I visited Aruba with my husband nearly four years ago, and I feel very confident that if you plucked me up into the sky and dropped me into the heart of Oranjestad today, I could make my way around the island with ease. There’s something about it that sticks with you. Even after just one visit, you can picture the beaches, remember your favorite restaurants, and start thinking about what you’d do differently the next time you go.
If Aruba is on your list of potential destinations, allow me to give you five reasons I’d gladly return tomorrow.
The Weather
While many island destinations face the uncertainty of tropical storms and hurricanes, Aruba has a major geographical advantage. Located in the southern Caribbean and just north of Venezuela, it sits outside the main hurricane belt of the Atlantic Ocean. No destination is completely immune to storms, but Aruba rarely faces impact, making the decision to visit an easier one for cautious travelers.
The island enjoys warm temperatures year-round, typically ranging from the low to upper eighties fahrenheit. It has relatively little rainfall and often only in short spells, so you don’t really have to worry about being robbed of a day at the beach or by the pool due to showers moving in.
I will, however, warn you of the wind, which rarely stops blowing. Bring plenty of hair clips, hats, or headbands to secure your hair and spare yourself an hour of detangling knots that evening.
The Beaches
Wherever you stay on the island, you’ll never be too far from a beach worth visiting. Even if you’re staying at a resort with a private beach, I would encourage you to explore the more than 20 public beaches around the island. Each one has a different experience to offer, so you won’t regret venturing out.
Eagle Beach is known for its iconic fofoti trees and perfect white sand, while Palm Beach offers a much livelier experience with resorts, hotels, restaurants and beach bars nearby. Baby Beach—although very busy when we visited—was my favorite because of its striking turquoise water in a small bay.
Of course, I have to mention Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island, which we visited all but one day of our stay. The private island belongs to the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort, part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, making it an especially appealing option if you collect Marriott Bonvoy points or have a Marriott Bonvoy credit card. If you’re staying elsewhere, be sure to check the resort’s current access policies before booking, as day passes for non-guests are limited.
There was something so fun about relaxing in your lounge chair or swaying in a hammock over the water as flamingos wandered by, seemingly minding their own business. It’s not your everyday beach experience, and it’s one of those uniquely Aruban memories that has stayed with me long after our trip.
The Terrain
Aruba’s terrain is wildly unique. It is essentially a desert that floats in the Caribbean. This makes for a
The Food
For such a small island, Aruba has an impressive variety of dining experiences and cuisines. If you’re craving a steak dinner, no problem. Want fresh seafood with a view of the water? There are options for that, too. If you’d rather skip the familiar restaurant menus and try something local, there’s plenty to discover.
Aruban cuisine reflects the diversity of the island itself: Caribbean, Dutch, South American and more. It’s easy to find something everyone will enjoy, and there might even be some restaurants you find yourself returning to within one visit. (For us, that was Aquarius Restaurant for the amazing seafood.)
The Family-Friendly Atmosphere—If You Want it to Be
One thing I noticed while visiting is how naturally it seemed to accommodate so many different kinds of travelers. Everywhere I looked, there were families enjoying the island together, couples on a romantic getaway, and groups of friends making the most of their time together.
If you’re traveling with children, you can spend the day at a beach with shallow water, book a family-friendly excursion, or enjoy a relaxed evening together. If you’re traveling as a couple, you can opt for a quieter resort, a sunset dinner, or a day exploring at your own pace.
The destination’s range of beaches, dining, shopping, and activities make it easy to create exactly the kind of vacation you want.
So, Is Aruba Worth Visiting?
If you ask me, absolutely.
Aruba has warm weather, stunning beaches, memorable food, and varied landscapes. It holds so much of what you would be searching for in a Caribbean getaway, and in my opinion, it also offers a sense of familiarity that makes returning even more appealing.
If someone offered me the chance to go back tomorrow, I wouldn’t need much convincing.
