Oranjestad
Oranjestad is Aruba's capital, a compact town of Dutch colonial buildings on a working harbor and an easy base for the island's beaches.
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Oranjestad is the capital of Aruba, a small island in the southern Caribbean and a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The town sits on the southwest coast around a harbor that handles cargo ships and cruise passengers. Low buildings in bright colors line the streets, and Fort Zoutman and the Willem III Tower stand near the water.
Most travelers use the town as a base for a day or two of walking, shopping and waterfront meals before heading to the beaches. A week fits a mix of town and coast. The drier, breezier months at the start of the year suit a visit best. Give the town one full day to see the harbor and the old fort without rushing.
Oranjestad in five
- Carry florins for small paymentsUS dollars are taken in most hotels and shops, but small change often comes back in florins. Keep some florin notes for taxis and small stalls.
- Rent a car for the beachesOranjestad is walkable, but the beaches are a drive away. Aruba drives on the right, and a car lets you reach the coast on your own schedule.Getting around
- Check cruise ship days before you walk downtownOranjestad is a cruise port, and ship days fill the shopping streets and the waterfront. Visit the shops early or pick a day with no ship in port.
- Set up an eSIM before you landRoaming on a home plan can cost far more than a local data plan. An eSIM installed before departure gives you data from arrival, and offline maps cover the coast road.Phones and eSIM
- Go to Arikok early with the right vehicleThe national park covers much of the island's interior, and some tracks are unpaved and rough. Take a 4x4 or book a guided tour, and start early before the heat builds.
Need to know
- Currency
- Aruban florin (AWG); US dollars widely accepted
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check your passport before you book
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Service charge often added to the bill; if not, 10 to 15 percent is customary
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryDry, breezy
- FebruaryDry, breezy
- MarchDry, breezy
- AprilDry, warm
- MayHot, dry
- JuneHot, windy
- JulyHot, dry
- AugustHot, dry
- SeptemberHot, dry
- OctoberHot, dry
- NovemberWarm, dry
- DecemberHoliday crowds
Right now in Oranjestad
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 34°
- Humidity
- 84%
- Wind
- 35 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 37%
Oranjestad
06:39 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today31°28°37%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Tue32°28°24%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Wed32°28°29%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Thu30°25°49%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Fri29°25°59%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Sat29°25°57%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Sun29°24°35%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 35%.
Updated 06:11 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.79 AWG
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Arikok National Parkabout 30 min by carCaves, cactus-covered hills and a rough north coast, best with a 4x4 or a guided tour.Read the guide
- San Nicolasabout 30 min by carA town on the southeast coast known for its street murals and its past as an oil refining hub.Read the guide
- Hooibergabout 20 min by carA hill with a steep set of steps and a view across the island, a short stop on the way out of town.Read the guide
Before you go to Oranjestad
Rules for Oranjestad, checked
- Check entry rules for your passport before you book; many nationalities need no visa for a short stay in Aruba.
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere on Aruba.
- Declare cash and goods above the customs limits on your arrival form. Check current limits with Aruba Customs before you fly.
- Leave sand, coral and shells in place, and do not collect anything inside Arikok National Park.
Plan around Oranjestad
The island, its beaches and its national park
Read the guideGetting around ArubaCar hire, buses and taxis across the island
Read the guideMoney and costsFlorins, US dollars and typical prices
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules for your passport before you book
Read the guideWhere to stayDowntown, Palm Beach and Eagle Beach compared
Read the guideMore Caribbean islandsOther islands for a longer Caribbean trip
Read the guideOranjestad FAQ
Is Oranjestad worth visiting?
Yes, for a walk along the harbor, the colorful Dutch colonial buildings on the main streets and a shopping stop. It is small, so a few hours covers the town itself.
How do you get around Oranjestad?
On foot in the center, which is compact. Taxis and car hire cover the beaches, and the local bus network can take you to the outer areas.
Do you need US dollars in Oranjestad?
No, the florin is the official currency, but US dollars are accepted in most hotels and shops. Carry some florins for taxis and small purchases, since change may come back in florins.
How many days do you need in Oranjestad?
Half a day for the waterfront and downtown shops, or a full day with Arikok or San Nicolas. A night lets you see the town after the cruise ships leave.
Is Oranjestad or Palm Beach better to stay?
Stay in Oranjestad for shopping, restaurants and walking, and in Palm Beach for hotels on the sand. A car makes it easy to combine the two, since the beaches are a drive away.