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Caribbean

Aruba

Aruba is a small Dutch Caribbean island known for white sand beaches on its calm west coast, the rugged Arikok National Park in the north, and sun all year.

Start with the essentialsPlan a trip to Aruba

Aruba is a small island in the southern Caribbean Sea, just north of Venezuela's Paraguaná Peninsula. It is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and its capital and main town is Oranjestad. The island covers about 180 square kilometers and is roughly 32 kilometers long. Most visitors come for the white sand beaches and turquoise water on the calm west coast, many of them close to hotels.

Most trips are built around the beaches. Palm Beach has high-rise hotels aimed mainly at American visitors, while nearby Eagle Beach has smaller, low-rise hotels on a more intimate scale. The north side is different: Arikok National Park covers about 20% of the island, with rugged hills, rocks and cacti. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is strongly recommended for its rough tracks. The official languages are Dutch and Papiamento, and US dollars are accepted almost everywhere. Expect warm, sunny weather all year, with steady north-east trade winds.

Five things to know before Aruba

  1. Complete the ED card and pay the $20 fee

    Every visitor needs an approved online ED card before airline check-in. Air travelers aged 8 and over pay the $20 sustainability fee inside the ED card, once per calendar year. Official ED card

  2. Allow time for US preclearance going home

    Flights from Aruba to the US clear US immigration and customs at Aruba's airport before departure, so arrive well ahead of your flight.

  3. Drink the tap water

    Aruba's tap water is desalinated and safe to drink, so a refillable bottle saves money and plastic.

  4. Rent a 4x4 for the north coast and Arikok

    The windward north coast and much of Arikok National Park are reached on rough, unpaved tracks. The park charges an entry fee; swimming there is often unsafe.

  5. Pack for wind and sun, not rain

    Trade winds blow most of the year and rain is light, with most showers from October to December. The sun is strong, so plan beach time around midday shade.

Aruba travel guides

Practical guides from writers who live there.

Visas and entry

The ED card, the $20 sustainability fee and US preclearance.

Read the guideTravel insurance

Medical, evacuation and storm cover to check for Aruba.

Read the guidePhones and eSIM

Data plans, roaming charges and coverage between islands.

Read the guideMoney and costs

Florins, US dollars and daily costs on a resort island.

Read the guideGetting around

Buses along the hotel strip, rental cars and 4x4s.

Read the guide

Top places to visit in Aruba

See all attractions in Aruba
Manchebo BeachBeach · OranjestadManchebo Beachbrown concrete building near body of water under blue sky during daytimeLandmark · OranjestadFort Zoutmana tall light house sitting under a cloudy blue skyHistoric site · Palm BeachCalifornia Lighthousea close up of two donkeys behind a fenceSight · ArubaDonkey Sanctuary

Destinations in Aruba

When to go

  • Rainy days
  • Days with storms
  • Best
  1. JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh27°Low26°Dry, breezy
  2. FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Dry, windy
  3. MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh27°Low26°Dry, sunny
  4. AprilPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Dry, quieter
  5. MayPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Dry, low season
  6. JunePartly cloudy8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low27°Hot, breezy
  7. JulyPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Hot, dry
  8. AugustPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh29°Low28°Hottest
  9. SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°Hot, calm
  10. OctoberRain17 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low28°Short rains
  11. NovemberRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Wettest month
  12. DecemberRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Showers, busy

Average daily high and low in Oranjestad, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

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Right now in Aruba

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Rain

28

Feels like
34°
Humidity
85%
Wind
32 km/h
Chance of rain
37%

Oranjestad

04:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-4

  1. Today31°28°37%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 37%.
  2. Tue32°28°24%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 24%.
  3. Wed32°28°29%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 29%.
  4. Thu30°25°49%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 49%.
  5. Fri29°25°59%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 59%.
  6. Sat29°25°57%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 57%.
  7. Sun29°24°35%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 35%.

Updated 01:45 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.79 AWG

AWG · Aruban Florin

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Before you go to Aruba

eSIM for ArubaData without roaming feesRead the guideTravel insuranceCheck medical and storm coverRead the guideEntry rulesED card and $20 feeRead the guide
Rules for Aruba, checked
UK and Canadian passports can stay up to 90 days without a visa, but every traveler must complete the online ED card up to 7 days before arrival and show the approval to the airline.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Read more

Aruba FAQ

Do I need an ED card for Aruba?

Yes. Every visitor must complete the online ED card before check-in, on the official edcardaruba.aw site. Air travelers aged 8 and over pay the $20 sustainability fee there, once per calendar year.

Does Aruba get hurricanes?

Rarely. Aruba lies south of the main hurricane belt, though storms passing to the north can bring wind and rain. The official Atlantic hurricane season still runs June 1 to November 30.

Can I use US dollars in Aruba?

Yes, US dollars are accepted almost everywhere and prices are often shown in both currencies. Change may come back in Aruban florins.

What is the best time to visit Aruba?

February to May is dry and slightly cheaper than the December to January peak. October to December brings most of the island's modest rainfall.

Is the water safe to drink in Aruba?

Yes. Tap water is desalinated and meets drinking standards.

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