GREAT THINGS TO DO IN ARUBA ON A CRUISE: ONE DAY ITINERARY

If you’re going on a cruise and one of your stops is Aruba, this guide to the best things to do in Aruba is exactly what you need!

Aruba is absolutely magical, and it’s one of those cruise stops you can genuinely look forward to. I already can’t wait to go back! We didn’t have too much time to explore, as our MSC cruise stop was only a few hours, from 8 AM to 2 PM. However, we still managed to see and do quite a bit. These are some of the highlights from our short visit, so keep reading to discover the best things to do in Aruba!

WHERE IS ARUBA?

Aruba is a really small island in the Caribbean. It’s located near Venezuela and Colombia, and its main cruise port on the island is Oranjestad. The island is known for its amazing landscapes, blue waters, and some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. It’s also incredibly easy to explore, which makes it perfect for a short cruise stop. We absolutely adored it!

ARUBA CRUISE PORT: THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

The cruise port in Aruba is quite amazing. As soon as you dock, you’re only a few minutes’ walk from Oranjestad, which is the town you’ll be exploring. Depending on which terminal your ship arrives at, it’s about a 3–5 minute walk to exit the port.

Once you’re out, you’ll immediately see plenty of colourful houses and shops selling souvenirs. From there you can easily walk around to go shopping, find restaurants or bars, and even grab a taxi or a tour to reach the beach. It’s an incredibly easy port to navigate and has everything you might need.

Aruba now has an official taxi fare calculator where you can check exactly how much your ride should cost, so that’s another useful thing to look up in advance!

IS ARUBA WORTH VISITING?

Aruba is absolutely worth visiting. The island is stunning, the beaches are breathtaking, and you feel really safe wherever you go. We were genuinely impressed with the few hours we had on this beautiful island, and we’d love to come back someday. If Aruba is one of your cruise port stops, you’re going to love it! Spend a few hours at the beach, then wander around the town for a bit. This is enough to have the perfect day.

THINGS TO DO IN ARUBA IN ONE DAY

These are some of the things you can do in Aruba in one day while visiting with a cruise. If you have more time, make sure you add some other things we didn’t get to experience!

VISIT EAGLE BEACH

Eagle Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Aruba, and you have to visit it. It’s very close to the cruise port (only a few minutes’ drive) and once you exit the port, you’ll easily find taxi drivers ready to take you there. We paid $5 per person each way, so $10 total, which is an amazing price to see one of the prettiest beaches on the island.

Once you arrive, you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas or simply lay out your towels and enjoy the soft sand and gorgeous water. We spent about two hours here early in the morning, and the beach was still quiet with very few people around, which made the experience even better!

EXPLORE ORANJESTAD

Oranjestad is a charming little town that’s super easy to walk around, and there’s plenty to see. Start by exploring the cruise port area, which is full of colourful souvenir shops. You’ll find everything from magnets and clothing to handmade crafts, and honestly, the prices are much more reasonable than on many other Caribbean islands we’ve visited.

After that, head into town to stroll by the small marina or relax at one of the cute local bars and restaurants. We really liked Lucy’s Bar. You can also visit the popular malls or wander the shopping streets of Oranjestad.

TAKE THE ARUBA STREETCAR

If you don’t feel like walking through town, a fun and super easy alternative is taking the Aruba Streetcar. This trolley is completely free, and it takes you all around Oranjestad while a guide tells you interesting facts about the town and the island. The route starts at the Welcome Plaza, and the streetcar runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If several cruise ships are in port that day, I’d really recommend getting to the starting station before 10 a.m. so you can secure a spot. The trolley fills up quickly, and once it’s full, they won’t let more people on. The full loop takes around 45 minutes, so it doesn’t come around that often. If you’re set on riding the streetcar, make sure you arrive early!

GO ON A TOUR

If you want to use your day in Aruba to see as much as possible, you can also book a tour to explore the rest of the island. As soon as we got off our ship, there were buses and local guides offering island tours that included a 2-hour beach stop for just $30, which is honestly a great deal.

If you prefer booking something on your own or through your cruise line, some of the most popular tour stops include the Casibari Rock Formations, Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, Twin Bridges, the Donkey Sanctuary, and the Aruba Aloe Factory. These tours give you a nice mix of Aruba’s nature, history, and local culture all in a single day!

THINGS TO DO IN ARUBA ON A CRUISE FAQ

Can you walk around Aruba from the cruise port?

Yes! The Aruba cruise port is located right in Oranjestad, so you can easily explore the town on foot. The main shopping streets, Renaissance Marketplace, colourful Dutch-style buildings and several historical attractions are all within walking distance. Depending on which dock your ship uses, it’s around a 5-10 minute walk to the downtown area. You can also take the free streetcar to explore more of the city.

What is the closest beach to the Aruba cruise port?

Surfside Beach (also known as Nikki Beach) is the closest beach to the cruise port. It’s around a 15-minute walk from the terminal, so it’s a convenient option if you don’t want to take a taxi. However, if you have a little more time, I’d recommend visiting Eagle Beach, which is one of the most beautiful beaches in Aruba and only a short taxi ride away.

How do you get from the Aruba cruise port to Eagle Beach?

The easiest way to get from the cruise port to Eagle Beach is by taxi. The journey takes approximately 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic. You can also take a public bus from the main bus terminal, which is located just across the street from the cruise terminal. If you’re taking a taxi, I’d recommend checking the official Aruba taxi fare calculator at Taxi.aw before your visit!

What is there to do in Aruba in 4-5 hours?

If you only have 4-5 hours in Aruba, I’d recommend keeping your plans really simple, especially because you’ll probably never want to leave the beach. I recommend taking a taxi to Eagle Beach, spending a couple of hours swimming and relaxing, and then returning to Oranjestad to explore the colourful streets and shops before heading back to the ship. I wouldn’t try to squeeze in too many attractions!

Can you explore Aruba without booking an excursion?

Yes! Aruba is very easy to explore independently if you’re arriving on a cruise. You can walk around Oranjestad, take a taxi or public bus to the beaches, or rent a car if you want to explore more of the island. You don’t necessarily need to book an organised excursion unless you want to join a specific activity, like a snorkelling trip or an island tour.

Is the Aruba streetcar free?

Yes! The Aruba streetcar in Oranjestad is free to use. It runs through the city centre, making several stops along the main shopping streets and near popular attractions. It’s a fun way to explore Oranjestad, especially if you don’t feel like walking around in the heat. Just check the operating schedule before your visit.

CONCLUSION: THINGS TO DO IN ARUBA

While Aruba is a small island, you can still spend such a lovely and full day there. It’s a great cruise port (much nicer than Jamaica, for example!), and you can easily fill your time by exploring the town, relaxing at the beach, or even joining a tour to see more of the island. We loved Aruba and would absolutely come back!