Holidays to Palm Beach

Palm Beach has some of the best beaches in Aruba, stunning stretches of sugar-white sand shaded by palm trees. The main beach is 2 miles long, and has all the facilities you could possibly want, from sunbed and parasol rental to every imaginable water sport. Palm Beach is packed with bars, restaurants and casinos, so there’s plenty of nightlife, and you’ll also find some of the best shopping on the island. A 10-minute taxi ride will bring you to the charming island capital of Oranjestad, where you can stroll along the colourful streets admiring the colonial architecture, and visit top historical attractions such as Fort Zoutman. The California Lighthouse on the island’s northern tip has stunning views, and you can also hike across the unspoilt dunes. There’s more wilderness to explore in the beautiful Arikok National Park, which covers almost a fifth of the island.  

Palm Beach is one of the best on the island: an enormous stretch of dazzling white sand lapped by turquoise waters. Whether you just want to laze under a parasol or enjoy one of the huge range of water sports on offer, you’ll find every possible amenity at hand. Palm Beach is in the centre of an 8-mile stretch of stunning beaches that have something for everyone: you could head south to Eagle Beach, which is regularly voted one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean, or north to the diving and snorkelling paradise of Malmok Beach, or hang out with the locals in Arashi Beach. Boca Grandi and Fisherman’s Huts (also called Hadicurari Beach) are two of the best known beaches for kite-surfing and surfing.

You’ll find restaurants to suit every taste and budget in Palm Beach, including plenty of options featuring cuisine from around the world. You won’t want to miss the fantastic Aruban cuisine, though, which is an amazing global fusion reflecting the island’s amazing ethnic diversity. Top of the list has to be the amazing seafood, often served straight off the barbecue – barracuda, mahi-mahi and red snapper are all favourites. The traditional fishermen’s stew, keri keri, was originally made with shark, although nowadays any firm white fish is used. You could try spicy local curries, perhaps with goat or chicken, or tuck into some pumpkin fritters, arepita de pampuna, or beregein hasa, fried aubergine.

Palm Beach is one of the biggest nightlife hubs on Aruba, with plenty to keep you entertained in the evenings. The resort has lots of all inclusive hotels that offer a fantastic programme of activities, from live music to DJ sessions and family-friendly events. There is also a wide choice of bars and clubs, whether you’re in the mood for a relaxed beach bar where you can enjoy a chilled beer with your toes in the sand, or a glamorous cocktail bar where you can dress to impress. The area also has lots of casinos, if you’re in the mood for a flutter. You’ll find more options, including several venues for the performing arts, in nearby Oranjestad, the charming island capital.

Aruba welcome families with open arms, and most hotels offer special events and packages for children. Palm Beach is a great beach for kids, with lots of soft white sand, tranquil waters and plenty of water sports and other activities. However, it can get a bit choppy at the northern end, which is perfect for wind-surfing. If you’re travelling with older kids, head up the coast to Fishermen’s Huts (also called Hadicurari Beach), which is one of the best beaches on the island for kite-surfing and surfing. Baby’s Beach, which is located on the banks of a quiet lagoon about a 30-minute drive south of Palm Beach, is ideal for very young kids, and has a fantastic snorkelling area. Other attractions for kids nearby include a charming Butterfly Farm, which has clouds of colourful butterflies set in botanic gardens, and a couple of water parks. 

Aruba is a beautiful Caribbean island, which oozes romance. You can laze on the breathtaking white sand in Palm Beach, working on your tans, then slip into the azure water for a dip. Perhaps enjoy a couples’ massage at one of the luxury spas, or even head out on a sailing boat to watch the sun set. There are lots of wonderfully romantic places to dine, whether you want to tuck into some freshly barbecued fish at a boho-chic beach shack or prefer to dress up and head to one of the smart, award-winning restaurants in Palm Beach. In the evenings, take your pick from a  host of enticing bars and clubs, where you can cosy up over cocktails.

Palm Beach is one of the best beaches on Aruba for water sports, with a host of facilities, tour-operators and suppliers. Palm Beach itself is great for water-skiing or you could rent out jet skis or kayaks, or head a little further up the coast to reach the popular wind-surfing and kite-surfing beach of Fishermen’s Huts (also called Hadicurari Beach). The whole island is famous for its exceptional snorkelling and diving, and there are several superb dive sites in the area, including the famous Antilla shipwreck near the island’s northern tip. For hiking, horse-riding and mountain-biking, head to the Arikok National Park, a stunningly unspoilt landscape which protects myriad species of flora and fauna, and has a natural swimming pool, and some enticing, wild beaches where you can wind-surf and kite-surf.

Most of Aruba’s cultural attractions are concentrated in the charming island capital of Oranjestad, which is just a 10-minute drive away. The biggest historic attraction is the 19th-century Fort Zoutman, built by the Dutch, and now a fascinating museum. Adjacent, you’ll find the Willem III Tower, a former lighthouse, which now contains a museum dedicated to the island’s history. The fortress is the setting for the Bon Bini Festival, a weekly cultural event that takes place every Tuesday, and features craft and food stalls, live music and dance. Wander the charming streets to admire the pastel-painted colonial buildings, some of which now house more cultural sights, such as the Aruban archaeological museum, which displays exhibits dating back to 2500BC.