Aruba Holidays

If you’re planning an Aruba holiday, it might be an idea to pencil in some time exploring the island’s capital city, Oranjestad. Wander around the various shops, galleries and museums, making sure to admire the Dutch-colonial architecture as you go. Or, sit down with drink and enjoy sunshine at Plaza Daniel Leo.

If you’d rather discover some of Aruba’s incredible desert landscape, Arikok National Park is the place to go. Here, you’ll find caves, cliffs and sprawling cacti in abundance. It’s home to a fascinating variety of flora and fauna, too, so be sure to keep an eye open for goats, snakes, lizards and colourful parakeets. Lace up your hiking boots, or hire a 4WD and take a leisurely cruise along the park’s scenic roads.

There are loads of fantastic beaches and bays dotted around this tiny island. But, if you want to be in the centre of the action, Palm Beach is your best bet. Wherever you bed down along this sandy stretch, you’ll always be within reach of a selection of hostels, bars and restaurants. And the calm water is ideal for swimmers of any age.

Looking for something a little quieter? Then, the next beach along, Eagle Beach, might just be the answer. Lined with fofoti trees and looking out to perfectly-still, turquoise water, it’s nothing short of paradise. Get stuck into some snorkelling, or have a game of beach tennis.
For a completely novel experience, make tracks for Renaissance Island. This private island is home to the adults-only Flamingo Beach, where - as the name suggests - pink-feathered flamingos freely roam.

Aruba’s cuisine is both diverse and delicious. From quick bites, to traditional meals, there’s a fantastic selection of food for you to try here. But, if there’s one thing you have to sample before you leave, it’s a Pastechi. These mouth-watering, savoury pastries can be filled with just about anything. But, most commonly, they’re made up of minced beef, onion, celery, raisins and a concoction of mixed spices.

Pastechi is usually served as a snack, but when it’s time for your main meal, you might want a taste of the island’s national dish, Keshi Yena. A total comfort food, this decadant, cheesy casserole typically comes stuffed with seafood. Or, if you fancy something lighter, Pisca Hasa is an equally-yummy option. Freshly-caught fish topped with a tomato-onion Creole sauce – what could be better?

One of the many great things about Aruba is that the weather’s close to perfect most months of the year. Although temperatures are still in the mid-twenties, January and February are the coolest. So, if you want to spend a lot of time in the sea, it’s worth noting it might be a bit chillier around this time. September and October are also best to avoid, as they clash with the Caribbean hurricane season. But, you can take your pick from what’s left of the year, and be sure to expect hot weather and sunny days galore.

May is a great time to visit Aruba if you want to get involved in some of the island’s biggest events. Listen to soul-music stars at the Soul Beach Music Festival. Or, spectate some sport on the beach at Aruba’s annual kite-surfing and wind-surfing tournament.