This post has no affiliate links (so click away, they are all here for your benefit). I did receive a small deduction in exchange for a review of the first airbnb, but all opinions are 100% my own.
I was planning to stay in a lovely $30/night AirBNB in Barbados for my February break, but I couldn’t find a great flight. So I decided to try a new island, and here’s what we found in Aruba. The hotels on the island were quite pricey, but there were hostel options as well. After discussing where to stay in Aruba, my friend and I decided to use AirBNB. She has used it several times in the past, and I recently used it in and had a wonderful experience. We wanted to see as much of the island as possible during our six days, so we chose two separate apartments in different regions.
Where to Stay in Aruba: AirBNB
The first AirBNB we stayed in was a beautiful and well decorated spacious studio apartment near Palm Beach. One of our biggest questions when reading reviews was “Do we need a car if we stay here?” The reviews went back and forth from “Easy walk to the beach” to “Must have a car!” I researched taxi prices, and given that we are New Yorkers, we decided to go for it! To be honest, we never walked to the beach, or even across the main highway. We took taxis everywhere, but it was fairly cheap and easy!
We loved this spacious studio apartment, even though we didn’t spend much time here. Our bed was comfy and the kitchen was convenient for storing leftovers. We we were able to get some work done while sitting in the living room or outside in the yard. There were several restaurants located just across the highway too! The famous Palm and Eagle Beaches were nearby too!
The secondairbnb apartment we stayed in was located in downtown Oranjestad. We were walking distance to a small beach, about a mile from a large beach (but an easy walk), and close to several wonderful restaurants and shops. We were also in the heart of the parade route for Carnaval! The actual room was quite tiny, but it offered a private bathroom and air conditioning and was a very affordable $69/night. There were places to sit outside in the common areas and beach towels and chairs were provided by the host Sharon. This was also a complex of about 5-6 small apartments. Many of the others had kitchens, but the one we rented did not. It would be great for a large family or a large group of friends. The walls are a bit thin, but it was generally quiet in the area except on the weekend.
Where to Stay in Aruba: Hotels
Rates vary during high and low season, but rooms for May are as low as $186 USD.
While we did not stay in any hotels on the island, we did visit a few for tours and dining options. They were all quite beautiful so I wanted to share a little information about them for those who prefer hotel stays when traveling.
Aruba Renaissance Resort and Casino
This resort is one of the few in Downtown Oranjestad, near the cruise ship port. It has a small private beach and paying guests can visit their private island. A small boat picks up guests in the hotel lobby and carries passenger to the island, about ten minutes away.
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
Rates vary during high and low season, but rooms for May are as low as $440 USD. These rooms are nearly $800/night during peak season though.
We stopped in this hotel for lunch one day while we were waiting to check into our airbnb. We just ordered burgers and fries and they made for the perfect lunch. I’d avoid the grouper sandwich if you end up here.
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino
Rates vary during high and low season, but rooms for May are as low as $309 USD.
We visited the Hyatt when we took our sailing and snorkeling trip with Delphin WaterSports. Our taxi driver mentioned that it had one of the most beautiful grounds of all of the hotels on the island. So if you find yourself here, be sure to wander around. We also picked up a few essentials in the hotel gift shop.
If you’re considering a trip to Aruba, you can’t go wrong with any of these airbnb or hotel options!
FAQs
If you're hoping to find a more “local” vibe on your trip, then the southeastern half of Aruba is the spot for you. The beaches in this half are much more rugged and feature caves, dunes, and volcanic hills. Travelers looking to avoid other tourists might want to get a hotel in Savaneta on the southern coast.
Where should I stay in Aruba for the first time? ›
The best area to stay in Aruba for budget travelers is Oranjestad. This is the capital city of Aruba and offers a range of affordable hotel options, including guesthouses and budget hotels.
Is it cheaper to book Airbnb or hotel? ›
Airbnbs are usually cheaper than hotels for longer stays and large groups, but they don't offer the same services. Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020.
What is the most popular location in Aruba? ›
14 Best Places to Visit in Aruba
- Eagle Beach. ...
- San Nicolas. ...
- De Palm Island. ...
- Aruba Aloe. ...
- Mangel Halto. ...
- SS Antilla Shipwreck. ...
- The Donkey Sanctuary. ...
- Bushiribana Ruins.
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.
What is the best month to go to Aruba? ›
The best time to visit Aruba is from April to August – a huge window of time when the island's high prices take a holiday.
How many days is enough for Aruba? ›
How Many Days Do You Need in Aruba? You will want to spend at least 4-7 days in Aruba. Aruba is more than just beaches. I found seven days, including travel time, to be the right amount of time to explore Aruba.
Do you need a car to get around Aruba? ›
The best way to get around Aruba is by public transportation. The bus system is an easy way to hop around the main tourism areas of Aruba (Palm Beach, Eagle Beach and downtown Oranjestad), though the routes do not service the airport. Fixed-rate Aruban cabs are another hassle-free way of getting around.
What month is the cheapest to go to Aruba? ›
Good to know
| Low season | September |
|---|
| High season | April |
| Cheapest flight | $112 |
Airbnb
| Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Airbnbs are generally cheaper than hotel rooms (based on nightly rates) | The quality of each listing can be inconsistent |
| Guests can experience living like a local and sometimes have the option of getting to know the host | Little to no guest services available |
1 more rowNov 28, 2023
In many cases, prospective consumers find that Airbnb offers a less expensive alternative to many hotels. An average hotel room offers consumers a bed, bathroom, and closet with varying levels of comfort. Alternatively, an average apartment offers the same luxuries plus a kitchen and a larger living space.
Is Vrbo or Airbnb less expensive? ›
Vrbo takes a lower portion than Airbnb, which tends to result in costs being a bit better on Vrbo, although there are no guarantees. Both platforms allow hosts to set their nightly rate, cleaning cost, and pet fee. As when staying at a hotel, occupancy taxes are added to the nightly price on both platforms.
What part of Aruba has the best beaches? ›
Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are the most raved about beaches on the island, with fine accommodations along their shores. The long, uninterrupted miles of sand are the main attraction for both visitors and developers.
Is it walkable in Aruba? ›
Aruba's beautiful weather and mostly flat terrain, makes walking and hiking a pleasure for everyone. If you're looking to experience Aruba's monuments up close, a walking tour is the best way to do it.
What city should I go to in Aruba? ›
Oranjestad is the capital city of Aruba and home to colorful buildings, plenty of landmarks, shops, cultural centers, and vibrant parks. The city is located by the harbor, so you can shop a variety of stores set up by the water and offering luxury items, local handicrafts, and dazzling jewelry.
What is the difference between Palm Beach and Eagle Beach in Aruba? ›
<BR><BR>Very different personalities, however. <BR><BR>Eagle Beach is very wide and, compared to Palm, secluded. The "low-rise" resorts such as the Bucuti are located on Eagle Beach. <BR><BR>Palm Beach has all the high-rise resorts (Radisson, Hyatt, Marriott, etc), so it's very busy with activity and people.
Where not to swim in Aruba? ›
Do not swim on the North side of the Island!! When you go to Aruba you should go see the Natural Bridge but don't go past your ankles in the water. My husband got the smart idea to go swimming there and said it was great. Somehow he convinced me, my sister and cousin to go out in the water too.
