r/Aruba 4d ago

10DaysOnAruba.com

29 Upvotes

Hey all,

I'm u/klowt, a mod of r/Aruba and I built 10daysonaruba.com, a free trip planner for the island. You answer a few questions about who you're travelling with, how long you're staying and what you're into, and it builds a day by day itinerary with a map and a route between stops.

One thing I made a point of: it leans heavily on free activities. Beaches, hikes, the caves, snorkel spots you can walk into, sunset spots, driving routes. Aruba has a reputation for being expensive and a lot of that is because people only ever hear about the paid tours. Most days it plans cost you nothing beyond a rental car and lunch.

We get the same "what should I do in Aruba" post here a few times a week, and it usually gets the same five answers. Try the planner first. It covers the standard stuff (beaches, Arikok, snorkeling, where to eat, how to get around) and it saves you waiting a day for replies.

If it misses something or you have a question it can't answer, absolutely still post. Those are the good threads anyway.

Free, no account needed. Some of the activity links are affiliate links, that's what pays for the hosting. Feedback and complaints welcome, I'm still building it out.

Cheers,

Danki!


r/Aruba 9h ago

šŸ–ļø Ask r/Aruba Anything! - Monthly discussion thread - September 2026

4 Upvotes

Welcome to the r/Aruba monthly Discussion / Q&A thread.

This thread is a hub for general discussion and questions about Aruba, that don't need threads of their own.

You have a question regarding Aruba? This is the place for you. Ever wondered which sunscreen the locals use? Or when is the best time to go to Zeerovers? Or what is the best spicy sauce on the island? Ask any question you might have here, and the community will answer.

FAQ from previous threads

What should I bring or prepare before visiting Aruba?

Bring cash for tipping, beach bathroom fees, and small purchases as some places have minimum credit card limits. Use sunscreen and hats due to strong sun. Bring water and snacks if hiking or doing outdoor activities. Water shoes are helpful for rocky areas like cave pools.

ED Card

The Embarkation/ Disembarkation (ED) card is a pre-registration form required to enter Aruba. The official site is https://edcardaruba.aw for non-residents there's a 20 US dollar sustainability fee per year.

All-inclusive?

All-inclusive resorts are generally not recommended in Aruba because the island is very safe and offers a vibrant local dining scene, beautiful public beaches, and plenty of opportunities to explore independently. Renting a car and experiencing the diverse restaurants and hidden gems around the island usually provides a more authentic and fulfilling vacation. Many travelers find all-inclusive options limiting and less cost-effective given what Aruba has to offer.

What are good snorkeling spots in Aruba?

The best snorkeling spots recommended are Tres Trapi, Boca Catalina (best in the morning around 6-8am), and Baby Beach, especially near the rocks.

Conchi/Natural Pool by Daimari beach?

It is possible to hike from Daimari Beach or the horse ranch, which typically takes between 30 to 45 minutes each way depending on your pace and familiarity with the trail. The path is rocky, steep in some places, and mostly exposed with little to no shade, so good footwear and plenty of water are essential. Starting early in the morning around 7 to 8:30 am is recommended to avoid the heat and crowds. Using navigation apps like AllTrails can be very helpful to stay on the correct path. Access to the trail requires a park pass from Arikok National Park’s visitor center, which opens at 8 am (TIP: You can buy a day pass a day before). Hiking later in the day is not advised due to the heat.

Are there any notable animal or nature experiences?

Visiting the Donkey Sanctuary is highly recommended for a fun and unique experience.

Are there food and shopping options inside the airport?

Yes, the Aruba airport has a variety of shops and restaurants both before and after customs, making it a lively place with plenty of options.

What type of cash is best to bring to Aruba? US dollars or Florin?

US dollars are accepted everywhere in Aruba, so bringing USD is most convenient.

How expensive are groceries and alcohol in Aruba?

Groceries are similar in price to major North American cities.

Is it necessary to buy bottled water in Aruba?

No, it is not necessary to buy bottled water in Aruba. The tap water is desalinated seawater, processed through reverse osmosis, and considered very clean and tasty. Many travelers refill their own bottles with tap water and find it better than regular tap water elsewhere.

If I could only go to one beach in Aruba, which should I choose?

Eagle Beach is the most recommended choice for its beauty, spaciousness, calm waters, and peaceful atmosphere. It’s less crowded and ideal for relaxation. Palapas (shade structures) are free, though beach chairs might require rental or reservation.

Other great beaches to consider: - Baby Beach: Fun and excellent for snorkeling, but can get crowded and party-heavy. - Boca Catalina: Calm waters with great snorkeling and lots of shade. - Manchebo Beach: Clean, spacious, and peaceful. - Arashi Beach: Less busy, good for snorkeling. - Palm Beach: Busy and lively with many activities, but sand quality is debated and palapa usage rules can be strict. - Mangel Halto: Beautiful and quieter spot for solitude. - Others: Tres Trapi, Malmok, Andicuri, Rodgers Beach.

What kind of souvenirs do people buy in Aruba? Are the souvenirs an accurate representation of the local culture?

Common souvenirs people buy in Aruba include: - Aruba Aloe products (skincare) - Hot sauces, especially Papaya hot sauce and Hot Delight - Local art, jewelry, and driftwood artwork - Dutch snacks and candies like stroopwafels - T-shirts, hats, and mugs with Aruba branding or logos - Refrigerator magnets and small keepsakes like glass turtles - Local crafts from markets and art fairs, such as items from the Butterfly Farm or Donkey Sanctuary

Also, you might may want to check the Wiki/FAQ to see if the information you're looking for is already available.


r/Aruba 10h ago

Question Are taxis reliable late at night?

6 Upvotes

Might be a stupid question. My friend and I are coming to Aruba in December and we’re renting a car but we’re not within walking distance of Palm Beach and I’m wondering, if we both have something to drink later at night, will we be able to get a cab back to our hotel? If so, what are the best taxi companies? Thanks so much in advance!


r/Aruba 4h ago

Alugar carro em aruba no dia, sem ser online!?

0 Upvotes

OlÔ pessoal, alguem por gentileza poderia tirar minha dúvida, estou indo no mês de novembro, como é minha primeira vez, estou pensando alugar o carro apenas quando chegar la, para não pagar nada antecipado, serÔ que os preços são diferentes dos sites ? A burocracia é a mesma, ou tem alguma vantagem?


r/Aruba 1d ago

Question Long time traveller, what more can I add to my upcoming trip?

5 Upvotes

Hello all! I have been travelling to Aruba since I was a baby and have been 30+ times in my life. My husband and I are planning our honeymoon in Aruba. We have previously done the major sightseeing attractions as well as an ATV tour.

We are looking for some more unique activity recommendations as well as some new restaurants to add to our list. We have been to a lot of the touristy restaurants in Noord and would like to try out some local favourite spots.

Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. Bonus points if they are romantic spots! ā˜ŗļø


r/Aruba 1d ago

Question Mangel Halto Review…Book Tranquilo Charters?

1 Upvotes

Hi all we just did a Mangel Halto tour this morning and unfortunately was very underwhelming. We didn’t see much of anything too exciting. There was a pretty significant current and the swim out there is daunting if you’re not a strong swimmer…(I consider myself a strong swimmer and at times with the current and depth out there I don’t know that I’d attempt it alone without a group or boat nearby). That being said, we’re looking into Tranquilo Charters ā€œSouth Arubaā€ tour and am wondering if it’s worth it based other people’s experiences in comparison to other tours on the island or saving that day to just snorkel on our own at different other ā€œtouristyā€ spots. We’re looking for best possible snorkeling to see ā€œlargerā€ marine life since Mangel Halto was such a disappointment today. We’re here till Sunday and also have booked the shipwreck tour for a day at end of the week.

Thank you for all your help!


r/Aruba 2d ago

Question Best party on the island?

8 Upvotes

We’re on the island for one more night. Last night we bopped around the palm beach downtown and ended up at MooMba expecting it to be good as it was a Saturday night. Totally dead. We danced for a bit and went home. Where should we plan to go tonight (Sunday night) to ensure we find 1 solid party before we head home?


r/Aruba 2d ago

Question December trip to Aruba

2 Upvotes

Wife and I will be vacationing in Aruba this December for 8 days at peak season (Week of December 20). We have never been to the island so we are sorting through where to stay and things to do. Any recommendations on what part of the Island is good for accomidations and what parts to avoid? Also, is it worth renting a car for the week or just cabbing/car service around? Thanks in advance.


r/Aruba 1d ago

Dec travel Vip

0 Upvotes

We’ll be in Aruba December 18–24 and I’m trying to get ahead of the Christmas crowds as much as possible.

For those who have traveled to Aruba around Christmas, how busy is the airport during this time? I’m not too concerned about paying for VIP arrival service when we land on the 18th, but I’m considering booking VIP departure service for Christmas Eve. Is it actually worth it on December 24, or would getting to the airport early be enough? We’ll be traveling with our kids, so avoiding a really long airport process would definitely be a plus.

I’ve also already booked most of our dinner reservations since I’m expecting restaurants to be pretty busy that week.

Any other advice from people who have visited Aruba during Christmas week would be appreciated!


r/Aruba 2d ago

Question Beach Service Availability?

1 Upvotes

Thanks for everyone on this sub helping me and others with their trips to Aruba!

I will be going to Aruba for the first time in late September and we are staying at a resort that does NOT have beach service.

Does anyone now if there are beach locations we can go and still pay for and receive beach service?
(Even if we are not residents or guests of those hotels/resorts)

It’s a dream to be served cold fruity drinks while we lounge, read, swim and burn on the beach.

Any suggestions or feedback is appreciated and thanks for taking the time to read!


r/Aruba 2d ago

Question Hilton Westerly with kids

1 Upvotes

My family (2 adults and an 8 year-old) just booked our spring break trip for the first week of April at the Hilton Westerly. I booked the limited garden view and am a bit worried we will end up with a parking lot view or something equally meh.

We have never been to Aruba and this will most likely be our only Caribbean trip. We really struggled picking a hotel and I’m still second guessing our choice. We really want somewhere that has great pools, kid friendly, easy food options (gluten free will be important), and easy access to the beach with shade options.

All comments and suggestions are welcome!


r/Aruba 3d ago

Question November trip to Aruba

10 Upvotes

The wife and I are heading to Aruba for the first time in November for 8 days. We are staying at the Embassy Suites by Hilton on the western side of the island.

Is this a good resort to stay?

We are in our late 30’s early 40’s and we are adventurous. We love the outdoors, hiking, biking, we surf, riding ATV’s, and we love nature!

Any do’s and dont’s would be much appreciated and we are beyond excited to visit this beautiful island.

Thanks! šŸ¤™


r/Aruba 3d ago

Solo travel in november - Looking to meet with people and locals

3 Upvotes

Gonna be landing in Aruba the first week of november, looking to meet people and/or locals to get suggestion on where to go, what to visit. I already rent an appartement and a car to get around. Any places to suggest? I'm a in my forty's but still 22 yo in my head. I speak spanish, english and french. And I need vacation, please make me discover this island.


r/Aruba 3d ago

Question Aruba excursion ideas

4 Upvotes

Hello. My husband and I are taking our first Virgin Voyages cruise on the Valiant Lady. We are going on a southern Caribbean cruise. Port stops are: Willemstad, Curacao; Oranjestad, Aruba; Fort-de-France, Martinique; and Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis. The cruise is round-trip from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
We love the beach and all things beach related (snorkeling, boat rides, etc), shopping, local culture, sightseeing, adventure.
What excursions have you done that are totally worth checking out? Which ones are not.
We are going to celebrate my milestone birthday. Thanks in advance. ā¤ļø


r/Aruba 3d ago

Question Souvenir regerts

2 Upvotes

We just got home from our first trip to the island and had an incredible time! We gleaned lots of wonderful advice from this forum - thank you for all of the great info! Yesterday, we opted to stay at Arashi Beach the entire afternoon to wring every minute out of our trip. As a result, we didn't double back to the souvenir shops in the hotel zone. My daughter and I admired pastel sweatshirts embroidered with "One Happy Island" (or similar) in many shops while there this week. Does anyone know where I might find these online? I checked Poshmark and Ebay and cant find anything exact - pastel colored, embroidered (not screen-printed) with contrasting thread, and had an ornate pattern on the back, featuring turtles and other beachy items. I'd love to buy from a local source who could ship to me if anyone has a connection. Anyone with any ideas where I might find these online? Google hasn't been helpful. Thanks in advance!


r/Aruba 5d ago

Lost a Versace Watch at Aruba Airport?

27 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I found a Versace watch at the Aruba airport yesterday (Tuesday, August 25) around 1–2 PM.
It was at the departure security checkpoint, by the bench just past the scanning machines. I turned it in directly to airport security, so if you think it might be yours, give them a call and ask about it.

Hopefully this post helps reunite it with its owner!

On another note, this was my first time in Aruba, and this subreddit was incredibly helpful both while planning and during the trip. Thanks to everyone who posts, comments, and shares advice here. We had a great time! šŸ‡¦šŸ‡¼


r/Aruba 5d ago

Question Creatine monohydrate...

0 Upvotes

Where can you find the cheapest creatine monohydrate in Aruba? I was looking around at a supplement store recently and the cheapest option I could find was around 66 AWG for a container. That seemed quite expensive to me, especially since creatine monohydrate is usually one of the more affordable supplements.

Is 66 AWG considered a normal price here in Aruba, or are there any stores, gyms, supermarkets, or online shops where I could get it cheaper? I’m specifically looking for 100% creatine monohydrate, preferably a decent-sized container (500 g or more).

If anyone knows a good place to buy it for a reasonable price, I’d really appreciate the recommendation! šŸ’Ŗ


r/Aruba 6d ago

Question Recommendation for hotel near Eagle beach that is walkable and has beach side service?

6 Upvotes

I’m typically one for going to an AI but I really want to avoid sargassum. I love the idea of eagle beach and how it is less populated than Palm beach. Are there any recommendations for hotels near Eagle beach that over beach service (drinks/food etc) and also able to rent chairs umbrella from that same hotel?
Thanks in advance and i can’t wait to experience the Happy Island!


r/Aruba 5d ago

Sunset Beach Studios

2 Upvotes

Thinking about staying at Sunset Beach studios in November. I noticed the road is between the studios and the beach - are the Oceanfront rooms loud? And is it worth it to be oceanfront or are you just watching cars drive by all day?

We’d like to spend most time at Boca Catalina and Tres Trapi for snorkeling so open to other suggestions for where to stay in that area as well.


r/Aruba 6d ago

Question A place for a first trip to Aruba

Post image
18 Upvotes
Hi, I’m planning my first trip to Aruba, and I’ve been recommended to visit Palm Beach. Could you give me some guidance on good areas to stay and tell me a bit more about the island?
I’ve been looking at apartments, and there were several options in the area marked on the map. Is that a good area?

r/Aruba 6d ago

Question Critique my restaurant list for the week!

15 Upvotes

Akira Back - Sunday
Yemanja Woodfired Grill - Monday
Terra by Jeremy Ford - Tuesday
LG Smiths - Wednesday
Flying Fishbone- Thursday
Wilhelmina - Friday
Lima Bistro - Saturday

This is our current lineup! What would you change, add or replace? We’ve considered a chefs table like Ever, Koal or Two Fools but we’re unsure if that’s really our ā€œvibeā€ to socialize while eating dinner for the money.

Our alternate list had - Caya House, Azar, Atardi, Oak or Chef’s Table.

Thank you for all your help and suggestions!

EDIT - After review of everyone’s opinion on removing Flying Fishbone (we were initially only considering it for the view/oceanfront seating.) Does anyone have any other recommendations for oceanfront/beach seating with better food than FF?


r/Aruba 5d ago

Question Delayed luggage at Queen Beatrix… is this notoriously common or am I just cursed?

0 Upvotes

Just landed in Aruba today on a direct flight from Toronto and of course, one of our main checked bags didn’t show up on the carousel. It has literally all the clothes, swimsuits, and toiletries for myself and my young kids.

Airline rep at the desk told us it won’t arrive until Friday at the earliest, so we’re stuck burning the first three days of our trip without basic essentials.

The infuriating part is that this exact same nightmare happened to me on a trip back in 2023. Is baggage handling and tracking into AUA notoriously messy, or did I just hit the bad luck lottery twice in a row?

Also, since we have to go buy replacement stuff for the kids immediately, where is the best spot to grab affordable kids' clothes and swimsuits quickly? We’re already planning to hit Super Food for toiletries and food, but any recommendations for clothing stores in that Noord/Oranjestad area would be hugely appreciated.


r/Aruba 7d ago

Question Aruba-Hilton or Holiday Inn

7 Upvotes

Trying to plan a trip for my family. My wife and my 3 kids (19-24).

We all like the beach and enjoy having a few drinks. I’m going back and forth between the Hilton and Holiday Inn.

I don’t have any interest in the AI, being there are so many different options.

Is one that much better than the other? I’ve seen both are pretty good? Which does everyone prefer.TY


r/Aruba 7d ago

Any fisherman with success on their on their own while in Aruba

8 Upvotes

Hi all. We will be in Aruba during the week of Thanksgiving.

considering renting a jeep with the family to do some exploring for a couple days and definitely want fishing to be part of the plan.

Anyone have any experience on the fishing side? Also open to suggestions as far as things to do while having the rental.


r/Aruba 7d ago

Swimming lessons while in Aruba

5 Upvotes

Hello,

Going to Aruba mid October for a week. I know this is random but I would love to learn how to swim while there. If you or someone you know would be able to give lessons please let me know.

Thank you.

Tldr; private swimming lessons while in Aruba

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