Looking for somewhere warm in July that isn’t Europe or in rainy season? The ABC islands—Aruba and Curaçao—sit safely outside the Atlantic hurricane belt and enjoy a reliably dry, sunny July cooled by steady trade winds. This itinerary pairs Aruba’s sugar-soft beaches and desert-meets-ocean landscapes with Curaçao’s colorful UNESCO-listed capital and hidden coves.

Aruba’s history reflects Indigenous Arawak roots, Spanish and Dutch rule, and centuries of trading. Curaçao’s harbor made it a powerhouse of the Caribbean; today, its floating Queen Emma Bridge and candy-colored Handelskade are icons. Across both islands, you’ll hear lilting Papiamento, taste Creole-Papiamentu flavors (think fresh fish, funchi, stoba), and see salt flats frequented by pink flamingos.

Practical notes: July weather on both islands is typically sunny, breezy, and around 80–90°F with low rainfall. US dollars are widely accepted (local currencies are the Aruban florin and Netherlands Antillean guilder), and tap water is safe to drink. Rent a car for Curaçao’s west-coast beaches; taxis and buses work well in Aruba. For flights to the Caribbean, search on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights.

Aruba (Oranjestad & Palm Beach)

Aruba is beach bliss with an adventurous streak: shipwreck snorkels, cactus-studded trails, and an otherworldly national park. July brings sun and breeze, perfect for catamarans by day and sunset piers by night. The vibe is relaxed but polished—easy to navigate, easy to love.

• Don’t miss: Eagle Beach’s powder sand, snorkel at Mangel Halto, California Lighthouse views, Arikok National Park’s wild coast, and local seafood at a dockside shack.
• Fun fact: Aruba’s desalinated tap water is among the Caribbean’s best—bring a refillable bottle.
• Stay: Search stays in Oranjestad on VRBO or browse hotels on Hotels.com (Palm Beach for resort energy, Eagle Beach for quieter sands).
• Getting in: Fly into AUA (Queen Beatrix). Check fares via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. Airport to Palm Beach: ~20 minutes; taxi ~$30–$35; local bus ~$2.60.

Curaçao (Willemstad & the West Coast)

Curaçao blends Dutch-Caribbean heritage with rugged coastline and calm turquoise coves. Willemstad’s Punda and Otrobanda districts are stitched together by a floating pontoon bridge, while west-coast beaches hide stellar snorkeling just steps from shore.

• Don’t miss: Handelskade’s pastel waterfront, a Klein Curaçao boat day, Playa Kenepa Grandi’s electric-blue bay, and turtle-spotting at Playa Piskadó.
• Taste: Hearty stews and grilled fish at Plasa Bieu (Marshe Bieu), an old-school lunch hall beloved by locals.
• Stay: Search apartments and villas in Willemstad on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com (Pietermaai for dining/nightlife, Piscadera for resorts).
• Getting there from Aruba: Morning flight to CUR ~35 minutes; one-way ~$60–$120. Compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. Rent a car on arrival for beach-hopping (~$40–$55/day).

Day 1: Arrive in Aruba, Eagle Beach Sunset, Oranjestad Flavors

Afternoon: Land at AUA and check in around Palm/Eagle Beach. Shake off the flight with a swim at Eagle Beach—wide, quiet, and framed by fofoti trees. Coffee or a smoothie bowl at Eduardo’s Beach Shack (fruit-forward, vegan-friendly) if you need a quick pick-me-up.

Evening: Wander Oranjestad’s colorful streets and watch the sunset from the wooden deck at The West Deck (casual seafront spot; order the shrimp creole or fried funchi with Dutch gouda). Nightcap at Craft Coffee & Bar in Palm Beach for espresso martinis or an iced flat white on the patio.

Day 2: Northern Shores—Lighthouse Lookouts, Snorkeling, and a Sunset Sail

Morning: Breakfast at Craft (overnight oats, croissant sandwiches, excellent cold brew). Head to California Lighthouse for panoramic views, then drop to Arashi Beach or Malmok for easy-entry snorkeling over rock reefs—look for parrotfish and sergeant majors.

Afternoon: Light lunch from Garden Fresh Café (build-your-own salads, wraps) and then snorkel Mangel Halto’s mangrove-fringed shallows. The current can be strong near the drop-off—hug the inner reef if you’re newer to snorkeling. Alternatively, join a midday catamaran to the Antilla shipwreck (~$65–$85).

Evening: Dinner at Papiamento Restaurant, set in a historic cunucu house with a candlelit courtyard; try the stone-grilled grouper or keshi yena (stuffed cheese). Toast the day with a sunset sail (1.5–2 hours) departing from Palm Beach piers.

Day 3: Arikok National Park, Natural Pool, and Baby Beach + Zeerovers

Morning: Early start for Arikok National Park. Book a guided UTV/jeep tour (~$90–$130 pp) to reach the Natural Pool (Conchi), Dos Playa, and Boca Prins; guides share geology and cactus ecology, and you’ll avoid tricky tracks.

Afternoon: Drive to Baby Beach for calm, clear water ideal for snorkeling along the outer reef (watch for turtles; avoid the channel). Grab late-lunch snacks from Rum Reef Beach Bar overlooking the lagoon.

Evening: Sunset seafood at Zeerovers in Savaneta—an over-water shack where you choose the catch by weight (try wahoo or snapper) with plantains and pan bati. Finish with gelato at Gelatissimo in Palm Beach.

Day 4: Fly to Curaçao, Willemstad Wandering, and Pietermaai After Dark

Morning: Short flight AUA → CUR (~35 minutes; plan a 9–10 a.m. departure). Check options on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. Pick up a rental car and drop bags in Pietermaai or Otrobanda.

Afternoon: Lunch at Plasa Bieu (Marshe Bieu)—order stoba (stew), grilled fish, or goat with funchi; it’s hearty, local, and affordable (cash preferred; open lunch hours). Stroll Punda’s murals, the Floating Market, and cross the Queen Emma Bridge to Otrobanda for the classic Handelskade photo.

Evening: Dinner with harbor views at De Gouverneur (Caribbean-Dutch menu; the “Keshi yena” here is excellent). Drinks in Pietermaai: Mundo Bizarro for vintage Cuban vibes or Saint Tropez for waterfront lounges.

Day 5: Full-Day Klein Curaçao Catamaran Adventure

Spend the day on a Klein Curaçao boat trip (~8 a.m.–5 p.m., ~$120–$140 including lunch). The 1.5–2 hour sail reaches an uninhabited sandbar island with neon-blue water, a photogenic lighthouse, and frequent turtle sightings. Snorkel along the drop-off, walk the shell-strewn shore, and nap under palapas. Boats include drinks and BBQ or buffet; bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard, and a dry bag.

Evening: Back in Willemstad, keep dinner simple: De Visserij in Piscadera (line moves fast; ultra-fresh fish by the portion with fries and slaw) or Kome in Pietermaai for wood-fired plates and craft cocktails. If you want a viewpoint, Fort Nassau’s hilltop terrace overlooks the harbor lights.

Day 6: West Coast Beaches—Kenepa Grandi, Lagun, and Turtles at Piskadó

Morning: Coffee and pastries at Number Ten (Landhuis Bloemhof; stylish garden seating). Drive ~50–60 minutes to Playa Kenepa Grandi (Grote Knip) for that postcard-blue bay and cliffside photos. Swim early before crowds.

Afternoon: Snorkel Playa Lagun’s calm cove, then continue to Playa Piskadó (Fisherman’s Pier) where turtles congregate near the small boats—observe respectfully, keep distance, and never touch or feed. Lunch at Jaanchies in Westpunt (old-school Creole with a handwritten menu; try fish in Creole sauce).

Evening: Golden-hour dip at Playa Porto Mari (double-reef snorkeling, resident pigs sometimes wander the sands). Return to town for dinner at Fish & Joy Bistro & Winebar (European-Caribbean plates) and a nightcap at Netto Bar to sample the island’s famous green rum.

Day 7: Hato Caves, Last Swim, and Departure

Morning: If your flight is afternoon, squeeze in a 45-minute guided tour of Hato Caves near the airport (stalactites, stalagmites, and Arawak petroglyphs). Alternatively, enjoy a relaxed swim at Mambo Beach and a final iced coffee.

Afternoon: Drive to CUR for your flight home. Check fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. Return your car with time to spare—fuel stations sit along the main route to the terminal.

Where to Stay (Quick Picks)

• Aruba—Palm/Eagle Beach: For resort convenience and walkable dining. Browse VRBO options in Oranjestad or compare on Hotels.com.
• Curaçao—Pietermaai/Willemstad: Character stays in historic townhouses near restaurants and nightlife, or Piscadera for resort amenities. See VRBO in Willemstad and Hotels.com.

Practical Tips & Costs

• Weather in July: Typically sunny with trade winds; brief sprinkles possible, but this is the dry side of the Caribbean.
• Inter-island flights: 30–35 minutes; budget ~$60–$120 one-way per person.
• Tours: Klein Curaçao ~$120–$140 pp with lunch; Arikok UTV/jeep ~$90–$130 pp; sunset sail ~$65–$85 pp.
• Getting around: Aruba is taxi/bus friendly; Curaçao strongly favors rental cars for west-coast beaches.
• Reef etiquette: Use reef-safe sunscreen, never stand on coral, and keep respectful distance from turtles and wildlife.

In one week you’ll weave between Aruba’s wind-brushed dunes and Curaçao’s kaleidoscope harbor, tasting Papiamento flavors and snorkeling reefs from mangroves to shipwrecks. July brings the ABC islands at their best—sunny, warm, and irresistibly easy, far from Europe and outside the rainy season.