Aruba in a Day: A Complete 1-Day Itinerary for Cruise Passengers

LAST UPDATED January 30, 2025 BY Katarina Komazec

Wondering if it’s possible to see the highlights of Aruba in a day? This stunning island in the southern Caribbean Sea has so much to offer, and with a little planning, you can experience the best of it in a single day!

Before my first visit to Aruba, I didn’t know much about the island beyond its beautiful sandy beaches and vibrant cocktail bars in Oranjestad, the capital.

For our first trip, my friends and I decided to rent a car and create our own Aruba highlights tour to get a quick overview of the island. Time was tight, as it often is when you’re working on a cruise ship, but we managed to plan an exciting day trip and see a lot of Aruba!

Keep reading to learn how we organized our trip, starting and ending in Oranjestad, where our ship was docked.

Related article: Ultimate Guide to Aruba Cruise Port: 10 Best Things To Do

Our Aruba Itinerary: Starting and Ending in Oranjestad

Cruise ships visiting Aruba dock in Oranjestad, the capital and largest city, located on the island’s western side.

The name “Oranjestad” refers to the orange color, which is symbolic of the Netherlands. Wondering why? Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, along with several other Dutch islands (like Bonaire and Curacao)

As we left the cruise terminal, we were greeted by a variety of local vendors offering car rentals, ATVs, UTVs, jeeps, and island tours. We planned to rent a car and embark on a road trip, hitting all the top attractions on our bucket list for the day.

Aruba is a small island, measuring just 32 kilometers (20 miles) from north to south and 10 kilometers (6 miles) at its widest point. The roads are well-connected, making it easy to explore many places in a short amount of time.

Car Rental in Aruba

Our first task was to find a car. Since there were four of us, a regular car would be fine, so we started negotiating with one of the local car rental agencies outside the cruise terminal.

Here’s my Aruba tip number one: If you decide to rent a car from street vendors (though I strongly recommend using a reputable company), ALWAYS negotiate the price upfront!

Local vendors don’t have fixed rates and often inflate prices, knowing that cruise ship passengers are willing to pay more due to limited time. So, make sure to haggle and don’t settle for the first offer!

We followed this advice, negotiated with the car rental agency, and paid just 60 USD (they accept dollars) for a car, rented until 6 pm, which was perfect since we needed to be back on board by then.

The paperwork took less than 15 minutes, and all we needed was a driver’s license from our home country (an international one wasn’t required). Once everything was settled, we were ready to hit the road!

Plan your Caribbean cruise with this all-in-one guide to 40 ports, complete with detailed port insights, practical tips for getting around, and the top attractions you won’t want to miss at every destination!

Aruba Highlights in a Day

Stop 1: Eagle Beach

After leaving behind the colorful streets of Oranjestad, filled with bars, restaurants, shops, and a beautiful coastline promenade, we headed northwest to our first stop: Eagle Beach.

My first thought was, “WOW! This is like a dream!”

Eagle Beach is a long stretch of soft sand with crystal-clear, light blue waters. The beach is natural, with no large hotels or resorts nearby, and there aren’t many water activities or crowded areas. This makes it an ideal spot for those seeking peace, quiet, and relaxation.

Since it was just our first stop, we didn’t stay for a swim. Instead, we took a few photos at the famous Fofoti tree, located across from Amsterdam Manor right on the beach.

Fofoti trees thrive in Aruba’s climate, making them a local trademark. After snapping some pictures, we continued on to our next stop: Palm Beach.

Stop 2: Palm Beach

Our second stop was Palm Beach, which is perfect for those who enjoy beaches with plenty of water activities, hotel resorts, bars, and beach clubs.

Located just 15-20 minutes from Oranjestad, Palm Beach is easily accessible by taxi or bus, and from Eagle Beach, it took us only 10 minutes by car along the same northwest route.

The water at Palm Beach is clear, warm, and beautiful, though the beach is more crowded, with many tourists from the nearby resorts. We accessed the beach through one of the hotel resorts (I don’t recall which one, but there are many with direct beach access).

We took a 30-minute swim break and enjoyed Captain Morgan rum cocktails. Palm Beach has everything you could need, from beach beds and cabanas to trendy bars and watersports. Just be aware—prices here can be quite high!

Stop 3: California Lighthouse

After a refreshing break, we continued our trip north and, just 15 minutes later, reached the California Lighthouse, one of Aruba’s top highlights.

The lighthouse was named after the steamship California, which sank nearby in 1891. Built decades later on a high seaside elevation, it now offers stunning 360-degree views of the entire island.

While you can climb to the top for around 5 USD, we didn’t have enough time to do so. Instead, we grabbed some refreshments and ice cream from the local kiosk offering snacks and beverages.

Note: The terrain around the lighthouse can be challenging for those with walking difficulties—it’s uneven and rocky, so be cautious if you plan to climb.

If you have more time, consider visiting nearby Arashi Beach. It’s a beautiful, family-friendly spot with a small beach bar and all the necessary amenities for a relaxing day.

Stop 4: Alto Vista Chapel

After visiting California Lighthouse, we drove southeast to our next stop: Alto Vista Chapel, a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Aruba. Located 10 kilometers from the lighthouse, the drive took us about 20 minutes.

The road was well-marked and in good condition, and the scenery along the way was striking. We passed by towering cacti, Divi Divi trees (similar to Fofoti trees), lizards, and even donkeys!

Built in 1952, Alto Vista Chapel stands at the site of an original 18th-century chapel that was destroyed. It’s a peaceful Catholic chapel open to the public, so we took some time to soak in the tranquility.

There isn’t much around the chapel except for tall cacti and local vendors selling refreshments. If you’re planning to buy snacks, it’s better to stop at one of the supermarkets on the way but be aware that prices are high due to the island’s reliance on imported goods. I remember paying around $15 for a chocolate bar, coffee, and some crisps!

Stop 5: Casibari Rock Formations

Just 8 kilometers south of Alto Vista Chapel, we arrived at the fascinating Casibari Rock Formations, one of Aruba’s main highlights. Expect to see plenty of visitors, as it’s a popular spot.

The site offers parking, a restaurant, and toilets for convenience.

The formations are home to prehistoric rock drawings and visitors can climb to the top via walking trails and steps carved through the rocks. Once at the summit, you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the island!

Stop 6: The Natural Bridge

Our next stop was one of Aruba’s main highlights: the Natural Bridge, located on the island’s east coast. It took us about 15 minutes by car to get there.

Once we reached the eastern side, the terrain became rugged and unsuitable for regular cars. This area is part of Arikok National Park, which can only be accessed by off-road vehicles like ATVs, UTVs, or jeeps, so it’s not recommended to visit with a standard car.

Aruba is home to several natural bridges, but this one is particularly stunning and frequently photographed. Although the bridge collapsed in 2005, it remains one of the island’s top tourist attractions.

The area around the bridge has a souvenir shop and snack bar, so we took a short break before heading to our final stop: Baby Beach.

Stop 7: Baby Beach

To reach our final stop, Baby Beach, we headed back toward Oranjestad, a journey that took just over 20 minutes. We dropped off our friend, who needed to return to the ship, and then continued to the southernmost point of the island to the secluded Baby Beach, arriving just in time for sunset.

Baby Beach is a serene, family-friendly spot nestled in a calm lagoon, perfect for families and kids of all ages with its shallow, crystal-clear waters. We had planned to swim but ended up simply soaking in the breathtaking sunset, a beautiful reminder that our perfect day was coming to a close.

Back to Oranjestad

The return to the ship took a bit over 40 minutes due to heavy traffic. The road leading back to the capital is the only one, so there’s no chance of getting lost, but be prepared for delays.

On the way back, we passed through San Nicolas, the second-largest city in Aruba, located 19 kilometers from Oranjestad. Upon reaching the capital, we couldn’t help but admire the vibrant, colorful atmosphere and immediately began planning our next trip to Aruba!

To Wrap Up

To conclude, Aruba is a stunning island that I highly recommend everyone visit! While it’s relatively flat (I personally prefer mountainous landscapes), its natural beauty and breathtaking, unspoiled beaches are simply unforgettable.

Whether you’re on an Aruba cruise with just a day to explore or spending a week on the island, renting a car is a fantastic way to experience Aruba in a day at your own pace!

If you’re looking to learn more about Aruba’s history and its native culture, there are plenty of professional guided tours available!

One thing’s for sure: your time in Aruba will be unforgettable—it’s truly one happy island!