Aruba is easily one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. The island is known for its gorgeous white sand beaches and sunny weather all year long. Aruba’s location in the Caribbean outside of the hurricane zone and how safe it is make it super desirable for Americans. The island is full of beautiful places to stay, but it can sometimes be hard to decide where. Keep reading for a list of the best resorts in Aruba!
Where is Aruba?
Aruba is located in the southern part of the Caribbean, just north of Venezuela. You’ll commonly see Aruba referred to as part of the ABC Islands – Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. All 3 islands are Dutch territories, so they’re frequently grouped together.
There’s only one airport in Aruba, so unless you’re arriving on a cruise, you’ll fly into Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport (airport code: AUA).
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Due to its location, Aruba is less tropical and more arid and dry. It’s basically like a mix of a tropical island and the desert. The island has beautiful, white sand beaches and turquoise waters that back up to arid, dry areas full of cactuses.
The Best Time to Visit Aruba
Unlike most islands in the Caribbean, Aruba doesn’t really have a rainy season. Most of the Caribbean is at risk for Atlantic hurricanes, but Aruba is located outside of the hurricane belt. This means you can easily visit during the summer months without fear of a hurricane.
While Aruba doesn’t have a rainy season, it does have a windy season. The windy season in Aruba runs from December to August, with June typically being the windiest month. That being said, Aruba is worth visiting all year long.
The high season in Aruba corresponds with North America’s winter. People trying to escape the cold temperatures of the United States drive up the demand and the prices in the winter. Because Aruba is beautiful to visit all year long, visiting during summer can be a sweet spot to avoid crowds and high prices.
Are the Best Resorts in Aruba All-Inclusive?
All-inclusive resorts are super popular in the Caribbean. So the big question when deciding where to stay in Aruba is should you stay in an all-inclusive resort or not?
During your research, you’ll probably find there aren’t a ton of all-inclusive resorts in Aruba. The reason for this is that Aruba is a really safe island with tons of restaurants all over the place. You typically find all-inclusive resorts in destinations where you’re super remote or leaving the resort isn’t always advised. However, neither of these is the case in Aruba.
It’s super easy to walk right off your resort in Aruba and have a dozen restaurants within a 5-10 minute walk. Because of this, all-inclusive resorts are less common in Aruba.
The Best Resorts in Aruba
Aruba has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, so it’s only natural that the resorts would be just as beautiful. There are a few different main areas where you’ll find all the best resorts in Aruba – Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, and Downtown Aruba are the most common spots.
Along Aruba’s Palm Beach, you’ll see mostly bigger, high rise resorts. On the contrary, Eagle Beach has more boutique resorts that provide a more intimate stay. Lastly, Downtown Aruba is just as it sounds – a downtown area with lots of restaurants, shops, and a marina. Without further ado, here’s a list of all the best resorts in Aruba!
Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino ($$) – Hilton Aruba is easily one of the best resorts in Aruba. It’s centrally located on Aruba’s famous Palm Beach and is directly across the street from lots of restaurants and shops, so it couldn’t be in a better location. Try to stay in one of the Aruba Tower rooms, as they have the better views.
PERFECT FOR: Couples, friends, and those wanting to be centrally located.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino ($$) – The Hyatt Regency Aruba is in the perfect location in Aruba located right in the center of Palm Beach. It’s right across the street from a bunch of restaurants and shops, so it’s ideal if you plan to leave the resort and get around town. While this resort is family friendly, they recently added their new Trankilo adults only pool, making it a great option for those wanting to escape from the kids.
PERFECT FOR: Families, honeymooners, and those wanting to be centrally located.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba ($$$$) – The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba is one of the most luxurious resorts in Aruba. Located right next door to the Aruba Marriott, you’ll also have easy access to the Stellaris Casino or the resort’s own casino if you’re in a gambling mood. It’s located on the northernmost end of the Palm Beach strip of hotels. Since this resort is at the end of a line of hotels, you have a more private beach area to enjoy.
PERFECT FOR: Luxury resort lovers, honeymooners, and couples.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort ($$$$) – Bucuti & Tara is one of the best resorts in Aruba for honeymooners since it’s adults only. It’s located on Aruba’s Eagle Beach which is a bit more low-key than Palm Beach, but still just as beautiful. This boutique resort has around 100 rooms, so you’re guaranteed to have a relaxing, intimate vacation while staying at Bucuti & Tara.
PERFECT FOR: Honeymooners, couples celebrating something, and those looking for a more intimate resort experience.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino ($$) – The Renaissance Aruba has something super unique to offer that nobody else has in Aruba – flamingos! This resort is famous for its own private island, called Renaissance Island, which has a group of resident flamingos guests can take photos with and feed. The Renaissance is located in the Aruba Downtown area, making it super convenient to shops and restaurants.
PERFECT FOR: Those wanting a private island experience at Flamingo Beach Aruba and those interested in being right in the downtown area.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino ($$$) – The Aruba Marriott is one of the bigger resorts in Aruba. One of the pool areas is adults only, so it’s the perfect spot to escape from kids. Right next door, there are two other Marriott properties – the Ocean Club & the Surf Club – both of which are Marriott Vacation Club hotels. Staying at the Aruba Marriott, you have access to all the restaurants across these 3 resorts, leaving you with endless possibilities.
PERFECT FOR: Friend groups, families, destination weddings, and larger groups traveling together.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa ($$) – The Manchebo Beach Resort is located right on Eagle Beach. Similar to other Eagle Beach resorts, Manchebo Beach Resort is considered a boutique hotel with less than 75 rooms. This means you’ll have a really intimate, relaxing stay at this resort. Aruba is known for its beautiful beaches, but this area of beach is extra special because of how wide it is. While Manchebo Beach isn’t a traditional all-inclusive resort, they do offer an all-inclusive package.
PERFECT FOR: Beach lovers, honeymooners, and couples.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Hotel Riu Palace Antillas ($$$$) – The Riu Palace Antillas Aruba is one of the best and only all-inclusive resorts in Aruba. There are a few other all-inclusive options, but this is easily one of the best options. It’s located right on Palm Beach, so the location doesn’t get much better. This resort is adults only, but there’s a family friendly option – Riu Palace Aruba – for those traveling with kids.
PERFECT FOR: Families, destination weddings, and those wanting an all-inclusive experience.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
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Maddie is the traveler behind A One Way Ticket. She has been traveling internationally for over 10 years and has visited 75+ countries on 6 continents. In addition to traveling herself, she’s been helping others plan their own travel for 6+ years. Maddie eats, sleeps, and breathes travel and loves to help others discover that same wanderlust!