North America › Aruba

Aruba

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White Sands and Sunny Vibes

Aruba presents a straightforward travel experience centered on its coastline and arid climate. The island’s western beaches feature calm waters ideal for swimming, snorkeling or simply relaxing under palm trees. Inland, the landscape includes rocky hills and small forests that provide short hikes with panoramic views of the sea. Local culture reflects Caribbean and Dutch influences in food, music and daily life. Visitors find practical details like flat terrain easy to navigate by car or bike. Markets sell handmade crafts alongside fresh seafood at affordable prices.

Country
Climate zone: Hot steppe

Hot steppe: Semi-arid climates bordering hot deserts, with hot summers, limited rainfall and short grasses or shrubs dominating vegetation.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury

Note: There can be large regional differences in price levels within a country. Be sure to check the price data of individual cities or regions to get a more detailed view.

See price details
Safety: 7.6
General Safety:8
Health & medical:7
Accessibility:6
Tap water:8
Read details
Tourist English: 5/5
Aruba is very English-friendly. Almost all locals speak English fluently, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants, making communication easy for travelers.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Aruba Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
Excellent for sunny beaches and water sports. Swim in calm turquoise waters, try snorkeling and sailing, relax on white sand and enjoy lively beachfront resorts.
Place score
8.3
Best at:
Sea
10
Beaches
10
Islands
9
Natural sites
9
Luxury
7
Personal score
?
Log in to see how this place matches your personal travel interests.
Suited for
👶 9
Families
🧓 8
Seniors
🛡️ 9
Travel Beginners
❤️ 9
Couples
Aruba – Quick facts
Power Grid: 120 V, 60 Hz
Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
Diagram of a Type A power plug
Type B:
Diagram of a Type B power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Aruban Florin (AWG)
£1 ≈ AWG 2.38
Cashless info: Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in Aruba, especially in tourist areas and resorts.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is generally 10-15% in restaurants. Taxi drivers may be tipped, and hotel staff appreciate small tips.
Public drinking: Public drinking is legal in Aruba, particularly on beaches and in designated areas.
Public smoking: Smoking is prohibited in most indoor public spaces, but outdoor smoking is allowed in designated areas.
Carnival
(February/March)
Expect festivities and celebrations, as well as crowded streets.
Christmas
(December)
Expect holiday events and closures.
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 911
Taxi apps: Uber
Other: Aruba is famous for its stunning beaches, warm climate, and relaxing atmosphere, making it a popular destination for sun seekers.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Aruba, Aruba
🌬️
Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
High season: Jan. - April, July - Aug., Dec.
Shoulder season: May - June, Sep. - Nov.
Crowdedness: 7 (Many tourists)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Aruba lies outside the hurricane belt: dry and sunny year-round, with the wettest period October to December
Windsurfing and kitesurfing best June to August when trade winds are strongest
Carnival from January to Ash Wednesday, grand parade on the Sunday before Lent

Why travel to Aruba?

With its white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and warm, dry weather year-round, Aruba is perfect for both relaxation and adventure. You can explore shipwrecks while diving, unwind on Eagle Beach and experience lively nightlife in Oranjestad. It’s generally safe and tourist-friendly, but keep in mind that prices can be higher, especially in peak season.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Alto Vista Chapel
  • 2 California Lighthouse
  • 3 Oranjestad
  • 4 Eagle Beach
  • 5 The Butterfly Farm
  • 6 Donkey Sanctuary Aruba
  • 7 Fort Zoutman
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 De Palm Island
  • 2 Aruba Aloe Museum and Factory
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Arikok National Park
  • 2 Natural Pool Trail
  • 3 Hooiberg
  • 4 Baby Beach
  • 5 Mangel Halto
  • 6 Boca Catalina
  • 7 Seroe Colorado Community Church
  • 8 Andicuri Beach
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 Palm Beach Plaza Mall
  • 2 Royal Plaza Mall
  • 3 Paseo Herencia Mall
🎈Events
  • Aruba Carnival (Jan-Feb)
  • Soul Beach Music Festival (May)
  • Aruba Summer Music Festival (June)
  • Aruba Art Fair (November)
  • Dande Festival (December)

Knowledge before you go

  • Bring reef-safe sunscreen; trade winds and sun feel intense.
  • Stay on the west coast for calm water beaches and most restaurants.
  • Carry some cash for snacks, taxis and smaller local spots.
  • Rent a car to explore Arikok National Park and the wild northeast; book a 4x4 for rough tracks.

How to travel to Aruba

Aruba is accessible via Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA), with direct flights from the US, Europe and other Caribbean islands. Cruises also frequently dock in Oranjestad, making it a popular port of call.

Access summary

  • Fly into Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) from North, South America, Europe.
  • From nearby Caribbean islands: short regional flights or occasional cruise ship stops.
  • No major global airline hub; served by many international carriers seasonally.

Where to stay in Aruba

Accommodations range from luxury resorts along Palm Beach to budget-friendly options in Oranjestad. Many all-inclusive resorts cater to families and couples, while vacation rentals offer a more local experience.

How to get around Aruba

Renting a car is ideal for exploring Aruba independently, but buses and taxis are also widely available. The main bus line, Arubus, connects major areas and beaches. Many hotels offer shuttle services.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-2 %
Daily expenses in the region are around 2% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to AWG) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£84
£183
£464
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£49
£105
£225
🍝 Food per day
£28
£66
£172
🚕 Transportation per day
£7
£12
£67
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£30
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£16
🍟 Fast food combo
£7.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£10
☕ Cappuccino
£3.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£2.30
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£1.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£43
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£1.10
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£9
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£50
🤧 Cold medication
£4.70
💇 Basic haircut
£16

Safety information overview

General safety
8
Aruba is one of the safest Caribbean islands. Petty crime can happen, so keep an eye on your belongings and avoid isolated areas at night.
Health & Medical
7
Medical facilities are modern and well-equipped. Tap water is safe to drink and pharmacies are widely available. No special vaccinations are required for travel.
Accessi­bility
6
Aruba is quite accessible, with many hotels, attractions and public transportation accommodating visitors with mobility needs. Beaches also offer accessible walkways and amenities.
Tap water
8
Tap water in Aruba is safe to drink and of high quality, as it is distilled from seawater. Public water is widely available, reducing the need for bottled water.

Packing recommendations for Aruba

Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.

📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🕶️
Sunglasses
🩱
Swimwear
🤿
Snorkelling gear
optional
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
📃
Travel insurance
🪪
Copies of passport and important documents
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
🩺
Prescription medicines
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
🛂
Passport
Show more

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