Visiting Aruba: 4 Day Aruba Itinerary for Fun in the Sun

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Why You Should Visit 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. Because of its location, the island stays hurricane-free, making visiting Aruba a great choice year-round! No more having to cross your fingers that the crazy weather that seems to get crazier by the year will interrupt your much-needed vacation.

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.

Aruba is both a desert island and a tropical island, so the landscape near the beach will have white sand and palm trees, while if you go inland, you’ll find giant cacti forests and rocky, orange sand covered hills and valleys. I loved the vibes everywhere on the island, especially because there were so many different things to see in such a small space!

What You Need to Know Before You Go to Aruba

General

Aruba is located in the southern Caribbean, about 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela. To enter Aruba, you’ll need to fill out an ED Card, which can be done online in only a few minutes. It’s basically a customs form that tells them who you are, where you’re staying, and for how long. The capital of Aruba is Oranjestad.

Money

The Arubian Florin is the island’s currency, though USD is widely accepted, and when you pay your bill at most restaurants (at least in the touristy areas), you’ll be charged in USD. Some cash is helpful for taxis and tips (tips are expected for everything), but many taxis also take credit cards. Check with them before you hop in if you’re not paying in cash!

Language

Most native Arubians speak four languages: English, Spanish, Dutch, and Papiamento. This is because the island relies heavily on tourism, which means that they need to be able to cater to all of their visitors in as many languages as possible. Papiamento is an interesting mix of Portuguese, Spanish, and Dutch that evolved with the island’s inhabitants.

Safety

I felt very safe in Aruba. There were no beggars on the streets or people waiting to pickpocket me around every corner like I have experienced in other parts of the Caribbean. The main areas of the island are all clean and well-lit, and as long as you stay in the touristy areas when the sun goes down, you will be surrounded by others looking to escape the midday heat and enjoy a lovely dinner by the beach.

two bright pink flamingos stand at the water's edge while a woman sits nearby, looking over her shoulder at the setting sun renaissance island aruba — Lacey at Flamingo Island

Tips for Travelers with Anxiety in Aruba

The sun is intense in Aruba, so wear loose, long-sleeved clothing during the day or wear sunscreen. When snorkeling or swimming in the ocean, please use reef-safe sunscreen if you must, but you should definitely check out UV-resistant shirts and swimwear to save your skin and the environment!
It is very hot, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water! Pack electrolyte packets to rehydrate after a long day at the beach.

How to Travel to Aruba

The only way to reach Aruba for your four-day itinerary is by air. Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) is in Oranjestad, with direct flights from the US, Canada, some South American countries, and some parts of Europe (The Netherlands). However, the island itself is not large, meaning no matter where you stay in Aruba, you’ll get there in 40 minutes or less.

While you’re visiting Aruba, you can get around via taxi or rent your own car. Taxis are cheap and will either wait or come back for you if you arrange a pickup time and location with your driver. As Aruba’s main source of income is tourism, consider booking trips with local guides for excursions on your Aruba itinerary because they will take you all around the island and support the local economy!

When to Plan Your Aruba Itinerary

Peak tourist season in Aruba is May-August. I love traveling in shoulder seasons, and when we went in September, I thought it was perfect. The summer rush had just finished, so there was plenty of space to explore without being on top of everyone else visiting Aruba. You can easily plan your Aruba itinerary around Labor Day Weekend in the US, stretching your precious vacation days further by only using one day rather than two or three!

Since Aruba doesn’t get affected by hurricanes and it is located close to the equator, the weather stays relatively the same year-round. Expect dry, tropical weather with strong sun and salty air. The daily high is in the mid-80s (F) or 28 (C).

natural light spills into an ocean-carved limestone cave in arikok national park aruba — Inside of a cave in Arikok National Park

Where to Stay while visiting Aruba

There are two main areas to stay in Aruba: Oranjestad and Noord.

We stayed in Noord while visiting Aruba, and I thought it was perfect. It’s quieter but still close to a ton of restaurants and shopping with gorgeous white sand beaches feet away from your hotel. There’s nothing like being able to wake up and walk immediately onto the beach!

If you choose to stay in Oranjestad on your four-day Aruba itinerary, expect it to be more densely packed with less opportunity to go to the beach. There is a larger variety of restaurants and shops within walking distance than Noord, however.

So if you prefer quieter accommodations with beach access, look for a hotel in Noord, and if you prefer being in the heart of the nightlife and foodie scene, look for a hotel in Oranjestad.

Alternatively, if you know for certain you want to visit Flamingo Island, book a few nights’ stay at the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba resort, where you’ll have the first option of buying day passes to the private island. It’s pricey, so you could split your time between here and somewhere in Noord.

Visiting Aruba with a 4 Day Aruba Itinerary

Without further ado, let’s talk about what you’re going to do on your four-day Aruba itinerary!

Day 1: Arrival, Dinner, Beach Walk

If you’re flying from the United States for your four-day Aruba itinerary, you’re likely going to land in Aruba in the mid to late afternoon. While this doesn’t leave a ton of time for excursions, you still have time to get to your hotel, change clothes, and take a sunset walk on the beach! Afterward, find a restaurant where you can chill and listen to the ocean while you eat. Visiting Aruba is a relaxing experience, and there’s no better way to kick of that time than with some ocean therapy 🌊

Day 2: De Palm Island

There are two places you can see Flamingos while visiting Aruba: De Palm Island and Renaissance Island (AKA Flamingo Island). I’ve written a post comparing and contrasting the two private islands, so if you only want to go to one, use that guide to help make your decision!

De Palm Island is all-inclusive, which means that your entry ticket will get you all the food and beverages you want while you hang out by the beach. If you buy the basic ticket (without upgrading to a cabana) you’ll only be able to see flamingos that are somewhat roped off from the majority of the crowd on the island. De Palm Island is more kid and family-friendly, with giant waterslides, pools, and activities for little ones. From the island, you can also snorkel, snuba, or Sea Trek (must purchase in advance). And if all you want to do is relax, there are plenty of beach chairs for you to lounge in.

Day 3: Baby Beach, Arikok National Park, Natural Pools

We opted to do a guided tour in an open-air jeep around the island while visiting Aruba. We got lucky and were the only ones on the tour, which made for an exciting adventure, especially once we entered Arikok National Park.

The first stop on the tour is Baby Beach, the third most popular beach on the island, and with its shallow, crystal-clear water, you can see why! Many locals hang out here, especially on the weekends, so adjust your plan accordingly if you want more space on the beach. It’s a great spot to snorkel, and shallow enough that you don’t have to worry too much about getting totally geared up for a long session.

The second stop is in Arikok National Park, which makes up a whopping 19% of the island! The natural park is filled with rolling hills covered in giant cacti, herds of goats (they all apparently have owners), a few wild donkeys, and a series of caves formed through millions of years of volcanic eruptions. The sea has worn them out, and with their proximity to the water, stalactites, and stalagmites are developing in them. One even has cave paintings from Aruba’s first inhabitants!

After you’ve finished touring the caves, you’ll be in for a ROUGH ride. Think of the roughest road you’ve ever driven on, then multiply that by 20. We went on the F roads in Iceland, and this made them look like a perfectly paved road! But it was SO worth it in the end when we reached the Natural Pools. The Natural Pools are an off-the-beaten-path hang-out spot where you can sit in the ocean without really sitting in the ocean. The main one is deep with colorful fish you can swim around with, and if you climb the volcanic rocks, there is an even smaller pool with a stunning view of the surrounding countryside and shoreline. It can be dangerous, especially if the waves are rough, so follow the guide’s instructions so you don’t get swept out to sea!

Day 4: Atlantis Submarine, Flamingo Island

Have you ever been on a submarine? I hadn’t before this trip! Don’t worry, OceanGate isn’t the owner or operator of this one. The Atlantis Submarine Aruba has been operating since the 90s, and there are others you can take all over the world! While visiting Aruba, you can’t miss this excursion. The vessel holds 48 people maximum and dives to 140 feet. Along the way, you’ll get up close and personal with a colorful coral reef and several shipwrecks where you can see fish of all shapes, sizes, and colors. No sharks, unfortunately! We did see one sea turtle as well. The total journey time takes about 2 hours, and you will have to ride a ferry from the meeting point to the submarine. I don’t really like boats, and the only time I felt a little panicky was when everyone was loading into the submarine and it rocked from side to side. The ocean around Aruba is relatively calm!

Flamingo Island is a private island owned by the Marriott Renaissance Resort, and getting tickets to visit can be quite tricky. But it is so worth it, especially if you’re looking for a relaxing, adult-only excursion. The ferry to Renaissance Island (AKA Flamingo Island) is only a 5-minute walk from the Atlantis submarine, so if you opt to include a trip to the island on your four-day Aruba itinerary, they make the perfect excursions to pair together. The best time to see the flamingos and get the best photos with them is early in the morning or late evening (the island is open 7 AM-7 PM), and the submarine runs in the middle of the day, which means you can spend half a day relaxing on the island and the other part adventuring beneath the ocean!

Check out my post comparing De Palm and Renaissance Island for more info!

Day 5: Tres Tapi, Boca Catalina Beach, Departure

If your flight leaves later in the day, spend your morning exploring Tres Tapi and Boca Catalina Beach. These two spots are the best on the island for spotting sea turtles, though they don’t stick around once the catamarans filled with tourists start showing up for the day after 10 AM! Bring your own snorkel gear to these spots between 7 AM and 10 AM to swim with Hawksbill Sea Turtles, schools of sardines, and more tropical fish. A taxi will either wait for you or you can arrange a time for them to return to pick you up. You won’t need more than a couple of hours here, so if you have some extra time, ask your driver to take you a little further up the coast to the California Lighthouse.

One thing that threw me off at the airport in Aruba was the fact that you clear both Aruba and US customs on the island. So if you have Global Entry, you’ll be able to skip the line to leave Aruba just like you would in the United States! During the shoulder and off-seasons, you’ll need to arrive about 2 hours early for departure. If you’re leaving on a weekday, the airport will be a bit slower than if you’re leaving on a weekend day. At least when you land in the US, you won’t have to clear customs again!

Other Things to Do When Visiting Aruba

ATV tour

Another very popular tour while visiting Aruba is an ATV tour! You can ride through many scenic spots throughout the island while getting a thrill and bumping over the rough terrain. There are a variety of ATV tours all over the island, but after doing some research, I found this one to be both popular and well-rated.

Horseback Riding

Much like the ATV tour, you can see many natural wonders of Aruba on horseback. Whether you prefer to ride along the beach or ride through the national park, there is a horseback riding tour for you!

Guided Snorkeling Tour

If you don’t feel like trying to get to the best snorkeling spots on your own, arrange a guided tour! Many offer catamaran tours (large, wide boats with a net to hang out in, that move slowly over the water) where you can snorkel and drink fruity drinks under the sun. Check out this one that has over 1000 5-star ratings!

Final Thoughts on Visiting Aruba - 4 Day Aruba Itinerary

Your four-day Aruba itinerary will be a relaxing, exciting, and sunny vacation, perfect for any time of the year. Whether you want a break from the cold winter days in the US and Europe, or need a romantic getaway with your love, consider visiting Aruba!