Best Places to Visit in Aruba

Stay connected while exploring the breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture of Aruba with Airtel’s international roaming plans, ensuring you can share your adventures from the island’s stunning beaches, lively cities, and natural wonders.

Discover the Best of Aruba: Your Guide to the Caribbean’s Happy Island

Aruba packs a lot into its compact 179 square kilometres with many famous places to visit. Stretched along the southern edge of the Caribbean Sea, just 29 km north of Venezuela, this dry, sunny island offers some of the region’s most beautiful beaches. But there’s more to Aruba than sand and surf. Venture beyond the resorts of Palm Beach and you’ll find a colourful capital, a wild national park, intriguing caves, ghost towns, and a rich history. Here’s our pick of the best places to visit in Aruba.

1. Oranjestad: Aruba’s Colourful Capital

Your first famous place stop in Aruba should be Oranjestad, the island’s lively capital. The city is known for its colourful Dutch colonial architecture. Pastel buildings line streets like Wilhelminastraat and Havenstraat. For a dose of history, visit Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad’s oldest building, dating back to 1798. It now houses the Historical Museum of Aruba. On Tuesday evenings, the fort hosts the Bon Bini Festival, a celebration of Aruban music, dance, and cuisine.

Other Oranjestad highlights:

• Shop for souvenirs at the bustling Public Market

• Admire Oranjestad’s street art, especially around San Nicolas

• Visit the National Archaeological Museum to learn about Aruba’s earliest inhabitants

2. Palm Beach: Aruba’s Resort Hub

Palm Beach is Aruba’s most famous stretch of sand – and for good reason. This 3-km-strip is home to glamorous high-rise resorts, chic restaurants, lively beach bars, and even a few casinos. The calm, turquoise water is ideal for swimming. Water sports operators offer everything from snorkelling trips to parasailing. In the evening, the beach comes alive with live music and dancing.

Palm Beach quick facts:

• Location: Northwestern coast of Aruba

• Best for Swimming, water sports, nightlife

• Where to stay: Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort, Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort

3. Eagle Beach: A More Laid-Back Scene

Just south of Palm Beach, Eagle Beach offers a more relaxed vibe. This wide strip of soft white sand is dotted with Aruba’s famous divi-divi trees. These gnarled, wind-sculpted trees make great photo ops. The beach itself is less developed than Palm Beach, with just a handful of low-rise resorts. It’s a top spot for watching Aruba’s spectacular sunsets.

Eagle Beach at a glance:

• Location: Northwestern coast, south of Palm Beach

• Best for: Relaxation, sunsets, beach walks

• Where to stay: Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort

4. Arikok National Park: Aruba’s Rugged Side

Covering nearly 20% of the island, Arikok National Park shows off Aruba’s wilder side. This rugged landscape of cacti, rock formations, and hidden beaches is best explored by 4×4 or on foot. Hiking trails lead to natural wonders like the Guadirikiri Cave, known for its two chambers illuminated by sunlight streaming through holes in the roof. The park’s three beaches – Dos Playa, Boca Prins, and Daimari – are secluded and unspoiled.

Arikok National Park highlights:

• Hike the challenging trail to the top of Jamanota Hill, Aruba’s highest point

• Spot native wildlife like the Aruban burrowing owl and Aruban whiptail lizard

• Swim in the Natural Pool, a calm basin surrounded by rugged volcanic rock

5. Baby Beach: Shallow Waters, Ideal for Families

Located on Aruba’s southeastern tip, Baby Beach is a shallow, sheltered lagoon that’s perfect for families with young children. The water here is calm and crystal clear, with a sandy bottom that stays shallow for a long way out. Snorkelers can explore the coral reefs at the edges of the lagoon. The beach has plenty of palapas for shade, plus beach huts renting snorkel gear and flotation devices.

Baby Beach quick facts:

• Location: Southeastern tip of Aruba, near San Nicolas

• Best for: Families, snorkeling, swimming

• Facilities: Parking, restrooms, beach huts, food and drink vendors

6. San Nicolas: Aruba’s Authentic Side

Once a bustling oil refinery town, San Nicolas has reinvented itself as a cultural district. The main attraction is the San Nicolas Community Museum, housed in a restored 1940s home. It tells the story of San Nicolas from its early days through the boom and bust of the oil industry. The town is also known for its colourful street art. Murals by local and international artists adorn walls throughout the town.

San Nicolas highlights:

• Browse the art galleries and souvenir shops along the main street

• Visit Charlie’s Bar, a local institution covered in quirky decor

• Attend the weekly Caribbean Festival for live music, dancing, and street food

7. California Lighthouse: Best Sunset Spot

The California Lighthouse, located near Arashi Beach on the island’s northwestern tip, is one of Aruba’s most recognizable landmarks. This beautiful lighthouse in Aruba was named after the SS California, which wrecked nearby in 1891. Today, it’s a popular spot to watch the sunset. You can climb to the top for panoramic views over the island and sea. The surrounding area is also great for hiking and birdwatching.

California Lighthouse quick facts:

• Height: 30 meters (98 feet)

• Constructed: 1914-1916

• Open: Daily, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

8. Alto Vista Chapel: A Serene Hilltop Shrine

Perched on a hill overlooking the sea, the Alto Vista Chapel is a tranquil spot for reflection. The bright yellow chapel was built in 1952 on the site of Aruba’s first Catholic church, dating back to 1750. A winding road lined with white crosses leads up to the chapel. Inside, you’ll find a simple altar and colourful stained-glass windows. The surrounding area offers panoramic views over the island’s northern shore.

Alto Vista Chapel quick facts:

• Location: North coast, near Noord

• Open: Daily, 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM

• Mass: Sunday at 5:00 PM

9. Natural Bridge: Gone But Not Forgotten

Until its collapse in 2005, the Natural Bridge was one of Aruba’s top tourist attractions. Carved by years of pounding surf, it was one of the Caribbean’s largest natural stone bridges. Today, you can still see the remains of the bridge on the island’s rugged northern coast. A smaller intact bridge, known as “Baby Bridge,” stands nearby. The surrounding area offers stunning views of the coast’s rocky cliffs and crashing waves.

Natural Bridge quick facts:

• Location: Northern coast, near Andicuri Beach

• Height: 25 feet (7.6 meters)

• Width: 100 feet (30 meters)

10. De Palm Island: An All-Inclusive Day Trip

For a fun-filled day of sun, sand, and sea, head to De Palm Island. This small private island just off Aruba’s southern coast offers an all-inclusive experience. Your day pass includes transportation to and from the island, a beach chair and umbrella, an open bar, buffet meals, snorkel gear, and access to various activities. You can snorkel the island’s reefs, take a salsa lesson, zipline over the sea, or just relax on the beach.

De Palm Island at a glance:

• Location: Off the southern coast of Aruba

• Open: Daily, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

• Activities: Snorkeling, ziplining, salsa lessons, beach volleyball, kids’ waterpark

Stay connected in Aruba with Airtel’s International Roaming Plan

Whether you’re seeking sun-drenched beaches, outdoor adventures, or cultural experiences, Aruba has something for you. The island’s compact size makes it easy to explore, but its diverse attractions can keep you busy for days. As you plan your Aruba itinerary, consider these tips:

• The best time to visit is December to April when the weather is driest and least humid.

• Rent a car to explore the island at your own pace. Remember to drive on the right!

• A few words of Papiamento, the local Creole language, will go a long way. Try “Bon dia” (good day) and “Danki” (thank you).

• Stay connected with an international roaming plan. Airtel’s Postpaid International Roaming Plans offer data and calling across Aruba, so you can stay in touch, navigate, and share your island adventures with ease.

With this guide to the best places to visit in Aruba, you’re ready to discover the Caribbean’s One Happy Island. Bon bini – welcome to Aruba!