Oranjestad Travel & Vacation Guide

Andicuri's wild beauty makes it a unique spot on the island. It sits on the windy, underdeveloped eastern coast, inside the Arikok National Park. An organised tour is probably the best way to reach it. Its crystal waters are moved by strong waves, which make them great for experienced surfers and not safe for swimming. There are no amenities, and you should bring your own food.

Apart from the well-decorated western touristic area, Aruba offers miles of a breathtakingly wild desert land, protected by the Arikok national reserve. Visit this windy, atmospheric place, and see some of the island's most loved natural attractions. You can choose to visit the park by yourself, by renting a jeep and using a sat nav, or to join a guided tour. Either way, prepare for an intense, adventurous journey.

To find refuge from tourist masses, head to this beautiful, secluded beach in the island's very south. Reaching the place will take around 30 minutes by car, and some patience if you're driving your own vehicle — signage isn't too clear. However, it's worth the exploration: locals love Baby Beach because it's calm and less crowded. Its waters are clean and good for swimming, and the local fauna is beautiful, featuring gorgeous tropical fish and sea turtles.

This colourful, well-maintained reserve is fascinating for children and adults, and a great option when you don't feel like going to the beach or exploring. Educational guided tours are available, and if you're gentle and follow the staff's suggestions, you may manage to get a butterfly to land on your fingers. The staff is clearly passionate about the place's mission.

Aruba's uncharted-tropical-island vibes are at their best in this natural pool right at the oceanfront. Conchi is located in the Arikok National Park, completely uncultivated, and far away from the touristic areas. Plunge into the turquoise water and discover the beautiful tropical fish, while waves crash against high rocks that surround the pool.

Funny for children and relaxing for adults, this unassuming but heartwarming ranch is great for spending a couple of hours and having some rest while in the Arikok National Park area. Bring some veggie snacks to get extra love from these cute creatures.

Another much-loved tourist spot, Eagle Beach is located walking distance from the low-rise hotel area, and it's quieter and usually less crowded than Palm Beach. It looks stunning with its fine sugary sand, and is the perfect spot to relax under the shade of umbrellas or the characteristic divi trees. Bars and cafes await right on the sand, and snorkelling here is great.

Channel your inner Tom Sawyer and visit these impressive rock formations inside the Arikok National Park. Between stalagmites hanging over your head and natural limestone columns, you will also catch a glimpse of cave art by the Arawak indigenous people, dating back to the first millennium BC. Visitors are only allowed to explore the entrance area, but the cave spreads for miles inside the rocks. A short guided tour is available.

A chill cafe and bar with a relaxing atmosphere all day long, Craft serves a wide choice of wines, beers and well-mixed cocktails, both classic and more creative. Relax in their chic decor and enjoy a great selection of music.

For an evening of whimsical fun, join one of Kukoo Kunuku's nightlife tours. This bright party bus is just what you'd expect from cheerful Caribbean entertainment: animated by an energetic couple, it will show you around local pubs and/or restaurants, with some drinks and shots included. A great way to discover Aruba's nightlife and have a blast!

This frisky country bar offers craft beers and music to let loose after a day at the beach. You can choose your favourite songs and mingle with a diverse crowd, enjoying the cheerful, carefree atmosphere.

For a sophisticated wine tasting evening, The Wine Room is a well-reviewed option. Although not cheap, it boasts knowledgeable staff and an eye for detail. The tasting menus also include appetisers and desserts, as well as entire meals. It sometimes hosts live music sessions. A must-try are the chocolate truffles.

To find many entertainment options as well as a selection of stores, head to Palm Beach Plaza: it is open until late at night and features a huge cinema, different game rooms, and spaces for children, plus fountains and beautiful decor. Shops are not cheap, but you'll find some hidden gems.

Another good spot for shopping and entertainment, Paseo Herencia is a miniature town with a cheery atmosphere, where everything revolves around shopping. It is open at night, often organises shows, and also includes a cinema.

This well-decorated, expansive shopping centre in the main town offers every kind of shop: luxury clothing and accessories at Louis Vuitton and more affordable choices at the Mall, along with souvenirs and local arts and craft work at the Marketplace. It is set in a central location, near the beautiful Renaissance Marina. You will also find plenty of places to relax, such as cafes, eateries and spas.

Trusted by many locals and visitors, this jewellery shop offers a big selection of items and custom-made pieces. For a luxury souvenir of Aruba or a unique gift for a loved one, check their offer. The staff is friendly, patient and ready to help. Prices are reasonable — some of the best on the island.

When in need of a new swimsuit for the beautiful Aruban beaches, check out this popular boutique right on the beach. Their selection is wide, fun and varied, and you'll love the staff's cheerful personalities.

The weather in Aruba is always nice, with an average temperature of around 28°C (82°F) at all times of the year. Budget-wise, the best time to visit Aruba is from April to December, during the low season. During the rest of the year, prices increase significantly as more tourists come down from the north to escape winter. The perceived temperature is a bit hotter in September, when trade winds cease.

Citizens of the European Union member-states, the majority of countries in the Americas and Europe, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Japan and a handful of others do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Visitors of other nationalities might need to apply for a visa in advance. The visa for Aruba is not an equivalent to a Schengen Visa, and does not allow holders to enter the European part of the Netherlands. Visitors will need to provide a passport that is valid for the duration of the stay and has some unused pages. They also need to have a valid Embarkation and Disembarkation card (ED-Card), a valid return ticket, and the necessary documents for returning to the country of origin. Finally, they can be requested to demonstrate that they have arranged for accommodation in Aruba, and that they have the financial means to support themselves while staying there.

The modern Aruba Queen Beatrix International Airport is located in the western part of the island, 5 km from the downtown area and 7–10 kilometres from the resorts area. It is served by a number of daily or weekly flights from North and South America, the EU, United Kingdom, and many others. The airport tax ("PFC", Passenger Facility Charge) is usually included in the price of the flights, but it's worth checking. Check-in for flights to the US is 3 hours before departure; check-in for other flights can be 2-3 hours before departure according to your airline. If your flight is going to depart during a peak hour (Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 3pm), arrive earlier. There are many different ways to get to and from the airport. Aruba's public bus service, Arubus, has several lines stopping at the airport. You can take any of these to Oranjestad, reach the town's bus station and change to another line to reach your hotel; many are served by line 10. You will find car rental offices in front of the arrival terminal; alternatively, take the shuttle bus outside the airport to reach other car rentals that are not located at the airport.

Public transport in Aruba is inexpensive and easy to use. The Arubus service covers Oranjestad and the resort areas, with stops at beaches and supermarkets; it also reaches the airport. Check their website for schedules and ticket prices. The bus line 10 to Malmok is probably the most convenient to reach hotels and points of interest near Eagle and Palm Beach. The central bus station is located in downtown Oranjestad, next to the Royal Plaza shopping mall, on Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard. The bus runs every 15 minutes from 5:45am to 6pm and every 40 minutes from 6pm to 11:30pm. Arubus also operates a streetcar route that runs from the Port of Call, through the downtown area, along Schelpstraat, Havenstraat and Caya Betico Croes. The tram loops at Plaza Nicky.

Taxi fares in Aruba are set according to the destinations; meters are not used. An additional charge is applied after 11 pm, on Sundays and official holidays. The cabs bear a "TX" sign to indicate that they are licensed. Taxis are often available at hotels and popular sights; otherwise, it is best to hail them by phone. If you're making an excursion to a less popular spot, you may want to arrange with the same taxi driver to pick you up and bring you back to the hotel when you're done.

The Aruba Cruise Terminal is located on the Western coast of the island, a few minutes walk away from the centre of the capital city Oranjestad. Right at the terminal you will find information booths and ATMs. Shops are also available inside the terminal. The public bus service in Aruba, run by Arubus, is good and affordable, and the Oranjestad bus terminal is located a few steps away from the port, on Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard. You can also decide to hail a cab at the taxi rank on the left of the terminal exit. Alternatively, find car rentals in front of the terminal exit. If you're visiting Aruba during a cruise and only have one day to spend on the island, follow our suggested itinerary to experience the best of it. Aruba is mostly well-known for its beautiful touristic beaches. Eagle Beach, one of the best, is quite close to the ship terminal, and boasts flamingos, cute turtles, typical divi divi trees and plenty of facilities. For a morning of perfect beach life, take the Arubus line 10 from the Oranjestad bus terminal and get off at the Eagle Beach stop. If you're still in the mood for touristic beaches in the afternoon, visit the very popular Palm Beach (bus line 10 to Malmok, stop at Palm Beach Plaza). To take a break before getting there, spend an hour at the colourful Butterfly Farm (same bus, stop at Divi Resort). If you're looking for a more adventurous day, save the afternoon for a tour of the wilder Eastern part of the island. A convenient solution is booking a half-day guided tour. Swim in the breathtaking Natural Pool, just in front of the ocean, with colourful fish under the surface. Most tours depart directly from the cruise ship terminal and bring you back there at the end of the trip. However you decide to experience the island, take some time to explore the picturesque Oranjestad city centre. It only takes 15 minutes on foot from the terminal to Oranjestad's cute main street, Caya G.F. Beltico Croes. Here you can admire colourful Dutch revival architecture and typical palm trees; this is also where you'll find some of the best shops on the island. Another good shopping and entertainment hub is the whimsical Royal Plaza mall, just a 5-minute walk from the cruise ship terminal.

Power sockets type A and B (US-style with flat prongs) ,and F (EU-style with round prongs). Bringing a universal travel adapter is a good idea. 127 V / 60 Hz.

Pharmacies in Aruba are usually open from Monday to Saturday between 8am and 7pm. At night, on Sundays and during official holidays, they place out an announcement where you can check which of them is on duty. In Oranjestad, check out Botica Di Servicio Eagle. In San Nicolas, try Benu Pharmacy San Luca.