Aruba’s Weather and Climate

Besides the sugary shores, transparent waters, diversity of the landscape, heart-stopping architecture, history-drenched land, and amazing cultural and culinary scene, Aruba also excites with its high levels of safety when it comes to the weather conditions in the area.

Lying below the hurricane belt, Aruba is scarcely hit by a hurricane and it rarely rains for extended periods. According to the Dow Jones Island Index, the island is among the least likely destinations in the Caribbean to be struck by a hurricane. Combined with the dry climate, the average temperature of 28oC (82oF) almost year-round, and the refreshing trade winds, it is no wonder that it has become such a popular holiday destination over the years. Plus, it is a superb option for those wishing to escape the winters of the Northern Hemisphere!

What to Expect – Aruba’s Landscapes and Attractions

• East Aruba Coast – This is where a major local landmark is found, the Arikok National Park, which comprises nearly 20% of the island’s total land area. Within the park are several wondrous attractions, including Jamanote Hill (the highest Aruba point at 188 metres/ 617 feet high) and many more. This protected natural area will take your breath away with its sandy beaches, sand dunes, rugged volcanic formations, caves featuring Indian drawings on their ceilings, and the broad range of local flora and fauna.
• West Aruba Coast – The island’s colourful and lively capital, Oranjestad, which got its name from the Dutch Royal House of Orange, occupies a spot on the western Aruba coast. This is also where the whitest, most powdery shores (such as the popular Eagle Beach) and the most exclusive resorts and luxury hotels are situated, pampering visitors with a plethora of amenities and things to do and see.
• South Aruba Coast – Perfectly suited to lovers of adrenaline watersports like kitesurfing and windsurfing, the western shores (i.e., Baby Beach) are less wind protected than their eastern or northern siblings; yet a tad more peaceful and quiet. Apart from your seaside activities, you may also visit the oil refinery (non-operational at this point), and the oldest town on the island, San Nicolas, which is also the largest Aruban city after Oranjestad.
• North Aruba Coast – Expect an entirely different terrain than the other coasts of the island, with stronger ocean currents, almost constant winds, sand dunes, and all kinds of vegetation. Some of the popular Aruba landmarks that stretch to the north side of Aruba are the Natural Pool (aka Conchi – a pristine, volcanic rock-protected secluded patch of land within the Arikok Park), the Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins, the Alto Vista Chapel, and the California Lighthouse.

Exciting Facts About Aruba:

• Aruba is home to more than 90 ethnic groups and nationalities, including East Indian, Chinese, European, and Filipino, which makes it one of the most diverse populations, ethnically wise.
• The best authentic Indonesian food is served in Aruba. Feel free to try croquettes (bitterballen) or a gigantic version of the typical spring rolls called loempia, paired with a bottle of Malta root beer, and have breakfast like a local!
• Aruba hosts over 300 prehistoric pictographs (ancient paintings of the Caiquetio shamans), primarily in the ceilings of the Guadirikiri Cave and Fontein Cave.
• The wreck dive sites in Aruba are the best in the Caribbean. If you love scuba diving, you will be excited with the SS Pedernales and SS Antilla wrecks dating back to WWII that sit quietly and gracefully next to impressive coral formations and an unreal variety of marine life.
• The annual Caribbean Music Festival is a meeting point for internationally renowned artists in comedy and music and is attended by thousands of visitors.
• Aruba opened the first water refinery in the 1930s, which, at the time, was one of the largest in the world. This has resulted in extremely soft water and even special local cocktails made with purified seawater, such as the Balashi Cocktail.
• Your casino or gambling winnings won’t get taxed here. You will draw the attention of the Customs officer in the USA or Canada if you have earned large sums of money, though. Buying condominiums or timeshares in Aruba usually resolves this issue. Plus, Aruba casinos can keep your earnings in a secure account - you can withdraw them when you return to Aruba again.
• Following the bend of the native divi-divi trees will lead you straight to the nearest town, say the locals.
• Several species of sea turtles have nests along the Aruba shoreline, which is why the beaches are protected from March to November. Simultaneously, the Arikok National Park has joined hands with the Turtugaruba Foundation to preserve and protect the lovely creatures and their babies. If you come early enough, you may witness this natural wonder from up close!
• Baseball is the king in Aruba (rather than soccer), with the Boston Red Sox being Aruba’s favourite team at the moment of this writing, after winning the 2013 World Series.
• The world’s PWS Champion Freestyle Windsurfer (women’s category) and the youngest woman to have ever won a gold medal in windsurfing was Sarah-Quita Offringa – you guessed it, an Aruban!
• Aruba is home to numerous wild and farm animals, including donkeys, goats, iguanas, ostriches, and many more. Ostriches, in particular, even have their own farm (the Aruba Ostrich Farm)!
• As of March 2018, the Ministry of Health of Aruba requires Yellow Fever Vaccine, especially for tourists coming from endemic and high-risk countries, such as Africa, Latin America, and Central America.
• Whether you are allowed to enter the country or not does not solely depend on you having a valid visa, rather than the migration officer at the port of entry (airport or port), who will authorise admission to Aruba based on whether you fulfil all the admission requirements at the time of entering the country.