Named the happiest island on Earth, Aruba is a must-visit destination for any type of traveler. 96 hours in Aruba can give you completely different vibes every day. Whether you are seeking adventure or relaxation, here is how to make the most out of your four days in paradise!

Heading to Aruba? Read my Ultimate Packing List For Aruba

Getting There

Upon entry, you will be expected to have completed the Embarkation/ Disembarkation (ED Card). This is a pre-registration form required to enter Aruba. You can complete it 6 days before your arrival date and the cost is $20 USD per person every calendar year.

I highly recommend this be completed before you arrive. If you don’t fill it out before you land, you will have to step out of the immigration line to complete the registration on your phone.

click here for the official website. other websites will charge you far more than you need to.

During your stay, I highly recommend renting a car. Luckily, driving in Aruba is easy and you don’t need an international license if you have an American one! You can easily pick up your rental car across the street as soon as you exit the airport.

Where To Stay

Palm Beach

Lined with Aruba’s top resorts with an abundance of stores and restaurants, this is one of the more popular and busier areas on the island.

• My Recommendation: The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba

Oranjestad

Staying in the capital of Aruba will get you close to the culture, shopping, restaurants, and more. It has more of an urban feel so while there aren’t any beachfront hotels, you will still be very close by to one.

• My Recommendation: Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort
  

Noord

Noord has a quieter, more residential feel, but it’s still close to some of the island’s top beaches, like as Arashi Beach. Perfect for those looking for a bit more privacy.

• My Recommendation: Bucuti & Tara Boutique Beach Resort – Adult Only
  

I recommend staying somewhere central to the things you plan to do. For this itinerary specifically, the perfect place to stay would be Oranjestad.

Read my Guide on How to Plan the Perfect Vacation!

96 Hours in Aruba

Day 1: Arrival

If you are coming to Aruba from the United States, chances are you will be arriving sometime in the afternoon. When you arrive to the airport, pick up your rental car and drop off your luggage at your hotel!

Eat Lunch near Palm Beach

Grab Lunch anywhere near Palm Beach! There is no shortage of restaurants and shops here. If you happen to be here on a Tuesday, go to Lola’s Taqueria, where they serve $1 chicken and carnitas tacos for Taco Tuesday!

Walk To Palm Beach

Right after, you can walk down to Eduardo’s Beach Shack on Palm Beach to enjoy one of their iconic smoothie bowls! Being completely truthful, Eduardo’s Acai Bowls was one of the best I’ve ever had.

While you’re there, you can either choose to watch the sunset or take the option to swim in the beautiful waters of Palm Beach!

Grocery Shop at Superfoods

Before you head back to where you’re staying, pick up some groceries from Superfoods. You’ll surely want to bring things like fruits and sandwiches to the beach, or you can simply go to pick up some Dutch snacks for your stay!

Day 2: Explore Oranjestad

Eat Breakfast at Linda’s Dutch Pancakes

I was first introduced to Dutch Pancakes in Amsterdam and the ones in Aruba are just as good! Dutch pancakes they are huge, thin pancakes that can either be topped with sweet or savory ingredients. To get the best of both worlds, order both!

Walk Around Oranjestad

The capital of the beautiful country has so much to offer! Shop at the Royal Plaza Mall or take a scenic ride around the city on the free Aruba tram! Take this time to do all your souvenir shopping!

Pro Tip: Oranjestad is where major cruise ships port. We saw 2 to 4 ships in port every day so Expect large crowds!

Eat at the Pastiche House

Pastiches are small pastries that are popular in Aruba. Similar to an empanada, a pastiche is filled with a variety of ingredients from meats, vegetables, and cheese.

Swim at Eagle Beach for Sunset

Eagle Beach is known for its blue waters and soft white sand and it quickly became my favorite beach! Take a swim and catch the sunset to end your night!

Day 3: De Palm Island

The excursion of the day doesn’t open until 10:00, so head to Les Cappuchinas Café & Eaterie for breakfast! This Japanese fusion restaurant offers amazing food.

De Palm Island

De Palm Island was one of the highlights of my trip! There is so much to do on this private island. They are open from 10:00 to 5:00 so you can easily spend the majority of your day there!

Here’s everything you get for $119:

• Unlimited Food and Drinks
• Coral Beach
• Water Slides
• Kids’ Water Park
• Snorkeling Tours
• Unlimited Banana Boat Rides
• Flamingo Experience

There are many upgrades you can buy to enhance your experience as well!

Read my Ultimate Guide: De Palm Island: A Must-Visit in Aruba!

Day 4: Southern Aruba

Donkey Sanctuary

The Donkey Sanctuary opens bright and early at 9:00 every morning. Swing by to see the rescued donkeys.

Fun Fact: Donkeys once were the main source of transportation in Aruba for over 500 years. Once cars were introduced to the country, the donkeys were abandoned and often ill, injured, or killed alongside the roads. Today, this serves as a sanctuary where each donkey is named and provided with food, water, shelter, proper medical care, and plenty of affection!

Early Lunch In San Nicholas

While you are in San Nicholas try one of the many delicious restaurants! A great one to try is The New Pueblito Paisa. The restaurant serves authentic Colombian food and it is simply delicious.

Baby Beach

Spend the rest of your day on Baby Beach, an incredibly popular beach in Aruba. Located far away from the cruise ports, this beach is much more peaceful, with fewer crowds compared to places closer to Oranjestad.

Departing from Aruba

When departing from Aruba, I strongly suggest arriving at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight. You’ll need to go through U.S. customs at the airport, and there are six checkpoints to pass through before reaching your gate! If there are a lot of people, you can easily spend up to 2 hours waiting in these lines (like I did.)

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