| Item | January in Aruba | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rain | About 1.0 in (25 mm) | aruba.com weather page |
| Temperature | About 28 °C (82 °F) | aruba.com weather page |
| Dry stretch | January to April | aruba.com |
| Carnival parades (2027) | January 9, 17, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 | aruba.com |
| Pilgrimage | January 18, Feast of Santa Filomena, Alto Vista Chapel | aruba.com |
| Closed January 1 | Donkey Sanctuary, Aruba Ostrich Farm | their own sites |
Carnival in January
The Carnival season officially opens every year on November 11 at 11:11 am, but most events and parades fall in January and February. The 2027 schedule on the tourism board site lists:
| Date | Parade |
|---|---|
| January 9 | Torch Parade |
| January 17 | Fantasy Parade |
| January 23 | Children's Parade, Noord |
| January 24 | Children's Parade, Oranjestad |
| January 29 | Masquerade Parade |
| January 30 | Jouvert Morning and Aruba's Grand Lighting Parade |
| January 31 | Children's Parade, San Nicolas |
The Grand Parades are in February (see Aruba in February). The tourism board gives no times or routes for the January parades on that page, so check them closer to your dates.
The weather
January has 1.0 inch (25 mm) of rain on average and January to April is the driest stretch of the year. Rain falls in short showers, and trade winds are almost always present. That makes the outdoor days easier to plan: the island safari with the Natural Pool, the snorkel sail and the north coast, with the California Lighthouse open daily 9:00 am to 7:00 pm for $5 (see California Lighthouse and the best time to visit Aruba).
What is closed on January 1
The Donkey Sanctuary is open daily 9:00 am to 4:00 pm except January 1, and the Aruba Ostrich Farm is also closed on January 1 (their own websites, read 7 November 2026). Taxis cost $5 extra from December 24 to January 1. See the Donkey Sanctuary.
January 18: the Santa Filomena pilgrimage
The Alto Vista Chapel is honored each year with a pilgrimage on January 18, the Feast of Santa Filomena (see Alto Vista Chapel).
Where to stay
Eagle Beach is the quiet low-rise area and Palm Beach the lively high-rise one (see Palm Beach vs Eagle Beach). We publish no hotel prices; compare your dates in the hotel box.
January compared with its neighbors
December averages 1.0 inch (25 mm) of rain at 28 °C, January the same, February 0.8 inch (20 mm) and April only 0.4 inch (10 mm), the driest month of the year (aruba.com weather page, read 6 November 2026). January is the first month of the long dry stretch, which is why the island safari, the snorkel sail and the north coast are easy to schedule. If you are comparing the end of the year, read Aruba in December, which covers the holiday weeks, and Aruba in February for the Grand Parades.
Typical mistakes
- Expecting the Grand Parades in January: they are in February.
- Planning the Donkey Sanctuary or the ostrich farm for January 1.
- Forgetting the $5 holiday taxi surcharge between December 24 and January 1.
FAQ
Is January a good time to visit Aruba?
Yes: it is in the dry stretch from January to April, with about 1.0 inch of rain.
Is there Carnival in January?
Yes. The season runs from November 11 and the 2027 parade schedule has seven dates in January.
How hot is Aruba in January?
About 28 °C on average.
Does Aruba have hurricanes in January?
The island lies outside the hurricane belt, and the Atlantic hurricane season runs June to November.
Aruba Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.
