Travel to Aruba: cheap flights to the sunny Caribbean island

Aruba in numbers

Why visit Aruba

White sand, trade winds, desert scenery and steady sunshine

Landmarks

Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, Oranjestad, Arikok and Baby Beach

Aruba is easy to cover in a week: the west coast for beaches and hotels, Oranjestad for its colourful Dutch-style architecture, one day by 4x4 to the east and Arikok park, and a finish on the southern coves.

Eagle Beach and Palm Beach: the white ribbon

The west coast holds the island's best-known beaches. Eagle Beach, wider and quieter, is famous for its divi-divi trees leaning in the wind; Palm Beach is livelier, lined with big hotels, beach bars and water sports. Sunset is a daily ritual here.

Oranjestad, Dutch gables and harbours

The capital is built around its harbour, with colourful Dutch-style gabled facades, shops, terraces and a tram running along the waterfront. It is a good place for an end-of-day stroll, a taste of local food and planning boat trips.

Arikok National Park and the wild coast

In the south-east, Arikok park protects a large part of the island: cacti, rocky hills, caves, dunes and wave-battered coves. Explore it by 4x4 or on foot, with water and a hat. The natural bridge that once made the north coast famous collapsed in 2005, but the shoreline is still dramatic.

Baby Beach, San Nicolas and the southern tip

In the south, the sheltered bay of Baby Beach has shallow water, ideal for children and first-time snorkellers. Nearby, San Nicolas, a former refinery town, has revived with wall murals, while California Lighthouse watches over the north-western tip, a good sunset viewpoint.

Snorkelling, diving, kitesurfing and boat trips

The calm waters of the leeward coast suit snorkelling and diving, including on wrecks. The steady trade winds also draw kitesurfers and windsurfers on the north-west coast. Catamarans run day trips and sunset cruises.

Before you go

All year, with a little more rain from October to January

Area	Climate	Best time
West coast (Eagle Beach, Palm Beach)	Hot, dry and breezy; calm sea, ideal for swimming.	All year, especially December to April
North and east coasts	Strong wind, rough sea and cliffs: not for swimming, but big landscapes.	All year, preferably early in the morning
Arikok National Park	Very sunny with little shade; strong heat around midday.	Morning or late afternoon, all year
Oranjestad	Hot, with a short rainy season from autumn to early winter.	December to April; great in summer too

Aruba lies south of the main hurricane belt, but no island is entirely safe: check forecasts before booking. Fares rise mostly around the year-end holidays, so it pays to follow prices several weeks ahead.

Getting around

Rental car, 4x4, buses and taxis

The island is small: Oranjestad to the east coast takes about half an hour. A rental car is the freest way to explore; a 4x4 or a guided tour helps on the tracks of Arikok park. Traffic drives on the right.

Public buses link Oranjestad with the hotel areas and San Nicolas, and taxis use fixed fares. The downtown tram is handy for a walk around the capital. Bring sunscreen, water and a hat: the sun is strong all year.

Culture and food

Papiamento, carnival, keshi yena and pastechi

Aruba blends Amerindian, Dutch, Spanish and African heritage, and Papiamento, a creole language, is heard everywhere alongside Dutch, English and Spanish. Carnival, in January and February, is one of the highlights of the year, with parades and music.

On the plate, try keshi yena (melted cheese filled with meat or fish), pastechi, fried pastries with savoury fillings, and freshly grilled fish. Coastal restaurants also serve international cooking for every budget.

Travel to Aruba

The Aruba airport covered by SniperAir

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Aruba