With its palm tree–lined streets and candy-colored buildings, Oranjestad provides a cheerful introduction to Aruba. As the Dutch island’s capital and main cruise port, the city serves as the entry point for most visitors and makes a solid home base from which to explore Aruba. However, you can discover plenty of things to do in Oranjestad itself, including visiting the King Willem III Tower at Fort Zoutman, which is home to the Aruba Historical Museum; the Aruba Butterfly Farm; and Eagle Beach—considered one of the best in the world.
In general, Aruba’s weather is warm year-round, with an average temperature of 82°F (28°C), so any time of year is good for a visit, but attractions will be more crowded in winter (January–March), which is peak season. Since Aruba is situated outside the hurricane belt, tropical storms aren’t much of a threat. When visiting popular outdoor attractions, consider going early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid any crowds and the heat.
Cruise ships dock at the port in Oranjestad. From there, you can rent a car or hail a taxi to explore. The central bus station for the island’s Arubus system is in downtown Oranjestad, adjacent to the cruise ship terminal. You can also use the hop-on hop-off trolley, which passes through Main Street from the terminal. It’s free and makes six stops at monuments and museums along the route. Consider renting an all-terrain vehicle to get off the beaten path.
If you’re looking to avoid the cruise ship crowds, head to beaches that are further away, such as Baby Beach, located on the southern tip of the island, and Rodgers Beach, which is just north of Baby Beach. They’re about a 40-minute drive from Oranjestad. Note that while the official languages of Aruba are Papiamento and Dutch, most residents speak English and Spanish.
