Explore Aruba: A Tropical Paradise with Stunning Beaches
Do you dream of escaping winter’s chill and heading to the tropics? The Dutch Antilles island of Aruba is famous for some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Snorkelers and divers love the crystal clear turquoise waters filled with coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life. Old shipwrecks add to the island’s allure.
Aruba is known for being one of the sunniest countries in the Caribbean. Its nice weather makes it popular year-round with prevailing trade winds that keep the island pleasantly cool.
Aruba’s peak tourist season, which is also its dry season, runs from December to April. Temperatures at that time of the year average around 82°F (28°C) with a water temperature of 79° and minimal rainfall.
Aruba is a popular escape for beach goers. It attracts water sports enthusiasts and nature lovers seeking an unforgettable trip with warm weather and sunshine. You can snorkel just off the beautiful beaches or scuba dive just off the coast on old shipwrecks. Colorful schools of fish, stingrays, and turtles can all be spotted in the clear water. You can get away from the crowds on small hidden beaches or hike the desert interior and explore ancient caves.
One of the most popular times to visit Aruba is during its vibrant Carnival celebrations that start in January. Islanders and tourists alike enjoy colorful parades, music, and lively festivities. Floats, steel bands and dancers in sparkling outfits and feather headdresses fill the streets. The biggest parades occur the week before Ash Wednesday in February.
During the winter peak season expect to pay a premium for flights, hotels and activities around the island. Reservations for popular restaurants, rental cars, and island excursions get booked up in advance and prices stay high through March.
May through September is also a good time to visit. Prices will be lower, and you’ll find better deals for stays but the weather will also be warmer. From September to January, the island experiences its rainy season, which peaks in November. However, rain showers are often short, meaning you can plan to visit Aruba anytime, including when there are off-season deals.
When planning your trip, you should know that Aruba is only about 21 miles long and 6 miles wide. Bus service to and from downtown Oranjestad and the resort areas is reliable and inexpensive. Reaching the pristine beaches or the rugged desert is quick and easy because of its small size.
From underwater adventures to lounging on beautiful beaches, there is no shortage of things to do in Aruba. With outstanding gastronomy, excellent infrastructure, and a wide range of accommodations, the island can satisfy even the most demanding tourists.
Oranjestad: Aruba’s colorful capital, is one of the most vibrant in the Caribbean. Many of the historical old colonial buildings have been restored. Wander the streets of Oranjestad and you will see why Aruba is known for its Dutch colonial architecture. Pastel-hued buildings in pinks, blues, and yellows, with gambrel roofs and ornate balconies decorate the downtown area.
Beaches: The island has a unique mix of beaches. Some feature soft white sand with palm trees swaying in the wind. Eagle Beach, on the west side of the island, is over a half mile long. It is ranked as one of the top beaches in the world. It is also home to the iconic twisted and gnarly Divi-Divi or Fofoti tree. This tree, shaped by the trade winds, is a symbol of Aruba. Other beaches located on the east side of the island are wild, rocky inlet beaches.
Desert Interior: Away from the beaches, the island has an arid, cactus-strewn desert landscape. This surreal, rugged area, with its own dramatic beauty, is quite different from other tropical islands.
Arikok National Park: Arikok park covers about 20% of Aruba and is located at the north-eastern part of the island. The park’s diverse landscape has rough hills made of volcanic lava formations. There are dramatic limestone cliffs, picturesque sand dunes and beaches. Additionally, you can explore caves with ancient indigenous Arawak Indian drawings. This is also where you will find the amazing Conchi Natural Pool.
Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins: Gold was first discovered in Aruba in 1824. The ruins are remnants of the gold rush where more than three million pounds of gold were mined on the island. They once processed ore from mines in the nearby hills. The ruins are located in a scenic area that offers panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea. You can also see the rugged cliffs and rocky shores of the north coast. Nearby are the Ayo Rock Formations and the Alto Vista Chapel.
Click on any photo to enlarge and see a slide show.
California Lighthouse: The lighthouse is located on the northwestern tip of Aruba. It is a striking structure built to warn ships about the rocky shoreline as they approached the island.. It stands out against the barren, almost lunar-like landscape that surrounds it. The lighthouse is the tallest structure in Aruba. If you climb to the top, you can enjoy 360-degree views of the island.
Casibari Rock Formation: The striking giant boulders balance precariously on top of one another. They are surrounded by native plants, cacti, and trees that creates a surreal desert landscape. Walking trails and steps through the boulders allow hikers to reach the top with wonderful panoramic views.
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If breezy Caribbean days on powdery white sand beaches appeal to you, consider Aruba. Its balmy temperatures are perfect for enjoyment especially for those wishing to escape cold weather temperatures where they live.
We spent a day in Aruba and loved it! Such a picturesque and fun place.
It looks gorgeous! Have you just been or are about to go?
How lovely!
Aruba is a wonderful destination! Haven’t been there in years, but I should put it back on the list.
We visited Aruba in the late 90’s for five days if I remember correctly. It is truly beautiful and we enjoyed it. My husband and son snorkeled! Thanks for sharing, I need to locate my photos. It was way before digital!
Sounds like a vacation in heaven! Happy New Year Karen!
Jenna
A very colorful and lovely place – love the Caribbean white sand beaches!
What a beautiful country!
Thank you, Karen, for sharing your beautiful photographs and words about Aruba. I’ll never visit Aruba, but I feel like I have the Aruba experience through your words and images.
Beautiful! We’re heading to the Caribbean in just a few weeks.
Aruba is a beautiful island. I visited in the 90’s. I love the colorful buildings, food and scenery. The weather is amazing. I hope to re-visit someday.
Aruba is a beautiful island. I visited in the 90’s. I love the colorful buildings, food and scenery. The weather is amazing. I hope to re-visit someday.
I have never taken a beach vacation but Aruba —through your eyes — looks quite wonderful! Thanks for this article, Karen!
Karen, we have never been to Aruba, but we will likely add it to the list from these photos. I hadn’t realized how diverse the landscape is.
We visited Aruba via a Caribbean cruise over ten years ago and enjoyed our day on the island. I would return in a heartbeat. Thanks for the lovely tour and reminder of a fun trip.
Those beaches look so welcoming Karen. I know very little about that part of the wolrd, so thanks for sharing.
This is a spot I’ve never been and when it’s -5 outside, your gorgeous photos make it look all the more appealing!
Thank you for the introduction to Aruba! Living Down Under most of us know islands like Fiji, Bali, Tonga, Samoa and the Tahiti groups only too well . . . I guess there has to be a special opportunity or interest or friends residing there to take us half the world away, so . . .
Looks so beautiful Karen. Though in recent years we’ve had so little snow I’ve started wanting to go north from Wisconsin (as crazy as that sounds)!
What an amazing holiday you must have had!
What a beautiful place to get away! Those clear blue waters and white sand are so tempting!
Paradise, indeed! Love these beautiful photos.
It is gorgeous. I have a friend who goes every year for two weeks. She loves it!
Happy New Year!
Love those beautiful and colourful houses and that amazing rock formation. Aruba sounds like a song or a movie to me :=)
happy new year Karen
cheers
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
We haven’t been to Aruba but it sure looks inviting. The temperatures are a little higher than I find comfortable though. Hope you had a lovely time.
Bucket list trip!
You had me at “stunning beaches.” I haven’t been someplace tropical in too, too long.
Now that’s a little slice of paradise! So colorful and brilliant bright blue skies and blue green waters. Need about a month of this!!! Healthy World Cuisine
Utterly stunning. This looks like heaven on earth, especially as we weather a brutal winter cold front back home, complete with freezing ice. I’d head out there in a heartbeat if I could!
This looks like the perfect place to visit, Karen. Especially, now that it’s really cold! I had no idea that the interior was a desert – that is so cool. It definitely makes me want to visit there even more now. Thanks for taking us along. I can’t wait to see all the adventures you have in store this year. Big hugs and Happy New Year, CoCo
Aruba sounds like a dream! I love how you described everything from the gorgeous beaches to the vibrant Carnival celebrations. I can practically feel the warm breeze just reading about it. The combination of stunning beaches, unique desert landscapes, and cultural landmarks like the gold mine ruins really makes it seem like the perfect getaway. Definitely adding this to my travel wish list!
Wow! I want to be there now. It’s freezing – literally – in London. I’d never heard of Aruba so lovely to hear about it and see the photos.
Oh my gosh! I didn’t know Aruba had more to offer besides beautiful beaches and Dutch colonial architecture!
What a colourful place!
Looks like a great place to visit!