Taxi fares are per taxi for up to 4 passengers, fixed by the government; $5 extra on Sundays, holidays and 11 pm to 7 am; minimum fare $10 (Visit Aruba, read 6 November 2026).

Eagle Beach or Palm Beach

Palm Beach, Aruba

The two beaches are close: $16 by taxi, or by Arubus line L10 from the Oranjestad main station (cruise-terminal side) at $2.60 per trip (arubus.com, read 6 November 2026). Choose Eagle Beach for more room on the sand and quieter evenings; choose Palm Beach to have restaurants, shops and the catamaran departures within walking distance. See also excursions and how to get around.

How to choose

  • Budget: compare the same dates across areas and check the taxes and fees shown before you pay; see the cost of a trip. Hotel prices change too much by date to quote here.
  • Car: not essential on Eagle or Palm Beach: taxis and the L10 bus cover the strip. A car helps for the south and east; see renting a car.
  • Arrival: the taxi is fixed-fare; a private round-trip transfer is another option, see airport transfers.
  • Typical mistake: booking a hotel far from the strip (San Nicolas) without a car and paying $45 each way from the airport.

Related: a first-time guide to Aruba.

The main areas in more detail

  • Palm Beach: about two miles of white sand lined with high-rise hotels, calm water, water-sports operators, restaurants, casinos and two large shopping malls. The hotels include the Holiday Inn Resort, with 590 rooms, and the Hyatt Regency Aruba. It is the departure point for most boat trips, so it suits a first visit with a full schedule.
  • Eagle Beach: the widest beach on the island, a long stretch of soft white sand with low-rise hotels rather than towers. It has public parking and shaded areas, cabanas for hotel guests and some beach huts. It suits couples and quiet evenings.
  • Oranjestad: the capital and the cruise port, a harbor city of more than 200 years with restored landmarks, Main Street shopping and museums. A tram runs between the terminal and the center. It suits a port stay or a city break with bus links to both beaches.
  • Noord: a residential area beside Palm Beach, with restaurants. It gives access to the Palm Beach strip at a lower taxi fare, $11 to Palm Beach.
  • San Nicolas and the south: the art district with murals, and Baby Beach. It is far from the resort strip, so you need a car or a taxi, about $45 from the airport.

Getting to the beaches

The two beaches are close. A taxi between them costs $16, and the L10 bus runs between them at $2.60 a trip. A private round-trip transfer from the airport is another option, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 1,295 reviews, with the price depending on date and group.

What to check before you book

  • Taxes and fees: the sustainability fee of $20 per visitor is charged on arrival by air.
  • Distance from the boats: the catamarans and most tours leave from Palm Beach or Oranjestad, so a hotel in the south adds a taxi ride to each outing.
  • Sea conditions: Palm Beach has calm water for swimmers and snorkelers. Eagle Beach is wide and quieter.

FAQ

Where should I stay in Aruba for the first time?

Palm Beach if you want restaurants and activity within walking distance; Eagle Beach if you prefer calm and a wider beach.

How much is a taxi from the airport to the hotel?

$37 to Eagle Beach, $41 to Palm Beach, $34 to Noord and $26 to Oranjestad (Visit Aruba, 6 November 2026).

Do I need a car if I stay at Palm Beach?

Not for the beach and nearby restaurants. A car helps for the interior and the south of the island.

Aruba Authority editorial team, 6 November 2026.