Solo Female Travel In Aruba – What You Need To Know & Things To Do

UPDATED FEB 2020. Aruba isn’t just a destination for cutesy couples on their honeymoons. If you’re a solo traveler you can visit and have an extraordinary travel experience too. I certainly did. As you know, I didn’t go on a blog trip, but I wanted to share as much of the tips and advice as I could because well, hey, that’s what I’m here for. Here’s my guide on solo female travel in Aruba and, of course, if you have any questions, just let me know.

Solo Female Travel In Aruba – What You Need To Know & Things To Do

Disclaimer

There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.

The basics for planning a trip to Aruba

What is the currency in Aruba?

The currency in Aruba is the Aruban Florin, however, US dollars are widely accepted.

I paid for most things in US cash, though if you plan to get really off the beaten path, it’s a good idea to get some money in Florin.

Some places will have the cost displayed in both dollars and florin, but if not, most places convert the price to dollars when you pay.

Keep in mind that if you pay cash in US dollars, you may receive the change in dollars for notes and Florin for coins.

Do you need a visa for Aruba?

In many cases, you don’t need a visa to visit Aruba for stays less than 30 days.

This depends on what passport you have, so check your requirements here.

What language is spoken in Aruba?

The official language is Papiamento, which is a mix of Spanish, English, African, French, Dutch, and Portuguese.

I had no trouble getting around using English, as most people spoke it well and Spanish is also widely spoken.

I hope this guide on solo female travel in Aruba helps you plan your trip

What to wear in Aruba as a solo female traveler

When it comes to solo female travel in Aruba, you don’t need to be too concerned with a dress code.

Just use common sense as far as what sort of attention you are going to attract – don’t play around with your safety.

The catcalling

This one is more for the thick ladies reading, especially pear and hourglass shapes that are thick in the lower half.

Expect some catcalling. I experienced A LOT of it pretty much everywhere I went when I was walking around.

It was never the dangerous type, I didn’t feel defensive or on guard, but it was pretty annoying.

When I asked locals about it, many felt apologetic that I had experienced it – so not everyone was a douchebag, but this is just a warning to expect a bit when you are out walking.

As always, don’t engage, just ignore it and keep walking.

Other safety tips

Catcalling was the only thing that was different about Aruba to anywhere else.

Other than that, it is a safe place to visit as long as you use your regular precautions.

Emergency numbers in Aruba

The emergency number in Aruba is 911.

I also recommend saving your hotel number and address in your phone.

How to get around

If you are staying downtown in Oranjestad, you will be able to get around using the bus quite easily.

However, if you are staying away from the tourist areas like I did, it can be a long journey using the bus as you have to catch a bus to the main station, then a connecting one out to where you would want to go.

Renting a car would be the most convenient option and, since it is a small island, the driving is not built up or intense.

It’s a fairly laid back place to get around and having a car will allow more freedom to explore the smaller beach areas you drive by.

Many articles suggest a 4WD but this is only necessary if you want to go through the national park on your own, and I would only recommend this if you have a lot of 4WD experience. If not, I recommend exploring that with a Jeep tour.

Taxis don’t use a meter and have fixed prices instead. If you use a taxi, just ask the price before you get in.

It would be too expensive to use a taxi to get around the island each day so I would recommend either using the bus or renting a car.

When is the best time to visit?

December to April is the peak season for Aruba when people are trying to find an escape from winter and experience some of Aruba’s warm sunshine. During this time, you can expect higher prices and more crowds.

The off-peak season is then April to December.

The climate is fairly stable and away from the hurricane belt so you don’t need to worry too much about dramatic changes in weather.

There will be more rain between October to January, though passing shower type as opposed to monsoon type, and the heat feels hottest in September when the winds lessen.

No matter when you visit, remember to use sunscreen. Aruba is close to the equator and the sun is extra brutal.

Is the water safe to drink?

The world’s second-largest desalination plant is in Aruba and as such, the water is high quality and safe to drink from the tap.

Gorgeous sunsets in Aruba

Things to do in Aruba

Visit the Aloe Vera factory and museum

This was the place I most wanted to see but didn’t get to and I think it’s a good thing because I know I would’ve blown my budget buying all the Aloe Vera products I could get my hands on!.

Here you can take the complimentary tour to go through the plant to see how the Aloe Vera is grown and harvested, and pick up some of their products on your way out.

I heard a lot of good things about it and it’s definitely a place I will visit on my next trip.

More info: Visit the Aruba Aloe website

Take a Jeep tour in Aruba

I took a full-day Jeep tour with ABC Tours Aruba and I absolutely recommend it.

Even if you rent a car it’s still a good idea because the Jeep tour will have you racing over the steep, rocky terrain in the national park.

It’s great for solo female travel in Aruba because the fun experience is awesome when shared and I was grateful to meet some cool new people on the tour.

Here is my full review of Jeep tours in Aruba.

Taking a Jeep tour was a lot of fun!

Visit the Butterfly farm

I didn’t get to see the Butterfly Farm, but I heard a lot of good things about it and have it on my list for next time.

You can take the tour to learn about butterflies, watch them flutter around – it all just sounds relaxing and magical.

It’s only 10 minutes from the Aloe Vera factory so you could easily pair them on the same day then hit up the famous Eagle Beach afterward.

More info: Visit the Butterfly Farm website

Which beaches to see

Beaches in Aruba are all public access, hotels or private owners don’t own them, so make the most of this and enjoy the beaches you see as you drive around. Here are a few of my favorites.

Eagle beach

Along with Palm Beach, Eagle Beach is probably one of the most popular beaches.

They are close to each other so you could visit them both on the same day.

Eagle beach was a nice place to relax but, as it is popular, expect a little more crowds. Good for watersports, swimming, and relaxing at the beach.

Baby beach

Flat and calm, like a big baby pool.

There’s some good snorkeling around the rocks and you might see some turtles, but otherwise, just a calm place for a beach day.

It’s popular so if you want to get a spot under the shade, go early.

Baby Beach

Santo Largo

This was my favorite spot because I had it all to myself for most of my time there.

It’s unassuming, just a beach off the side of the road in a non-touristy area, but it was super pretty once you got to the water and very relaxing.

Good for chilling at the beach, calm water for kids, or snorkeling if you want to swim away from the shallow beach.

Mangel Halto

This is just down the road from Santo Largo and has really dreamy water.

It’s more popular than Santo Largo, but not as popular as Eagle, Palm or Baby beach.

Good for snorkeling, there are some mangrove areas to look around or just a relaxing beach day.

Eagle Beach

The best place to eat

I mentioned this in my accommodation review but make sure you eat at Zeerovers. It was a couple of doors down from the hotel I stayed at and it is a real hidden treasure.

At Zeerovers you can get a bucket of fresh seafood for pretty cheap and sit by the water digging in to eat it with your hands. The line can be long, but it’s absolutely worth it!

Travel tip: Zeerovers only accepts cash – no cards so make sure you visit an ATM before you go.

Delicious food at Zeerovers

Where to stay in Aruba

I stayed at Serene By The Sea in Saveneta.

It was a little away from the main hotel area and touristy hot spots, but I enjoyed the quieter experience for this holiday.

No matter where you choose, I recommend searching on Booking.com. This is what I used and usually always use to book accommodation when I travel because I can always find a good deal there.

Here’s my full review of this amazing bed and breakfast in Aruba.

Serene by the Sea is such a nice place to stay by the water

I hope this post on solo female travel in Aruba can help you plan your own visit – whether you visit solo or otherwise.

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