Aruba, a small Caribbean island 29 km north of Venezuela, is a part of the ABC islands - Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, which form the Dutch Caribbean and is a part of the Netherlands. It is famous for its white-sand beaches.

Where to stay

Aruba Downtown is very far from the impressive beaches in the northwest. Choose a hotel/resort/Airbnb near the world-famous Eagle Beach or Palm beach. Public transport consists of a bus that takes 5.2 US$ on a single ride and runs almost once an hour. Taxis, just like everything else, on the island, are expensive.

A scenic landscape with a rocky shore and clear blue water, capturing the natural beauty of Aruba

Things to do

  1. Island tour - on a Jeep or a UTV. We did the Jeep Safari tour , whose highlights were an animal garden, Arikok national park, and the natural pool.

    Jeep Tour
    A jeep navigates rugged terrain during an off-road tour, surrounded by rocky landscape and sparse vegetation under a clear sky.
    A tall lighthouse stands by the sea, surrounded by rugged rocks, under a clear blue sky.
    A lighthouse stands tall against a clear blue sky, surrounded by rugged terrain and minimal vegetation, evoking a sense of isolation and strength.

  2. Animal Garden - we did this as a part of Safari, but if you are not doing that, it is worth checking out the animal farm on its own.

    Two figures showing an animal farm, featuring diverse livestock grazing in open fields, surrounded by fences and natural vegetation.
    Animal Farm
    A serene underwater scene depicts a scuba diver exploring a reef at Mangel Halto beach, surrounded by vibrant marine life and colorful coral formations.

  3. Scuba Diving - Mangel Halto beach is famous for Scuba diving. It has both rich flora & fauna and a shipwreck.Scuba

    A scuba diver swims near a vibrant coral reef, surrounded by diverse marine life and a shipwreck. The area is labeled 'ba diving' and features rich flora and fauna.

    Scuba

  4. De Palm Island - I didn’t do this experience since I was going Scuba. But if you aren’t, then this could be an excellent half-day trip.

  5. Butterfly Garden - I skipped it since I was going to the animal farm. But if you aren’t, then this might be an excellent short trip for a few hours.

Notes

  1. Given its location, the island is hot year-round. The island is semi-arid due to the low rainfall.
  2. Sunlight is strong in Aruba, so do carry a hat, sunscreen, and skin creams to keep yourself safe. Everything is imported and expensive.
  3. Aruba is more famous among American tourists, while Europeans usually go to Curaçao.
  4. Tap water is potable (drinkable) everywhere, thanks to the massive investments in desalination plants.
  5. English is widely spoken. English + Spanish would give you 100% coverage, though.