Best time of year to vacation in aruba

There are so many exciting places to visit and vacation in aruba, that it can be hard to decide on where you would like to go for your next holiday. By reviewing information about what time of year might suit your purposes best, you can avoid needing to take a return trip because it’s too hot or too cold.

The Caribbean is known for its wide array of beautiful islands, however, the one island that seems to catch everyone’s attention is Aruba. For those who are thinking about vacationing in Aruba, it can be tricky trying to determine what time of year would be best to visit the island.

When is the best time to vacation in Aruba? Some people say mid-winter, some say high summer and others say Aruba’s best season is Christmas time. How do you know when is the best time to visit Aruba? Determining the perfect time for us to have your Aruba trip can be challenging — and it’s important. We want to make sure we pick a great hotel, buy an affordable flight and find the best weather. And even though each year is unique, we’ve got the inside scoop on when you should book your trips.

The best time of year to vacation in Aruba is during the months of January and February. This time period is considered to be the off-season and offers great deals on hotels and flights.

This is also when you can find great weather, as the average temperature for January is about 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you’re looking for the best time of year to vacation in Aruba, look no further. The island’s climate is tropical, with temperatures averaging between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.

The best time of year for tourists to visit Aruba is during the months of December through February. During these months, you’ll enjoy warm weather and calm seas. If you plan your trip during this time, you can expect clear skies and sunny days throughout your stay.

The best time to visit Aruba is from April to May after the island’s peak tourist season has ended, and before the temperatures get hotter in the summer months. This time of year also coincides with King’s Day, when the island of Aruba celebrates the King of the Netherland’s birthday on April 27. The early fall is also an excellent time to visit before the crowds return for peak season, from November through March.

Nicknamed “One Happy Island,” you should expect to feel this positive ambiance the moment you arrive. ‘Dushi’ is a popular word on the island that derives from Aruba’s native language, Papiamentu, and means ‘good, beautiful, sweet.’ “Everything is Dushi” is a phrase you will often hear during your stay and—after a few days spent relaxing on Aruba’s tropical beaches—you’ll likely agree.

Weather in Aruba

Unlike the islands located in the northern Caribbean Sea, the weather in Aruba is known for being reasonably consistent all year long. Located in the Southern Caribbean, it’s possible to see the coast of Venezuela from the southeastern end of the island on a sunny day.¹ This combination of balmy weather and tropical breeze means that there’s never truly a bad time to visit the island—and the water is warm enough to swim year-round. Aruba is situated outside the hurricane belt, making it less at risk for hurricanes and other tropical storms as well.

Travelers should pack high SPF sunblock, lightweight clothing, and rain-jackets year-round, just in case, though the wet season begins in the summer through fall, with November being the wettest month of the year.²

Peak Tourist Season in Aruba

Given the consistently warm temperature (and relative lack of tropical storms), the weather is not as much of a variable for travelers planning trips to Aruba throughout the year. What does fluctuate, however, is travel costs. The busy season occurs in Aruba during the winter months, when visitors flee the cold up north for the warm embrace of the tropics. The high tourist season Aruba begins in November and lasts until March. Cost-conscious travelers should consider visiting in the off-season of April through October when the price of travel is considerably lower. 

Key Holidays & Festivals in Aruba

Aruba is one of the “ABC islands” in the West Indies, sharing a Dutch colonial history alongside Bonaire and Curacao. The island nation is a constituent country of the Netherlands, which is why national holidays include King’s Day, as well as the National Flag and Anthem Day. During the King’s Day on April 27, holiday revelers wear orange to attend festivities all over the island in celebration of the King of the Netherlands’ birthday, while the island’s independence from the Dutch is celebrated on National Flag and Anthem Day on March 18.

January to March is Aruba’s Carnival period, with street parties (also known as ‘jump-ups’) and celebrations taking place all over the island—though, the most spectacular occur in the capital of Oranjestad. Additionally, a monthly Island Festival is held during the last week of each month in San Nicolas City, showcasing local music, food, and artwork.

January

Though January is recorded as the coldest month of the year, it still reaches an average high temperature of 84 degrees F (29 degrees C), with a mild low of 75 degrees F (24 degrees C).³ Unlike islands in the northern Caribbean, which can become quite chilly in the winter months, Aruba stays relatively temperate year-round. Though, cost-conscious travelers should consider not visiting in January, since prices will be higher in peak tourist season.

Events to check out:

• New Year’s Day: Travelers should consider booking in advance for restaurant reservations on the island during this holiday period (which begins on Dec. 31, of course).
• Betico Day: Holiday in commemoration of the Jan. 25 birth of Gilberto François (Betico) Croes, a political leader in Aruba.

February

The average monthly temperature for the water is 79 degrees F (26 degrees C) in January and February—though this is the coldest temperature year-round, it’s still more than warm enough for swimming. February will also see a continued presence of tourist crowds, though you can score travel deals on Valentine’s Day.

Events to check out:

• Valentine’s Day: Travelers can keep an eye out for special offers and deals on this romantic holiday.

March

The beginning of spring, March marks the end of the busy tourist season in Aruba. By April, prices will begin to drop. The water is 79 degrees F (26 degrees C), and the average temperature is 82 degrees F (28 degrees C).

Events to check out:

• National Anthem and Flag Day: This holiday on March 18 celebrates Aruba’s independence, as well as its national anthem, “Aruba Dushi Tera.” Expect parades, sporting events, and more festivities.

April

April officially marks the end of the busy tourist season and is also a month that sees the lowest rainfall. The average temperature is 82 degrees F (28 degrees C), and the water averages at 79 degrees F (26 degrees C).

Events to check out:

• King’s Day: Celebrate the King of the Netherlands’ birthday on April 27. A Dutch colony, the island honors King Willem-Alexander’s birthday by wearing orange and partaking in an array of games and activities, including a kite-flying contest. Celebrations will be held at many local bars and restaurants, as well.

May

Another great month to visit that, alongside April, has the lowest rainfall of the year. Also, an excellent month for swimming, with the water temperature averaging at 81 degrees F (27 degrees C) in May, and the climate rising to an average of 84 degrees F (29 degrees C) in May.

Events to check out:

• Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival: A festival held on Memorial Day weekend.

June

The average temperature throughout the summer in Aruba is 84 degrees F (29 degrees C), though the trade-winds keep the weather feeling breezier. The average high is 88 degrees F (31 degrees C), with the average low as 79 degrees F (26 degrees C). The chance for tropical storms and hurricanes starts this month and ends in November. However there is also opportunity for better travel deals, as the island sees the most tourists in the wintertime. The water temperature is 81 degrees F (27 degrees C).

Events to check out:

• Aloe Wellness Month: A month of holistic wellness programs occurring throughout Aruba in honor of the aloe plant, which is native to the island
• Dera Gai (St John’s Day): Traditional harvest festival happening on June 24 featuring song and dance rituals that are part of the heritage of the island.

July

The water temperature is 81 degrees F (27 degrees C) in July, and the average temperature is 84 degrees F (29 degrees C). Though this is one of the warmer months, the trade-winds mentioned above do keep the weather feeling cooler. Visiting travelers should pack raingear as it is the storm season.

Events to check out:

• Meet San Nicolas: The monthly cultural event begins in June and runs through December, and features art, food, dancing, and other activities.

August

August and October have the highest chances for tropical storms, so travelers should pack a rain jacket alongside the swimsuit, light-weight clothing, and high-SPF sunscreen that should be packed year-round. The water is 82 degrees F (28 degrees C), and the average temperature high is 88 degrees F (31 degrees C) with a low of 79 degrees F (26 degrees C).

Events to check out:

• Aruba Vow Renewal: this annual vow renewal is the largest in the Caribbean. Certain hotels feature packages and experiences for travelers, from special prices to special treatment.

September

September marks the beginning of the fall season in Aruba, which is another great time to visit, as the weather remains temperate, and there are greater deals to be found on hotel and airline bookings in September and October—before November heralds the beginning of peak season. The average monthly high in September is 88 degrees F (31 degrees C), and the average low is 79 degrees F (26 degrees C).

Events to check out:

• Fiesta di Cunucu: This celebration of the rural heritage of Aruba occurs on Sept. 29, and features folkloric dance and music in traditional Cunucu houses

October

October is also the month when the chances for tropical storms are highest, though Aruba is less at risk for hurricanes and other storms (versus other islands in the Caribbean) due to its positioning outside the hurricane belt. Although the weather in Aruba is warm enough to swim in year-round, October is the best month for swimming when the water temperatures are the warmest: 84 degrees F (22 degrees C). The average monthly temperature for October in Aruba is a high of 88 degrees F (31 degrees C) and a low of 79 degrees F (26 degrees C).

Events to check out:

• Eat Local Month: A month-long celebration of Aruba’s culinary offerings, the Eat Local Month features promotions and special events at restaurants around the island.

November

November marks the end of hurricane season in Aruba (though, again, these are extremely unlikely) and heralds the start of peak season, so travelers looking for deals should consider visiting earlier in the fall. The average monthly temperature for the water in November is 82 degrees F (28 degrees C). The average monthly high in November is 86 degrees F (30 degrees C), and the low is 79 degrees F (26 degrees C).

Events to check out:

• The Aruba Beach Tennis Open: Occurring in mid-November, this international beach tennis event draws participants from around the world (South America, Europe, Australia, and more.)

December

December is firmly in the midst of peak tourist season when prices begin to rise on the island. The average high temperature in December is 84 degrees F (29 degrees C), with an average low of 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). The average monthly temperature for the water in December is 81 degrees F (27 degrees C)—so, the ocean is pleasant to swim in year-round in Aruba.