and Papiamento (a Spanish Creole language), but English is widely spoken. Most tours visit a mix of man-made and natural island highlights such as Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, the California Lighthouse, Ayo and Casibari Rock Formations, Arikok National Park, and the Natural Pool. Travelers can choose their level of adventure, covering most of the 20-mile (32-kilometer) island on a day tour: Watching the highlights from the seat of a 4x4 vehicle, riding on horseback, or rumbling over rugged terrain in an ATV. Snorkeling and scuba diving also draw visitors, as Aruba is home to the Antilla Shipwreck, now a hot spot for underwater plant and animal life, as well as a healthy reef at Arashi Beach, but both can be seen by semi-submarine tour for those who prefer to stay dry.
Attractions 22 | Tours 320 | Reviews 64,809 |
White-sand beaches, wind-swept desert-like vistas, some of the Caribbean Sea's best wreck diving, and year-round tropical weather are just a few of the reasons why visitors are drawn to Aruba. The island is also notable for its charming pastel-colored, compact capital, Oranjestad.
...MoreAruba’s weather is consistently warm all year round and the island has the good fortune of sitting well outside of the Caribbean’s hurricane belt, which means that you can visit in the summer months with little threat of tropical storms. The summer months also typically draw far fewer visitors than winter.
...MoreAruba is a relatively small island and its main attractions can easily be covered in just a few days. To truly soak up its atmosphere, however, and enjoy some downtime soaking up the sun on its gorgeous beaches, aim to spend at least five days.
...MoreFrom 4-wheel driving over sand dunes to horseback riding along the rugged trails in Arikok National Park, Aruba is a prime destination for outdoor adventure away from the beach. Scuba divers and snorkelers should explore Aruba’s reef- and shipwreck-filled waters, and everyone should spend a few hours strolling the colorful streets of Oranjestad.
...MoreFrom beachfront lounges to flashy casinos, Aruba’s diverse nightlife caters to all tastes. Palm Beach is a favored after-dark destination and its many bars and clubs offer perks to draw in visitors such as happy-hour specials and free salsa classes. If you can’t decide on a spot, hop on a party bus.
...MoreJust a stone’s throw from Baby Beach, and far from the resorts, tranquil Rodgers Beach boasts the same white sand and turquoise waters but none of the crowds. In Savaneta, Zeerovers restaurant is a popular local hangout that serves seafood freshly plucked from the sea and is a prime sunset-viewing spot.
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