What NOT to Do On Your Trip to Aruba
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do on a trip to Aruba. This Caribbean island is part of the Dutch Antilles, which is part of the Netherlands. While many travel blogs will tell you all the fun things to see in Aruba, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do when you plan an Aruba vacation.
Don’t Take the Dutch Part Too Seriously
Aruba is a sovereign country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The residents are typically polyglots who speak Papiamento, which is the local language, as well as Dutch. Being such a popular tourist destination, you’ll also hear English, Spanish, Portuguese, and other languages. One major difference for travelers is that things that are legal in the Netherlands are not necessarily legal in Aruba, including marijuana.
Don’t Be in a Hurry
Remember, you’re in the Caribbean, not in the Netherlands. So everyone is on “island time.” Everything moves at a slower pace, and it can take a few days to adjust. It’s a good idea to not wait until you are starving to sit down at a restaurant because it will be a while before you get your food. Once you’ve adjusted to island time, it’s pretty relaxing, but the first few days can be frustrating!
This also applies to the airport in Aruba. If you are returning to the United States, you’ll clear customs in Aruba rather than when you land. It can take a bit of extra time, so make sure you allow plenty of time at the airport before your flight!
Don’t Worry About Weather in Aruba
Many Caribbean islands have a rainy season and of course, hurricane season, but Aruba is a desert island. It’s actually very dry and doesn’t get that much rain. It’s located just outside of the hurricane belt, so Aruba doesn’t see hurricanes very often. This makes Aruba a great destination any time of year.
Don’t Worry About Aggressive Touts
A lot of tropical destinations, especially beaches, feature a lot of aggressive touts trying to sell you souvenirs. Aruba still has them, but they’re a lot more laid back than in other places we have visited. Once you say no, they will move on or just have a friendly chat with you, but you won’t feel pressured to give in to them.
Don’t Forget Your Sunblock!
The sun is strong in Aruba! Aruba is pretty close to the equator, so it’s sunny almost every day. Even with a hat and SPF50, I still got burned on my face! If you’re out on the water, the sun reflects back up off the water, so you have to apply and reapply often! Of course, you’ll pay more for sunscreen in Aruba, so bring your own from home.
Don’t Forget to Stay Hydrated
Because Aruba is dry and not as humid, you might not feel like you are sweating as much as you are. But it’s important to stay super hydrated because the sun will zap all of your hydration if you aren’t careful. Fortunately, the tap water in Aruba is safe to drink, so bring your water bottles and keep them refilled!
Travel pro tip: Beer and rum will not hydrate you; you need water!
Don’t Just Take a Palapa
Palapas are the little thatched roof huts all over the beach. They are great for enjoying the beach but having some shade from the sun. However, they are not free! You need to reserve them with the hotel or look for an attendant nearby and you can ask if there is one available. They are nice to have and worth the splurge to get out of the sun!
Don’t Worry About Exchanging Money
In Aruba, the official currency is the Aruban Guilder, but they accept US Dollars everywhere. You might get change back in the local currency, but you can spend your dollars wherever you go. And spend you will!
Don’t Have a Heart Attack When You See Aruba Prices
Aruba is expensive, especially when you are going out to eat. Remember, you’re on an island so most things have to be shipped in. And, Aruba is an extremely popular year-round tourist destination, so there’s no high or low season. It’s expensive year-round. For our family of four, dinner was typically around $200 and that’s not with a bunch of wine or cocktails. Tipping in Aruba is also customary, so that is another expense to account for.
If you’re visiting Aruba on a budget, consider Aruba accommodations that have a kitchen so you can cook meals rather than eat out. There are mini-marts all over the island so you can at least pick up snacks and drinks to save you a little bit of money. If your hotel includes breakfast, fill up and skip lunch for an early dinner.
Shocks to Expect on a Trip to Aruba
Don’t Expect to Eat at Any Time
Aruba restaurants do not stay open all hours. Many close between lunch and dinner, so between 3:00 and 5:00, you might find that a lot of restaurants have closed. There are fast food restaurants that are always open if you are hungry and find most of the restaurants closed. However, you’re going to want to enjoy at least one nice dinner seated outside looking at the beach.
Don’t Miss Sunset
Aruba sunsets are spectacular, so make sure you catch at least one during your Aruba vacation! Even our boys commented on how beautiful the Aruba sunsets are!
Don’t Miss the Rest of the Island
Most Aruba visitors stay in the high-rise hotels in the tourist district or at the smaller resorts in Eagle Beach. But there’s actually a lot to see outside of these areas, so we highly recommend renting a car to see Aruba. Outside of the beaches and resorts, there are a few things to see in Aruba:
- The California Lighthouse has a great observation deck with amazing views, although I don’t recommend it if you are claustrophobic or scared of heights.
- The Aruba Donkey Sanctuary is a fun stop where you can visit with donkeys and learn about their role in the island culture.
- The Aruba Ostrich Farm offers guided tours every day, with the chance to interact and learn about these animals.
- The East side of the island has rougher beaches, but you can visit the Natural Bridge here. East side beaches are not recommended for swimming or watersports, especially if you have kids. However, it’s great for sightseeing.
- Arikok National Park is a beautiful National Park with hiking trails and cave paintings.
Don’t Think You Have to Take Tours
If you want to explore Aruba, it’s very easy to rent a car and drive. There are sightseeing tours in Aruba, but we prefer to go at our own pace, so we rented a car. The roads are good and people are friendly if you need directions. Just make sure you rent your car ahead of time, as there is a limited supply. We had to go to three car rental counters before we could get a car.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Group Tours
Don’t Miss Carnival in Aruba!
If you can visit during Carnival, it’s a huge party in Aruba. Similar to Mardi Gras festivities, Carnival in Aruba kicks off after the new year and lasts through Lent.
Don’t Take the Coral
Aruba is surrounded by coral reefs, and you’ll see a lot of coral washed up on the shore. But don’t take it home; it’s part of the ecosystem and should be left on the beach.
Don’t Forget to Check the Cruise Schedule
If you plan on spending any time in town, check the cruise schedule ahead of time and try to avoid those days, especially if there are two ships in port on the same day. Oranjestad can see an extra 10,000 tourists when there are two cruise ships in town. Save yourself the frustration and go on a different day!
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with Aruba! We found it to be a super safe family destination, with fantastic food, beaches, and things to see. Want more Caribbean travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts: