A little more
Aruba.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Aruba: what to know before you go

Aruba is a small, dry island off the coast of Venezuela and a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is known for wide white beaches, steady trade winds and sunshine, with a rugged, cactus-covered interior. It suits beach holidays, windsurfing and kitesurfing, and travellers who like reliable weather.

Where to go

• Eagle Beach. A broad stretch of soft white sand on the west coast, known for its wind-shaped fofoti trees, which lean away from the trade winds.
• Palm Beach. Aruba's busiest beach, lined with high-rise hotels, with calm water ideal for swimming, paddleboarding and boat trips.
• Arikok National Park. A protected area covering a large part of the island's east, with cactus scrub, limestone caves such as Fontein and Quadiriki, and the Natural Pool, a rock-enclosed pool on the rough north coast reached by four-wheel drive or on foot.
• Oranjestad. The capital has pastel Dutch colonial buildings, Fort Zoutman, the island's oldest building, and a free streetcar that runs along the main shopping street.

Best time to visit

Aruba has a hot, dry climate all year, with little rain and constant breezes. The peak season runs from mid-December to mid-April, when prices and crowds are highest.

Staying online in Aruba

Mobile coverage is good across most of the island, including the main beaches, Oranjestad and San Nicolas, with 4G widely available. Signal can weaken in the rugged interior and on the north coast within Arikok National Park. Wi-Fi is standard in hotels and common in restaurants and cafés. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.