Palm Beach
Palm Beach is the most popular location on the island. It’s where all the high-rise hotels and where the majority of the tourists hang out. It’s where you’ll get the full Caribbean vacation feel, complete with palm trees, beaches with bars on the sand, and a short walk up to your hotel room.
J.E. Irausquin Blvd runs through Palm Beach and is lined with restaurants, little shops, and souvenir stands. Buses, taxis, and UTVs are always coming through the hotel pick-up and drop-off areas, taking tourists on fun adventures and then dropping them back off. If you stay here, you can get by without renting a vehicle and scheduling a tour or two instead.
My husband and I stayed nearby in an Airbnb and would drive to the Holiday Inn, where my mom and her friends were staying, to hang out on the beach or pick them up and go exploring. There’s a public parking lot by the Holiday Inn, and you can walk through the hotel to get to the beach. There is a small fee to park there, and it’s generally full in the evening, but for days at the beach, it’s perfect.
Oranjestad
Oranjestad is the capital city in Aruba. There are some hotels here but I believe they are higher-end and more expensive. They are also not on the beach like the hotels on Palm Beach are. This is where the cruise ship ports are, so there will be an influx of people in the city when the ships arrive, but this also means that the street vendors are open as well, which can be fun to explore.
Oranjestad also has many restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. It can be a busy city if an event like the Carnival is going on. The people on the island are always looking for something to celebrate! When we went in 2020, the streets were full of vendors and music because it was Carnival season AND Valentine’s Day. They went all out for Valentine’s Day with a parade, a DJ, and vendors selling heart-shaped balloons and toys.
We didn’t know anything about Aruba or The Carnival when we went the first time and booked a cheap Airbnb in the city. Big mistake, huge. The solid walls of our Airbnb were pounding from the party happening directly outside our window. We had no idea what was going on at the time and didn’t know if this was a regular thing every night in the city. If you are into wearing feathers and partying with the locals, you’ll have a great time. If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or a family vacation, I’d steer clear of Carnival Week.
Noord
If you look for a place to stay on Airbnb, the majority of them are in Noord. We stayed in two different places in Noord when we went in 2021. If you want a little extra privacy and to feel like you live on the island, renting a home or apartment is the way to go.
For the first week, it was just my husband and I since everyone else stayed at the Holiday Inn, so we rented a small apartment. It was tucked in the back of the main house behind a gate and super private. It was also completely remodeled, so the place was really nice. In the morning, the neighborhood rooster, chickens, and chicks would cluck around outside, and I’d throw them bread. It was very peaceful and quiet. We were only a 3-minute drive away from the hotels, so we could pop over there when we were ready to go.
Our friends left after a week, and other friends came down for the second week, so we rented a larger house. It had a pool, grill, and complete backyard living space with a large fence, so it was completely private.
We were in a different area of Noord, but it was still quiet and near everything. Renting a house with a pool is a must when we travel with our friends. We hang out all day, traveling around, and always spend the nights in the pool. And when you’re on a Caribbean vacation in the sun, it’s always nice to have a pool to enjoy.
In 2022, we stayed in a villa in Noord with a group of friends and of course, a pool. And in 2023, it was just my husband and I again so we rented an upstairs apartment. The listing says Palm Beach but it must be on the line between Palm Beach and Noord. Driving and finding your house for the first time can be tricky as the roads aren’t clearly marked and look the same. You can get turned around very quickly!
Palm Beach, Oranjestad, and Noord are three great places to stay in Aruba – each with its own perks. Have more questions about where to stay? Send me a message.