Why Honeymoon at Palm Beach
Aruba has some of the most reliable weather in the Caribbean. Palm Beach makes the most of it. The island sits outside the main hurricane belt, rainfall is low and the trade winds keep the heat in check. The sea on this side is usually calm and shallow, so swimming is easy.
Palm Beach adds convenience. Restaurants of every kind, beach bars, spas, casinos and evening entertainment are a short walk from most hotels. Excursions leave from the piers. Taxis are always waiting.
It suits couples who enjoy a social atmosphere and want variety without planning. If one of you loves to stay busy and the other prefers a lounger, this beach can do both. Couples who crave quiet nights should stay at Eagle Beach instead.
When to Go
Aruba is a year-round destination. Mid-December through April is the high season, with the most visitors and the highest rates. The weather then is sunny and dry with highs in the mid 80s Fahrenheit.
May through November is an excellent alternative. Temperatures are slightly higher, the trade winds are often stronger in early summer and hotel prices drop. The island lies south of the usual hurricane track, so storms rarely hit, though they can bring rough seas and rain when they pass to the north.
October through December is the closest thing to a rainy season, with short, occasional showers. Book well ahead for Christmas, New Year and Carnival, which usually runs in January or February with parades in Oranjestad and San Nicolas.
Where to Stay
Palm Beach is lined with large branded resorts. At the northern end, The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba has a spa, a casino and some of the quietest sand on the strip. Farther south you pass resorts such as the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, the Hyatt Regency Aruba, the Holiday Inn and the Hilton Aruba at the southern edge.
Couples who want a kid-free stay can look at Riu Palace Antillas, an all-inclusive for grown-ups, or at kid-free sections and club levels in some of the larger hotels. Several timeshare and condo resorts offer suites with kitchens.
Expect roughly $350 to $900 a night in high season for most couples' rooms, with all-inclusives and suites higher, as an approximate guide. Rates drop significantly from May through November.
Romantic Things to Do
Book a sunset sail. Most catamarans leave from piers along Palm Beach and include snorkeling stops, drinks and music. A smaller boat or a private charter is quieter.
Snorkel or dive the Antilla, a World War II German freighter that lies in shallow water off the northwest coast, one of the largest wrecks in the Caribbean. Boca Catalina and Arashi Beach farther north are good for snorkeling from shore.
Watch birds at the Bubali Bird Sanctuary, a wetland just inland from the beach. Visit the Butterfly Farm nearby. Rent a jeep or join a tour to Arikok National Park and its Natural Pool, a rocky basin on the rough east coast. Drive to the California Lighthouse for sunset views over the dunes. In the evening, stroll the boardwalk and choose a restaurant by the water.
Getting There and Around
Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) has nonstop flights from many US cities, including New York, Newark, Boston, Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Flights from Miami take about 2.5 hours and from New York about 4.5. Palm Beach is about 20 to 25 minutes by taxi.
Aruba has US Customs and Border Protection preclearance at the airport, so you clear US immigration before your flight home. Allow plenty of time at the airport on departure day.
You do not need a car on Palm Beach. Taxis are plentiful, with fixed fares to most places. Public buses run along the hotel strip to Oranjestad. Rent a car or jeep for a day or two to explore the north and the east coast.
Food and Drink
Palm Beach has one of the widest restaurant choices in the Caribbean. Steakhouses, seafood grills, sushi bars, Italian trattorias and Latin American restaurants line the main road behind the hotels. Beach bars on the piers serve cocktails and light meals over the water.
Try Aruban dishes such as keshi yena, a baked cheese filled with spiced meat. Order pan bati, a slightly sweet pancake served with fish. Local fish such as wahoo and grouper are fresh. Balashi is the island's beer.
For a special night, book a table on the sand or at a restaurant near the California Lighthouse. Oranjestad, about 15 minutes south, has more independent restaurants. Tap water in Aruba comes from a desalination plant and is safe to drink.
Honeymoon Tips
- Reserve beach loungers or palapas early. Some hotels let you book them ahead for a fee.
- Wear high-SPF reef-safe sunscreen. The sun is intense and the breeze hides how quickly you burn.
- Choose a room at the northern end for quieter nights, or the middle for the most action.
- Book a private dinner on the beach at least once.
- Use insect repellent in the evening. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for Aruba.
- Spend at least one day at Eagle Beach or Arashi Beach for more space.
