How expensive is Aruba?

2021 is probably not known as the best travel year. So, when the travel ban in Aruba was lifted and the Dutch authorities also decided that Aruba was safe to go, it didn’t take us long to buy a ticket to Aruba. Because we did not have the opportunity to travel a lot, we decided to go all in. We already had been in the Caribbean and we know overall it is not a budget friendly destination. However, if you really want, there is always a way. Keep that in mind! How expensive is Aruba?

TOTAL €4.677

Couples retreat for one week.

All the way in…

What do you spend in one week as a couple in Aruba? Can it be cheaper? Yes, it can. It all depends what you think if it is worth it or not. We absolutely enjoyed a more luxurious week. Just see for the exact details and to find out how expensive Aruba really is.

FOOD €758

Eating out pretty much every meal. Many 3 course menus. Enjoying many drinks on the beach during sunset.

ACTIVITIES €261

Bike rental to do our own beach tour, kayaking, national park entree fees and also a half day boat trip.

TRANSPORT €1.647

Including plane tickets (direct) from Amsterdam to Aruba. Various taxi drives, rental car and jeep.

ACCOMMODATION €1.687

The best accommodation ever! Unique bungalow and two common pools. Also gym available.

SHOPPING €67

Some souvenirs for back home such as a magnet and t-shirts.

OTHER €257

PCR test, additional insurance and tips.

Travel is not free. Let’s be honest, we all have heard stories about travelling the world for free. Those exaggerated stories might be true, but for most of us, it means: If you would like to travel you need those big green papers, the so-called dollars (or any other currency). However, for Aruba I have some saving tips.

  1. Eat local – meaning eat at a food truck. They have a bunch of them in Aruba. Are they any good? Hell yeah. As with any other destination, go where the locals go and you will be fine.
  2. Tap water, drink it – normally we are very skeptical with tap water. No need in Aruba, it is delicious and saves you on buying bottled water.
  3. Cook at your stay – most stays have options to cook. Or at least to prepare your breakfast and lunch at ‘home’.
  4. Take the bus – in case you are not in a hurry, you can take the local bus to the main areas of the island. Do not forget to check the timetable.
  5. Rent a car – in case you would like to see more than the main beaches, it is better to rent a car instead driving around by taxi. Bus is not a real option of you want to go to the less touristic places.
  6. Visit the beaches – Aruba has a lot of them, probably the main reason to visit the island. Check them out, they are FREE.
  7. Bring your own snorkel gear – you can swim of the shore and you directly see the colorful fishes. If you bring your own gear, you can have a fun day without spending a lot.
  8. Happy hour – well maybe this one counts for all countries you visit. But still, do not miss happy hour if you enjoy cocktails/mocktails.
  9. Free leisure – walk around Oranjestad, visit the Aloe vera museum, catch a sunset at the California lighthouse, climb Hooiberg and much more.
  10. Booking online – if you want to do a tour or a water activity or anything else, make sure to book online (if possible). Most of the times you receive a discount.

This was one week of fun in Aruba for us. We shared some tips and we are sure that in case you want to do Aruba on a budget, it is possible. We just had other plans for this happy island. It doesn’t matter how you spend your time over there or where you stay. The kindness of the locals, the cleanliness of the island and the beauty of the beaches, Aruba is worth visiting.

How expensive is Aruba?

2021 is probably not known as the best travel year. So, when the travel ban in Aruba was lifted and the Dutch authorities also decided that Aruba was safe to go, it didn’t take us long to buy a ticket to Aruba. Because we did not have the opportunity to travel a lot, we decided to go all in. We already had been in the Caribbean and we know overall it is not a budget friendly destination. However, if you really want, there is always a way. Keep that in mind! How expensive is Aruba?

TOTAL €4.677

Couples retreat for one week.

All the way in…

What do you spend in one week as a couple in Aruba? Can it be cheaper? Yes, it can. It all depends what you think if it is worth it or not. We absolutely enjoyed a more luxurious week. Just see for the exact details and to find out how expensive Aruba really is.

FOOD €758

Eating out pretty much every meal. Many 3 course menus. Enjoying many drinks on the beach during sunset.

ACTIVITIES €261

Bike rental to do our own beach tour, kayaking, national park entree fees and also a half day boat trip.

TRANSPORT €1.647

Including plane tickets (direct) from Amsterdam to Aruba. Various taxi drives, rental car and jeep.

ACCOMMODATION €1.687

The best accommodation ever! Unique bungalow and two common pools. Also gym available.

SHOPPING €67

Some souvenirs for back home such as a magnet and t-shirts.

OTHER €257

PCR test, additional insurance and tips.

Travel is not free. Let’s be honest, we all have heard stories about travelling the world for free. Those exaggerated stories might be true, but for most of us, it means: If you would like to travel you need those big green papers, the so-called dollars (or any other currency). However, for Aruba I have some saving tips.

  1. Eat local – meaning eat at a food truck. They have a bunch of them in Aruba. Are they any good? Hell yeah. As with any other destination, go where the locals go and you will be fine.
  2. Tap water, drink it – normally we are very skeptical with tap water. No need in Aruba, it is delicious and saves you on buying bottled water.
  3. Cook at your stay – most stays have options to cook. Or at least to prepare your breakfast and lunch at ‘home’.
  4. Take the bus – in case you are not in a hurry, you can take the local bus to the main areas of the island. Do not forget to check the timetable.
  5. Rent a car – in case you would like to see more than the main beaches, it is better to rent a car instead driving around by taxi. Bus is not a real option of you want to go to the less touristic places.
  6. Visit the beaches – Aruba has a lot of them, probably the main reason to visit the island. Check them out, they are FREE.
  7. Bring your own snorkel gear – you can swim of the shore and you directly see the colorful fishes. If you bring your own gear, you can have a fun day without spending a lot.
  8. Happy hour – well maybe this one counts for all countries you visit. But still, do not miss happy hour if you enjoy cocktails/mocktails.
  9. Free leisure – walk around Oranjestad, visit the Aloe vera museum, catch a sunset at the California lighthouse, climb Hooiberg and much more.
  10. Booking online – if you want to do a tour or a water activity or anything else, make sure to book online (if possible). Most of the times you receive a discount.

This was one week of fun in Aruba for us. We shared some tips and we are sure that in case you want to do Aruba on a budget, it is possible. We just had other plans for this happy island. It doesn’t matter how you spend your time over there or where you stay. The kindness of the locals, the cleanliness of the island and the beauty of the beaches, Aruba is worth visiting.