Things to do in Aruba

One of the most famous stretches of sands on the island, Eagle Beach has everything you could want from a beach: typical Caribbean good looks, plenty of shaded areas, lots of practical amenities and several enticing beach bars. Besides sunning and swimming, it’s also worth seeking out the beach’s windbeaten divi-divi trees, whose image is frequently used in Aruban tourist literature.

Baby Beach is a shallow and sheltered lagoon that’s particularly popular among families. Its clean, glass-clear waters are shallow enough for wading and, as the inlet opens out to the Caribbean Sea, coral and tropical fish abound. Spend a day relaxing and sunning on the sandy expanse and playing in the gentle water.

For island glitz and glamour, visit Palm Beach, where you’ll find most of Aruba’s high-end, high-rise hotels and resorts. From casinos to shopping malls, this strip is hopping most hours of the day and well into the night. It’s named for the palm trees that were imported and planted here when the area was developed. Palm trees generally aren’t seen in other areas of Aruba because the dry climate and constant trade winds create suboptimal growing conditions.

Aruba’s Town Hall, also known as Stadhuis, is one of the most beautiful and distinctive buildings in Oranjestad. Couples looking to get married in Aruba are required to have legal marriages performed here, while other visitors can come simply to admire its elegant green-and-white façade.

Just north of the capital Oranjestad, Druif Beach curves around the coast for 6.8 miles (11 kilometers). On one side, its ivory sands meet the calm Caribbean waters, while its inland edge is dotted with palms and low-rise hotels and resorts. Stretch out on the fine sand, join swimmers enjoying the water or sign up for diving lessons to get a look at the offshore reefs.