Flights to Aruba

 

Located about 15 miles offshore from Venezuela, Aruba is an island with white sand beaches, blue skies and crystal clear waters. The Dutch territory is a vacationers' paradise with resorts popping up all along the coastline to take advantage of the far-as-you-can-see views.
With a population of just 100,000, the island of Aruba doesn’t have any major cities, but its capital is the town of Oranjestad. A stroll down its charming streets reveals Dutch Colonial architecture that’s been colorfully restored.

While most of Aruba’s resort activity is centered on the white sandy beaches of the western coast, if you venture to the northern and southern coasts, you’ll find much more rugged landscapes. In fact, because it’s isolated from the main land of South America, Aruba has developed its own unique flora and fauna. On sea and sand, Aruba really does have it all and it provides an alluring background for whether you plan to be active or idle.

Aruba’s only international airport is the Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) located in Oranjestad. Besides the U.S., it also services Trinidad and Tobago, most Caribbean countries, the northern coastal countries of South America, Canada, the Netherlands and some other parts of Europe. Though the airport is small, it has a handful of retail stores including duty-free goods, as well as restaurants and bars, ATMs and free Wi-Fi.

Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)

  • Aruba’s public bus transportation is called Arubus. The buses regularly stop at the airport with service into Orangestad and other districts throughout the island.
  • Taxi service at the airport is easy to come by with flat rates depending on the resort you’re traveling to. Visit Aruba International Airport’s website for a list of destinations and their prices.
  • If you prefer to rent your own car to explore the island, there are 10 car rental companies that operate out of the airport.
  • Many tour operators also operate out of the Aruba International Airport and you can visit its website to see a complete list of them.

NATURAL BEAUTY

While the waterfront horizon is the image that appears on many Aruban postcards, the unmapped terrain also provides stunning views of the island. The Natural Pool called Conchi is a day trek that you'll need an ATV to reach. Located on the Windward Coast, Conchi is a concealed pool that feels like your own secret on the island. After you make a splash there, head to the mainland enclosed Arikok National Park, which is home to dozens of varieties of cacti, tropical flowers, plants and indigenous wildlife.

WATER SPORTS

Endless venues to kayak, scuba dive, fish, sail, cruise or windsurf will whisper to you with the breeze in Aruba. From inside a catamaran, the Aruban sunset is particularly stunning. Embark on a submarine expedition to ogle at coral reefs and shipwrecks in air-conditioned comfort. And if you’d like to combine surf and turf, take an off-road adventure to the Natural Pool - a unique circular formation of volcanic rocks in the ocean - where you’ll be able to get out of your Jeep and take a dip.

RESTAURANTS

Take time to enjoy the local tastes of Aruba. With so many different influences: the proximity to Venezuela, the traditional Dutch cooking styles and the impact of resorts and tourists, Aruba has restaurants to feed every appetite. Familiar chain restaurants exist throughout the island, but there are also native spots where you can dive into local delicacies and immerse yourself in the mix of influences that make this island a unique pleasure to behold.

Aruba’s tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean. That means no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll see a pretty constant temperature - generally somewhere between 80-85 °F. And because annual precipitation in Oranjestad rarely tops 18.5 inches (a relatively small annual amount), there’s no real rainy season to contend with when planning your trip.