What to Expect When Traveling to Aruba
If you’ve never been to Aruba before, you are in for a treat! Aruba is one of the ABC islands in the Caribbean.
A: Aruba
B: Bonaire
C: Curacao
Source: http://kibrahacha.com/maps/carib/06.htm
In 2020, we traveled to Curacao and Aruba — and in 2021 we decided to travel back to Aruba because we loved the island so much. Here are a few things to expect and consider before traveling to Aruba.
The Sun is HOT
If you look at a map, you can see that Aruba is not too far off from the equator. The closer you are to the equator, the hotter it is. A mistake that I made was not bringing chapstick with SPF in it.
Do not make the mistake I made!
Find a good chapstick with SPF in it and apply it all day long. Otherwise, you may not be able to smile without your lips cracking or go into the ocean without them burning.
Also, it may seem like a no-brainer but make sure to apply sunscreen all day. Don’t worry, you will still tan through the sunscreen. The sun is very persistent.
There’s nothing worse than cooking your skin on day one of your trip and not being able to move for the next few days and then peel like a flaky croissant.
We live in upstate New York so we don’t see the sun much. Easing into it for the first few days is the best way to make the most of the heat and sunshine without burning to a crisp.
Rent a Car
If you Google “rent a car in Aruba,” you will find a long list. Don’t stress about which one you choose. The car rental places are mostly all at the airport so after you land and head outside, you will see a row of car rental places. Just pick one that works for you and reserve a car there a few days or a week before your trip.
I definitely recommend renting a car so you can buzz around the island. You can hit most places like the beaches and shopping by car. Also, it’s generally about $100-$130 for a small car for a week so it’s pretty cost-effective -- especially if you split it with other people. The last time we went, we rented a car from Thrifty for $115 for a week.
The island is small -- it has one main road that goes up the island. You’ll learn where to go quickly and where all the landmarks are. Also, there are practically no stop signs or street lights— it’s all roundabouts. Don’t let them intimidate you. They actually are really easy to maneuver and keep the traffic flowing.
High-Rise Hotel vs Home Rental
Holiday Inn pool in Aruba
The choice between staying at a hotel or a private home rental through Airbnb is really up to the traveler’s personal preference. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. The high-rise area on the island is nice. You can walk out of any hotel and be right on the beach and all the shops and restaurants are within walking distance. It also provides a sense of security to stay at a hotel rather than a private residence. The downfalls are that they can be more expensive and less private.
Home rentals are advantageous because you can have some more privacy depending on the home/apartment you choose. You could also have your own pool and backyard living space. The homeowner may provide a cooler, beach towels, and beach chairs for you to use which is a nice amenity. They also tend to have laundry units at the home as well which can be helpful. If you are OK with sharing a living space, renting a house can be more cost-effective and fun when traveling with a group.
It’s a Desert!
When you land in Aruba, you’ll see palm trees lining the roads and by the hotels. But once you leave the touristy area, the majority of the island is a desert full of cacti! It’s actually really cool and worth leaving the hotel area of the island and checking out the desert.
The best way to do this is to visit Arikok National Park. You can do an excursion and let guides take you around in large Jeeps, or rent a Jeep/car and see it on your own! If you rent a car, you won’t be able to see the entire island but you can see a good chunk of it.
The Language
You won’t have to worry about a language barrier in Aruba -- everyone speaks English. The locals are required to know English in order to work at hotels and at tourist attractions. The ABC islands have their own official language though. It’s called Papiamento-- a mix between Portuguese, Dutch, and Spanish.
The Currency
Aruba uses the US dollar and florin interchangeably — so there’s no need to exchange money when you get there. The dollar is equal to 1.8 florins so don’t be alarmed when things look like they are really expensive. For example, if something is listed for 50 florins, it’s $27.78 USD.
I hope this helped if you are preparing for a trip to Aruba anytime soon! Please reach out if you’d like to talk further or have questions about any of the things listed above. I’d be happy to help!