Looking for somewhere warm in July that avoids Europe and rainy season? Head to the ABC Islands—Aruba and Curaçao—set well south of the hurricane belt. July here is sunny, breezy, and reliably dry, with bathtub-warm water and trade winds that keep heat comfortable.

These islands carry a layered history—Arawak roots, Spanish and Dutch eras, and a language (Papiamento) that sings with Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and African influences. Bright colonial facades in Willemstad meet cactus-dotted desert and limestone shores in Aruba. It’s a Caribbean that feels both soulful and effortless.

Practical notes: US dollars are widely accepted (local currencies are AWG in Aruba, ANG in Curaçao), tap water is excellent, and driving is straightforward. Book popular activities—UTV tours, sunset sails, Klein Curaçao day trips—ahead in July. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a sun shirt, and water shoes for rocky coves.

Oranjestad (Aruba)

• Aruba is a study in contrasts: silky sands at Eagle Beach and Palm Beach, and a wild east coast carved by surf. It’s famed for constant trade winds and clear, calm water—ideal for snorkeling and sailing.
• Top highlights: Antilla shipwreck snorkel, Arikok National Park, Baby Beach, Mangel Halto shallows, and sunset catamarans. Food-wise, think fresh catch, wood-fired grills, and local pastechi (savory turnovers).
• Stay near Eagle or Palm Beach for easy swimming and dining; base in downtown Oranjestad for color and history near Fort Zoutman and the Archaeological Museum.

Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO (Oranjestad) or hotels on Hotels.com (Oranjestad).

How to get there: Fly into AUA (Queen Beatrix International). Compare fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com (flights). From many US hubs, nonstop flights run 4–5.5 hours; July roundtrips often price around $450–$800 depending on origin.

Day 1: Arrive in Aruba, Eagle Beach Golden Hour

Afternoon: Land in AUA and check in. Shake off the flight with toes-in-the-sand time at Eagle Beach—wide, soft, and typically calmer than Palm Beach. Snap the iconic fofoti trees leaning toward the turquoise sea.

Evening: Dinner at The West Deck: grilled wahoo, Balashi beer, and sea views right by the sand. For a sweet stop, try coconut gelato along the Linear Park path. Nightcap at Craft Coffee & Bar on Palm Beach—mod espresso by day, inventive cocktails after dark.

Breakfast ideas: Eduardo’s Beach Shack (açai bowls, green smoothies) or The Dutch Pancakehouse (savory pannekoeken). Lunch go-to: Pastechi House (cheap, flaky pastries stuffed with cheese, tuna, or beef).

Day 2: Arikok National Park, Natural Pool, and Mangel Halto

Morning: Join a guided UTV/Jeep tour into Arikok National Park. Rumble past cacti forests and limestone cliffs to the Natural Pool (Conchi)—a wave-protected lava basin made for a short, bracing dip. Tours typically 4–5 hours; expect ~$95–$140 per person including goggles and water.

Afternoon: Refuel at Zeerovers in Savaneta—pick your catch (snapper, lionfish), watch it fried to order, and devour it with plantains over the water. Then float Mangel Halto’s shallow lagoon, a maze of mangroves with excellent beginner-friendly snorkeling. Bring water shoes for coral bits.

Evening: Dinner at Yemanja Woodfired Grill downtown—think lionfish ceviche, wood-fired tenderloin, and charred veggies. Post-dinner, slip into Apotek Speakeasy for pharmacy-themed craft cocktails behind an old apothecary counter.

Day 3: Sail and Snorkel the Antilla Wreck, Oranjestad Old Town

Morning: Catamaran snorkel cruise (3–4 hours) to Boca Catalina’s clear shallows and the WWII-era Antilla wreck—one of the Caribbean’s largest, draped in corals and teeming with sergeant majors. Tours ~$75–$110 with gear and open bar.

Afternoon: Wander Oranjestad: Fort Zoutman and the King Willem III Tower (oldest structure on the island), pastel Dutch gables along the marina, and the National Archaeological Museum (Arawak artifacts). Coffee break at Lola Craft Bar & Kitchen’s cafe window for an iced caffeine fix.

Evening: Sunset on Arashi Beach, calmer and less built-up. Cap the night back near Savaneta or Palm Beach; for dinner, try Barefoot Restaurant—tables in the sand, candlelight, and grilled Caribbean lobster.

Willemstad (Curaçao)

• Willemstad is a UNESCO World Heritage site where sherbet-colored Dutch facades meet Caribbean rhythms. The floating Queen Emma Bridge swings open for ships, while alleys hide murals and music bars.
• Top highlights: Klein Curaçao day trip, Tugboat Beach snorkeling, Pietermaai dining, Cas Abao and Grote Knip beaches, Shete Boka blowholes, and Hato Caves.
• Food is hearty and homey—goat stew, grilled red snapper, funchi fries—alongside modern bistros and ocean-club sunsets.

Where to stay: Search VRBO (Willemstad) or consider hotels near Pietermaai and Punda on Hotels.com (Willemstad).

Getting there from Aruba: Morning flights AUA–CUR take ~35 minutes. Divi Divi Air and EZ Air typically run $90–$140 one-way with 10–15 daily frequencies in July. Compare options via Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com (flights).

Day 4: Fly to Curaçao, Willemstad’s Historic Core

Morning: Short hop to CUR and check in around Pietermaai. Grab coffee and a flaky croissant at Number Ten (leafy garden, specialty brews).

Afternoon: Willemstad stroll: cross the Queen Emma “Swinging Old Lady” Bridge between Punda and Otrobanda, admire the Handelskade’s candy-colored facades, then duck into Scharloo for street art. Lunch at Plasa Bieu (Old Market)—order stoba (stew), mahi-mahi, or pumpkin pancakes from the open kitchens.

Evening: Dinner at De Gouverneur on a breezy veranda overlooking the harbor; go for Keshi Yena (stuffed cheese) and grilled fish. Drinks at Netto Bar, a Curaçao institution famed for its neon-green rum.

Day 5: Full-Day Boat Trip to Klein Curaçao

Spend the day on an offshore paradise—Klein Curaçao, a flat speck with powdery sand, sea turtles, and a photogenic lighthouse. Most operators depart 7:30–8:00 a.m., include breakfast, barbecue lunch, shade, snorkel gear, and 2–3 hours of swim time. Expect ~$120–$150 per person and a bouncy 1.5–2-hour ride each way (the morning can be choppy; sit aft if you’re prone to seasickness). Return mid-afternoon for showers and a slow evening.

Post-excursion dinner: BijBlauw on the water in Pietermaai—Caribbean-fresh plates and a front-row seat to the surf.

Day 6: Western Beaches, Shete Boka, and Hato Caves

Morning: Rent a car (easy driving; signage in Dutch/English). Beach-hop west: start at Playa Kenepa Grandi (Grote Knip) for jaw-dropping blues, then Cas Abao (great amenities) and Playa Porto Mari with its double reef and occasional beach pigs. Snorkeling is best close to the drop-offs; bring a rash guard.

Afternoon: Roll into Shete Boka National Park for thundering blowholes and wave-carved inlets; short walks fit any level. On the way back, stop at Hato Caves (stalactites, centuries-old petroglyphs) near the airport for a 45-minute guided tour.

Evening: Dinner at Kome—wood-fired meats, handmade pastas, and Caribbean small plates with a creative cocktail list. Or try Mosa Restaurant & Cocktailbar’s shareable skewers and garden setting.

Day 7: Tugboat Reef, Last Sips in Punda, Depart

Morning: Snorkel at Tugboat Beach, a shallow sunken tug wrapped in sponges and schooling fish—ideal even for beginners. Grab a final coffee and brunch at Number Ten or La Vie en Rose in Punda (French pastries, balcony tables).

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping for Blue Curaçao liqueur or hand-painted Chichi art dolls, then head to CUR for your flight. Check fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; most connections route via Aruba, Miami, Panama City, or Bogotá.

Local eats you’ll love throughout: In Aruba: Zeerovers (dockside fry-ups), Yemanja (wood-fired), The West Deck (casual seaside), Barefoot (romantic toes-in-sand), Craft (coffee/cocktails), Eduardo’s (healthy bowls). In Curaçao: Plasa Bieu (market classics), De Gouverneur (historic veranda), Kome (modern Caribbean), BijBlauw (oceanfront), Mosa (share plates), Netto Bar (classic rum stop), Gio’s (gelato in Punda).

This July itinerary keeps you firmly in the dry, sunny lane—warm water, steady breezes, and vibrant culture without monsoon worries. From Eagle Beach sunsets to Klein Curaçao’s pearly sands and Willemstad’s pastel skyline, it’s a week that balances relaxation, flavor, and a dash of adventure.