Aruba 3 Day Itinerary: A Local’s Plan for a Long Weekend

Updated October 11, 2026 · 4 min read

Alto Vista Chapel, Aruba — Photo: Erik Cleves Kristensen, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Three days is enough to get a real feel for Aruba if you don’t try to see everything. This Aruba 3 day itinerary gives each day one theme: the calm northwest coast, the wild interior and north side, then the south end. Each day leaves room for a nap and a sunset.

You’ll want a rental car for days two and three. The island is only about 32 km long, so nothing is far, but a car gives you much more freedom than buses or taxis.

Before you start

Base yourself on the west coast. Palm Beach and Eagle Beach put you within easy reach of the northwest beaches, Oranjestad and the road south.
Bring cash. Some local spots on Day 3 don’t take cards.
Pack water shoes. Several snorkel entries and the natural pool are rocky.
Use mineral sunscreen. Oxybenzone sunscreens are banned in Aruba.

Day 1: Northwest beaches and snorkeling

Start slow. You’ve just arrived, so stay close to the hotel strip and do the beach part right.

Morning: Boca Catalina, Malmok and Arashi

Drive or take a taxi north past Palm Beach. Boca Catalina is a small cove with easy shore snorkeling. Aruba.com’s snorkel guide lists trunkfish and sergeant majors in the shallows, with larger fish and coral farther out. Arashi, a little farther north, has a sandy bottom, free shade huts and a beach bar. Go early: Boca Catalina gets busier once the tour boats arrive mid-morning, and it has little shade.

At Arashi, Aruba.com says the best snorkeling is on the left side when you face the sea. Tres Trapi, between the two, is named for the three rock steps leading into the water, and Aruba.com mentions sea stars there. Look, but don’t touch or lift them.

If you’d rather see this coastline without getting wet, or have kids who aren’t strong swimmers, our clear boat tour stops at the Antilla wreck, Boca Catalina and Tres Trapi in 90 minutes, with snorkel gear included.

Afternoon: California Lighthouse

Head up the hill to the California Lighthouse, completed in 1916, for views over the dunes and the sea. The ground is rocky, so wear proper shoes. If you’re back at your hotel by mid-afternoon, nap. Day 2 starts early.

Evening: Palm Beach

Walk the beach at sunset and pick a pier bar for happy hour. Bugaloe sits over the water on the Palm Beach pier and has live music most nights. MooMba, a little farther down the sand, gets livelier after dark. Aruba.com says sunset usually falls between 6 and 7 pm, so head out around 5:30.

Day 2: Arikok National Park

Arikok covers about 20% of the island. VisitAruba lists its hours as 8 am to 4 pm, and you buy a day pass at the visitor center. UTVs and ATVs are banned inside the park.

Morning: caves and Conchi

The highlight is Conchi, the natural pool: a ring of volcanic rock right on the sea. VisitAruba says you need a 4×4 to drive there, and the hike in is long and tough. If you don’t want to drive rough roads, a guided jeep tour is the easier option, and Aruba.com’s three-day plan does exactly that, adding the Fontein and Quadirikiri caves.

Important: swimming at Conchi isn’t safe when waves are high. Follow the rangers’ advice on the day.

What to bring

Closed-toe shoes, plus water shoes for the pool
Plenty of water and a reusable bottle
Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
Some cash

Evening: Oranjestad

Clean up and spend the evening downtown. Aruba.com’s three-day itinerary includes a walk through Oranjestad’s Dutch-Caribbean buildings. If you get there before closing, Moon recommends the archaeology museum and the historical museum at Fort Zoutman.

Day 3: The south coast

Morning: Baby Beach

Drive to Baby Beach at the southern tip, about 45 minutes from the Palm Beach hotels. It’s a shallow, calm lagoon where you can wade out a long way. Aruba.com mentions free shade huts, public bathrooms and gear rentals. Snorkel where the bay opens to the sea, but stay inside the marked area.

Lunch: Zeerovers

On the way back, stop at Zeerovers in Savaneta, a fish pier where you order the day’s catch at the counter. Cash only, closed Mondays.

Aruba.com lists the kitchen hours as 11 am to 9 pm. The menu is short: one or two fresh catches of the day plus local sides, served in baskets. It’s one of the few places where you’ll eat next to as many locals as visitors.

Afternoon: Mangel Halto

If you still have energy, Mangel Halto is nearby: a mangrove-lined lagoon with calm water. Moon’s itinerary suggests a swim stop here on the way back from the south end. Entry is over sharp rocks, so wear water shoes, and stay close to shore: Aruba.com warns of strong currents and doesn’t recommend it for weak swimmers.

Evening: Eagle Beach sunset

End at Eagle Beach by the fofoti trees for your last sunset.

Your Aruba 3 day itinerary at a glance

Day	Area	Highlights	Need a car?
1	Northwest	Boca Catalina, Arashi, lighthouse, Palm Beach	Optional (taxis work)
2	Arikok	Conchi, caves	4×4 or tour
3	South	Baby Beach, Zeerovers, Mangel Halto	Yes

If the weather changes your plans

Aruba is dry most of the year, but the trade wind can get strong. On a very windy day, swap Day 1 and Day 3. The south end, especially Baby Beach, is more sheltered. If the waves are high on the north side, skip swimming at Conchi and focus on the caves.

If you only have a cruise day

Pick Day 1. It’s closest to the port and the most Aruba for your time.