The Caribbean Island of Aruba is known as ‘One Happy Island’ which, with its natural beauty, wonderful weather, and friendly locals it’s not surprising.
Aruba is famous for its beaches with soft white sand, tranquil blue sea, and perfect breezes making them some of the best in the Caribbean. Whether you’re seeking out Flamingo Beach, the buzz of Eagle Beach and Palm Beach, or one of the many lesser-known beaches in northern Aruba, the perfect beach is here for you. The clear water that surrounds the island is perfect for snorkelling and wreck diving. You can dip your feet into the clear waters and look for schools of fish swarming around your ankles or see more neon-coloured fish and reefs in a kaleidoscope of hues, by signing up for scuba diving excursions with a local operator.
Stroll barefoot along the pristine sands admiring the views of the surf. As you stroll, watch for red and white barriers protecting turtle nests on the shore. Leatherback, loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles all nest on this beach between March and September. Stick around until sunset and you might even get the chance to see a hatchling embarking on the difficult journey from the nest to the ocean.
Aruba’s climate happens to make beachgoing particularly pleasant as well. Those near-constant trade winds we told you about mean that you never get too hot and sweaty, even when the temps reach 80 degrees. The island is a mere 866 miles from the equator and while these cooling winds can feel blissful on the beach, they can also hide exactly how much heat you’re soaking in from the sun. The sun is strong, so be sure to bring plenty of eco-friendly sunscreen with a higher SPF, plus light cover-ups like a sarong or thin long-sleeved shirt, sunglasses, and a hat for optimum protection.
Don’t miss the divi-divi trees found on the beach. These often-photographed trees are gnarled and twisted from the island’s prevailing trade winds and lean dramatically toward the sea. You may have already seen them as they often appear in tourism marketing campaigns for the island.
You’ll also find several big Aruba beach resorts and boutique hotels positioned right on the sand where, when you’ve had your fill of sun and sea, you can call into for a cooling refreshment. Many visitors to Aruba decide to stay at hotels on the beach as these resorts often have a great selection of seafront rooms, allowing you to walk onto your balcony and feel the fresh Caribbean Sea breeze.
However, if you choose not to stay at an Aruba beach resort, the beaches are easy to get to using public transport or by hiring a car. As they are open to the public, you can visit any beach on the island. The bus system is reliable on the island, with a major line running up and down the main beaches. All taxis are government-regulated and it’s fairly easy to flag down a taxi, especially in popular tourist areas. If you don’t mind the exercise, it’s also possible to walk in Aruba. For example, you can walk the entire length of Palm Beach in about 20 minutes—just be sure to cover yourself from the sun, wear comfy shoes, and carry water.
If you’re looking for Flamingo Beach in Aruba, you’ll need to head offshore, as it’s part of the Renaissance Aruba Casino & Resort‘s private island. If you’re a guest at the resort, visiting Flamingo Beach is free. However, if you’re not staying at the resort, you’ll only be able to see Flamingo Beach if the resort has lower-than-normal occupancy and you’re willing to shell out a hefty price per-person. So, if you want a guaranteed date with the flamingos of Flamingo Beach, book a stay at the Renaissance Aruba.
Activities
We have already mentioned diving and windsurfing but there are many other activities you can try in Aruba. These include kayaking through the mangroves, trying your hand at deep-sea fishing, swimming in the rock pools, or hopping in a jeep for a bumpy off-roading adventure through the gorgeous Arikok National Park.
Other ways to see the island include horseback riding along the coast, taking a walking tour of Oranjestad’s renovated monument homes, and visiting local rum shops. Check out the local crafts at Cosecha or head over to Zeerover’s, located in the quiet mostly locals-only area of Savaneta. Here, you can dine on simple plates of fried fish while watching fisherman bring in the catch off the back docks.
As you venture around the island, you’re bound to come across wildlife on a daily basis with all of the iguanas, small lizards, goats, colourful birds, and wild donkeys hanging around. There are also plenty of venues to visit to meet and hang out with animals, such as the Donkey Sanctuary, The Butterfly Farm, Ostrich Farm, and Philip’s Animal Garden!
For such a tiny Caribbean Island, Aruba has a highly sophisticated culinary scene. It’s an interesting kaleidoscope of international cuisine influenced by over 90 nationalities and cultures. You can find it served in the over 200 fine dining restaurants, countless cafes and snack spots across the island.
Safety
Year after year, Aruba consistently ranks as one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean, with low rates of both violent and petty crime. Of course, you should exercise common sense and guard yourself against problems that plague tourists anywhere (theft of valuables and the like).
While some tropical destinations may have you questioning whether it’s safe to drink the water, Aruba has some of the cleanest water in the world. Travelers can safely leave the bottled water and purifying pills at home. Instead, opt for a refillable bottle and fill it up from the tap in your room to help keep this island free of more single-use plastics.
When is the best time to visit Aruba?
You could almost head here at any time of year and find nearly perfect weather.
January to March is peak season, with warm temperatures and clear skies, though you’ll pay far more for your hotel when you visit at this time of year.
Whilst you may see a few stray showers here and there, April to September is a great time to visit, and sees far cheaper hotel rates than peak season. Since the island sits well outside the hurricane belt, there's very little threat of tropical storms at this time.
You can also find discounts if you travel in the early Autumn. However, October through to December bring the highest amount of rain, so if you’re hoping for the sunniest skies possible, avoid this time of year.
Whenever you visit, keep in mind Aruba is prone to high trade winds, which makes for a great experience for windsurfers.
Language
While Papiamento, a Creole language rooted in Dutch, English, Spanish, African, Portuguese, and French (among a few other languages), is the official mother tongue of Aruba, you don’t need to learn it as English is widely spoken, especially in tourist resorts.
To create your perfect Aruba holiday, get in touch! gill.nicholls@travelcounsellors.com
