What to do once you land inArubaFind your bearings
Aruba is a desert island in the Caribbean that gets 300+ days of sunshine per year and sits outside the hurricane belt. The west coast has calm, turquoise beaches lined with resorts. But the east coast is wild, rugged, and mostly undeveloped. Arikok National Park covers 20% of the island with natural pools, caves, and desert landscapes that feel nothing like a typical Caribbean vacation.
Neighborhoods
Palm Beach — High-rise resort strip with calm water, water sports, and beachfront restaurants. Touristy but the beach is genuinely world-class
Eagle Beach — Wide, quieter beach with the famous fofoti (divi-divi) trees. Lower-rise resorts and a more relaxed atmosphere than Palm Beach
Oranjestad — Colorful Dutch colonial capital with the best local restaurants, a free trolley, and the Renaissance Island ferry (flamingos)
San Nicolas — The 'sunrise city' on the south end with street art, local bars, and Baby Beach. Working-class and authentic, zero tourists
Noord — Residential area between Palm Beach and the interior with local restaurants, the Butterfly Farm, and easy access to the California Lighthouse
Best time to visit
Year-round (it's always sunny). January through March is peak season with higher prices and American crowds. September through November is cheapest and just as sunny. The constant trade winds keep it comfortable even in summer.
Getting around
Rent a car or UTV to explore the north coast and Arikok Park. Roads are good but the wild east side needs 4WD on some trails
The free trolley runs through downtown Oranjestad and is useful for shopping and restaurant hopping
Taxis are unmetered but have fixed government rates. Airport to Palm Beach is about $25. Ask for the rate before getting in
The island is only 20 miles long. Nothing is more than a 30-minute drive from anywhere else
Key areas
Palm BeachEagle BeachOranjestadArikok National ParkSan Nicolas
Zero-dollar wins
1
Eagle Beach sunriseThe widest beach in Aruba with iconic divi-divi trees silhouetted against dawn. Almost empty before 7am when the resort crowd arrives
2
Oranjestad street art and trolleyRide the free trolley through colorful Dutch colonial streets. The San Nicolas art district on the south end has massive murals worth the drive
3
Baby BeachShallow lagoon on the south tip that's calm enough for toddlers. Free entry, bring snorkel gear for the reef at the edge
4
California Lighthouse viewpointDrive to the northwest tip for panoramic views of the island's rugged coast. Free parking, stunning sunset spot
5
Alto Vista ChapelTiny yellow chapel on the north coast surrounded by peace gardens and labyrinth walking paths. Serene and completely free
6
Mangel Halto reef snorkelingFree beach on the south coast with mangroves and an accessible reef right from shore. Calmer and less crowded than the resorts
Treat yourself
(we think it's worth it)
Screaming Eagle (flying dinner table)$300 to $500
Dinner at a crane-suspended table 165 feet in the air with 360-degree views and a private chef. Completely absurd and unforgettableRenaissance Island (flamingo beach)$100 to $125
Private island with pink flamingos on the beach. Day pass includes ferry, beach, drinks. Book early, they limit capacityCatamaran sunset sail$75 to $120
Sail past the coast with open bar and snorkeling stops. De Palm Tours and Pelican Adventures run smaller boats with better vibesAruba Aloe factory and spa$80 to $150
Tour the 130-year-old aloe plantation then get a full-body aloe treatment at their spa. Uniquely Aruban splurge that's genuinely relaxingThe legendary bites
The dishes this city perfected
Zeerovers$12 to $20
Fisherman's shack on the dock in Savaneta serving whatever was caught that morning, fried and served on paper. BYOB. Cash onlyFresh catch of the day, fried, with funchi and pan batiThe Old Fisherman$20 to $40
Waterfront restaurant where boats dock out back with your dinner still alive. Red snapper and mahi mahi grilled fresh is the wayWhole grilled red snapper with creole saucePapiamento Restaurant$40 to $70
Fine dining in a 200-year-old cunucu house with a pool in the courtyard. The seafood risotto and Caribbean lobster are outstandingAruban seafood risottoEduardo's Beach Shack$10 to $16
Healthy bowls and smoothies right on the sand at Eagle Beach. Fresh, colorful, and the best aa bowl on the islandPitaya bowl with fresh tropical fruitGasparito Restaurant$20 to $35
Authentic Aruban home cooking in a traditional cunucu house. The keshi yena (stuffed cheese) is the island's national dish done rightKeshi yena (stuffed Gouda with spiced meat)Where locals eat
Where residents actually go
Ling & Sons supermarket deli$6 to $10
Locals' secret lunch counter inside the grocery store. Hot keshi yena, fried fish, and local stews at half the restaurant priceThe Dutch Pancakehouse$8 to $14
Massive Dutch pancakes (sweet and savory) that locals have for breakfast and lunch. The bacon and cheese pancake is the size of a plateDiana's Pancakes Place$8 to $12
Hole-in-the-wall breakfast spot in Noord with Dutch pancakes, eggs, and the best local coffee at truly local pricesKowloon Chinese restaurant$12 to $18
Chinese-Aruban fusion that's been feeding locals for decades. The fried rice and bami goreng portions are enormousThe West Deck$15 to $25
Dock-side restaurant on the Oranjestad waterfront with Caribbean seafood, cold Balashi beer, and a sunset that stops conversationsGo off-script
1
Natural pool hike at ArikokHike 30 minutes through desert landscape to a volcanic rock pool where waves crash over the edges. Bring water shoes and arrive before 9am for calm water
2
Flamingo beach (Renaissance Island)Pink flamingos wander freely on a private island beach. Day pass required ($125) but includes ferry, loungers, and towel service. Book a day ahead
3
Off-road UTV tourRent a UTV and explore the wild north coast: natural bridges, blow holes, and abandoned gold mines. Action Tours runs guided trips or you can go solo
4
Snorkel at Mangel HaltoMangrove-protected reef on the south coast accessible from shore. Less current than open-water snorkel spots. Sea turtles are frequent visitors
Insider intel + tourist traps
Tips
- ✓Aruba uses the Aruban Florin (AWG) but US dollars are accepted literally everywhere at a fixed rate. No need to exchange currency at all
- ✓The trade winds blow constantly (15 to 25 mph). They keep temperatures bearable but make the east coast too rough for swimming. West coast stays calm
- ✓Arikok National Park entrance is $11 and covers the whole day. Go early for the natural pool before the tour groups arrive at 10am
- ✓Happy hour culture is strong here. Most resorts and restaurants do 4pm to 6pm with half-price drinks. Plan your sunset around it
“Ate fried fish at Zeerovers watching the boats come in, hiked to the natural pool before anyone else, and watched flamingos waddle past my beach chair. Aruba surprised me at every turn.”
Skip
- ✗Palm Beach resort restaurants: $40 burgers and watered-down cocktails. Walk 5 minutes off the beach to local spots like The Dutch or Wilhelmina for better food at fair prices
- ✗Butterfly Farm ($18 admission): pretty for 15 minutes, then you've seen everything. Arikok National Park is the same price and you could spend all day there
- ✗Organized 'jeep tours' that rush through 12 stops in 4 hours. Rent your own UTV for the same price and go at your pace with nobody yelling 'back on the bus'