ArubaRates is a practical Aruba travel guide written on the island. We focus on what visitors actually need before and during a trip: what things cost, how the rules work, how to get around, and where locals go to eat, swim and fish. Prices are checked against official sources and dated, so you know how current they are.
Plan your trip
- Best time to visit Aruba: weather, wind and crowds month by month
- How much an Aruba vacation costs in 2026: a full budget breakdown
- Aruba ED Card guide: the free online entry form, step by step
- Flights and airlines to Aruba
- Is Aruba safe?
Arrive and get around
- Aruba airport guide: arrival steps, U.S. preclearance and taxi fares
- How to get around Aruba: buses, taxis and rental cars
- Transportation costs calculator
- Aruba cruise port guide: a day ashore in Oranjestad
- SETAR vs Digicel and the mobile plans calculator
Where to stay
- Palm Beach vs Eagle Beach: which area suits you
- Best luxury resorts in Aruba
- Aruba with kids
Things to do
- 5-day Aruba itinerary for first-timers
- Aruba’s best beaches and hidden beaches
- Shore fishing in Aruba
- Hiking, kitesurfing and drag racing at Palo Marga
- Animals in Aruba and where to see them
Eat like a local
Who writes ArubaRates
ArubaRates is run by Gino Croes, who lives in Aruba. Spotted a price that has changed, or a place that has closed? Tell us and we’ll update the guide.
Latest guides
Aruba Shore Excursions: What to Book From the Cruise Port (2026)
Snorkel sails, the Atlantis submarine, De Palm Island, the Natural Pool and the flamingos: which Aruba shore excursions fit a cruise day, what they cost, and whether to book through the ship.
Read More
Is Aruba Overrated? An Honest Look at Overtourism in 2026
Is Aruba overrated, or just overcrowded? Nearly 2.5 million visits in 2025, a draft plan full of new fees, and an industry saying the island doesn’t need more tourists. Here’s an honest look, and how to visit well.
Read More
Aruba Cruise Port Guide: How to Spend 8 Hours in Port
Short answer: Aruba is one of the easiest cruise ports in the Caribbean to do independently. The terminal is in the middle of Oranjestad, downtown…
Read More
The Ultimate 5-Day Aruba Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Short answer: five days is exactly enough time to see Aruba properly without rushing. Give one day to the beaches near your hotel, one to…
Read More
Best Time to Visit Aruba: Month-by-Month Weather & Wind
Short answer: Aruba has good weather every single month of the year. The real question isn’t weather — it’s crowds and price. Mid-December to mid-April…
Read More
Aruba ED Card: Complete Guide & Arrival Process (Free)
Short answer: every person flying to Aruba, including babies, must complete the online ED Card before departure. It is free, it takes about 20 minutes,…
Read More
Palm Beach vs Eagle Beach: Where to Stay in Aruba (2026)
Short answer: choose Palm Beach if you want restaurants, nightlife, watersports and a big-resort atmosphere within walking distance of everything. Choose Eagle Beach if you…
Read More
Grab Your Chopsticks! The 10 Best Sushi Spots in Aruba for 2026
Last updated: 24 October 2026. The best sushi in Aruba is spread across Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, Oranjestad and Tanki Flip. Palm Beach has the…
Read More