Aruba was a destination that we never planned on going to, at least not at the time, but now it is one of the most special places to us.
Kory and I had just started dating when we decided we were going to go on vacation in Antigua. He was tasked with the whole booking process and later sent me a screenshot of the trip confirmation with a message that read “Our Antigua trip is officially booked!!” My reply was, “Great babe….but that says Aruba….”.
(Insert long pause………) then Kory texts back, “Well, I guess we are going to Aruba!” Oops!!!
Overview: An Aruba Itinerary
In this blog post, we will cover a bunch of different activities for you to craft your perfect Aruba vacation itinerary. You’ll find there are some things that you absolutely cannot miss while visiting, things to do for families, things to do for couples, some unique things to do in Aruba, as well as some Aruba travel tips.
Whether you have 3 days in Aruba or an entire week, this post is going to show you why Aruba is a year-round destination with something to do for everyone.
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19 Things to put on your Aruba Travel Itinerary
Things You Can’t Miss
Aruba’s Beaches
There are so many things you can do in Aruba, but make sure you give yourself time to grab a beach chair and relax on the pristine beaches.
Here are Aruba’s most popular beaches:
- Palm Beach – You will find that many of your excursions will leave from Palm Beach. The waters are very calm here, which means it’s a prime spot for tourists.
- Eagle Beach – consistently rated one of the best beaches in Aruba for its long stretch of white sand and turquoise blue water. The waters are rougher here than in Palm Beach.
- Baby Beach – a local favorite located on the southern tip of the island. We drove out to Baby Beach and had lunch at Big Mama Grill. We had to try the local dish known as Funchi- which is a cornmeal polenta topped with salt, pepper, and cheese. It was delicious!
- Dos Playa – this beach is located in Arikok National Park. Meaning “two beaches”, Dos Playa is a prime surfing spot but not a great spot for swimmers as the current is relatively strong. This is one of the most picturesque spots on the island as well.
See the Flamingos
One of the coolest things about Aruba is it is home to pink flamingos. Unfortunately, they do not roam free around the island so the only way to see them is on Renaissance Island.
This is a private island and you NEED to purchase a day pass for $125 per person in order to visit. Of course, if you decide to stay at the Renaissance Aruba hotel on the island, your passes are included with your stay. Access to the island is only available through water taxi.
The Renaissance Aruba has two private beaches: Flamingo Beach and Iguana Beach. The flamingos are ONLY on Flamingo Beach and that is an adults only beach. However, children are allowed on Flamingo Beach between the hours of 9-10am to see the flamingos!
Pro Tip: Book these passes as far in advance as possible. The hotel only offers a certain number per day and you don’t want to run the risk of not being able to get any during your vacation.
Go Snorkeling
Aruba is known for some of the best wreck diving in the Caribbean.
We took our snorkeling excursion through De Palm Tours. Lunch was served on the boat, complete with an open bar, as we sailed to our first of three snorkel spots.
The first was over Antilla Shipwreck. I. Was. Terrified.
So unfortunately I didn’t see much of the shipwreck. The problem was I was given the wrong snorkel mask, so water kept pouring in and my vest wasn’t tight enough so it kept riding up. Those issues in addition to the bigger waves made for an awful first stop experience for me. Kory kept snorkeling while I went back up on the ship to work on my tan.
But it got better! The second stop was Arashi Reef. Now that my snorkel equipment was all in the right spot and fitted correctly and the water currents were much calmer, I hopped back into the water to take a peek at the variety of marine life below.
The last stop was Boca Catalina. You have a beautiful view of Malmok Beach from the water. I saw a sea urchin on the ocean floor and a ton of fish.
When we got back to the boat we jumped off the side into the clear blue ocean below. It was awesome – and a whole lot further down than I was expecting.
All in all the tour lasted 4 hours.
Take a UTV Tour
One of our favorite excursions was the UTV tour with Around Aruba Tours. We started out at Philip’s Animal Garden and fed the animals while they got the UTV’s ready for us.
The UTV tour was an all day event where we drove across the rocky terrain of Arikok National Park stopping at the Bushiribana Gold Mill ruins, a natural rock bridge, with the final destination being a natural pool.
Visit the Natural Pool
Another activity that you absolutely cannot skip on your trip to Aruba is visiting the natural pool; or ‘Conchi’ in the local language.
A natural pool is a rock and volcanic stone formation that creates a tranquil swimming hole in the ocean.
Our visit to the natural pool was included on our UTV Tour with Around Aruba Tours. However, you can enter on your own through Arikok National Park. I believe the park entrance fee is around $11 per person with under 17 being free.
I am so thankful that we had water shoes for this part. The rocks were very slippery and there were crabs on the bottom parts of the pool where you could touch. Some people were not thrilled to have their toes pinched, but we were prepared and protected!
There was a beautiful photo opportunity we had with our backs to the ocean and the waves crashing in on the rocks. So we got in position to take our photo and … BOOM the biggest wave of them all came crashing down upon us. Haha how embarrassing is that!!
California Lighthouse
When visiting Aruba, you should take a drive out to one of it’s most famous landmarks – the California Lighthouse.
Located near Arashi Beach on the northwest tip of the island, it offers an unparalleled view of the Aruba coastline from the top. You can easily drive out there during your island exploration.
You can also explore the California Sand Dunes on foot while you are here. However, you are not permitted to drive on them, so plan your footwear accordingly.
Family Activities For Your Aruba Travel Itinerary
Go Deep Sea Sport Fishing
A great family-friendly activity is booking a deep sea sport fishing charter. There are so many different fish that you can catch here in Aruba; tuna, mackerel, mahi mahi, blue marlin, bull shark, and barracuda just to name a few.
A private fishing charter is expensive, but knowing you will have the boat all to yourselves and the memories you will make is well worth it in my opinion.
Rent Jet Skis
We booked this excursion through the concierge at the hotel (I wish I could remember her name because she was fantastic!)
You could book the jet skis for one or two hours. Since you are only allowed to ride in their designated area, one hour is enough, it can get boring going around in circles. But I can promise you that the kids will LOVE it!
Kory drove first and I almost flew off the back on several occasions! The salt water was hitting my face so hard I had to keep my head buried in his back so I wouldn’t lose my brand new Versace sunglasses!!
I drove a little more (ok a lot more) cautiously. We even drove right past a sea turtle.
Explore the Island
I would strongly recommend renting a Jeep, or some other all-terrain vehicle, and exploring the island with the family! Aruba is only 20 miles long and 6 miles wide so you can easily explore the entire island in one day.
One cool thing about Aruba is the terrain. You have the white sandy beaches on the coast but as you get further north, into Arikok National Park, the terrain becomes much more rocky and hilly.
Donkey Sanctuary
Another family-friendly activity that the kids are sure to love is visiting this safe haven for Aruba’s donkeys. Sadly, many donkeys were mistreated and neglected on Aruba until they were rescued by Aruba’s Donkey Sanctuary.
You can hug, pet and feed all of these sweet donkeys all while supporting a good cause.
There is no admission fee, but donations are accepted.
Atlantis Submarine Tour
What better way for your little ones to explore the magic under the sea than a submarine tour?!
I think this is a great option for those traveling with small children who may not feel comfortable snorkeling with them.
DePalm Tours offers two different types of tours. The first is in a submarine and the second is a semi-submarine in which part of the vessel stays above water at all times.
Horseback Riding at Gold Mine Ranch
This is another great family fun activity to do in Aruba. You can choose from several different tours and explore the beaches on the northeast coast of the island.
They also offer free transportation to and from your hotel.
Unique Things to Do in Aruba
Explore the Caves in Arikok National Park
There are two caves worth mentioning while visiting Arikok National Park.
Guadirikiri Cave is famous for its views of the sunlight that streams through the holes in its roof. If you dare to venture further into the darkness, you will find hundreds of bats.
Fontein Cave is the most popular for tourists because of its drawings by Arawak Indians on the ceilings.
See the Natural Bridge
Made naturally from coral limestone, this natural bridge in Aruba is a unique site to see. The bridge did collapse in 2005, but some of it remains.
You can drive to gain access to this natural bridge in Arikok National Park.
This was another stop on the UTV Tour we took as well.
Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins
Again, this is another stop that we made on our UTV tour with All Around Aruba tours.
These ruins of a once thriving 19th-century gold mill are definitely worth a look around. They remind me of remnants of an old castle. It’s quite beautiful and the views of the sea are breathtaking.
Romantic Things to Do in Aruba
Aruba is known for being a party island, so it is a great choice for a couples’ getaway.
Kukoo Kunuku Party Bus
If you’re searching for a party or the ultimate Arubian nightlife experience then look no further than the Kukoo Kunuku Party Bus. Every night they ride around town in their one-of-a-kind bus in search of a great party.
Boca Prins Pink Sand Beach
Many people don’t know this, but there is actually a light pink-hued sand beach hidden in Aruba’s northeast coast.
Boca Prins is one of the most secluded beaches on this island, which makes it a great spot to relax and spend some quality time with your significant other!
Sunset Sail
We really loved the Palm Pleasure sunset sail through De Palm Tours. We sailed on a luxurious catamaran into the gorgeous reds, pinks, and oranges of the Caribbean sunset. Gazing towards the horizon with the cool sea breeze blowing through your hair was a truly magical and romantic moment.
My go to drink aboard the catamaran was either a Pina Colada or a frozen Hurricane but Aruba’s signature drink is the Aruba Ariba. With this you’ll have rum complimented with flavors of orange and banana – but you can’t have it without shouting ARRRIIIBBBAAA!!! (complete with the tongue roll and all!)
Of course, when the sun went down it turned into a party complete with – yep, you guessed it – Aruba Ariba’s!! They also served some finger foods.
Have Dinner on the Beach
One of the best things to do in Aruba for couples is have dinner on the beach. We closed out our Aruba vacation itinerary with our final meal at PureOcean beachside dining. We got the perfect sunset picture and just enjoyed our last evening soaking in the sunset with the warm sand on our toes as we dined.
Where to Stay in Aruba
We checked in at Divi All Inclusive Resort, located between Oranjestad and Palm Beach. The resort sits on its own 1.5 mile beach accessible any time day or night.
Every day we spent some time on the beach or floating in the ocean on a raft from the hotel. On a clear day, you can even see Venezuela off in the distance.
At the Divi resort, you have access to any of the restaurants on the property and at the sister property, Divi Tamarijn. We tried as many of them as we could, and you should too!
They also have indoor and outdoor bars on property. The ‘Cocktails and Ocean Breezes’ bar served an awesome pizza! We had that several times throughout our visit when we needed a little snack.
Travel Tips for Aruba
Is Aruba Worth Visiting?
Aruba has long been nicknamed “One Happy Island” and if you have ever experienced its turquoise waters and white sand beaches you know exactly why.
The average temperature in Aruba is in the 80s which makes it a prime destination to visit all year round. Aruba is also outside of the hurricane belt, so you don’t need to worry about planning your visit around that time of year.
There are so many things to do for all areas of interest.
How to Get to Aruba
From the East Coast, Aruba is only a hop, skip and a jump away. We arrived at JFK early in the morning and in 4 and a half hours we were landing in Aruba – The Happy Island.
What is the cheapest month to go to Aruba?
Well, I will say the most expensive time to visit Aruba is January-March, but compared to some other Caribbean islands, Aruba isn’t a cheap destination anyway. The island’s main form of income is from tourism so you will pay a premium price.
How many days do I need to visit Aruba?
Five to seven days is a perfect amount of time to spend on this beautiful southern Caribbean island. Aruba is a very small island, so you can see and do a lot during this time.
I think 5-7 days gives you plenty of opportunity to do many of the things listed on this Aruba itinerary and still leaves you with ample time to lounge on the beach.
Can I drink the water in Aruba?
I think it is also worth mentioning that, YES, you can drink the water in Aruba. The desalination plant on the island provides some of the best, and safest, drinking water.
Is Aruba Safe?
Except for a few crazy drivers, I felt extremely safe in Aruba. We did lots of tours and excursions and all of the guides were kind, knowledgeable, and lots of fun.
We rented a car during our trip which gave us the freedom to explore at our leisure. We went on our own into downtown Oranjestad and drove around the entire island. Everywhere we went we felt very comfortable. No one bothered us at all.
I wouldn’t hesitate to bring my kids to Aruba, either.
Wrap-Up: Aruba Travel Itinerary
Aruba really is One Happy Island! I’ve never been to a place where I have seen such happy people. Our little selection error when booking turned out to be the best trip either one of us had ever been on.
The stunning white sand beaches, gorgeous turquoise waters, and abundance of activities makes Aruba a great destination for families and couples alike.
When you visit Aruba, be sure to live life by their motto: Biba Dushi (living the sweet life)!!
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