Aruba, Aruba
Aruba travel guide
One happy island, outside the hurricane belt
- Airports
- AUA Queen Beatrix International Airport
- Region
- Mexico & Caribbean
- Best time to visit
- Aruba is good year-round; December–March is peak pricing, while April–June and September–November offer the same sunshine at lower rates.
- Shortest flight
- 2h 55m from Miami
- Round trips from
- $158 (live)
- Time zone
- America/Aruba
About Aruba
Aruba is small — 20 miles long — and easy. Palm Beach has the high-rise resorts, restaurants and nightlife; Eagle Beach next door is wider and quieter with low-rise hotels; Oranjestad, the capital, has Dutch colonial buildings and cruise-ship shopping. The windward coast is wild — Arikok National Park, natural pools and the California Lighthouse.
Getting in: Queen Beatrix International is 10 minutes from Oranjestad and 20 from Palm Beach. Taxis have fixed government rates (about $25–$35 to Palm Beach); many resorts run shuttles. Rental cars are cheap and the island is easy to drive. On the way home, US Customs and Immigration Preclearance in Aruba means you land in the US as a domestic passenger — allow an extra hour.
US citizens need a valid passport and must complete Aruba's online ED card before arrival. The Aruban florin is pegged to the dollar, and dollars are accepted everywhere. Tipping 15% is customary where a service charge isn't added. Try keshi yena and fresh catch at the Zeerovers fishermen's pier.
Best time to visit
Aruba is good year-round; December–March is peak pricing, while April–June and September–November offer the same sunshine at lower rates. Hurricanes rarely reach the island.
Where to stay
Neighborhoods our travelers like: Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, Oranjestad, Noord, San Nicolas.
Flights to Aruba: typical round-trip fares
What economy round trips to AUA usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.
| From | Flight time | Typical fare | Lowest live fare | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) | 4h 45m | $368 | $249 · Wed, Oct 14 | Search dates → |
| Miami (MIA) | 2h 55m | $298 | $158 · Tue, Oct 6 | Search dates → |
| Boston (BOS) | 5h | $388 | $234 · Tue, Nov 3 | Search dates → |
| Atlanta (ATL) | 4h 5m | $378 | $186 · Tue, Oct 6 | Search dates → |
| Chicago (ORD) | 5h 30m | $438 | $213 · Tue, Oct 6 | Search dates → |
| Houston (IAH) | 4h 25m | $428 | $211 · Tue, Dec 1 | Search dates → |
Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.
What to do in Aruba
The places our editors send first-time visitors.
- 1
Eagle Beach
Regularly ranked among the world's best beaches — wide, white, uncrowded, with the island's famous fofoti trees.
- 2
Arikok National Park
A fifth of the island: cactus desert, caves with Arawak drawings and the natural pool (Conchi) reachable by 4x4.
- 3
Palm Beach
Calm, resort-lined water for paddleboarding and sailing, with the pier bars for sunset.
- 4
Baby Beach
A shallow, sheltered lagoon at the island's southern tip — ideal for kids and beginner snorkelers.
- 5
Catamaran snorkel sails
Trips to the Antilla shipwreck and Boca Catalina; sunset sails include open bar.
Aruba weather by season
Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.
Winter
85° / 76°
Dry, windy, sunny — peak season.
Spring
87° / 78°
Dry and warm; good value.
Summer
89° / 80°
Hot but breezy; outside the hurricane belt.
Fall
89° / 79°
Brief showers in October–November.
Travel tips for Aruba
- Fill out the free Aruba ED card online before departure; you'll need the confirmation at check-in.
- Arrive 3 hours before your flight home — US Preclearance adds a full immigration process in Aruba.
- Rent a car for a day to reach Arikok, Baby Beach and the east coast; parking is free almost everywhere.
- The trade wind makes the sun feel cooler than it is — use strong sunscreen.
- Eagle Beach's low-rise hotels are calmer and often cheaper than Palm Beach high-rises.
Aruba flights: frequently asked questions
Is Aruba in the hurricane belt?
No — it lies south of the usual storm tracks, which is why late-summer trips are far less risky than to the northern Caribbean.
What is US Preclearance in Aruba?
You clear US Customs and Immigration in Aruba before boarding your flight home, then arrive in the US as a domestic passenger. Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before departure.
Do I need a passport for Aruba?
Yes, a valid passport book, plus the free online ED card completed before you travel. No visa is required for US citizens.
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