iStock International

Aruba TRAVEL GUIDE AND DEALS

Aruba’s allure is obvious: Iridescent waters loaded with sunken wrecks, sugary beaches along its shores, and a remarkably arid outback to draw visitors inland. Add to this its pleasant year-long weather, cooling trade winds, and easy flight times and it’s easy to see why Aruba is one of the most popular Caribbean destinations.

Why Go

 Outside the hurricane belt, this popular package destination is blessed with implausibly good weather, high-rise resorts, glittery casinos, and frequent direct flights from the U.S.

Aruba Travel Deals

Aruba Hotels

Aruba is no stranger to the high-rise all-inclusive resort craze and there are plenty to choose from, with a few brand-new options, spa resorts, and private villas thrown in. That said, some intimate, less-pretentious Aruba hotels can still be found on less-crowded beaches and in tucked-away coves. While most reputable properties are on the expensive side, especially in the winter months, the off-season (mid-April through mid-December) often finds hotel rates slashed by up to 50%. If you prefer to be in the thick of things, plan on staying at one of larger resorts found on Palm Beach, or at one of the few in Oranjestad.

= Smart Splurge = Great Value

Bacuti Beach Resort
This classy, eco-minded hotel is located on a quiet stretch of Eagle Beach. Elegant rooms are done up in creamy hues with... smart splurge | expensive

Occidental Grand Aruba
The latest all-inclusive luxury resort sits on Palm Beach and has all the deluxe trappings you’d expect: a lagoon-style... beach | family | smart splurge | all-inclusive | casino | expensive

Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa
Leisure is the watchword at the Radisson, which takes full advantage of its Palm Beach location to create a pitch-perfect... spa | beach | family | casino | expensive | water sports

Tierra del Sol Aruba Resort and Country Club
For secluded opulence, reserve a private villa at this four-star refuge on 600 acres, complete with championship golf course,... golf | expensive | secluded

Westin Aruba
Home to the Casablanca Casino, this recently renovated resort boasts a prime address on Palm Beach where all rooms overlook... beach | family | casino | expensive

Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa
This excellent-value beach boutique hotel is set on a pristine stretch of sand with a first-rate spa and rooms with fine... spas | great value

The Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort
This boutique Eagle Beach gem touts charming Dutch-colonial embellishments like gabled roofs and turrets, and smart rooms with... beach | great value

Talk of the Town Hotel Beach Club
This long-standing European favorite has tropically themed rooms across the street from a well-equipped beach club with... beach

The Aruban Resort and Casino
Studios and suites with more amenities than your standard budget digs; most units face the courtyard or pool area, have... family

Bacuti Beach Resort
This classy, eco-minded hotel is located on a quiet stretch of Eagle Beach. Elegant rooms are done up in creamy hues with... smart splurge | expensive

Occidental Grand Aruba
The latest all-inclusive luxury resort sits on Palm Beach and has all the deluxe trappings you’d expect: a lagoon-style... beach | family | smart splurge | all-inclusive | casino | expensive

Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa
Leisure is the watchword at the Radisson, which takes full advantage of its Palm Beach location to create a pitch-perfect... spa | beach | family | casino | expensive | water sports

Tierra del Sol Aruba Resort and Country Club
For secluded opulence, reserve a private villa at this four-star refuge on 600 acres, complete with championship golf course,... golf | expensive | secluded

Westin Aruba
Home to the Casablanca Casino, this recently renovated resort boasts a prime address on Palm Beach where all rooms overlook... beach | family | casino | expensive

Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa
This excellent-value beach boutique hotel is set on a pristine stretch of sand with a first-rate spa and rooms with fine... spas | great value

The Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort
This boutique Eagle Beach gem touts charming Dutch-colonial embellishments like gabled roofs and turrets, and smart rooms with... beach | great value

Talk of the Town Hotel Beach Club
This long-standing European favorite has tropically themed rooms across the street from a well-equipped beach club with... beach

The Aruban Resort and Casino
Studios and suites with more amenities than your standard budget digs; most units face the courtyard or pool area, have... family

Aruba Restaurants

Though many struggle to find high-quality food in the Caribbean, Aruba restaurants are a delight; the only trouble is narrowing down your options. Since most ingredients are imported (beef is flown in from Argentina; vegetables from Venezuela and the US) tabs tend to run on the expensive side, but portions usually run large and meals are most always satisfying. Reservations are recommended at most restaurants, especially during the busy winter months. Most are located in Oranjestad and in or near the hotel zones along Palm and Eagle beaches, but a few off-the-path gems are scattered around the island.

= Smart Splurge = Great Value

Amazônia Churrascaria
Carnivores, head here for prime selections of Argentine beef, chicken, and lamb served in a handsome venue with a wraparound... steakhouse

Cuba's Cookin'
Cheap eats and fun Latin beats are found here, along with sweet mojitos and traditional Cuban specialties; closed Sunday. music | cuban

Driftwood
Authentic seafood joint in a rustic setting with a menu that changes nightly depending on what the owner catches that day; the... family | seafood | wine

Hostaria da' Vittorio
There’s no better place to go for Italian treats like baked artichokes, pizza, osso bucco, and gnocchi with tomatoes and... italian | pizza

La Tratorria El Faro Blanco
This former lighthouse-keeper's home now does duty as a fine Italian restaurant and is an enchanting place to watch the sunset... italian

Le Dôme
Elegant restaurant that’s the best spot for Belgian/French cuisine, with delightfully rich entrées like scallops... wine | global fusion

Matilde
Redesigned bistro with topnotch French-Caribbean fusion and wine cellar with the island’s largest selection of vintages;... smart splurge | trendy | wine | french-caribbean

Papiamento
Award-winning Aruban cuisine in a converted 200-year-old farmhouse with candle-lit tables around an outdoor pool and indoor... romantic | smart splurge | caribbean

Nos Cunucu
This homey favorite, located in an old farmstead, serves straight-up down-home cooking; look for cheese pastechis (deep-fried... family | caribbean

Amazônia Churrascaria
Carnivores, head here for prime selections of Argentine beef, chicken, and lamb served in a handsome venue with a wraparound... steakhouse

Cuba's Cookin'
Cheap eats and fun Latin beats are found here, along with sweet mojitos and traditional Cuban specialties; closed Sunday. music | cuban

Driftwood
Authentic seafood joint in a rustic setting with a menu that changes nightly depending on what the owner catches that day; the... family | seafood | wine

Hostaria da' Vittorio
There’s no better place to go for Italian treats like baked artichokes, pizza, osso bucco, and gnocchi with tomatoes and... italian | pizza

La Tratorria El Faro Blanco
This former lighthouse-keeper's home now does duty as a fine Italian restaurant and is an enchanting place to watch the sunset... italian

Le Dôme
Elegant restaurant that’s the best spot for Belgian/French cuisine, with delightfully rich entrées like scallops... wine | global fusion

Matilde
Redesigned bistro with topnotch French-Caribbean fusion and wine cellar with the island’s largest selection of vintages;... smart splurge | trendy | wine | french-caribbean

Papiamento
Award-winning Aruban cuisine in a converted 200-year-old farmhouse with candle-lit tables around an outdoor pool and indoor... romantic | smart splurge | caribbean

Nos Cunucu
This homey favorite, located in an old farmstead, serves straight-up down-home cooking; look for cheese pastechis (deep-fried... family | caribbean