7 Fun Things to Do in Aruba
From gorgeous beaches and geological wonders, to delightful dining and electric nightlife, this Caribbean island lives up to its nickname ‘One Happy Island’
Aruba’s moniker is “One happy island,” and this 20-mile-long country in the Southern Caribbean lives up to that promise with its sunny skies, pastel-colored buildings, turquoise waters, sugary sand beaches and spirited multicultural community.
Colonized by the Spanish and later the Dutch, present-day Aruba remains part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands but is self-governing. Dutch and Papiamento (a Portuguese-based Creole dialect) are the official languages, but English and Spanish are widely spoken. Its population represents some 100 nationalities—including those from Asia, Europe, South America and Africa—all influencing the island’s culture.
The most popular time to visit Aruba is during its dry season from December through April, when the weather is just about perfect. Aruban Carnival season is in high gear in January and February with celebrations and parades. In the offseason between May and November, hotel rates are cheaper, and while it’s possible to encounter rain, Aruba is rarely in the path of hurricanes.
Whenever you go, Aruba offers plentiful ways to relax and see the sights. Here are seven must-do’s while you’re on the island.
1. Explore Popular Beaches
About a five-minute drive from Aruba’s capital, Oranjestad, Eagle Beach—the widest on the island and named #2 in the Caribbean in the 2024 TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards—is backed by low-rise hotels and condos. Great for swimming, the beach also offers designated areas for personal watercraft such as WaveRunners and Jet Skis. The iconic fofoti trees, their trunks twisted by the ever-present trade winds, make for great photo ops.
With calm, shallow waters, Baby Beach in San Nicolas feels more like a lagoon, making it ideal for families with young children. At the designated snorkeling area, it’s possible to see coral and tropical fish. Snorkelers also enjoy Mangel Halto Beach, where you can walk to the edge of a reef rich in marine life.
The major resort area on the island, dotted with high-rise hotels and all-inclusive resorts, is fronted by Palm Beach, a two-mile-long sandy strip with a closed-off swimming area. Most of the island’s sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving trips depart from here as well.
2. Ascend a Historic Lighthouse
Climb the 117 steps of the narrow spiral staircase in the California Lighthouse for 360-degree views of Aruba, including the large and rolling Sasarawichi Dunes, also known as the California Dunes. Situated along Aruba’s northwestern tip, the early 20th-century lighthouse was named after a steamship that shipwrecked here in 1891.
3. Tour Murals in San Nicolas
Once an oil refinery center, the city of San Nicolas has been transformed into Aruba’s cultural capital, thanks to more than 80 murals by local and international artists. Long-standing highlights include a vibrantly hued one designed by Armando Goedgedrag that features birds, plants and fish.
While you can take a self-guided tour of the murals, guided walking tours delve into the stories of the artists and their works.
4. Be Awed by Nature in Parke Nacional Arikok
Aruba is home to more than 400 species of flora and fauna, including over 270 bird species. You can see many of them in this park, which incorporates close to 20 percent of Aruba’s natural terrain and includes several geological wonders. Start by exploring the Conchi, a natural pool accessed by a steep, rocky pathway. The Quadirikiri Cave’s two large chambers draw in sunlight through a hole in the roof; you’ll marvel at hundreds of resident bats. The Fontein Cave contains 1,000-year-old wall etchings by the Caquetío people, a tribe of Arawak Indians who arrived here from Venezuela as the island’s first inhabitants.
Tour companies offer a variety of excursions, and park rangers lead hikes from easy to challenging through diverse terrain.
5. Savor Local Wine and Spirits
Aruba’s sole winery and its four distilleries host tours and tastings.
At Alto Vista Winery, named for Aruba’s Alto Vista Chapel, begin with a guided tour of the vineyard to learn about the winery’s methods and varietals and Aruba’s arid climate. Afterward, make your way to the tasting room to sample four wines paired with a charcuterie board. You can also learn about and taste rum and cocktails made by sister operation Red Star Rum Distillery, whose name is inspired by the red star on Aruba’s national flag.
Pepe Margo Distillery, in Oranjestad, is located in the former home of Catarina Margarita (Margo) Arends, a beloved public figure who was affectionately called “Pepe Margo.” Using a custom-built copper still, this craft distillery produces gin and rum.
Other distilleries include Bodegas Papiamento in Oranjestad, which makes award-winning rums and vodkas, and Aruba Red Anchor Spirits, a small-batch producer in Noord.
6. Marvel at Rock Formations
Aruba has two major rock formations worth a visit. The towering stone boulders that make up the Ayo Rock Formations, which sit in the village of Ayo within the Santa Cruz district, were once considered a sacred site by the island’s original inhabitants. Rock drawings by the Caquetíos found here date back thousands of years.
Within the district of Paradera, about a five-minute drive away, the Casibari Rock Formations are a cluster of boulders of tonalite, an igneous rock that contains quartz, with their coarse-grain texture acquiring subtle glints from the sunlight. Take the trails and steps through the boulders for more great views of the island.
7. Sample the Island Nightlife
As the resort center of the island, Palm Beach is also the island’s nightlife hotspot, full of hotel casinos, lounges and nightclubs. If you’re looking for something more low-key, head to Oranjestad for a drink at a cocktail bar or outdoor cafe.
Dining in Aruba encompasses a melting pot of culinary influences from Dutch, Spanish, Asian, South American and African cultures. The ambience is just as varied, with street food, casual dining and high-end establishments to choose from.
Whether you’re partaking in on-the-water activities, embracing local culture or relaxing on the sand, it’s easy to find your happy place in Aruba.
Picturesque Properties
These AAA Four Diamond properties all front Palm Beach, and you’ll save on the lodging rate using your AAA discount.
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino offers not only a family pool but also H20asis, an adults-only pool. The pop-up Atardi restaurant schedules beachside dining.
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino has adults-only and activity pools, beachfront bars and restaurants, and the romantic Ruinas del Mar, named Aruba’s Best Hotel Restaurant in the 2024 World Culinary Awards.
Ritz-Carlton, Aruba shines with island-inspired rooms, five dining options, a spa and a 24-hour casino. All suites have private balconies with ocean views.