Palm Beach
Palm Beach is Aruba's main resort strip: a sandy beach lined with hotels, calm water near shore, and the rest of the island a short drive away.
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Palm Beach is the main resort strip on the west coast of Aruba, a Dutch Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela. Hotels and restaurants line the sand, and the water close to shore is calm, which suits swimmers, families and people new to the ocean. Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Dutch and Papiamento are the official languages, and English is widely spoken in hotels and restaurants.
Most visitors come for a beach holiday: swimming, snorkeling, sunset walks and long dinners, with the rest of the island a short drive away by rental car or taxi. The strip suits couples, families and travelers who want a resort base on the sea. Aruba is dry and sunny for much of the year, and hurricane season runs from June through November. Plan four to six days, and spend at least one day away from the resort strip to see more of the island.
Palm Beach in five
- Carry small US dollar billsUS dollars are taken at most hotels, restaurants and shops on Palm Beach. Change is often given in florins, so ask which currency a price is quoted in.
- Set up an eSIM before you landLoad a data plan or eSIM before you arrive so maps work from the first hotel onward.Phones and eSIM
- Rent a 4x4 for ArikokSome tracks in Arikok National Park are rough and sandy, and a regular car may not suit them. Check the car hire terms before you book.Getting around
- Check the bill for a service chargeMany restaurants add a service charge. If the bill shows none, leave 10 to 15 percent.
- Get insurance that covers water sportsSnorkeling, boat trips and jet skis are common on this coast, and some standard policies exclude them. Read the activities list before you buy.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- Aruban florin (AWG); US dollars widely accepted
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check immigration rules before you book
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Check the bill; 10 to 15 percent if no service charge is added
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryDry, busy
- FebruaryDry, trade winds
- MarchDry, busy
- AprilDry, warm
- MayHot, dry
- JuneHurricane season
- JulyHot, hurricane season
- AugustHot, hurricane season
- SeptemberHurricane season
- OctoberHurricane season
- NovemberQuieter, warm
- DecemberHoliday crowds
Right now in Palm Beach
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 34°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 32 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 25%
Palm Beach
04:40 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today31°27°25%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Tue32°28°18%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Wed32°28°35%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Thu30°26°47%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Fri29°26°63%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Sat29°26°53%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Sun30°27°43%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 43%.
Updated 01:58 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 carDry scrub, caves and rock formations, with tracks that suit a 4x4 in some places.
- Oranjestadabout 10 to 15 min by carThe capital, with Dutch-style buildings along the waterfront and shops.
- California Lighthouseabout 20 min by carA lighthouse on the north-west coast, with a long view over rough, open water.
- Baby Beachabout 30 to 40 min by carShallow, calm water at the southeast tip of the island, good for a swim.
Before you go to Palm Beach
Rules for Palm Beach, checked
- Entry rules depend on your passport. Check Aruba's immigration requirements before you book, as they can change.
- Drug possession is a criminal offense in Aruba, and visitors are not exempt.
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival or departure. Check the current amount with Aruba Customs before you travel.
- Stay on marked tracks in Arikok National Park and follow the park's posted rules on entry, parking and wildlife.
Plan around Palm Beach
The island guide: beaches, parks and getting around
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and apartments by area on the island
Read the guideGetting around ArubaCar hire, taxis and buses for the beaches and parks
Read the guideMoney and costsFlorins, US dollars, cards and typical prices
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules by passport and what to check before you fly
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData plans and offline maps for the island
Read the guidePalm Beach FAQ
Is Palm Beach a good base for a first trip to Aruba?
Yes if you want hotels, a long beach and restaurants within walking distance. For more of the island, such as Arikok or the north coast, plan on a car.
How far is Palm Beach from Oranjestad?
It is a short drive of about 10 to 15 minutes in normal traffic. Taxis run between the two, but a car gives you more time at the beach.
Do you need a car in Palm Beach?
Not to stay on the beach, but yes for Arikok National Park, the California Lighthouse and the east coast. Ask the fare before you get in a taxi.
Is Eagle Beach next to Palm Beach?
Yes. Eagle Beach is the next beach along the coast and is a short drive away, so you can see both in one day.
Is Arikok National Park worth a day?
Yes for the caves, rock formations and the dry interior of the island. Go early, bring water and wear shoes with grip.
When is the best time to visit Palm Beach?
January to April is the driest and most popular period. Hurricane season runs from June to November.