Aruba is one of the easiest islands in the Caribbean to visit — safe, friendly, modern, and guaranteed sunshine almost year-round (very little rain).
It’s known for:
- white-sand beaches
- calm turquoise water
- snorkeling + catamaran cruises
- ATV tours through desert landscapes
- Flamingo Island (yes, the pink birds are real)
If you want simple travel, great beaches, and worry-free vacation vibes, Aruba delivers.
How to Get There
- Airport: AUA (Queen Beatrix International Airport)
- Many direct flights from US, Canada, Netherlands, and UK.
Airport → Hotel Transport Options:
- Taxi (fixed rates, reliable)
- Shuttle transfers (shared or private)
- Rental car (good if exploring multiple beaches)
Where to Stay
Choose Your Base
| Area | Vibe | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Beach | High-rise resorts, walkable restaurants, nightlife | First-timers, groups |
| Eagle Beach | Quiet, wide soft-sand beach, low-rise hotels | Couples + calm stays |
| Noord / Malmok | Villas + snorkeling coves | Independent travelers |
| Savaneta / San Nicolas | Local & peaceful | Return visitors, slow travel style |
Budget Tiers
- $ Guesthouses + apartment rentals in Noord/Savaneta
- $$ Small beachfront hotels in Eagle Beach
- $$$ Full-service beachfront resorts at Palm Beach
Booking Tip:
If you want walkability + restaurants → Palm Beach.
If you want peace + sunset views → Eagle Beach.
Top Beaches (Straight Rankings)
| Beach | Why Go | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle Beach | Soft white sand + calm water | Best for relaxing |
| Palm Beach | Resort area + activities | Energetic & walkable |
| Baby Beach (San Nicolas) | Lagoon-like, shallow, perfect for kids | Ideal float day |
| Arashi Beach | Snorkeling + golden sand | Go early for parking |
| Boca Catalina | Best off-shore snorkeling | Bring your mask |
Flamingo Island (How to Visit)
There are only two ways to see the flamingos:
| Method | How | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stay at Renaissance Hotel | hotel guests access included | Most reliable |
| Buy Day Pass | Limited availability, sells out fast | Book early; price varies |
Important:
Flamingo Island is privately owned → not a public beach.
Best Things to Do
1) Snorkeling + Catamaran Cruise
- Usually includes drinks + music + reef stops.
2) ATV / UTV Desert Tour
- Drive through Arikok National Park
- Visit Natural Pool (Conchi) + caves + coastline cliffs
3) Baby Beach + San Nicolas Day
- Calm water + colorful street murals = easy beach day
4) California Lighthouse Sunset
- Great view point, arrive before golden light
5) Arikok National Park Hiking
- Desert trails + rock formations + caves
Food & Drinks
Aruba cuisine mixes Caribbean, Dutch, seafood, and Venezuelan influences.
Try:
- Keshi Yena (cheese-stuffed baked chicken)
- Fresh grouper / snapper
- Pastechi (breakfast pastries)
- Aruba Ariba cocktail
Palm Beach = restaurants with nightlife
Eagle Beach = calm, quiet dining
Safety & Practical Tips
- Aruba is one of the safest Caribbean islands.
- Tap water is safe to drink (desalinated and high quality).
- Sun is strong year-round → reef-safe sunscreen recommended.
- Rental cars are safe and easy to drive.
3–5 Day Itinerary
3 Days (Easy):
Day 1: Palm Beach + Sunset
Day 2: Flamingo Island
Day 3: Baby Beach + San Nicolas murals
5 Days (Balanced):
Day 1: Eagle Beach chill day
Day 2: Flamingo Island
Day 3: ATV → Natural Pool
Day 4: Snorkel cruise (Boca Catalina / Arashi)
Day 5: Local cafés + beach walk + lighthouse sunset
Internal Links
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen Guide
- Romantic Caribbean: Adults-Only Resorts
- Caribbean Ferry Routes (island-hopping overview)
- Punta Cana Guide
- Samaná Guide
Spanish Summary — Resumen en Español
Aruba es una isla segura, soleada y fácil de recorrer.
Las playas principales son Eagle Beach y Palm Beach.
Para visitar la isla de los flamingos → hospédate en el Renaissance o compra pase diario.
Los tours más populares son catamarán y ATV al Parque Arikok.
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