Aruba Travel Guide 2026

Welcome to Aruba

Aruba is a small Dutch Caribbean island, 20 miles long and 6 miles wide, sitting 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela. It has 350+ days of sunshine per year, almost no rain, and sits outside the main hurricane belt. These facts, combined with some of the most beautiful beaches and water in the Caribbean, make it one of the most visited islands in the region.

This guide covers everything. Use the links below to jump to whatever you need, or read through to plan your complete trip.

Quick Facts About Aruba

Location: Southern Caribbean, 15 miles north of Venezuela (12°N latitude)

Language: Papiamento, Dutch, English (widely spoken), Spanish

Currency: Aruban florin (AWG) — but US dollars are universally accepted

Capital: Oranjestad

Size: 70 square miles (180 km²) — about 20 miles long

Climate: Hot, dry, sunny year-round — average 84°F (29°C). Outside the hurricane belt.

Rainfall: Only 17–20 inches per year — one of the driest Caribbean islands

Power: 110V US-standard outlets — no adapter needed for US visitors

Drinking water: Tap water is safe to drink (desalinated)