The best time to visit Aruba is from mid-January through May. Those months mark the heart of Aruba’s dry season and the island’s long stretch of comfortably warm, sunny days.
The island lies in the far south of the Caribbean, below the hurricane belt, the region most affected by seasonal storms. While Aruba does have higher rainfall between October and early January, in general, thanks to its sunny climate and constant breezes, the island charms as a year-round destination.
In this article:
Visiting Aruba by Season
When is Rainy Season?
When is High Season?
When is Shoulder Season?
Visiting Aruba by Season
Palm Beach
Summer
From July through September, Aruba experiences its highest temperatures. July highs average 89℉ (31.6℃), with August and September highs averaging one degree more at 90℉ (32.2 ℃).
The reliable tradewinds mitigate the heat. Keep cool with snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming from some of Aruba’s best beaches.
In summer, rainfall averages are less than an inch per month. June tends to have the highest winds, a boon for kiteboarders and windsurfers.
Read: Best Caribbean Islands to Visit in September
Fall
Precipitation rises in the fall. October averages 2.4 inches (62mm) of rain, peaking in November with 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain and dropping again in December to 3.1 inches (80 mm).
ATV in Aruba
Winter
In winter, the best time to go to Aruba, high temperatures hover around 87℉ (31℃) and lows around 77℉ (25℃).
In terms of rainfall, January is one of the wetter months, although the dry season starts shortly after, with precipitation dropping to 0.79 inches (20mm) in February and 0.6 inches (15mm) in March, Aruba’s driest month.
If there’s a passing shower, it will give you a beach break just long enough to sit with a coffee or a co*cktail at a covered bar.
Take advantage of the winter’s temperate weather to explore areas away from the shore, such as the Ostrich Farm and the interior regions of Arikok National Park, a sweep of cacti and rock formations that Aruba is known for.
Spring
April, May, and June are also some of the best months to explore Aruba, with temperatures ranging from 79℉ (26.1℃ ) to 89℉ (31.6 ℃).
Even though the chance of rainfall increases to about five percent, the amount of precipitation remains low, hovering about 0.2 inches (5mm) each month. Some cacti bloom with red and yellow flowers in spring, adding to the island’s color.
Because of Aruba’s latitude, the island experiences constant trade winds, a phenomenon that makes for great windsurfing. June is the windiest month and the best time to take to the water.
When is Rainy Season?
Aruba’s wet season starts in September, peaks in November, and tapers off by early January.
Although most rain arrives in November, that month’s precipitation averages about 3.8 inches, much less than what you would experience on more northerly Caribbean islands.
Since Aruba’s rainfall tends to be in brief bursts instead of sustained downpours, showers won’t limit outdoor activities for long.
When is High Season?
High season, mid-December through mid-April, corresponds with visitors fleeing cold weather in North America and parts of Europe and with winter holidays, spring break weeks, and Easter.
High season does not correlate with pronounced changes in island weather, especially since Aruba’s month-to-month temperatures vary little during the year.
December’s rainfall averages 3.1 inches (80mm), high for the island, but not for the Caribbean. The same is true of January’s average rainfall of 1.9 inches (48 mm). February and March are much drier.
Aruba
When is Shoulder Season?
In Aruba, July and August constitute shoulder season. During those months, temperatures rise slightly, and winds decrease. Precipitation is less than in autumn.
When is Low Season?
Low season occurs from September through mid-December. Rainfall peaks in November and remains relatively high in December. The tradewinds calm down in September, October, and November, making the humidity feel more intense.
Discover Aruba’s aquamarine seas and white sandy beaches for yourself. Browse our cruises to Aruba and plan your escape with Celebrity Cruises.
Candyce H. Stapen is an award-winning travel journalist, author, and family travel expert. As USA TODAY’s travel editor/producer, Candyce launched the company’s digital travel sites. Her work appears in Frommers.com, the Washington Post, and is syndicated to millions of readers, Candyce lives in Washington, D.C., and travels with her family whenever she can.
