Rent a car today? Call us
The best things to do in Aruba, picked by a local team that drives this island every day. Eleven places worth your time, with drive times from Palm Beach and an honest note on where you need a car and where you do not.
Aruba is 32 km long, so everything below sits within a 45 minute drive of Palm Beach. The beaches near the hotels are walkable, but the places people remember most, Arikok National Park, Baby Beach, the north coast and Mangel Halto, have no bus service and no waiting taxis. That is the honest reason most visitors rent a car for at least part of their stay.
1 of 11
Regularly voted one of the best beaches in the world: wide white sand, shallow turquoise water and the two famous fofoti trees. Parking along the road is free, so most guests drive over in the morning before the shade disappears.
2 of 11
Almost a fifth of the island is protected park: the Natural Bridge area, Boca Prins, Dos Playa and caves with ancient drawings. There is no bus service and taxis do not wait, so a rental car is the practical way in. The deepest trails to the Natural Pool need a genuine 4x4 or a guided tour.
3 of 11
The high-rise strip with calm water, palapas, water sports, restaurants, casinos and the evening market. If you are staying here you can leave the car parked: everything is along one boulevard.
4 of 11
A shallow lagoon at the southern tip, ideal for small children and snorkelling, combined with the street art murals of San Nicolas. A taxi both ways costs more than a full day of car rental, which is why most visitors drive.
5 of 11
Dutch colonial facades, the free tram, Linear Park along the water, shopping at Renaissance Mall and the best dinner choice on the island. Parking garages are inexpensive and the bus from Palm Beach also runs here.
6 of 11
Snorkel trips to the Antilla wreck, Boca Catalina and Arashi regularly meet green turtles and colourful reef fish. Our partners pick you up at the pier, so no driving is needed.
7 of 11
The small yellow pilgrim chapel above the cliffs, the Bushiribana gold mill ruins and the California Lighthouse make one short, beautiful loop. The roads are quiet and the views over the wild coast are the best on the island.
8 of 11
Calm morning water makes Aruba ideal for paddle boarding, kitesurfing at Hadicurari and kayaking at Mangel Halto. Boards are rented right on the beach.
9 of 11
Mangroves, a natural swimming channel and the best shore snorkelling on the island, plus Savaneta and Zeerovers for fresh fried fish at the water. There is no bus stop nearby, so drive.
10 of 11
San Nicolas is the island's mural district, while Oranjestad hosts craft and farmers markets. A car lets you combine both in one relaxed afternoon.
11 of 11
The northern tip catches the last light of the day. Arashi Beach has calm water and a beach bar, and the lighthouse hill above it is the classic spot for sunset photos.
We are a local car rental company in Noord, minutes from the Palm Beach hotels. A Toyota Raize crossover is $75 per day or $385 per week, a seven seat Honda BR-V is $150 per day, and every rate includes unlimited mileage, insurance and free delivery at Aruba Airport or your hotel. Ask us for directions and beach tips when you pick up the keys, that part is free.
Staying at the beach? See our Palm Beach and Eagle Beach car rental page. Open page
Most visitors combine Eagle Beach and Palm Beach with a day in Arikok National Park, a snorkel trip to swim with sea turtles, the drive to Alto Vista Chapel and the California Lighthouse, Baby Beach and the murals of San Nicolas, and an evening in Oranjestad. The beaches are walkable from the hotels, the rest of the island is a short drive.
Not for Palm Beach or Eagle Beach, which are walkable. You do need a car for Arikok National Park, Baby Beach, Mangel Halto, Alto Vista and the north coast: buses do not serve them and taxis do not wait. A rental from USD 75 per day with unlimited mileage is cheaper than two or three taxi rides.
Five to seven days is comfortable: two or three beach days, one day for Arikok National Park, one boat or snorkel trip, and one day for Oranjestad, San Nicolas and Baby Beach. The island is only 32 km long, so nothing is more than 45 minutes away.
Rain in Aruba is brief and rare, the island sits outside the hurricane belt. If a shower passes, Oranjestad has museums, shopping and casinos, and the aloe factory tour and the butterfly farm are indoors.
Yes. Every beach in Aruba is public and free, including Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. Parking is free at almost all of them, and only rented chairs, palapas and water sports cost money.
A peek into our fleet, our team, and the Aruba experience.
