Aruba

Written By Alex Hall

Aruba is the easy Caribbean island: dry, sunny, breezy and outside the hurricane belt. I have been twice, first in 2015, and both times I stayed at the Renaissance Aruba in Oranjestad, which has its own private island with flamingos walking the beach.

What I did

  • Visited Aruba twice, the first time in 2015.

  • Stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Resort both times.

  • Spent beach days on Renaissance Island, the resort's private island, where the flamingos walk right up to you on Flamingo Beach.

  • Took the resort's water taxi straight from the hotel lobby out to the island.

My experience

Aruba is pure relaxation. Waking up, taking a boat from the lobby to a private island and lying on the sand next to flamingos never gets old. It is safe, easy and reliably sunny, which is why I went back. I would recommend it for a couple's trip, a reset or anyone who wants a beach vacation with zero stress.

Where to stay

  • Renaissance Aruba, Oranjestad: where I stayed both times. Downtown on the marina, with access to Renaissance Island and its flamingo beach. Flamingo Beach is reserved for adults staying at the resort, and day passes are very limited.

  • Palm Beach: the high-rise resort strip with calm water, restaurants and nightlife.

  • Eagle Beach: wide, quieter white sand and the famous fofoti trees.

Where I stayed

  • Renaissance Aruba Resort, Oranjestad: 8.9/10 on Booking.com. Where I stayed both times. The private island with flamingos is the reason to book.

Getting there and around

  • Flights: Queen Beatrix International Airport is about 10 minutes from Oranjestad, with direct flights from many US cities. You clear US preclearance on the way home.

  • Getting around: taxis have fixed fares, the Arubus public bus runs along the coast, and renting a car or jeep is the best way to explore the wild north and Arikok National Park.

What to eat

  • Fresh catch of the day, especially wahoo and red snapper.

  • Keshi yena, a baked cheese dish filled with spiced meat.

  • Pastechi, fried pastries filled with cheese, meat or fish, for breakfast.

  • Pan bati, a sweet cornmeal pancake served on the side.

What to drink

  • Cocktails: the Aruba Ariba, the island's signature rum and vodka punch, and a Balashi Chill at sunset.

  • Beer: Balashi, the local brew.

  • Spirits: Coecoei, a red local liqueur made from agave.

  • Water: Aruba's desalinated tap water is some of the purest in the world.

Don't miss

  • Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island.

  • Eagle Beach and the fofoti trees at sunset.

  • Arikok National Park and the Natural Pool, by jeep or UTV.

  • Snorkeling the Antilla shipwreck, one of the largest in the Caribbean.

  • Baby Beach on the southern tip for calm, shallow water.

  • The California Lighthouse at sunset.

Festivals and events

  • Aruba Carnival: January to February, ending with the Grand Parade in Oranjestad. The biggest event of the year.

  • Soul Beach Music Festival: usually Memorial Day weekend in May. Big R&B and hip hop names on the beach.

  • Bon Bini Festival: weekly at Fort Zoutman, with local music, dance and food.

  • Dande: New Year's Eve, when groups go house to house singing for good luck.

Music and dance

  • Tumba, Aruba's carnival rhythm, plus calypso, soca and Caribbean dance music.

  • Salsa and merengue nights at the bars around Palm Beach.

Photography spots

  • Renaissance Island: flamingos on the beach in soft morning light.

  • Eagle Beach: the fofoti trees at sunset.

  • California Lighthouse: sunset over the north coast.

  • Drones: registration is required and the airport zone covers much of the island. Check current rules.

Cost of living

  • Overall: Oranjestad: $$$$, about 20% more expensive than New York.

  • Coffee: about $5

  • Local lunch: about $18

  • Dinner for two at a nice restaurant: about $130

  • Beer or cocktail: about $7 / $13

  • Ride across town: about $15

  • Mid-range hotel: about $280 a night

  • Furnished one-bedroom in a good area: about $2,200 a month in Oranjestad

  • Daily budget: about $150 budget, $300 comfortable, $600+ luxury

Aruba is not cheap, because almost everything is imported, and resort areas cost the most. Eating where locals eat in Oranjestad or San Nicolas and renting a car for a few days is the best way to keep it reasonable. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.

Working remotely

  • Wi-Fi: Reliable and fast in hotels and apartments, often 50 to 200 Mbps. Cafes in Oranjestad are fine for a few hours of work.

  • Coworking and cafes: No big coworking scene, but Oranjestad has a few cafes and some hotels with business centers. Most remote workers work from their rental.

  • Time zone: UTC-4, the same as US Eastern during daylight saving and 1 hour ahead otherwise. Aruba does not change its clocks.

  • Visa for longer stays: US citizens can usually stay 30 days, with extensions possible. Aruba has run a remote worker program called One Happy Workation. Check current rules.

  • Nomad rating: 3 out of 5. Safe, sunny, English is widely spoken and internet is solid, but it is expensive and quiet outside tourist hours.

Good to know

  • Language: Dutch and Papiamento are official, and English and Spanish are widely spoken.

  • Currency: Aruban florin, but US dollars and cards are accepted almost everywhere.

  • Plugs: Type A and B, 120V, the same as the US.

  • Entry for US citizens: passport plus the online ED card before arrival. Check current rules.

  • Best time to visit: year round. Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt, and it is always warm and breezy.

  • Tipping: many restaurants add a service charge. Add 10 to 15 percent if not.

  • Water: tap water is safe and excellent.

Useful phrases

  • Welcome: Bon bini

  • Thank you: Danki

  • Good morning: Bon dia

  • How are you: Con ta bai

Nightlife

Nightlife in Aruba is easygoing and resort style. It is about sunset drinks, a nice dinner and maybe a casino or live music, not big club nights.

  • When people go out: Evenings start early with sunset drinks and dinner around 7 or 8. Bars and casinos run until 1 or 2, and weekends are busier than midweek.

  • Where the action is: Palm Beach has the beachfront bars, restaurants and hotel casinos. Oranjestad has a few lounges and weekend DJ nights.

  • The music: Live covers, Caribbean and Latin pop, and some DJ sets in town.

  • Good to know: Most bars have no cover and drinks are priced like a Caribbean resort, so happy hours help. Dress is resort casual. There is little public transport after dark, so use a licensed taxi.

Meeting people

  • Social scene: Aruba is a resort island, so most people meet at hotel pools, beach bars, boat tours and snorkel trips. Palm Beach has the most going on. Locals speak several languages and are welcoming to visitors.

  • Apps: Apps are not a big part of the scene here. Tinder and Bumble work around Palm Beach, and Facebook groups cover expats and events. Most connections come from tours and beach clubs.

  • Etiquette: A handshake or a friendly hello is the norm. Island time applies, so plans are relaxed. Check whether service is already added to the bill before you tip.

  • Stay smart: Meet in public places, watch your drink at beach bars and do not leave belongings on the sand while you swim.

Staying safe

  • Aruba is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. Use normal care with valuables on the beach.

  • The sun and wind are strong, so you burn faster than you think. Reapply sunscreen often.

  • The north coast has rough water. Swim on the calm west and south sides.

Alex Hall
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