Aruba, the “One Happy Island,” sits just outside the hurricane belt with 300+ days of sunshine, steady trade winds, and aquamarine water that feels like silk. Once a hub for Arawak peoples and later a Dutch stronghold, today it balances a laid-back beach culture with desert-like landscapes and fascinating colonial history. You’ll taste its past in the cuisine—Dutch treats meet Caribbean spice and Latin flair.

Beyond the postcard beaches, Aruba’s north coast is rugged and wild: lava rock, cacti, and waves carving natural bridges. Inland, Arikok National Park protects wind-sculpted dunes, limestone caves with ancient petroglyphs, and the coveted Natural Pool (Conchi). On the south side, San Nicolas buzzes with street art and local flavor, while Oranjestad charms with pastel facades and a vintage streetcar.

Practical notes: the island uses US dollars widely, tap water is excellent, and taxis are fixed-rate. Driving is easy, but buses run reliably along the hotel strip and to San Nicolas. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard for snorkeling, and shoes you can get wet for rocky coves. Reserve popular restaurants a few days ahead in high season.

Palm Beach / Noord

Home to Aruba’s most famous shoreline, Palm Beach is a breezy ribbon of soft sand backed by lively piers, parasails, and the island’s best selection of dining and nightlife. Just minutes away you’ll find low-key Malmok and Boca Catalina for shore snorkeling and the California Lighthouse for golden-hour panoramas.

Top nearby highlights include Eagle Beach’s iconic divi-divi trees, the Butterfly Farm, Boca Catalina’s sea turtle hangouts, and sunset sails that turn the whole coast pink. By day, sip fresh smoothies on the sand; by night, follow live music from pier to pier.

Where to stay (Noord/Palm Beach):

• The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba (resort luxury on Palm Beach): Check availability
• Holiday Inn Resort Aruba – Beach Resort & Casino (great location and value): Check availability
• Aruba Blue Village (budget-friendly base with kitchenettes in Noord): Check availability
• Browse vacation rentals in Noord on VRBO: VRBO Noord
• See more hotels in Noord: Hotels.com Noord

Getting to Aruba (AUA): Book nonstop or 1-stop flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop flight times: Miami ~2.5–3h, NYC ~4.5–5h, Atlanta/Houston ~4–5h; expect ~$350–$800 roundtrip depending on season.

Day 1: Arrival, Palm Beach sunset, and easy island flavors

Morning: Travel day. Aim for an early flight so you land by early afternoon. Pre-book a taxi at the airport or hire a car; taxis to Palm Beach run about 20–25 minutes.

Afternoon: Check into your resort or rental and stroll straight to Palm Beach. Pick up açai bowls and cold-pressed juices at Eduardo’s Beach Shack, then walk the De Palm Pier boardwalk to watch parasailers arc over the bay.

Evening: Dine with your toes in the sand at Atardi (grilled grouper, Caribbean lobster) or choose Papiamento, a historic cunucu house with torchlit gardens and a menu of Aruban creole meets European classics. For after-dinner fun, grab a bucket of Balashi at Bugaloe on the pier or dance to live bands at Moomba Beach Bar; night owls can continue to Gusto Nightclub for DJs and craft cocktails.

Day 2: Champagne snorkel cruise, Eagle Beach, and live music

Morning: Cast off on a snorkel sail to three of Aruba’s best sites—including the WWII-era Antilla wreck—on the Premium Morning Snorkel Sail with Champagne Brunch. Expect calm entries, quality gear, and a festive brunch onboard.

Afternoon: Settle under a palapa on Eagle Beach, repeatedly ranked among the Caribbean’s best for its wide, feather-soft sands. Refuel with salads and wraps at Garden Fresh Café or stroll to The Butterfly Farm to walk among morphos and swallowtails.

Evening: Head into Oranjestad for dinner at Yemanja Woodfired Grill (North African lamb chops, wood-fired octopus) or stay near the strip for Wacky Wahoo’s (catch-of-the-day grilled simply with island sides). Cap the night at Sopranos Piano Bar where the sing-alongs are legendary.

Day 3: Arikok National Park—Natural Pool, caves, and Baby Beach

Spend the day discovering Aruba’s wild side on the Aruba Jeep Tour: Natural Pool, Caves and Baby Beach Adventure. Guides handle the rugged driving while you swim the Natural Pool (Conchi), peer into Guadirikiri and Fontein caves, and lounge at turquoise Baby Beach. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, and a drybag for the spray.

Post-adventure dinner ideas: swing by Zeerovers in Savaneta (cash-only; order the day’s catch by weight with plantains and pan bati), or back in Noord try Bingo! Café & Restaurant for Dutch-Indo comfort dishes and a neighborhood vibe.

Day 4: UTV thrills, lighthouse views, and a golden-hour sail

Morning: Get behind the wheel on the Aruba UTV, ATV Adventure to Secret Beach and Cave Pool, bouncing along the wave-battered north coast to hidden swim coves and blowholes.

Afternoon: Continue at your own pace: climb the California Lighthouse for panoramic photos, then swim at Arashi Beach or snorkel over the shallow reefs at Boca Catalina where turtles often graze. Casual lunch options include Nos Clubhuis (upstairs fishermen’s hangout with fresh ceviche) or the Arashi Beach snack shack.

Evening: Toast the day aboard the Aruba Sunset Sail with Appetizers and Open Bar as the coastline glows amber and the trade winds whisk you along Palm Beach.

After docking, dine at Gianni’s Ristorante Italiano (table-side parmigiano wheel pasta) or The Kitchen Table by White’s sister concepts in the area for tasting menus; then sip nightcaps at Craft (espresso martinis and people-watching).

Oranjestad

Colorful Oranjestad is Aruba’s cultural heart—pastel Dutch gables, a breezy waterfront, and a heritage quarter anchored by Fort Zoutman and the King Willem III Tower. The free vintage streetcar loops through shops and galleries, while Surfside Beach delivers easy swims a short stroll from downtown.

Food lovers thrive here: wood-fired grills, creole seafood, and elegant toes-in-the-sand dining at sunset. By night, discover speakeasy-style cocktails, wine bars, and lively lounges around the Renaissance marketplace.

Where to stay (Oranjestad):

• Search hotels near the marina and historic core: Hotels.com Oranjestad
• Find apartments and waterfront condos: VRBO Oranjestad

Getting between bases: Transfer this morning from Palm Beach/Noord to Oranjestad (taxi ~15–20 minutes, ~$15–$20; the Arubus L10/L10A runs ~30–40 minutes, ~$3). If you’ve rented a car, parking is plentiful along the marina and at Renaissance Marketplace.

Day 5: Move to Oranjestad, museum hour, and Aruba by night

Morning: Check out in Noord and taxi or bus south to your Oranjestad hotel. Grab coffee at Santos Coffee with Soul and browse the Cosecha gallery for local artisan crafts.

Afternoon: Take the streetcar to Fort Zoutman and the Historical Museum for a compact island history lesson. Lunch at The West Deck on Surfside (try keshi yena, funchi fries, and “cool island soup”). Swim or nap under sea grapes at Surfside Beach.

Evening: Early dinner with your feet in the sand at Barefoot Restaurant (lionfish specials when available, dazzling sunsets), or go classic at Driftwood for wahoo and snapper caught by the owner’s boat. Then hit the town on the Aruba Nightlife and Barhopping on Chogogo Party Bus—a rolling dance floor that hops between island-favorite bars.

Day 6: De Palm Island—waterpark, snorkeling, and all-inclusive fun

Make it easy and all-inclusive with the Aruba De Palm Island All-Inclusive Day Trip with Transport. Expect unlimited food and drinks, zip-worthy water slides, salsa lessons, snorkeling over vibrant coral (look for bright blue parrotfish), and plenty of shaded lounges. It’s a crowd-pleaser for couples, families, and groups alike.

After returning, book a wood-fired feast at Yemanja or a casual bite at Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar (Baja-style tacos, frozen margaritas) before a twilight stroll along the marina.

Day 7: Last swims, aloe heritage, and wheels up

Morning: Two great options depending on flight time: 1) Learn Aruba’s skincare story at the Aruba Aloe Factory & Museum in Hato (quick tour plus a shop for gifts), then a final dip at Surfside Beach; or 2) Head to Mangel Halto for clear, shallow snorkeling among mangroves and patch reefs close to town.

Afternoon: Lunch near the airport at The West Deck (fast, dependable, and scenic) or grab warm pastèchi at Pastechi House downtown, then depart for AUA in time for your flight. Keep swimsuits handy—many hotels offer courtesy showers for late check-outs.

Evening: In the air, scrolling through photos of divi-divi trees, sunset sails, and cave pools—until next time.

Coffee, breakfast, and dining favorites to bookmark: Dushi Bagels & Burgers (big breakfasts steps from Palm Beach), Craft (third-wave coffee by day, cocktails by night), One Happy Bowl (vegan bowls, smoothies), Papiamento (romantic garden dining), Wacky Wahoo’s (seafood institution), Zeerovers (Savaneta—cash only, freshest fry-ups), The West Deck (waterfront Aruban plates), Barefoot (sunset-on-sand), Yemanja Woodfired Grill (reservations recommended), and Bingo! Café & Restaurant (local hangout).

Local tips: Reserve sunset sails and top restaurants 48–72 hours ahead. Carry small bills for beach palapas and tips. Trade winds can be strong—secure hats and bring a rash guard for sun and snorkel comfort.

Getting home: If you didn’t already, compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Aim to arrive at AUA 3 hours before departure in peak season; security and US preclearance are efficient but can back up on weekends.

Summary: In one week, you’ve balanced Aruba’s greatest hits—Palm Beach chills, Eagle Beach bliss, the Antilla shipwreck, Arikok’s wild heart, and Oranjestad’s flavors—with just enough adventure. Keep this guide handy for round two: a deeper dive into San Nicolas street art, horseback rides to the Natural Pool, and more lazy sunsets at sea.