What to Pack for Aruba - A Caribbean Paradise
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About Aruba
Aruba is part of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) in the southernmost Caribbean, only about a 20-minute speed boat ride from Venezuela. Aruba is a Dutch colony, though it is mostly autonomous and has its own government and rules apart from those of the Netherlands. But because of its proximity to South America and its Dutch colonial heritage, most residents speak both Dutch and Spanish, in addition to English and the island’s native language, Papiamento. This mixing of cultures makes Aruba a fantastic destination for anyone who loves to meet people of all types, relax on the beach, and adventure through both the water and the land.
This Aruba packing list includes everything you need to know about what to pack for Aruba, including clothing, accessories, and what you can leave at home.
For more information about Aruba, including an Aruba Itinerary, check out my other posts!
What’s the weather like in Aruba?
Aruba is hot, hot, hot year-round. The island is only about 30 degrees off the equator, so the sun on the island is powerful. The average daily temperature is about 82F (28C), and the climate is mostly dry. Aruba is out of the hurricane zone, which means no matter what time of the year you plan your trip, you’re safe from the threat of a major storm! It is breezy, so laying on the beach isn’t intolerable. But between 11 - 2:30, you’re likely to burn from the intensity of the sun!
Flamingo Island Aruba
What should you wear in Aruba?
While you may be tempted to wear less clothing to deal with the heat, it is better to cover your skin, especially at midday. You’re also more than likely going to be spending the days outdoors, by the beach, or adventuring overland. My number one recommendation for all sunny, tropical destination packing lists is UV shirts to protect your skin. I wore one over a swimsuit or sports bra most days along with shorts to stay a little cooler. The one time I opted to wear a tank top instead of the UV shirt was the day I got sunburned 🤣
Dressing Tips for Aruba
Exploring
If you’re taking an ATV tour, horseback riding tour, national park tour, or any other tour where you’ll be riding around the countryside, wear a UV shirt and shorts. You’ll also want a hat and/or sunglasses to protect your eyes from the bright glare of the sun. Tennis shoes are going to be your friend on these trips so you don’t hurt your feet on sharp rocks or cacti, so make sure to pack a pair!
Beach
If you’re going to the beach, a cute swimsuit is a must. Don’t forget a matching, breezy coverup! You’ll want to lay out in a shady spot to prolong the time you can spend there. Thankfully, most resorts have palm trees or umbrellas to relax under. Grab a pair of sandals, then kick them off once you get to the sand so you can feel it between your toes. To save space on your packing list, you can bring sandals that will double as water shoes!
Baby Beach Aruba
Aruba Packing List
Shoes
For an Aruba packing list, you’ll need three types of shoes: tennis shoes, sandals, and water shoes. My all-time favorite tennis shoes for traveling are Adidas Superstars because they’re comfortable for walking all day, especially over uneven ground. If you want to save space, bring either Tevas or Chacos for your sandal and water shoe option. My husband really likes these adventure sandals, and he used them for both our Galapagos trip and our Aruba trip.
Bottoms
While Aruba may be known for its incredible beaches, it also has a ton of great restaurants and other excursions, so you might want to add a variety of bottoms to your packing list. Linen shorts or jean shorts are great for hitting the town or a casual lunch spot, while after the sun goes down, you might want to wear jeans and a dressy top for nightlife or the casinos. And if your hotel room has a balcony, some loose lounge pants would be perfect for watching the sunset.
Tops
Other essentials to your Aruba packing list are UV shirts, flowy tank tops, and comfortable t-shirts. My favorite UV shirts are these, and they come in an array of colors to suit everyone’s style.
Accessories
Obviously, you’ll want a handful of cute swimsuits on your Aruba packing list. Make sure you also bring a cover up, sunglasses, and a hat for relaxing on the beach! A baseball hat is also ideal for when you’re out exploring the island.
Toiletries
Most hotels will have shampoo, body wash, and conditioner available in large pump bottles since single-use plastic is banned in Aruba. So, pack whatever other toiletries you love like face wash, deodorant, and makeup, plus REEF SAFE sunscreen, and aloe (though Aruba makes wonderful aloe products you can buy just about anywhere). If you’re looking for a compact way to carry and manage your products while you travel, check out this hanging bag, perfect for hotels without a lot of bathroom space.
Electronics
Aruba uses the same outlet as the United States, so unless you’re coming from Europe, there is no need to add a travel adapter to your Aruba packing list. But since you’ll spend so much time relaxing at the beach, you can’t forget a book or Kindle! Or if audiobooks are more your speed, sign up for Audible! Other than entertainment, you’ll want noise-canceling headphones for the plane, phone chargers, and a GoPro or other action camera for epic underwater footage. My husband caught about three different sea turtles on camera and loved swimming with them while we were there.
Arbua Outfit Ideas
If you’re like me and need a visual on what to pack for Aruba, check out these photos of me in action. Hopefully, they help you decide what to put on your Aruba packing list!
Final Thoughts on What to Pack for Aruba
Deciding what to pack for Aruba is a breeze with this Aruba packing list (see what I did there?). If I missed something, drop it in the comments!