When to Go & Travel Tips
Aruba is dry by Caribbean standards, and it sits south of the main hurricane belt. Rain, the airport, the ED card and getting around are here.
When to go
December to April
The driest months and the busiest. Meteo Aruba’s 1991–2020 normals put March and April at about 10 mm and 9 mm of rain, with an average temperature near 27°C and a steady trade wind.
May to August
Still mostly dry, hotter, and quieter after mid-April. June is among the breeziest months.
September to November
The fewest visitors. October to December is the wetter stretch, and November averages about 87 mm. Showers are usually short. The trade wind eases in late summer, so it can feel hotter.
June to November
Aruba sits south of the main hurricane belt, so a direct hit is rare. A storm elsewhere can still bring wind or rain. Travel insurance with trip cancellation and interruption coverage matters more in these months. I don’t sell travel insurance directly, but I can connect you with someone on Trevello’s support team who can help arrange coverage.
Getting there and arriving
- Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) is near Oranjestad. Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are a short drive.
- Non-stop flights from Canada change by season. Many trips connect.
- A regular Canadian passport must be valid for the length of your stay. A visa is not required for a tourist stay of up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
- Complete the ED card on the official site, edcardaruba.aw, within seven days before you fly. Air arrivals pay a $20 sustainability fee there. Children under eight are exempt. Other websites may charge you to fill in the same form.
- You may be asked for a return or onward ticket, proof of funds and travel insurance.
Getting around
- Traffic keeps to the right. A right turn on a red light is not allowed.
- A Canadian driver’s licence is accepted. The Government of Canada also recommends an International Driving Permit.
- A car is useful. The island is about 20 miles long, and a bus runs between Oranjestad, the hotel district and San Nicolas.
- Inside Arikok, some roads need a four-wheel drive. Check the park’s current rules before you go.
Practical notes
- The currency is the Aruban florin, pegged at 1.79 to the US dollar. US dollars are widely accepted.
- Dutch and Papiamento are official. English is widely spoken.
- Tap water is desalinated and generally safe to drink.
- Do not take shells, coral or beach sand when you leave. It is prohibited.
- Carry a copy of your passport. Dutch law requires you to have identification with you.
Entry rules and advisories change. Before you book and again before you fly, check travel.gc.ca.
Aruba planning questions
Is Aruba only a resort beach?
A beach week is what it does best, and one hotel on the west coast can be the whole trip. Oranjestad, Arikok National Park, the northwest point and the south are easy days out from that same base. It is not a rainforest or a city trip.
When should Canadians go to Aruba?
December to April is the driest and the busiest. May and June stay mostly dry with fewer people. September to November is the quietest stretch and also the wettest, though showers are usually short. A direct hurricane hit is rare because the island sits south of the main belt.
What is the Aruba ED card?
It is the mandatory Embarkation/Disembarkation card. Fill it in on the official site, edcardaruba.aw, within seven days before you travel. Air arrivals pay a $20 sustainability fee as part of that form. Children under eight are exempt. Use the official site rather than a third party that charges to complete it for you.
Do I need a car in Aruba?
You can have a good beach week without one. A car helps if you want Arikok, the California Lighthouse, San Nicolas or dinner in Savaneta. Drive on the right, and do not turn right on a red light. A Canadian licence is accepted, and an International Driving Permit is recommended. A bus links Oranjestad, the hotel district and San Nicolas.
Is Aruba safe for tourists?
The Government of Canada advises taking normal security precautions in Aruba. Petty crime, including theft from beaches and rental cars, does happen, and it tends to rise during Carnival. Most visitors travel without trouble. Keep valuables with you, and check travel.gc.ca again before you fly.
Let’s plan your Aruba trip
Tell me who is travelling, when, and whether you want a beach week with a little exploring or a quieter stay. I’ll match the coast and the hotel, and book the flights and transfers.
The initial 30-minute consultation is complimentary. The professional research fee is $50 per traveller aged 2 or older, paid before research begins.