Public bus (Arubus)
The L10 line runs between Oranjestad and the hotel strip roughly every 15–40 minutes, about $2.60 one way. Great for a town day, useless for Arikok or the east coast.
Aruba travel guide
Is renting a car in Aruba worth it?
The honest answer from a local rental agency in Palm Beach: it depends on where you're staying and what you want to see. Here are the real numbers.
The short answer
If you plan to stay on the Palm Beach or Eagle Beach strip for your whole trip, you can survive without a car — everything is walkable and taxis are plentiful. The moment you want to see the real Aruba — Arikok National Park, Baby Beach in San Nicolas, Alto Vista Chapel, the natural pool road, or a quiet sunset on the north coast — a rental car stops being a luxury and becomes the only practical option. Buses don't go there and taxis won't wait for you.
For most visitors staying four days or more, a car pays for itself on day two.
The numbers
Rental car vs taxi in Aruba
Aruba taxis run on fixed government rates, not meters, and rates rise after midnight and on Sundays. Here's how a typical trip compares.
| Trip | By taxi | With a rental car |
|---|---|---|
| Airport → Palm Beach hotel | ≈ $30 one way | Included in your rental |
| Hotel → Oranjestad (dinner) | ≈ $22 each way | Included in your rental |
| Day trip to Arikok / Baby Beach | $120+ (private tour) | Included in your rental |
| 3 days, 2–3 trips per day | $250 – $400 | From $135 (3 × $45) |
Indicative USD prices for planning. Our rentals include unlimited mileage, so extra trips cost you nothing but fuel.
Rent a car if…
- You want to visit Arikok National Park or the natural pool area
- You're staying 4 nights or longer
- You're travelling as a family or group of 3+
- You want to reach Baby Beach, Mangel Halto or Boca Catalina
- You'd like to eat in Oranjestad and San Nicolas, not just at the resort
- You're staying in a villa or Airbnb outside the resort strip
You can skip it if…
- You're on a 2–3 night all-inclusive stay at Palm Beach
- You plan to stay on the beach and the boulevard
- You're arriving on a cruise ship for the day
- Your group has booked guided tours with hotel pickup
Getting around Aruba without a car
Taxis
Fixed-rate, no meters, no ride-hailing apps on the island. Reliable near the resorts, expensive and scarce once you leave them.
Your own rental car
Free parking almost everywhere, 30 minutes from end to end, and no waiting for anyone. The reason most repeat visitors rent.
What you need to rent a car in Aruba
- A valid driver's licence from your home country — no international permit required
- Passport or government-issued ID
- A credit card for a USD 250 refundable pre-authorisation
- Minimum age 25 at Elixir Car Rental
- Drive on the right; seat belts mandatory; speed limits 60–80 km/h outside town
More details on documents, insurance and deposits are on our FAQ page, and airport pickup is explained on Airport & Transfers.
Common questions
Do you need a car in Aruba?
Not for Palm Beach or Eagle Beach, where hotels, restaurants and beaches are walkable. You do need a car if you want to reach Arikok National Park, Baby Beach, Alto Vista Chapel, Andicuri or the north coast, because taxis rarely wait there and buses do not run to them.
Is it cheaper to rent a car or take taxis in Aruba?
A single taxi ride from the airport to Palm Beach is about USD 30, and hotel-to-Oranjestad rides run USD 20-25 each way. With rentals from USD 45 per day including unlimited mileage, two or three trips a day already make renting cheaper.
Is it safe to drive in Aruba?
Yes. Aruba drives on the right, roads to the main beaches and towns are paved and well signposted, distances are short (the island is 32 km long) and traffic is calm outside Oranjestad rush hour.
What do you need to rent a car in Aruba?
A valid driver's licence, a passport or ID, a credit card for a USD 250 pre-authorisation, and a minimum age of 25 at Elixir Car Rental.
Ready to explore the whole island?
Brand-new Toyota and Honda crossovers from $45/day, unlimited mileage, airport or hotel delivery. Reserve now, pay later.
MEET OUR TEAM
Life at Elixir
A peek into our fleet, our team, and the Aruba experience.