| Plan | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Oranjestad on foot or by tram | 2 to 3 hours | Free; tram fare not published |
| Half Day Island Tour | Half day; check the stop list on the listing | See the listing |
| Downtown walking tour | 2.5 hours, Mon, Wed, Fri at 9:15 am | See the listing |
| Bus to Eagle Beach, Palm Beach or Arashi | Lines L10A, L10B, L10C | $2.60 per trip, $15 day pass |
| Taxi, Palm Beach to the cruise port | Fixed fare | $33 per taxi |
Right off the ship: Oranjestad
The tourism board lists a compact walkable center: Fort Zoutman (1798, Aruba's oldest building), the Willem III Tower (1868) beside it, the Historical Museum between them and the Archeological Museum in the Ecury family home. Main Street and the malls have international retailers, boutiques and jewelry stores, and eight blue horses (Paardenbaai Aruba) stand around downtown. Details are in Oranjestad. Museum hours are not published, so ask when you arrive.
Beyond the pier
The bus station is across from the terminal. Arubus lines L10A, L10B and L10C run along the hotel strip to Eagle Beach, Palm Beach and Arashi for $2.60 a trip, and a $5 retour card or a $15 day pass is available (arubus.com). A taxi is not metered; the fare from Palm Beach to the cruise port is $33, and Oranjestad to Eagle Beach is $16, plus $5 on Sundays, holidays and 11 pm to 7 am (Visit Aruba). A private taxi for sightseeing is $60 per hour with a 2-hour minimum. For the beaches, see Eagle Beach and Palm Beach.
Which plan fits your all-aboard time
- Under 4 hours: stay in Oranjestad, or take the bus to Eagle Beach. Have the ship's all-aboard time in mind before you pay for anything with a fixed start.
- 4 to 6 hours: the half-day island tour, or the snorkel sail of about 3 hours.
- A full day: the 6-hour Natural Pool and Cave Safari leaves from Bushiri 25 in Oranjestad at 9:00 am. Its listing says it cannot take passengers from Carnival ships. See Aruba shore excursions.
The half-day tour listing does not name its stops in its title; its stop list is on the GetYourGuide page. For a bus tour with named stops, EL Tours Explore Aruba is $59 per person for 4.5 hours, with stops at the Aloe Vera Factory, Casibari, the Natural Bridge, Alto Vista Chapel, the California Lighthouse and Arashi Beach (see Aruba island tours).
Entry rules for cruise passengers
Cruise passengers usually do not need the ED card, but confirm with your cruise line. The arrival fee of $20 applies to air arrivals (see money and entry rules).
Typical mistakes
- Booking a Monday, Wednesday or Friday walking tour for another day: it runs only on those days.
- Booking the Natural Pool safari on a Carnival ship: the listing says it cannot take those passengers.
- Taking the bus with luggage: buses accept carry-on bags only.
FAQ
Can I walk from the cruise terminal into town?
Yes, the tourism board says downtown Oranjestad is easy by foot or by tram, and the tram runs between the cruise terminal and the town center.
How much is the bus from the port to Palm Beach?
$2.60 per trip on lines L10A, L10B and L10C from the main station across from the terminal, or $15 for a day pass.
How much is a taxi to Palm Beach?
Palm Beach to the cruise port is $33 per taxi, fixed, for up to four passengers; Oranjestad to Palm Beach is $22.
What is the best tour for a short port stop?
A walking tour (2.5 hours) or the half-day island tour; see Aruba excursions for the others.
Aruba Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.
