The 10 Best Places To Stay In Aruba
This is what you always find yourself loving about the best Aruba hotels. Weve alway said that Aruba has a lot of great hotels, and places to stay to fit every size and vacation. With easy air access, fabulous beaches, and a diverse culture, its no wonder that Aruba is one of the Caribbeans most popular destinations.
And if youre planning a trip to the placed called One Happy Island soon, here are some suggestions for a satisfying stay at hotels in Aruba, all great plces to explore the sights, sounds, flavors and experiences that make this Dutch Caribbean island so special.
From larger, more traditional hotels to chic boutique hotels in Aruba, these are the best places to stay on the island. In other words, these are the best Aruba hotels.
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts On Eagle Beach, this adults-only boutique offers good value with champagne check-in and complimentary breakfast buffet plus free wi-fi. Park yourself under a palapa and soak up the friendly yet sophisticated vibe the owner has been cultivating here for more than two decades. Right now, this is the best Aruba hotel.
The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba R-C loyalists wont be disappointed by this now two-year-old Palm Beach resort, which has 320 all-balcony rooms four restaurants two pools and a plush spa. Of note: The contemporary spin on classic Ritz-Carlton décor, which brings a welcome touch of modernity to the venerable brand.
New on the scene, this was formerly the Radisson Aruba.
Top Things To Do In Arashi Beach
- Take a thrilling ride around Arubas north coast by embarking on an ATV tour.
- Visit Rancho La Ponderosa and explore the quality trails and enjoy the scenery on horseback.
- Go swimming at Boca California, one of Arubas best swimming spots.
- Dive beneath the waves and explore the Antilla, a German freighter sunk during World War II.
- Climb to the top of the California Lighthouse and take in the panoramic views of Arubas most northern point.
- Rest, relax and stare into the crystal clear waters of Malmok Beach.
- Visit the tiny Alto Vista Chapel that stands high on a hill overlook Aruba.
- Play a round of 18 at Tierra del Sol 18, one of Noords premier golf courses.
- Enjoy beachside beverages and Aruban snacks at the Arashi Beach Shack.
Best Snorkeling Beaches In Aruba
Alright so if youre headed down to the Caribbean, you know theres good snorkeling. The clear, warm water and nearby reefs make for good snorkeling conditions. Here are the best snorkeling beaches in Aruba.
Just a quick note: youll need to bring your own snorkel gear to these beaches, or book a snorkeling tour to experience the best snorkeling in Aruba!
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Dont Think Flamingos Are Native To Aruba
You may have noticed an influx of flamingos on your Instagram feed. Thats thanks to Renaissance Island, which is privately owned by the hotel Renaissance Resort & Casino, and lies about a 10-minute water taxi ride from Oranjestad. The main draw? A bright pink flock of flamingos on the beach the perfect backdrop for your selfies. Its worth a visit, but know that the flamingos are not native to the island and were brought there specifically for publicity .
Dont Skip A Visit To Zeerovers
Aruba is a cosmopolitan destination and there are plenty of international restaurants to enjoy. But the best seafood on the island comes from a humble, waterfront shack: Zeerovers. Guests line up at a window to place their order. The menu offers a fresh catch of the day plus a few sides like plantain, fries, and corn bread. Its then fried and served in colorful baskets to guests waiting on picnic tables overlooking the Caribbean. The food is best enjoyed with a dash of Hot Delight papaya hot sauce and a cold local Balashi Chill beer. Only cash is accepted.
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Guide To The Best Beaches In Aruba
Each beach will include the location or GPS coordinates, nearby parking and amenities, the shade situation and if you should bring water shoes or not.
And of course, the last beach on this list is the one to avoid while youre in Aruba!
This list isnt numbered from first place to last you get to decide which is the best beach in Aruba for you!
The first section includes the most popular beaches on the island
How Long Do You Need
When you’re traveling to Aruba, you’ll need at least a week whether you want to just lounge around and de-stress or experience all the activities that the country has to offer.
Where can I go from here? You can travel from Aruba to these destinations. The timings are based on how long it takes to fly there.
Curacao 40 mins
Colombia 1 hr 50 mins
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Dont Convert Your Currency From Usd To Afl
Arubas currency is the florin mostly known as Afl. However, U.S. dollars are widely accepted and prices are often listed in American currency, especially around Eagle and Palm beaches. That said, Aruba isnt the cheapest island, particularly if youre hitting up the luxury shopping at the Renaissance Mall. Restaurants are also a bit pricey, since most of the food has to be imported. Still, there are deals to be had, namely at all-inclusive resorts on Eagle Beach.
Best For Singles: Divi Aruba Beach Resort
Courtesy of Divi Aruba Beach Resort
Partnered with the nearby Tamarijn Aruba resort, the Divi Aruba Beach Resort is a more adult-orientated option that caters to a young, fun-loving crowd. Guest suites come with modern comforts such as Nespresso coffee machines and LED TVs, and most also offer spacious furnished balconies with ocean views. Water sports such as kayaking and snorkeling are available on the private beach area and additional services and amenities include the nearby Divi Aruba golf course, gaming tables and slot machines of the Alhambra Casino, and massage and facial treatments at the Indulgence by the Sea Spa.
A variety of alfresco bars serving beers, cocktails, wines, and spirits are scattered around the resort. As for dining, the Coco Grill & Bar serves fresh pizza under a stylish wooden pagoda the oceanfront Sandpiper Bar doles out classic American snacks on a scenic wooden veranda the sophisticated Red Parrot restaurant does fine dining the Pelican Terrace serves up Caribbean-inspired dishes, and Pure Lime offers authentic Mexican dishes. The Pelican Bar and Poolside Bar provide beverages for guests lazing around the gently curving freshwater pools, and more bars are available at Tamarijn if Divi’s options somehow aren’t enough.
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Oranjestad Where To Stay In Aruba For The First Time
Oranjestad is the capital city and the best place to stay in Aruba for first-timers. It is home to the shopping and entertainments centres of the island.
Here youll find upscale chain stores, street vendors and independent boutiques, as well as a wide variety of restaurants, casinos, dance clubs and bars.
Oranjestad is also where youll find Arubas cultural centre. The largest city on the island, Oranjestad is home to art galleries, historical sites and a number of interesting museums.
Stay in Oranjestad and enjoy the bright and colourful colonial houses and traditional Dutch architecture that make up this island city.
Lg Smith Boulevard & Arashi Beach
If a sprawling vacation villa complete with high-end amenities and unsurpassed ocean views is your idea of exciting, then booking a stay near LG Smith Boulevard and Arashi Beach is a must! This vibrant area offers the best of both worlds, with visitors able to retreat into luxury on the sand or head out and explore the best of area shopping too. An LG Smith Boulevard stay comes with the added benefit of seamless access to island highlights as this boulevard runs from Arashi Beach down through Boca Catalina Beach, Malmok Beach, Hadicurari Beach and beyond.
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Palm Beach Where To Stay In Aruba For Families
Palm Beach is the most popular tourist destination in Aruba. Perfect for those looking for a night out, this seaside community is also ideal for families and travellers with small children.
Home to many of Arubas top resorts, this area boasts a number of kid-friendly attractions. From Butterfly farms to pirate adventures, Palm beach has a myriad of activities to keep kids of all ages entertained.
The shallow waters of Palm Beach also make it an attractive destination for families. Take part in a variety of watersport in these calm and turquoise waters.
Whether you want to learn to snorkel or simply play in the waves, Palm Beach is perfect for swimmers of all ages and abilities. Its a very safe area of Aruba family-friendly and perfect for anyone travelling with the kids.
Dont Just Stick To Bottled Water In Aruba
Aruba has some of the cleanest water in the world. Its completely safe and even encouraged to drink the tap water here. The islands H2O comes from a saltwater desalination plant and meets the World Health Organizations highest standards for drinking water. So skip the bottled water and save some plastic.
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Best Overall: Tamarijn Aruba
With private, two-story beach villas facing directly onto the beach, the Tamarijn Aruba offers uninterrupted ocean views and unbeatable access to the sand. Although also appealing to couples and groups, this property is a great place for families, with children under 12 staying and eating for free. There are a ton of family-friendly activities such as a rock-climbing tower on the beach, a game room with pool and table tennis, and access to water sports equipment.
Five on-site restaurants, as well as five more at the nearby Divi Aruba, provide an excellent diversity of dining options, from hibachi-style dining on the ocean-view alfresco terrace of Palm Grill to the classy and sophisticated Paparazzi restaurant lounge and the modern and stylish Ginger, Asian Flavours restaurant serving up exciting Asian fusion cuisine. The poolside Pizza Per Tutti serves hot pizza and cold cocktails, while the Sandpiper Bar serves pasta and burgers on the beach. Once the sun has dipped below the horizon, a nightly schedule of themed dance and music shows entertains guests with salsa dancing, fire shows, and live jazz and reggae bands.
Where To Stay In Savaneta
- Serene by the Sea The 3-star Serene by the Sea offers a toes-in-the-sand holiday experience overlooking the brilliant blue ocean. The colorful adults-only boutique hotel has a private white-sand beach, BBQ facilities, and a lush garden. Guests staying here will have access to free Wi-Fi, an en-suite bathroom, and a private balcony or patio in their bright but modest rooms, as well as free snorkel gear, paddle boats, beach chairs, and a complimentary daily breakfast every day of their stay.
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Best Airbnb In Oranjestad: Affordable 1
If you have to watch your expenses while travelling in Aruba, this Airbnb is the perfect place for you. Super affordable, the cozy studio offers everything from a comfy bed to a fully equipped kitchen and a great pool in the spacious garden. Its a bit further from the city centre, but only 15min drive from the heart of Oranjestad. There are public transport options, as well as restaurants near by too.
Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort
- Area: Oranjestad
- Book Now:Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort
Upon your arrival at this 555-room resort, you might be disappointed to find a small pool instead of sandy palapas overlooking the sea. But the Renaissance makes up for its location on a busy thoroughfare in the capital city of Oranjestad with its own private island, a 40-acre oasis dotted with pink flamingos and iguanas. After an eight-minute water-taxi ride, you can choose between two distinct beachesone adults-only, the other designated for familiesplus an array of vacation-friendly amenities. A beachside bar and grill serves burgers and wood-fired pizzas an open-air spa offers massages, facials, and body scrubs and an extensive water-sports program includes activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and ocean kayaking. If thats not enough to tire you out for the evening, a steakhouse and casino await back at the main resort.
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Guide To The Best Snorkeling In Aruba
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by Kristin Young | Updated On: December 27, 2021 | Aruba
The snorkeling in Aruba is some of the best in the world. There are options on the island for all skill levels as well as for different styles and ways to snorkel that can suit everyones taste. Most of the best snorkeling in Aruba lets you walk straight off the beach without the need for a hired tour, making it much easier and cost-effective.
However, you can also book Aruba snorkeling tours so that you dont have to swim far out against currents and have that extra security of someone looking out for you. You can also do some Aruba shipwreck snorkeling where you can see the Antilla wreck. This also means the tour guides can show you exactly where to find the best snorkeling sights.
This guide details the best snorkeling beaches in Aruba, and exactly where to snorkel in Aruba to see certain fish and coral species. Weve listed the 10 best snorkeling locations for a range of skill levels and included what you can see there and what these spots offer in terms of amenities.
Just spend a few minutes reading this guide and you will be in the know about the best snorkeling Aruba locations and only need to concentrate on enjoying your time on the island to the fullest.
In this post:
- Facilities: Restaurants
- Look out for: Currents and boats
The Best Places To Stay In Aruba: Eagle Beach
Eagle Beach is another resort that is considered one of the best areas to stay in Aruba owing to its routine ranking as one of the top ten beaches in the world. It boasts powdery sand, water sports and quirky restaurants, all of which are accommodated by low-rise hotels with a more modest price range.
Just experiencing Eagle Beach is one of the best things to do in Aruba, but staying there is incredible.
This is where I stayed the first time I visited Aruba.
The quirky Dutch colonial-inspired hotel is just opposite the infamous Eagle beach. At the Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort you can choose from either a spacious studio or one-bedroom suite with a fully equipped kitchen, free WIFI, and of course use of the outdoor pool.
The resort also makes snorkelling equipment available and offers a complimentary drink on arrival.
Amsterdam Manor Beach will suit the mid-range budget, quite something given its proximity to the beach. Even more impressively it proclaims award-winning status, having won multiple awards including the Golden Travel Life award. It is also a proud LGBT friendly property.
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Coral Reef Beach Apartments
The no-frills Coral Reef Beach Apartments are perfect for travelers looking for a self-catered stay and a bit of peace and quiet. The property is 20 minutes from Arubas buzzing resort zone on the southwestern shore of the island.
Almost every suite here has an ocean view, plus features like kitchens, balconies, and up to two bedrooms. The beach is just outside the low-rise building, with lounge chairs and hammocks at the ready.
Neighborhood: Savaneta
Restaurants: No restaurants are on-site but the Flying Fishbone next door has a surf-and-turf dinner menu. Units are self-catered and come with private or shared kitchen access.
Best for: Budget travelers, families, and groups.
Eagle Beach Where To Stay In Aruba On A Budget
Eagle Beach is an idyllic Caribbean community with white sand beaches, turquoise waters and a laid-back attitude. Routinely ranked one of the top ten beaches in the world, Eagle Beach offers perfect conditions for swimming, powdery sand and a myriad of water activities to take part in.
Here youll find scenic piers, funky beach bars, quirky restaurants and low-rise hotels. Eagle Beach is also our top choice for where to stay in Aruba for budget backpackers travelling cheap.
Centred between two high-rise communities, Eagle Beach is where youll find a wide range of accommodation options. Enjoy stunning beaches for a fraction of the price in this northwestern Aruban community.
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Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa
Located at the southern end of the Low Rise Hotel Zone on the widest portion of Eagle Beach, Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa is a lovely upscale boutique choice with an all-inclusive option. There are 72 rooms that are done up in cherry wood and marble and are spacious and comfortable.
The hotel has an eco-friendly, wellness vibe about it, with gorgeous Southeast Asian-style gardens on the grounds and free introductory yoga and Pilates classes offered daily. There is also a spa right on the beach.
For meals, you can choose from four different restaurants. There is also a small swimming pool, a gym, and a mini-market on-site. Car hire is available from the front desk, and the concierge can arrange tours, activities, and transport.
Address: J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 55, Palm – Eagle Beach Aruba
Tierra Del Sol Resort And Golf
Tierra del Sol sits on 600 scenic acres on the northern tip of Aruba, with coastal views to both sides and the California Lighthouse nearby. The resort trades the oceanfront walkouts and casinos popular at other Aruba hotels for a quieter neighborhood feel on an 18-hole championship golf course.
Accommodations here are in condos and villas with private pools and multiple bedrooms for large groups and families to spread out in. A clubhouse pool, hot tub, tennis courts, and spa fill the time between rounds of golf and snorkeling trips to Arashi Beach, about a mile away
Neighborhood: Noord
Restaurants: The Restaurant at Tierra del Sol and 19th Hole Bar serves sandwiches, salads, starters, and spirits with golf course views for lunch and dinner. Panda Express by the clubhouse pool has fast-food Chinese for quick bites. You can also grab snacks and drinks from Lookout Bar on the golf course.
Amenities: Tennis courts, 18-hole golf course, private pools, clubhouse pool and hot tub, fitness center, and spa.
Best for: Golfers, groups, and families.
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