Dollar prices come from VisitAruba, read 6 and 7 November 2026; GetYourGuide prices depend on the date and group size.

Day 1: Oranjestad and a sunset

Land, check in, and keep the first day light. The downtown walking tour runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:15 am, so swap days if you arrive on another day; Oranjestad is also easy alone, with Fort Zoutman (1798), the Willem III Tower, the Historical Museum and the Archeological Museum in the old town (see Oranjestad). On Tuesdays the Bon Bini Festival runs at 6:30 pm in the fort courtyard. For the sunset, the Octopus catamaran is $89.99 for two hours with an open bar; a private sail starts at $450 for up to four guests (see Aruba sunset cruises). The taxi from the airport is $37 to Eagle Beach and $41 to Palm Beach.

Day 2: the island safari

The safari starts at 8:30 am and lasts about 8 hours, with the Natural Pool, Baby Beach and a barbecue lunch. The pool is inside Arikok National Park, open daily 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and swimming there is safe only when the sea is calm, so keep day 4 or a spare day flexible. The full explanation is in Aruba's Natural Pool.

Day 3: on the water

The Palm Beach champagne brunch and aqua safari is the water option; check its duration and departure point on the listing. The Red Sail Antilla sail is $79 for adults and $63 for children aged 5 to 11 (2:00 to 5:00 pm, open bar). The alternative for people who do not swim is the Atlantis Submarine, which dives to 130 feet and is listed on Viator (see Atlantis Submarine and snorkeling tours).

Day 4: the north coast

The EL Tours Explore Aruba bus tour is $59 per person for 4.5 hours with pick-up at 8:30 am and stops at the Aloe Vera Factory, Casibari, the Natural Bridge, Alto Vista Chapel, the California Lighthouse and Arashi Beach (see Aruba island tours). The lighthouse is open daily 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and costs $5, which makes it a natural place to end the day at sunset (see California Lighthouse). If you prefer a day at the beach, Arashi Beach has the shallow water and the west-facing sunset.

Alternatives for day 4

  • De Palm Island: open daily 10:00 to 17:00 with the ferry included, from $129 on the official site; ticket sales close at 2:00 pm (see De Palm Island).
  • Free with children: the Donkey Sanctuary is open daily 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and costs nothing (see Donkey Sanctuary).
  • Adrenaline: ATV tours cost $130 to $135 for a single rider (see ATV tours).

Typical mistakes

  • Booking the Natural Pool on the last day: if the sea is rough, the stop may not be possible, and there is no day left to move it.
  • Starting day 1 with the walking tour when you land on a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday: it does not run.
  • Arriving at De Palm Island after 2:00 pm: check-in closes then.

FAQ

Is 4 days enough for Aruba?

Yes for the main sights: the town, the interior, the sea and the north coast. A fifth day adds Arikok or De Palm Island; see 5 days in Aruba.

What is the best day for the island safari?

Day 2, so there is time to move it if the sea is rough on the Natural Pool.

Do I need a car for this plan?

No. The tours include pickup or meeting points, and a taxi between Eagle and Palm Beach is $16; see getting around Aruba.

How much do the paid items cost?

Beyond the three GetYourGuide tours, budget about $90 for the sunset sail and $59 for the bus tour, before the hotel and meals.

Aruba Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.