The island nation of Aruba is one of the top romantic getaway and beach vacation spots in the Caribbean. Its pristine beaches and warm tropical climate make it ideal for lounging on the sand with a cocktail in hand, worries left behind without a second thought. Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba was colonized by the Spanish in the 1500s but was seized by the Dutch in 1636 and has remained a part of the Netherlands to this day — Dutch influences can still be seen in the architecture, language, and culture of the island.
Aruba is quite small, even by Caribbean island standards — it’s less than 70 square miles in size, just 19 miles long and six across. It’s located just outside the Caribbean’s hurricane belt, putting it at significantly lower risk for hurricanes and tropical storms than some of its northern neighbors. From its powder-white sand and turquoise waters to its sunshiny climate and laid-back atmosphere, Aruba is a true paradise on earth.
There is just one problem in paradise, though, and that is that Aruba has a reputation for being expensive. Well, just how expensive is Aruba, you might ask? It can be quite expensive if you choose to stay at one of the many luxurious, high-end oceanfront resorts dotting the island’s dazzling beaches. It isn’t hard to find Aruba in the celebrity gossip mags, listed as the place some superstar or other went on their honeymoon, but it also isn’t impossible to find affordable ways to vacation in Aruba too. There are plenty of ways to enjoy Aruba on a smaller-than-celebrity’s budget, and these cost-saving tips are a great start. If you’re dreaming of an Aruba vacation but are worried it’ll break the bank, worry no longer.
Is Aruba Expensive? Not If You Travel Off-Peak.
Peak season in Aruba runs November through March, when temperatures average in the low to mid 80s, and these are the times that travel to Aruba is the most expensive. The rest of the year, April through October, is considered off-peak, meaning the prices come down (because the temperatures go up). If you enjoy high heat and lower crowds, then off-peak travel may be the perfect time for you to visit Aruba. For additional cost savings on your airfare, consider traveling midweek, like a Tuesday to Tuesday stay. Midweek flights tend to be less expensive than weekends, so flying on a weekday might save you bookoo.
Is Aruba Expensive? Not If You Take The Bus.
Because Aruba is so small, it can be fairly easy to get where you want to go without needing to rent a car (although you may need one to explore certain places). Aruba’s public transportation system, Arubus, is centered around tourism, and its buses connect with all the main beaches and city sights that are popular with tourists. Arubus runs seven days a week, making frequent stops at all the major resort areas every 15-40 minutes all day long. Additionally, downtown Oranjestad (Aruba’s capital) offers a free hop-on, hop-off trolley that makes a loop through six of the downtown area’s main attractions, including museums, monuments, a mall, and more. The trolley makes the loop every 25 minutes, making it a convenient and budget-friendly option for exploring the city.
Is Aruba Expensive? Not If You Pass On Fine Dining.
As you’d expect from a popular tourist destination, Aruba is full of fancy oceanfront restaurants, fine-dining establishments, and high-end chain restaurants. These are options you’ll want to skip if you’re sticking to a budget, as food at these restaurants generally comes with a hefty price tag (and any restaurant with an ocean view will generally have higher prices). You can avoid overpriced food by finding small, local cafes away from the beach. These establishments tend to draw more of a local crowd than tourists, and the prices are generally more budget-friendly. Bonus: At a smaller cafe, you’ll often find the most delicious local cuisine, prepared just how the locals like it. Another budget-friendly dining option in Aruba is to seek out food trucks and food markets. Aruba has a growing food truck scene that may surprise you, and the prices are typically more reasonable than a restaurant.
One of the benefits of booking your accommodations through RCI is that many condo-style suites include a full or partial kitchen, which can really come in handy if you’re on a tighter food budget. There are four major grocery stores in Aruba, and countless smaller mini-mart style food shops, and you can find many of the typical food staples you’ll need to prepare meals in your condo. You’ll also find a fun and interesting selection of Dutch foods for purchase — Dutch cheeses like Gouda and Edam are popular in Aruba, as are sweets like stroopwafels and licorice. Since ordering alcoholic beverages at restaurants can quickly skyrocket your bill, purchasing alcohol and making your own cocktails at your resort is another money-saver.
Is Aruba Expensive? Not If You Opt For Low-Cost Activities (And There Are Plenty!).
Aruba is brimming with free and low-cost things to do that will make your tropical vacation fun, memorable, and affordable. First of all, skip the tourist traps. Things like water parks and booze cruises may sound like fun, but they’re not unique to Aruba and they generally aren’t cheap. Instead, check out these budget-friendly options for fun things to do.
First of all, it doesn’t hurt to state the obvious — going to the beach is free, and Aruba is full to bursting with white sandy beaches and soft turquoise waves. Outside of the resort beaches, all beaches in Aruba are free and open to the public, and all have free beach umbrellas to offer you a shady spot to relax when you’re not in the water (umbrellas are first-come, first-served so arrive early!). Eagle Beach, one of the island’s most popular spots, was voted #1 Best Beach in the Caribbean and #2 Best Beach in the World in the 2023 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. Best of all, Arubus makes regular stops at most of the beaches, so you can get there on the cheap and enjoy a tropical beach day for free.
There is no cost to explore Aruba’s capital and main city, Oranjestad, on foot, and most of the major historic sites are closely situated. The National Archaeological Museum is a great place to start — you can learn about Aruba’s unique history from 2500 BC through the 19th century. Bonus: Admission is always free. Wander the area’s charming streets and see traditional Dutch-style country houses in every color of the rainbow, plus a plethora of historic buildings, most in the colorful Dutch-colonial style. The historic Plaza Daniel Leo is the city’s original main square and center of commerce — it’s also a home to a picturesque fountain and an eclectic public art installation of lifesize blue horse statues, created as a nod to the island’s colonial-era horse trade industry. Explore Wilhelmina Park, named for the much-beloved Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, the longest reigning monarch in the nation’s history who successfully navigated her country through two world wars. The park is home to beautiful tropical gardens as well as a statue of Queen Wilhelmina herself. Don’t forget to visit Fort Zoutman, the oldest remaining building on the island and current home of a historical museum (with a very low-cost entry fee).
For a more rural Aruban experience visit the Donkey Sanctuary just east of Oranjestad. For nearly 500 years donkeys provided the main source of transportation on the island, but were replaced by cars in the 20th century, which left an abundance of donkeys on the island with no purpose. Although not native to the island, the donkeys roamed wild, often wandering the roadways and being struck by vehicles. The Donkey Sanctuary has been working to protect the island’s donkey population since 1997, and is home to more than 130 donkeys at present. Admission to the sanctuary is free (donations appreciated!) and visitors can feed, pet, and interact with the friendly, tame animals.
In addition to Aruba’s lovely beaches, there are tons of other outdoor options for free activities. Mt. Hooiberg (Dutch for haystack) makes for an interesting day hike. At 541-feet high, this mountain has a built-in stone staircase that goes straight to the top, offering panoramic views of the island (and you can see all the way to Venezuela in the distance on a clear day). The rock formations at Casibari are worth a visit — reputed to be “other-worldly” in nature, these rock formations are massive and can be explored via staircases and tunnels throughout. Similar to Casibari, the nearby Ayo rock formations offer a chance to view ancient petroglyphs from the island’s original inhabitants. Lastly, Arikok National Park (Aruba’s only national park) is home to ocean pools, turtle nesting sites, ancient petroglyphs, caves, and an old adobe house that dates back to Aruba’s early days of farming. Although not free, Arikok National Park charges a very minimal fee for single-day visitors.
The gold mill ruins are another top no-cost tourist attraction. Aruba experienced a short-lived gold rush in the 1800s, and the remains of two 19th-century gold mills make for an interesting historic site. The Bushiribana ruins overlook the beach, while the Balashi ruins are more inland near a lagoon and are quite overgrown with foliage — both are a very picturesque part of the island’s history. The California Lighthouse is another picturesque landmark worth checking out. Built in 1916 to guide ships past the rocks on the northwest coast of the island (after many shipwrecks over the years), the lighthouse allows visitors to climb to the top for a nominal fee. The ocean views from the top are phenomenal, and sunset is the most popular time of day to visit. The Aruba Peace Labyrinth, built in 2005 as a replica of the original in Paris, is a unique (and free) landmark to explore. Situated behind Aruba’s oldest church, the Alto Vista Catholic Chapel, the Peace Labyrinth is a great place to refresh mind, body, and soul.
Just a 30-minute bus ride from Oranjestad, the island’s second-largest city of San Nicolas is home to some of the most amazing street art in the world. Local and international artists have contributed to the creation of dozens of massive murals on the sides of buildings and other public spaces that have put San Nicolas on the international map. From paintings of vibrant animals to colorful cultural representations, the street art in San Nicolas is free to explore and is easily accessible on foot.
For more tips on fun things to see and do in Aruba, check out this article on Undiscovered Aruba, and read this Aruba overview by RCI Traveler Adrienne.
Is Aruba Expensive? Not If You Skip The Designer Shops.
There are plenty of designer and high-end shops in Aruba which are a beacon for tourists, but shopping in Aruba doesn’t have to be expensive if you skip Louis V. in favor of shopping local. Aruba has tons of small touristy shops where you can buy the usual tchotchkes, which are typically budget-friendly. Sure, you won’t have a hard time finding a postcard, magnet, or t-shirt that says Aruba on it, but there are better souvenirs to be found. One of the best things to purchase when you’re in Aruba is aloe vera products. Although not native to the island, aloe has been produced on the island since its introduction in 1840. Aloe plants thrive in Aruba’s hot, dry climate, and the island is one of the top exporters of high-quality aloe-based products.
Aruba license plates are another cool souvenir, and are for sale at reasonable prices all over the island. Aruba requires its citizens to get new license plates each year, so the old ones are recycled into collectible souvenirs. For an adults-only Aruba memento, bring back a bottle of Palmera rum, the only locally distilled rum, or Balashi beer, also brewed locally on Aruba. For a souvenir to commemorate the island’s Dutch heritage, look for the delicate Dutch pottery known as Delfts Blauw, or Delft Blue pottery, easily identifiable by its white and blue design. Delft is known for being used by the royalty and nobility of Europe, and is available for purchase duty-free in Aruba.
For more Aruba shopping tips, check out this article on Souvenirs of Aruba.
Is Aruba Expensive? Not If You Stay With RCI.
Choose from one of these amazing RCI resorts in Aruba for your next island vacation.
Resorts In Noord:
Resorts In Oranjestad:
Aruba Beach Club — RCI Gold Crown
Barceló Aruba — RCI Gold Crown (Mandatory All-Inclusive)
Bluegreen at La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club
Casa del Mar Beach Resort — RCI Gold Crown
Costa Linda Beach Resort — RCI Gold Crown
Divi Dutch Village — RCI Gold Crown
Divi Village — RCI Gold Crown
Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort — RCI Gold Crown
Divi Village Villas — RCI Gold Crown (Mandatory All-Inclusive)
Playa Linda Beach Resort — RCI Gold Crown
Resorts In Palm Beach:
Beach Villas at Divi Phoenix — RCI Gold Crown
Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort — RCI Gold Crown
Aruba has a handful of resorts that are all-inclusive (noted above) — learn more about the benefits of all-inclusive resorts in this informative article.
