| Round-trip from | $11,156 | From Auckland Intl to Aruba |
Aruba, one of the most popular islands in the Caribbean, welcomes almost one million visitors each year. Most visitors come over from the United States, nearby Venezuela and the Netherlands, but lots of travellers from the UK also book flights to Aruba. The minute you step off your Aruba flight and drive to your hotel the long stretches of white sand beaches will take your breath away.
Oranjestad, Aruba’s capital, is where all the action is. It’s full of restaurants, casinos, nightclubs and shops and strolling through this small town is delightful. Dutch and Baroque architecture with a Caribbean twist are dotted along the streets and the bustling waterfront welcomes cruise ships, yachts and fishing boats, some that dock for a day, some that stay for months. A 20-minute walk west of Oranjestad is the beach town of Eagle Beach. There you’ll find a variety of accommodation from small boutique hotels to large all-inclusives which tend to cater more for the budget-conscious. Or, for those looking for a little more glitz and glamour, the next town after Eagle Beach is the swanky Palm Beach with upscale resorts along the famous Waikiki strip.
Aruba is tropical and averages 28 degrees year round. Cooling winds make for a very pleasant stay. The rainy season lasts from October through January, but the rains are generally short-lived.
Peak Season:
Wintertime here is peak season for visiting Aruba, roughly from December to March. Book ahead for accommodation.
Off Season:
The temperature on the island is good throughout the year, an average of high 20s, so any time you visit will be hot. Prices fall drastically outside the peak season. Most of the rainfall is between September and December; if you arrive in this season, bring a waterproof jacket.
The Arubus departs from Oranjestad to destinations through the island. Pay the bus driver as you enter, and hold on tight. Roads are poor in most of the country and the drivers can seem foolhardy to tourists… The service, however, is cheap and the buses connect with many of the beach resorts.
Taxis can also be taken from the town and main resorts.
To see much of the island, you’ll need to hire a car. Four-by-fours are recommended due to the bad roads.