Aruba—“One Happy Island”—mixes Dutch heritage with Caribbean rhythms and dependable sunshine. The Arawak lived here for millennia; the island later became a Dutch outpost and a crossroads for traders and sailors. Today, travelers come for powdery beaches like Eagle and Palm, shipwrecks teeming with fish, and a desert-meets-sea interior carved by wind and waves.

Fun facts: Aruba lies outside the hurricane belt and enjoys steady trade winds that keep things cool and perfect for watersports. You’ll spot bright cacti, limestone cliffs, and hidden natural pools across Arikok National Park. The island’s compact size means you can beach-hop, hike, and street-art hunt all in one day with your rental car.

Practical notes for March: Expect mid-80s°F days with strong sun; bring reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, and water shoes for rocky coves. The currency is the Aruban florin, but USD is widely accepted. Tap water is safe, driving is on the right, and parking is plentiful by most beaches. With an Airbnb base and a mid-range budget, plan some home-cooked breakfasts, supermarket picnic lunches, and a handful of memorable dinners out.

Oranjestad

Oranjestad, the colorful capital, blends restored Dutch gables, a breezy harborfront promenade, lively plazas, and the island’s small museums. Ride the free blue streetcar, browse local crafts, then refuel with pastechi (savory pastries) and fresh seafood with toes-in-the-sand vibes.

• Top sights: Fort Zoutman/King Willem III Tower (island history), National Archaeological Museum, Renaissance Marina boardwalk, the free streetcar loop.
• Great eats nearby: Pastechi House for island-style breakfast bites; Yemanja Woodfired Grill for Caribbean-fusion; The West Deck for casual grilled fish by the water; Po-Ké Ono for light, modern bowls.
• Local tip: Park just outside the core and stroll—traffic is easy but streets are narrow around the marina.

Where to stay (if not in your Airbnb): Browse well-located condos and hotels in Oranjestad on VRBO or compare central picks on Hotels.com.

Getting in: Fly into Queen Beatrix International (AUA). Check fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From AUA to Oranjestad is a 5–10 minute drive.

Recommended tours around Oranjestad:

• Aruba Sunset Sail Experience

  

• Aruba Happy Hour Sunset Sail with Savory Bites and Cocktails

  

Noord (Palm Beach • Eagle Beach • Malmok)

Noord is beach-central: Eagle’s wide, powdery sand is a regular “world’s best” contender, while Palm hums with piers, music, and watersports. Northward, Malmok, Tres Trapi, and Boca Catalina offer reefy coves and turtle sightings in clear, shallow water.

• Top sights: Eagle Beach and neighboring Manchebo (quiet), Palm Beach (lively), Tres Trapi steps for turtles, Malmok and Boca Catalina for easy snorkel entries, California Lighthouse and Arashi Beach for sunset.
• Foodie picks: Eduardo’s Beach Shack for fruit bowls; Garden Fresh Café for salads and wraps; Local Store for burgers and craft beer; Papiamento for a special garden dinner; Linda’s Dutch Pancakes for a fun, affordable feast.
• Nightlife: Bugaloe and Moomba Beach Bars on the piers; Gusto Nightclub for late-night dancing; resort casinos along Palm Beach.

Where to stay (if browsing alternatives): Find condos within walking distance of Eagle or Palm on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Recommended tours around Noord:

• Aruba Parasailing Experience from Noord

  

• Turtle Snorkeling Tour in Tres Trapi, Aruba

  

• Half-Day Snorkel Sail Tour with Caribbean Lunch

  

San Nicolas & The South (Baby Beach • Savaneta)

San Nicolas is Aruba’s creative soul, with museum-quality murals splashed across downtown. Nearby, Baby Beach and Rodgers Beach are gentle, aquamarine lagoons perfect for floaty afternoons. On the way back, Savaneta’s pier shacks and seaside restaurants serve ultra-fresh catch.

• Top sights: San Nicolas Street Art corridor, Baby Beach (great for beginners), Rodgers Beach (quiet), Mangel Halto mangroves (snorkeling and kayaking), Spanish Lagoon trail.
• Food favorites: Zeerovers (cash-only, fresh fried fish and shrimp by the pound), Flying Fishbone (romantic toes-in-the-sand splurge), Kamini’s Kitchen (homestyle Caribbean curries).
• Drive times: Noord → San Nicolas ~35–40 minutes; Oranjestad → San Nicolas ~25–30 minutes. Gas is readily available; lots of free beach parking.

Where to stay (if you want a southern base): Browse cottages in San Nicolas/Savaneta on VRBO or check hotels/guesthouses on Hotels.com.

Recommended tours in the south/park:

• National Park Arikok Jeep Adventure

  

• Horseback Ride Tour to Natural Pool in Arikok National Park

  

Day 1 (Sat, Mar 8): Arrival, Groceries, Eagle Beach Sunset

Afternoon: Land around 3 PM at AUA, pick up your rental car, and drive ~15 minutes to your Airbnb in Noord. Do a supermarket run at Super Food Plaza or Ling & Sons for breakfasts, snacks, and a couple of dinners-in (rotisserie chicken, salads, fruit, local cheeses).

Evening: Unwind on Eagle Beach (free parking, wide sands). Casual dinner at The West Deck (grilled fish, plantains) or cook simple pasta and salad at home. Nightcap on Palm Beach piers at Bugaloe (live music) or a quiet stroll along the shore.

Day 2 (Sun, Mar 9): Slow Morning on Eagle, Parasail Thrills, Woodfired Dinner

Morning: Easy beach start: set up on Eagle or Manchebo. Grab smoothies and acai bowls from Eduardo’s Beach Shack. Budget tip: pack a picnic with yesterday’s groceries.

Afternoon: Get airborne with the Aruba Parasailing Experience from Noord (about 12 minutes in the air; views of the entire west coast).

Stroll Palm Beach storefronts or relax by the pool afterward.

Evening: Dinner at Yemanja Woodfired Grill in Oranjestad (Caribbean jerk, barracuda, and veggie plates from the wood oven). Optional casino flutter or craft beer at Local Store.

Day 3 (Mon, Mar 10): Turtle Snorkeling and Golden-Hour Sailing

Morning: Meet your guide for the Turtle Snorkeling Tour in Tres Trapi, Aruba. Calm, clear water and easy entry steps make this a favorite for spotting sea turtles and sergeant majors.

Continue to Malmok and Boca Catalina to free-snorkel if you want more.

Afternoon: Rest and refuel—Garden Fresh Café for wraps and smoothies or a relaxed lunch at your Airbnb. Nap and sun by the pool.

Evening: Toast the day with the Aruba Sunset Sail Experience (open-deck catamaran and classic west-coast views).

Light dinner afterward—poke bowls at Po-Ké Ono or ready-made salads from the supermarket.

Day 4 (Tue, Mar 11): Arikok National Park and Dunes

Morning: Head east for rugged Aruba. If you prefer a guided off-road day that reaches Conchi (Natural Pool) and caves, book the National Park Arikok Jeep Adventure (typically a half day).

DIY option: drive to the Visitor Center, hike Miralamar or Cunucu Arikok trails early, then see Fontein and Quadirikiri Caves.

Afternoon: Visit the wave-battered Boca Prins overlook and the twin coves of Dos Playa. Bring water shoes and mind currents—these eastern shores are scenic but rough.

Evening: Casual dinner: Local Store (great burgers) or cook at home. Dessert: Dutch pancakes at Linda’s with toppings from savory gouda to apple-cinnamon.

Day 5 (Wed, Mar 12): Oranjestad Culture & Low-Key Nightlife

Morning: Coffee at Santos Coffee with Soul, then Fort Zoutman for island history and city views. Ride the free streetcar loop to admire colorful facades and pick up locally made aloe products.

Afternoon: Lunch at Pastechi House (try cheese + guava for sweet-savory) or The West Deck for lionfish when available. Browse craft stalls along the marina; relax back at the Airbnb.

Evening: Golden-hour stroll by Renaissance Marina, then small plates at Lola Taqueria (good for sharing, budget-friendly). If you’re up for it, Gusto Nightclub near Palm Beach has DJ nights and dancing.

Day 6 (Thu, Mar 13): UTV Desert Adventure & Beach Recovery

Morning: Go off-road along the north coast on the Aruba UTV Tour with Natural Cave Pool and Cliff Jumping. Expect rugged tracks, sea-sculpted bluffs, and a refreshing swim stop.

Bring a buff for dust, a microfiber towel, and strapped water shoes.

Afternoon: Chill time on Palm Beach—rent loungers, order a cold Balashi beer, and float. Snack on kroketten or bitterballen from a beach bar for a Dutch touch.

Evening: Affordable comfort: The Dutch Pancake House in Oranjestad or a pasta night at home. Early night after a dusty, fun morning.

Day 7 (Fri, Mar 14): San Nicolas Street Art & Baby Beach

Morning: Drive 35–40 minutes to San Nicolas; wander the mural-filled blocks for striking photos and café stops. Continue to Baby Beach for waist-deep turquoise and easy snorkeling near the rockier edges.

Afternoon: Rodgers Beach is just around the corner and often quiet. On the way back north, stop in Savaneta for a casual seafood feast at Zeerovers (order by the pound; add funchi and plantains). It’s very budget-friendly for a group.

Evening: Low-key night: sunset at Mangel Halto’s mangrove pier or back at Palm Beach piers with live acoustic music.

Day 8 (Sat, Mar 15): Antilla Wreck Snorkel Sail

Morning: Light breakfast at home; pack sunscreen and rash guard.

Afternoon: Sail and snorkel the Antilla shipwreck plus shallow reefs on the Half-Day Snorkel Sail Tour with Caribbean Lunch (gear and lunch included).

Afterward, grab gelato on Palm Beach and rest.

Evening: Sundowners at Moomba Beach Bar, then dinner at Papiamento Restaurant (romantic garden, Aruban creole classics). For a simpler, cheaper option, try Lola’s tacos or supermarket sushi.

Day 9 (Sun, Mar 16): Hooiberg Sunrise, Seabob Adventure, and a Special Night

Morning: Hike Hooiberg’s 600+ steps at sunrise for sweeping island views. Reward yourselves with Dutch pancakes or an easy breakfast back at the Airbnb.

Afternoon: Glide underwater by turbo-scooter on the Aruba Seabob Scooter Reef Tour—it’s a unique, thrilling way to see multiple reefs with minimal effort.

Cool off with acai bowls or fruit at Eduardo’s.

Evening: If you want a dressed-up finale at sea, consider the Aruba Sunset Cruise plus Seaside Dinner (snacks, open bar, then a waterfront meal).

Otherwise, book Barefoot Aruba or keep it easy with takeaway and a card game at home.

Day 10 (Mon, Mar 17): Lighthouse, Arashi Beach, Jet Ski Option & Farewell

Morning: Drive to California Lighthouse for ocean panoramas, then settle at Arashi Beach (good snorkeling along the rocky northern end; gentle entry near lifeguard stand). Pack a last picnic.

Afternoon: Add a final adrenaline burst with Aruba Jet Ski Waverunner Rental off Palm Beach piers.

Return the car topped up, and pick up last souvenirs in Oranjestad.

Evening: Final dinner: The West Deck for casual seaside plates or Papiamento for a celebratory garden setting. Early to bed—your flight leaves at 7 AM on Mar 19. Pack tonight and set alarms.

Optional swaps (based on energy and weather):

• Swap Day 3’s sunset sail for the Happy Hour Sunset Sail for a lounge-boat vibe.

  

• Trade Day 6’s UTV for horses: Horseback Ride Tour to Natural Pool through Arikok.

  

• Prefer an afternoon sail? Choose the Premium Catamaran Afternoon Sail: Snorkeling and Lunch.

  

Logistics & Money-Saving Tips:

• Driving between “cities”: Oranjestad ↔ Noord ~10–15 minutes; Noord ↔ San Nicolas ~35–40 minutes. Plan fuel stops near Oranjestad or Santa Cruz.
• Cook breakfasts and a few dinners; pick up ready-made salads, rotisserie chicken, and fruit for beach picnics. Refill big water jugs to cut costs.
• Bring your own snorkel masks to avoid rental fees and ensure a good fit; water shoes help at rocky entries (Tres Trapi, Malmok).
• For flights, compare deals on Trip.com and Kiwi.com; Aruba is well served from U.S. hubs with ~4–5 hour flights from the East Coast.

In ten easygoing days, you’ll balance Aruba’s best beaches with curated adventures—UTV trails, reef snorkeling, a national park jeep safari, and golden-hour cruises—plus local eats and a taste of nightlife. With a car and an Airbnb base, you’ll live like a local while checking off the island’s greatest hits at a relaxed pace.