Enjoying some well-earned time away after working hard all year long is something everyone should be able to look forward to. Traveling to a new and exciting destination is a chance to embrace new languages, flavors, cultures, and options for fun that are well outside the parameters of your daily life. When you’re ready to enjoy a refreshing and revitalizing getaway, a trip to Aruba is always the right choice. First-time visitors heading this way will find Aruba is a place with something for everyone to love whether you’re here looking to relax on the sand, get out on the waves, explore the island by ATV, or spend time diving into history and local architecture during a stay. Aruba isn’t called “One Happy Island,” for no reason and it’s often the welcoming vibe and friendly locals that set a great scene upon arrival for wanting to then return year after year. From world-class watersports to tranquil outdoor adventures soaked under a Caribbean sun, Aruba is a place that’s truly hard to top.
It’s also a safe destination for travelers to enjoy whether they’re heading here solo, as a family, a couple, or in a group of friends. Crime rates are relatively low, and the infrastructure of the island is extremely well-developed, so you can feel comfortable and relaxed every day of your stay—exactly as it should be when you’re embracing island life at its best! Aruba has earned a reputation for excellence around its amazing weather in every season of the year and the trade winds here lend themselves seamlessly to world-class kitesurfing if thrills on the waves are what you’re after.
The island’s rich and eclectic mix of culture and history can be enjoyed across local museums, natural landmarks, ancient ruins, and of course, in delicious restaurants as well. There are plenty of outdoor adventures to add to your lineup when you’re in Aruba for the very first time, as places like Arikok National Park encompass nearly 20% of the island’s terrain. Looking to relax and do absolutely nothing at all? That’s a perfectly acceptable option in Aruba as well.
No matter what your interests might be or how you prefer to spend your vacation days, Aruba is a place where it’s easy to linger and fall in love with the local island culture. Let this first-time visitor guide be a great starting point for your trip to this happy island, and if you happen to find more to add and enjoy along the way, that’s even better!
Getting to Aruba
No matter where you start your journey to Aruba, you’ll be delighted to find that getting here is a relatively simple and straightforward process. Aruba sits in the Caribbean Sea just 18 miles North of South America and the coast of Venezuela. It’s one of a group of three Dutch islands that together are known as the ABC Islands made up of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Visitors traveling to Aruba will want to make travel plans to fly into the Queen Beatrix International Airport which conveniently serves many nonstop and single-connection flights from the U.S. and around the globe daily. If you hold an American, Canadian, Caribbean, European, or South American passport, there’s a good chance you won’t need a visa to enter Aruba. However, you will need to make sure your passport is valid when you arrive, and that validity extends past your departure date too. Visitors will also need to fill out an Embarkation-Disembarkation card online before they travel to make the trip as smooth and seamless as possible.
Getting Around When You Arrive
Many first-time visitors to the stunning island of Aruba are surprised by its small dimensions. In total, Aruba measures no more than 21 miles long and 6 miles wide making for a charming stay with a ton of gorgeous scenery packed into an easy-to-navigate place. Still, renting a car is advisable when you want to make sure you have options to see everything you want to while you’re here. If you have plans to stay in one relatively localized area, renting a bike could be enough. However, if you want to head out and see ruins, visit the national park, or scope out all the best beaches, a car makes it simple to customize your stay and plans.
Seasonal Travel Expectations and Must-Know Local Facts
It’s common for those who haven’t been to Aruba before to wonder about what the best time of year is to head this way. Fortunately, Aruba enjoys beautiful weather all year long and sits outside of the hurricane belt, so you really can’t go wrong any month you have free time spare in the name of vacation fun. Aruba gets a ton of sunshine year-round, and the annual lineup of festivals is inviting in each season too. If you value a stay that comes with fewer crowds to contend with, you may want to consider heading this way in the fall when school is back in session and prices across the island tend to drop. The busiest time of year across Aruba is generally December to May when those looking to avoid the winter weather back home as well as summer traveling crews head to the island in pursuit of well-deserved fun.
Before you head this way, it’s good to have an idea of what to expect in terms of language, currency, driving standards, and outlets you’ll be using in your vacation rental too. To that end, Aruba’s official languages are Dutch and Papiamentu, but you’ll find that many residents also speak English. The Aruban florin is the currency used across the island and drivers will want to plan on sticking to the right side of the road. When you go to plug in your electronics or hair care items, keep in mind that electricity sits at 127 V with flat 2- and 3-prong outlets in place. If you’re traveling from the U.S., that means you won’t have to worry about swapping anything out ahead of time or investing in a converter or adapter. The time zone Aruba sits in is an hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and the “rainy” season in Aruba is typically considered the time between September and December.
The Best Beaches to Check Out When You’re Here
Oftentimes, the hardest part of planning a first-time trip to Aruba is narrowing down your list of everything you want to do once you arrive. For a small island, Aruba is brimming with inspiring options for fun and when you have a timeframe in mind, narrowing down the list can be tough. Above all, you’re going to want to make sure you set aside quality time for yourself and your traveling crew to enjoy Aruba’s beautiful beaches. The island is adorned with some of the world’s most pristine shorelines and taking time to enjoy them all is a must.
Places like Arikok Beach are refreshingly open and typically only have a few travelers visiting at a time, giving you room to roam, relax, take landscape photos, and watch the waves roll in with complete ease. Palm Beach is the place to be when you want to pair your time on the sand with easy access to high-energy fun and great nightlife options as well. Eagle Beach is one of Aruba’s most popular beaches as well as one of the most photographed and when you arrive, it won’t take long to see why. Over at Boca Grandi Beach, you’ll find yourself within easy reach of Aruba’s Pro Kite Surfing School where you can take a lesson before trying your skills out on the water. Even if you don’t want to try yourself, this is a great place to come and be a spectator on the sand as talented athletes put their moves on display. Mangel Halto Beach is a top Aruba destination among those who have a passion for snorkeling while Baby Beach is quiet, calm, and a picture-perfect place to land for an afternoon when your trip to Aruba is one you’re enjoying alongside the kids.
Wonderful Local Attractions
The fun only continues for your first-time visit to Aruba when you realize just how much there is to see and enjoy beyond the sand. If you’re someone who finds their Zen with hiking boots laced up and feet on the trails, a trek to the Hooiberg Volcano during your visit might end up being a highlight of your stay. This relatively small and dormant volcano is situated near the center of the island and is a great place to pair time in nature with some exercise. You’ll traverse 561 steps up to the top and be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding island when you reach your goal. Some hikers say that if the sky is clear enough, you might even be able to spot Venezuela in the distance.
For those who are looking forward to a trip to Aruba that includes encounters with amazing animals, you won’t be disappointed with what you find. Here, you can spend an afternoon at the local Donkey Sanctuary and get up close to animals once used for work that now thrive in this haven of rest and rehabilitation. If you’re looking to encounter wildlife under the sea, Aruba hosts many tour companies that provide submarine tours, diving expeditions, and snorkeling and boating excursions as well. If you take some time to explore Arikok National Park alongside a local guide, you’ll have a chance to keep your eyes open for wildlife along the way and pair those encounters with time getting up close to ancient ruins, checking out natural pools, and admiring the tropical flora.
Travelers with a passion for thrills will find what they’re looking for in Aruba as well because the island is loved for its many ATV and UTV tours to choose from. When you want to head off-road and see the island from a more rugged perspective, these tours take you to the backcountry in heart-pounding style. You can also choose to slow things down instead and soak up the sights at a comfortable clip by signing up for a horseback riding tour that takes you along the beaches and lagoons in good company.
For history buffs heading to Aruba, the island is a treasure trove of new and insightful experiences. A trip to the California Lighthouse puts you face-to-face with historic architecture while time strolling through Oranjestad is a testament to the island’s Dutch Colonial styles and hues. This is also where you’ll find many of the main museums to explore as well as the local trolley, which is a nice way to get around and take in the sights.
Can’t-Miss Restaurants
When cravings come calling during your time in Aruba, the options for satisfying your tastebuds are truly a delight. Head over to Bugaloe Beach Bar & Grill for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and you can enjoy a delicious dish in good company right on the water at the De Palm Pier! This eatery is loved for its regular live musical entertainment as well as great Happy Hour Specials throughout the week. Swing by on a Saturday night and you’ll find you can easily participate in their weekly karaoke experience too.
You’ll enjoy a welcoming and casual island dining experience over at West Deck which enjoys a place overlooking gorgeous Governor’s Bay. When you dine at West Deck, you won’t want to miss out on pairing their many menu options with one of their famous oversized house margaritas! It feels like the right choice when you look around to enjoy the beach décor that covers this eatery from floor to ceiling.
Moomba’s is the place to be when you want to dine in authentic island style during your Aruba stay. They offer patrons access to an all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet on weekends but no matter when you arrive, you’ll find fantastic grilled meats and freshly caught seafood at your fingertips. Happy Hour is on here daily from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm and when the sun goes down, you can look forward to music and dancing here as well.
Book a Vacation Rental That’s One-of-a-Kind
Your first trip to Aruba is sure to be unforgettable. Making sure it includes the luxury, comfort, and style standards you deserve too begins with booking a gorgeous and fully customized vacation rental through the team at Casiola Aruba. Whether you’re looking for a cozy abode by the sand or a sprawling retreat for the entire family with waterfront views, we have you covered. Browse our inviting options online, and when you find the home you love, reserve your place at just the touch of a button.
