Considering booking a trip to Aruba? Are you wondering if it’s a good choice for your vacation? You’re in the right place! Is Aruba worth visiting is one of the most frequent questions I get from people who are considering where to vacation in the Caribbean. The short answer to “is Aruba worth visiting” is, yes! Let’s get into all the reasons why Aruba is worth visiting!
In my opinion, the top four things that make Aruba worth visiting are: the weather, the safety, the activities and the ease of travel.
When thinking about the ease of travel, this is specifically related to how developed Aruba is. In many ways, being in Aruba feels like you’re in the US. This has its pros and cons, but for people who want to vacation somewhere where English is widely spoken, there are great supermarkets and even US chains, Aruba is a great option. It’s outside of the US, but it honestly doesn’t really feel like it – minus the stunning Caribbean location.
Is Aruba Worth Visiting? – The Pros
Safety
One of the top reasons to visit Aruba, in addition to it being a beautiful island of course, is that it’s so safe. I never once felt unsafe anywhere I went in Aruba.
The driving is easy, the tourist areas are very safe and crime is extremely low. In fact, Aruba is considered one of the safest Caribbean islands.
You can visit Aruba with your family, friends and children and not have to worry about being unsafe if you travel outside the resort, go out at night, or visit less-touristy towns or attractions. All in all, the island is very safe for both tourists and locals.
Location and Weather
Aruba’s location, outside of the hurricane belt, makes it a great destination year round! Aruba is the sunniest island in the Caribbean and is known to have 364 days of sun per year. With very little rain and consistently warm temperatures, Aruba is the perfect destination any time of year.
The almost guaranteed perfect weather is a top reason why Aruba is absolutely worth visiting!
Accommodations
For travelers looking for beach resorts, Aruba is a great island! There are tons of beachfront hotels and all-inclusive resorts that are great for couples, families and friends.
While, in general, accommodations can be expensive, there are also some good budget friendly options available.
Many people love visiting Aruba for the all-inclusive resorts – and there are definitely some nice ones. An all-inclusive resort is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a very relaxing vacation that requires minimal planning. All of your meals and most of your activities will be right at the hotel!
If you’re like me and prefer a traditional hotel, there are also wonderful options. Personally, I prefer hotels instead of all-inclusives as I like to spend a lot of time outside of the resort.
Below are some great hotel and resort options! My biggest piece of advice is to stay beachfront or walkable to the beach – you’ll be happy you did.
Amazing All-Inclusive Resorts in Aruba (multiple price points):
Beautiful Hotels in Aruba (multiple price points):
- Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba – Adults Only
- Beach House Aruba Apartments
- Wonders Boutique Hotel
- Bubali Bliss Studios
Activities
Aruba is a very popular island for tourists and that means that there are tons of wonderful things for travelers to do and experience!
On the island you’ll find a beautiful National Park (Arikok National Park) with great hikes, caves and drives. In addition, you’ll find animal sanctuaries, stunning beaches and incredible snorkeling – just to name a few of the many activities Aruba has to offer.
One thing I love about Aruba is that there really is something for everyone. You can go off-roading in the desert, take a walking tour in the capital city of Ojanastad, go horseback riding on the beach, on a sunset sail, and spend endless hours on the beaches.
Below are a few of my favorite activities in Aruba!
- ATV Adventure to Secret Beach and Cave Pool – hotel pickup included
- Happy Hour Sunset Sail with Savory Bites and Cocktails
- Meet the Animals of Aruba Tour (animal sanctuaries) – hotel pickup included
- Horseback Ride Tour to Wariruri Beach – hotel pickup included
- Arikok National Park Jeep Adventure – hotel pickup included
Is Aruba Worth Visiting? – The Cons
When thinking about the cons of visiting Aruba, there are really only two that come to mind. The first is the price and the second is the extreme Americanization of the island.
Prices in Aruba
Aruba is pretty pricey. In my experience, I found I was spending just as much in Aruba, on hotels, food and activities, as I would on a vacation in the US. Aruba is a huge tourist destination and with that comes high prices.
While there are definitely ways to visit Aruba on a budget, in general, it’s an expensive island. You’ll see these high prices everywhere from grocery stores (often more expensive than in the US), to restaurant prices (think Boston or Miami prices) and hotels (Florida or similar). Activities can be expensive too, but there are definitely affordable and free options as well.
If you’re okay with spending a little more than you would in Caribbean islands like the Dominican Republic or even Puerto Rico, Aruba is a great option.
Americanization of the Island
Aruba is pricey because it’s very developed and is classified as a “high income economy.” The infrastructure is great, the island is clean and you can find literally anything you need. However, likely in an effort to attract more tourists from the US, Aruba is extremely Americanized.
In my opinion, it’s too Americanized. For example, in Aruba, you’ll find a McDonalds next to a Hooters, a TGI Fridays and a Benihana. When I travel somewhere international, I don’t want to feel like I’m in a replica of Florida.
The whole island certainly doesn’t feel this way, and Aruba has a rich, unique culture to learn about and appreciate, however, it definitely feels overshadowed in some parts of the island.
However, if you’re looking for a comfortable place to vacation that offers all of the comforts of home, then Aruba is a great option!
FAQ: Is Aruba worth visiting?
- Do they speak English in Aruba?
- Yes! English is widely spoken in Aruba and everyone I spoke to spoke English. Most Arubans speak at least three or four languages: Papiamento (local Portuguese-based creole), Dutch, English, and Spanish.
- What is so special about Aruba?
- There are a lot of aspects that make Aruba special, but three of the top ones are its location, the safety and the accessibility! Due to its location outside of the hurricane belt, Aruba has beautiful, sunny weather almost every single day of the year. Combine that with wonderful safety records and tons of daily flights from around the world and you have yourself the perfect island destination!
- Is Aruba one of the safest islands in the Caribbean?
- Yes! Aruba is a very safe island. You can walk around most parts of Aruba day or night and not have to worry. Of course, use common sense and stay in well-lit, populated areas – but that’s a given for anywhere you travel. Driving in Aruba is also very easy and very safe.
So there you have it! To answer the question “is Aruba worth visiting” I would definitely say YES! There are so many wonderful aspects of Aruba that it really does make a wonderful vacation getaway.
While the price and “Americanization” are, in my opinion, two of the least attractive factors of an Aruba vacation – they definitely do not outweigh the pros.
If you have any questions to learn more about if Aruba is worth visiting, please let me know in the comments or DM us on Instagram, @twosistersabroad!
Ready to keep planning your Aruba Vacation? Check out our other guides:
- Travel Aruba: 12 Tips for the Best Vacation
- What to Wear in Aruba – Packing Guide
- 10 Unique Things to do in Aruba
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♡Kate
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