- Aruba sits outside the main hurricane belt, so it is a safe bet even in autumn
- Stay on Eagle Beach for space and calm or Palm Beach for big resorts and nightlife
- No direct UK flights; KLM via Amsterdam is the usual route
- Complete the online ED card, which includes a sustainability fee, before you fly
- Airports
- Queen Beatrix International, Oranjestad (AUA)
- Flight time
- about 13-15h from London, usually with one stop in Amsterdam or the US
- Best time to go
- Year-round; mid-April to August for lower prices and steady sunshine
- Currency
- Aruban florin (AWG); US dollars accepted almost everywhere
Aruba is the Caribbean for people who want sunshine they can count on. Lying just off the coast of Venezuela, the island is dry, flat and cooled by steady trade winds, with cactus-dotted scrubland inland and long white beaches on its sheltered west coast. It is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, so you will hear Dutch alongside Papiamento, English and Spanish, and the food, architecture and pace all have a gently European feel.
For UK travellers it is a long-haul trip with no direct flights, usually routed through Amsterdam. Aruba is four hours behind the UK in winter and five in summer. Plugs are the US two-pin type (110–120V), cars drive on the right and prices are high, closer to the US than to a European beach resort. Its neighbours Curaçao and Bonaire complete the so-called ABC islands, and the Netherlands guide covers the mainland half of the kingdom.
Entry requirements
British passport holders can usually visit Aruba visa-free for up to 90 days. Before travelling, every visitor must complete Aruba's online Embarkation-Disembarkation (ED) card, which includes a per-person sustainability fee. Your passport should be valid for the length of your stay, and you may be asked for a return ticket and proof of accommodation. If you connect through the US you will also need an ESTA. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Where to go in Aruba
Eagle Beach
Wide, soft and frequently ranked among the best beaches in the Caribbean, Eagle Beach is lined with low-rise hotels rather than towers. It is also where you will find the much-photographed fofoti trees, bent sideways by the wind.
Palm Beach and Noord
Aruba's high-rise strip has the big resort hotels, casinos, restaurants and water sports, with calm, shallow water ideal for families. It is busier and livelier than Eagle Beach, and the place to stay if you want plenty of choice on your doorstep.
Oranjestad
The capital has pastel Dutch colonial buildings, a free tram along the main shopping street, Fort Zoutman and a small marina. It is a pleasant half day rather than a base, and gets busy when cruise ships are in.
Arikok National Park
Nearly a fifth of the island is protected parkland, with rugged desert hills, caves with Arawak rock drawings and the remote Conchi natural pool on the wild north coast. A 4x4 or guided jeep tour is the easiest way to reach the pool.
San Nicolas and Baby Beach
In the south, San Nicolas has become a colourful street-art town, and nearby Baby Beach is a shallow, sheltered lagoon popular with families and snorkellers.
Best time to visit Aruba
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Winter (December-mid-April) | Peak season, around 28-30 °C, dry and breezy; highest prices |
| Spring (mid-April-June) | Hot and sunny, fewer visitors, better deals |
| Summer (July-August) | Hottest and windiest, good for kitesurfing; popular with US families |
| Autumn (September-November) | Calmest winds and a little more rain, but rarely affected by hurricanes |
Because Aruba is outside the main hurricane belt, September to November can be a smart time to go when other Caribbean islands are at their riskiest.
Getting to Aruba from the UK
There are no direct flights from the UK. The most common route is with KLM via Amsterdam, where the onward flight to Aruba takes around 10 hours. Alternatively, connect in a US hub such as Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte or New York, which means clearing US immigration on the way. Allow 13–15 hours or more door to door.
Getting around
Hire cars are the most flexible option and roads are good, though you need a 4x4 for parts of Arikok and the north coast. Public Arubus buses run regularly between Oranjestad and the hotel areas, and taxis use fixed fares rather than meters, so agree the price first. Bikes, scooters and the e-bike sharing schemes work well along the flat west coast.
Money and costs
Aruba is expensive. Expect around £200–300 per person per day for a mid-range holiday including accommodation, with eating out often £30–50 a head for dinner. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, though change may come in florins, and cards are widely used. Many restaurants add a service charge, so check the bill before tipping extra.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aruba safe from hurricanes?
It lies south of the main hurricane belt and direct hits are rare, which is why it is popular in autumn. Storms passing to the north can still bring wind and rain.
Do I need US dollars in Aruba?
They are widely accepted, as are cards, so there is no need to buy florins in advance. Bring small US notes for tips and taxis.
Is Aruba good for families?
Yes. The west coast water is calm and shallow, Baby Beach is a natural paddling pool and the island feels relaxed and easy to get around.
How many days do you need in Aruba?
A week is about right given the long journey, with time for the beaches, a day in Arikok and a snorkelling or catamaran trip.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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