Aruba is small but boasts plenty of fun and exciting activities. It is located in the south-east part of Willemstad (the capital city of Netherlands Antilles) and is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the south, by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and south-west and the Gulf of Mexico to the east. It is situated in a horseshoe shape, owing to its angled coastline. The island is surrounded by waters that are a mix of salty (Sour) and freshwater (ohydritic). Due to its unusual position, Aruba experiences high winds, large waves and sometimes heavy rain.
The most important aspect of Aruba travel will be the transport. This will include your vehicle as Aruba's roads are quite bumpy and vehicular traffic can be frequent. Renting a car may be your best option. The most economical modes of transportation are buses or minibuses. Car rentals can be done on a daily, weekly or monthly basis at a cost that is reasonable enough for travelers to afford. The abundance of low-cost hotels and low-priced accommodation make Aruba one of the Caribbean destination's best holiday destinations.
In terms of dining, the most famous meals served in Aruba are Teppanyaki and Jamaican Blue Mountain. Teppanyaki, a Japanese style grill, is served all day long, while Blue Mountain consists of black-eye collard greens cooked with spicy mustard sauce. Both are available all through the year. Restaurants in Aruba also offer specialties like grilled pineapple, grilled shrimp, cubed beef and grilled sesame seed tortilla.
During your Aruba travel, you will come across many locals who would love to tell their stories about the island. The locals of Aruba are friendly and hospitable, and would love to share with you their secrets about life in Aruba, including its famous street parties and its dance festivals. Some of these stories include how they came to live in Aruba, the best beaches to visit, popular bars and restaurants, and where to go after having a good night's sleep in hotels.
A few hours away from Aruba lies the town of Arakok National Park, which boasts of some of Aruba's best scenery, wildlife and even deserts. A drive along the coast from Aruba leads you to this park. The park is home to a number of exotic species of plants, flowers, birds, reptiles and mammals, and the largest known sapling tree on the island. In addition, the park is also home to the "Thalgo" tree, which is known as the "Famous Thalgo." Tourists taking a trip to Aruba should definitely visit the park and see it in action.
If you are traveling to Aruba specifically for its beaches, then there are many activities that you can participate in when visiting Aruba. You can rent a boat to go snorkeling around the coral reefs, or you can simply swim in the ocean. When it comes to water sports in Aruba, however, the waves are among the best that the island has to offer. When you visit Aruba and take part in these activities, you must make sure that you wear the proper attire, because the water may be warm, but the conditions under the water are quite deep. For this reason, Aruba's beaches can get very deep, and it is essential that you take the right wetsuit to ensure that you are safe and comfortable at all times.
Perhaps one of Aruba's best attractions is its desert, which is located in the south-west of the island. This desert is called the Ataman Desert. You will be able to visit this desert through several activities, including hiking, camping, car renting, and horseback riding. Other activities that you can do in Aruba include visiting the Mayan ruins at El Charco along with the other archaeological sites located around the island. The weather in Aruba also plays an important role in how many activities tourists can participate in while on holiday, since the weather can change very rapidly.
Overall, we recommend that you visit Aruba if you are looking for a place with some fantastic sunsets, amazing beaches, and other unique things to do. We encourage you to come if you are looking for a unique and exotic destination that truly offers something for everyone. Check out our website today for more information on Aruba. Remember, the best things to do in Aruba are plenty wide-ranging and entertaining. So, don't forget to enjoy your holiday!
Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Aruba are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.
Review the latest FCDO Travel Advice before travelling to or from 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. And since the island sits well outside the hurricane belt, there's very little threat of tropical storms at this time. January to March features pleasant weather, but the room prices can soar.
UK citizens do not require a tourist visa to enter Aruba, although a valid British passport is an entry requirement.
See which forms you may need for entry into Aruba.
The official currency of Aruba is the Aruban Florin (AWG). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Aruba you can grab amazing Aruban Florin deals via Wise.com (GBP to AWG).
There are around 200 species of birds in Aruba, including the burrowing owl, tropical mocking bird, the vibrant orange trupial, yellow headed Aruban parakeet, scarlet ibis, black noddies, sooty terns, cormorants and pelicans. The Bubali Ponds is where you'll find many birds, the fresh water ponds used to be saltpans.
Dutch food? Keshi Yena known as the national dish of Aruba, this casserole has its roots in the need to survive: leftovers are made good use of by being poured into a cheese crust and baked.
You can typically expect to pay around £2.00p for an equivalent pint of lager or beer.
The official languages are Papiamento and Dutch, but most Arubans speak a minimum of four languages, including English and Spanish. You can learn some basic Dutch before you travel to Aruba and really impress the locals!
The currency in Aruba is the Aruban Florin (In restaurants which do not automatically add the service charge, a tip of 15% - 20% is appropriate depending on the quality of the service you received.).