Antisocial Tourist (2024)

15 Tips for Aruba

Some of the things on this list are geared toward travelers coming from the US, but most of these tips will be useful no matter where you’re coming from. These are our best tips for Aruba, and things you should know before booking your trip.

1. The US Dollar is Widely Accepted in Aruba

Aruba’s currency is referred to as florin, but the US dollar is accepted everywhere. Just be aware that you might receive change in florin. Many shops and restaurants also post their prices in US dollars, so be sure to ask if it’s unclear. You should also download a conversion app on your phone before your trip.

When we first started visiting Aruba, we always received the local currency in change when spending US dollars. In more recent years though, we’ve been receiving more and more change in US dollars. On our last two visits, we didn’t see a single florin!

Credit cards are also widely accepted in Aruba. Visa and Mastercard are accepted nearly everywhere, but American Express and Discover can be hit-or-miss.

2. Most Arubans Speak English

Many first-time visitors wonder if English is commonly spoken in Aruba, and the answer is yes! English is widely spoken in Aruba and is one of the official languages of the island. In fact, most Arubans speak the native language of Papiamento, as well as Dutch, Spanish, French, and English!

No matter where you’re coming from, you’ll likely have no language barriers during your visit. On our very first trip to Aruba, we made friends with some of the locals, and we remain friends to this day. Communication was never an issue. We find it inspiring that they are fluent in so many languages, and it’s encouraged us to learn another language as well.

3. You Should Absolutely Rent a Car in Aruba

If you take away anything at all from our tips for Aruba, let it be the decision to rent a car! Renting a car in Aruba is a no-brainer! Aruba’s car rentals are incredibly affordable compared to most other places. Renting a car will only be slightly more than using taxi transportation during your trip, and the extra cost is 100 percent worth it! Aruba is small but it’s spread out enough that you really need a car to see it all.

Aruba is a very drivable island. With the exception of a few roundabouts, the roads are straight, smooth, and well-marked. They also drive on the right side of the road, like in the US. The best part about driving in Aruba is that all the parking is free (almost)! There are some paid parking lots near the cruise terminal and near the high-rise shopping areas, but other than that, you can expect free parking everywhere you go.

4. Don’t Buy Bottled Water in Aruba

This is one of our favorite tips — drink Aruba’s tap water! Seriously, it will be the best water you’ve ever had in your life. And we’re not suggesting this to save money, or to use less plastic (although that’s a bonus). We’re suggesting it because the water is phenomenal and drinking it is part of the island experience.

Aruba doesn’t have fresh water, so they take the ocean water and purify it through a saltwater desalination plant located right on the island. Their water actually exceeds the highest quality standards possible set by the World Health Organization. They’ve also consistently ranked as having some of the best-tasting water on the planet by multiple sources.

So resist the urge to buy bottled water when you arrive in Aruba! Just fill a pitcher or some empty bottles with tap water and keep it in the fridge at your hotel. Trust us.

5. All Aruba Beaches Are Free to Visit

Aruba is a true paradise for beach lovers, and the best part is that all the beaches are free to visit! Even the parking is free! This makes Aruba the perfect destination for beach hopping. The only two exceptions are the private Renaissance Island Beach (Flamingo Beach) and De Palm Island (a waterpark).

Because all of Aruba’s beaches are public, so are the palapas (beach huts) located on each beach. Every palapa on the island is first-come-first-served. Some resorts have built their own style beach huts that look similar to the free palapas though, so if you’re near a big resort, be sure you’re not using one of their own huts. Many of the popular beaches also have cabanas and traditional beach umbrellas that can be rented for a fee.

6. Aruba Has Perfect Weather Year Round

As if the delicious water, pristine beaches, and free parking all over the island aren’t enough, Aruba also has perfect 82-degree weather year-round! This is a big part of why it’s the most revisited island in all of the Caribbean.

Aruba sits outside of the hurricane belt, so the tropical storms that are prevalent in the Caribbean don’t affect the island. Of course, there can still be tropical storms that pass through, but they are not common. Of the 75+ days we’ve spent in Aruba, all spread out over different times of the year, we’ve only seen rain one time (and it was brief).

7. Expect Strong Wind and Sun in Aruba

Aruba has strong trades winds that consistently blow across the island creating a cooling effect. The island also sits near the equator, where the sun is the strongest. This means that the sun will be wreaking havoc on your skin, and you won’t even realize it (until it’s too late) because of the cool winds. We cannot stress enough how important it is to wear sunscreen in Aruba!

Aruba is also known for epic kiteboarding, windsurfing, and sailing, thanks to the constant trade winds. You’ll find kitesurfing schools all around the island, and it even holds an annual Aruba Hi-Winds Tournament right on Hadicurari Beach.

8. Aruba is One of the Safest Islands in the Caribbean

Aruba is actually one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. They have a very low crime rate, strict laws, and a strong (but not scary) police presence. We’ve never felt unsafe for a moment on the island, even when we are out late at night, and we’ve never experienced any theft.

That said, you still need to be smart, just like you would anywhere else in the world. We always keep an eye on our belongings when we’re in the water, and if we’re in a place where we can’t watch our stuff, we leave it in the trunk of our car.

9. Aruba Uses the Same Electrical Outlets as the United States

If you’re coming from the US, you won’t need a power adaptor when visiting Aruba. Aruba uses the same 120 V outlets as the United States. You can power your phone, laptop, and other electronics just like you would at home.

If you’re from a country other than the US though, you may need a power adaptor and possibly a converter. We recommend this universal power adaptor. And if you’re bringing along high-end hair tools, we recommend this power convertor.

10. You Won’t Flush Toilet Paper in Aruba

Okay, this is not entirely true. You can flush toilet paper at many places throughout Aruba, especially in tourist areas and larger towns. But you should know that not flushing toilet paper is common in many of the off-the-beaten-path places on the island.

Aruba’s plumbing system is antiquated and much of the island just can’t break down toilet paper quickly enough to pass through the plumbing pipes. If you do find yourself in a place where you shouldn’t flush toilet paper, you may see a sign posted asking you to use the bin, and you’ll find a small bin next to the toilet. These bins are cleaned daily.

11. Your Showers May be Cold in Aruba

Aruba has a few unique features, and one is its plumbing. Aruba’s water pipes are all above ground, and the water is heated by the sun. This means that the water is really hot during the day and really cold at night.

Since most of us shower first thing in the morning, the water may be cold, since it’s had all night to cool down. But for those who try and shower during the middle of the day, you may find your shower to be scolding hot! Consider this when brushing your teeth or getting a drink of water from the faucet, as well. It’s not a bad idea to keep a pitcher of water in the fridge at all times.

This is not the case everywhere on the island though. Many homes in Noord, and most of the popular hotels in the tourist areas, have traditional hot and cold water controls. But if you’re staying off the beaten path as we do, you might want to consider showering before bed, instead of in the morning.

12. You Need a Guide to Enter Aruba’s National Park on an ATV

During our first few visits to Aruba, we rented ATVs from Around Aruba Tours and spent days exploring the Arikok National Park on our own! It was amazing! Then on our fourth trip to the island, we got turned away at the park entrance for being on ATVs without a local guide. We couldn’t believe it.

Sometime in 2020, with no warning for tourists, the park placed a ban on ATVs. The only exception is if you’re on a guided tour. These new rules were put in place to protect the delicate park, because of some unfortunate and disrespectful actions from previous tourists.

Anyone can still visit the park in a regular vehicle, so we suggest renting a jeep if you want to explore the park on your own. Jeep rentals are more expensive than standard cars at most car rental companies, so consider renting one for just a single day if it’s over your budget. A jeep is the best way to tackle the rocky terrain of the Arikok National Park without an ATV.

13. Aruba’s Flamingos Are on a Private Island

You’ve probably heard that Aruba is home to some beautiful pink flamingos that hang out along the shore. This is true — but what many first-time visitors don’t realize is that they’re found on a small private island owned by the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort.

To get to the island, you’ll need to be a guest of the hotel or purchase a Day Pass for $125. You can only purchase a day pass one day before your visit though, and they sell out really quickly. They go on sale at 7 am daily and sell out within seconds. You’ll need quite a bit of luck to score a day pass, so if it’s within your budget, consider staying at the hotel instead.

14. You Shouldn’t Do an All-Inclusive Hotel in Aruba

Are you ready for one of our best tips for Aruba? Do not do an all-inclusive hotel! If you’re dead set on doing an all-inclusive resort, just skip this tip, because we’re going to try to talk you out of it.

There are so many amazing restaurants in Aruba that we just can’t agree with eating all our meals at one resort. In fact, we have so many favorite restaurants in Aruba, that we have a hard time fitting them all in when we visit!

Aruba is known for its fresh and flavorful dishes. Some of our favorite restaurants are Red Fish, West Deck, and The Local Store to name a few. Even breakfast is to die for in Aruba. Dutch pancakes from Linda’s Dutch Pancakes and poffertjes from the Poffertjes Food Cart in Palm Beach are both a must.

15. Americans Will Pass Through US Customs in Aruba

If you’re an American tourist traveling back to the States, you’ll pass through US Customs right at Aruba’s airport. This means it will take a bit longer to get to your departure gate but you won’t have to go through customs during a connection on your journey home.

Personally, we love this. It’s always nerve-wracking when trying to make a tight connection after an international trip since you never know how long the Customs lines will be. Getting it done before you even get on the plane is a much easier option because you’re in control of when you arrive.

Aruba’s airport can be really busy though, especially on the weekends. We highly recommend getting there 3 hours early (yes, we’re serious), and even 4 hours early if you’re flying on a Saturday. You should expect to wait in several lines for long periods at a time. The airport does offer VIP Departure Assistance to expedite the process, which we think is worth every penny.

Once you are checked in and get past security, you will find yourself in a big hall with shops and restaurants, with signs directing you to different gates. Do not be fooled if you’re an American — you will need to follow the signs for Customs and go through another bag search. Your gate will be on the other side of Customs.

Bonus Tip: Read About Our Favorite Things To Do in Aruba

If you’ve made it through all of our tips for Aruba, we’re guessing you’re seriously considering booking a trip. Like we said in the beginning, we’ve been to Aruba eight times in just the past few years, so we consider ourselves to be a great source for anyone planning a trip there.

Be sure to read our list of Things To Do in Aruba to get some great ideas on activities and adventures you can have on the island. We’ve personally done everything on the list and we’re excited to share these ideas with other travelers.

If you’re looking for even more tours and experiences for your trip to Aruba, check out some of these popular choices below.

Other Aruba Tours

• Full-Day Island Jeep Safari Tour
• 4-Course Dinner Cruise
• Atlantis Submarine Expedition
• De Palm Island Day Trip
• Catamaran Cruise and Snorkeling Adventure
• Diving Course for Non-Certified Divers

Other Aruba Experiences

• Flying Dress Photo Session
• Floating Massage Session
• Picnic on the Beach
• CharcuterieBox on the Beach
• Dine With Your Feet in the Water at Flying Fishbone

When to Visit Aruba

As mentioned in Tip # 6, Aruba has perfect 82-degree weather year-round! It also sits outside of the hurricane belt, so you can visit Aruba any time of the year without fear of a canceled flight or ruined vacation due to a hurricane.

There is no rainy season in Aruba, although rain chances do increase from late October to early January. The rain showers are typically hard downpours that end quickly. More often than not they happen overnight.

Aruba’s high season is from December to April when many visitors are trying to escape from the cold. Hotel prices are typically higher during these months. You’re more likely to find hotel discounts during the low season from May to November, although we’ve found hotel prices to be pretty consistent year-round.

Where to Stay in Aruba

There are tons of great places to stay in Aruba! We’ve stayed all over the island — in the high-rise area, the low-rise area, inland, and off the beaten path. Aruba is so easy to navigate and has so many beaches and things to do, that you really can’t go wrong no matter where you stay.

OUR TOP HOTEL PICKS IN ARUBA

📍Costa Esmeralda Village(Our Top Pick!)
Best Boutique Option
Costa Esmeralda is currently our favorite place to stay on the island. The property is gated with two nice pools surrounded by lush green gardens. The rooms are large and well-appointed, and the location is perfect and close to everything.

📍Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort
Best Luxury Option
This waterfront property sits right in the heart of Oranjestad. It’s split into two distinct properties — an adult-only hotel right next to the cruise terminal, and a family-friendly oceanfront hotel across the street. Both properties offer several restaurants, shopping areas, and three pools. Guests of this hotel have unlimited access to the private Renaissance Island where the famous flamingos live.

📍Coral Reef Beach Aruba
Best Off-The-Beaten-Path Option
Coral Reef is such a hidden gem! Their boutique-style apartments sit right on the water, and they’re located right next to the famous Flying Fishbone restaurant. We’ve stayed at Coral Reef five times over the past few years, and it really holds a special place in our hearts. If you choose to stay here, you will need a car to get around the island.

How to Get Around in Aruba

As we said in Tip #3, we highly recommend renting a car when visiting Aruba. It can be intimidating to drive in some foreign countries, but fortunately, Aruba isnotone of them! There are no major highways and no confusing signage, and they drive on the right side of the road, like in the U.S.

While planning our very first trip to Aruba back in 2017 we found a car rental company calledCarVenience, which came highly recommended. To this day,CarVenienceis the only car rental company we’ve used in Aruba. They’re very reliable, insanely affordable, and they have the sweetest staff. Their office is located a few minutes from the airport, but a driver will be waiting for you to arrive to shuttle you over there.

If you do rent a car, your car rental company will provide you with a map of the island, which shows the basic street signs and what each one means. The speed limit will be posted in kilometers, but your car’s speedometer will also be in kilometers, so just match the posted speed.

Final Thoughts: Tips for Aruba

We really hope you enjoyed our 15 Expert Tips for Aruba! If you take anything away from this post, let it be that you should absolutely rent a car while you’re in Aruba, and you should not stay at an all-inclusive resort. Aruba has way too much to offer to stay in one spot!

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