Typical Aruba Beach Day

Aruba Information
Tom Ogg

Language and Currency
What is Aruba Like?
What is the Weather Like?
Where Does the Ship Dock?
Where is the Shopping?
What is There to Buy?
What is There To Do?
Is There Anything of a “Don’t Miss Quality?
Are There Any Great Restaurants or Bars?

Aruba Port Reviews

Language and Currency

The official language for Aruba is Dutch, but English (and Spanish) is spoken just about everywhere on the island. The currency is the Aruban Florin, but U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. There are numerous ATM machines for additional cash.

What is Aruba like?

Aruba's Baby Beach

Once a Dutch colony and part of the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba is a sophisticated island blessed with eternal sunshine. Many folks are surprised to see how arid Aruba is when compared to other islands in the Caribbean. The capital city of Aruba, Oranjestad is a fascinating city that everyone will enjoy. Aruba's beaches are legendary. The Dutch influence can be readily seen by the pastel colored row houses in the downtown area of Oranjestad. These date back to the 1800s.

What is the weather like?

Aruba is blessed with perfect weather (if you like sunshine.) With less than 20 inches of rain annually, Aruba basks in a perfect climate that averages 82 degrees year around.

Where does the ship dock?

Ships Docked at the Port of Aruba

The cruise ship terminal is located in Aruba's capital city of Oranjestad and is within easy walking distance of town.

Where is the shopping?

Aruba's Main Shopping Street in Oranjestad

Oranjestad offers numerous shops, boutiques and malls that are all within easy walking distance of the ship. Just head for the main street in Oranjestad and you will find many stores, shops, boutiques, restaurants and street vendors to investigate.

What is there to buy?

Many of the shops in Oranjestad offer duty free shopping so look for bargains on jewelry, watches, crystal, fine collectibles, designer clothing and accessories, perfumes and cosmetics, porcelain figures, fine Dutch china and lace work, as well as the usual tee shirts and souvenirs and tourist items. Many of the stores price their wares in both Florin and dollars. 

The Royal Plaza Mall

Close to the cruise ship terminal is the Royal Plaza Mall, which offers a wide selection of local handicrafts and art and collectibles. Also located in the same area is the Seaport Village Mall featuring lots of designer clothing and shops of interest to visitors.

What is there to do?

Baby Beach, Aruba (Near the Southern Tip of Aruba)

Besides shopping and barhopping, Aruba offers great beaches.

Eagle Beach (Just North of Town)

I like the beach at Eagle Beach (about 10 minutes away by taxi) and adjacent to the hotel and resort district.

Aruba's Natural Bridge 

One of the main features on Aruba is the Natural Bridge on the windward side of the island. The 200 foot opening that forms the natural bridge was carved out of solid rock by the surf and wind. While interesting, I wouldn't recommend it unless you are tired of shopping, beaches and want to see something unique. It does offer a great photo opportunity however. HINT: Driving in Aruba is difficult, at best. The roads are not marked with street names and the maps are of little use. I would suggest taking a taxi or a local tour rather than renting a jeep or automobile to see the sights if that is your objective. A visit to the National Park and the Natural Bridge would cover the most interesting points and would only take a couple of hours.

Typical Aruba Beach

Besides exploring Aruba's many beaches and villages, there are a good number of opportunities for snorkeling, SCUBA diving, horse back riding, fishing and all water sports. Cruise ships normally offer an island/city tour, SCUBA diving, a booze cruise, fishing, snorkeling, 4 X 4 island tour and horse back riding.

Aruba's Casino in Downtown Oranjestad

Of course, if you are a gambler, visit Aruba's excellent casino located right in the heart of downtown.

Is there anything of “Don’t Miss” quality?

I would say that you shouldn't miss the shopping and also the great beaches.

Are there any great restaurants or bars?

Fresh live lobster at Don Carlos Restaurant

There are actually two that I would recommend. If you like fresh lobster, don't miss Don Carlos Restaurant right in the heart of Oranjestad on the harbor side of the main street. There is a large aquarium with numerous large live lobsters in it. Pick out the one you want and they will cook it for you any way you would like.

The Beach at the Havana Beach Club
(Note Proximity to the Port of Aruba)

The Havana Beach Club is another great spot that we discovered on our last visit and I would highly recommend it as an excellent solution for a day at the beach, dining and entertainment.

The Havana Beach Club

The Havana Beach Club is located about 1/2 of a mile south of the port within easy walking distance of the ship. There is a great beach (no charge for the lounge chairs or to use the beach) and an excellent restaurant and bar that serves wonderful food and drinks at reasonable prices.

Movies On the Beach at the Havana Club

On Monday nights the Havana Beach Club offers "Movies on the Beach". For $3.00 one rents a lounge chair to enjoy first run movies shown on a large screen right on the beach.  The bar serves drinks during the show and overall, the experience is wonderful.

(Note that there are few cruise passengers that make it here so the vast majority of people using the Havana Beach Club are locals (primarily Dutch) as such, this may not make a good choice for families sensitive to topless sun bathing.)

Check out the shore excursions available in Aruba.
Aruba Shore Excursions

Aruba Port Reviews
(Click on the Review you are Interested in Reading)

Jonathan Jay Gibian; Jeep Rental Island Eploring
Amy White; Tour With Jolly Pirates
Shannon; An Adventure in Aruba
Judy and Roger Best; Local Island Tour
Rich Bigg; Butterfly Farm
Bob & Wendy Evans; Catamaran Journey Along with the Nightlife
Kris; Aruba Sailaway Beach & Snorkel Cruise
Gene; Catamaran Snorkel Tour, City Tour and Carlos and Charlie's
Blair; Snorkeling Arisha Beach Independently
Mary; Horseback Riding on the Beach
Fred; Tierra Del Sol Golfing and Carlos and Charlies 
Monica Pileggi; Atlantis Submarine Excursion and Palm Beach
Danny; Rental Car Adventure and Dining at El Gaucho
Mary Kay; Natural Wonders of Aruba and Sunset Cocktail Cruise
Barbara Tretola; Jeep Safari/Snorkel Tour and Carlos 'n Charlies
Erin; Rental Jeep Exploring & Carlos 'n Charlies
Robert MacDonald; Eagle Beach by Jeep
Jennifer Croat; Jeep Tour, Submarine Excursion and Carlos 'n Charlies
Clark; Palm Beach by City Bus and Sunset Cruise
John Sims; Detailed Tour of Island by Rental Car
Sam; Town & Country Tour and Allegro Resort
Christine & Richard; Walk Around Town and Dinner at Madame Janette's
Amy Hardy; Pass on DePalm Island Tour But Don't Miss Kukukanoo Bar Hop
David; Renting a Car for a Self Tour   
Yvette; Using the Local Bus System to get to the Beach
Sheila; Tour of Island by Jeep
Albrika; Jeep Tour on Our Own
Dawn; Sunset Catamaran Cruise
Lois Pyne; Jeep Tour on Our Own & KuKu Kunuku Party Bus

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