Overview Oranjestad is the capital city of Aruba, and is where cruise ships port when visiting the exotic Southern Caribbean island of Aruba. The locals simply call Oranjestad "Playa" (in their local language of Papiamento).
The most popular things to do in Aruba include shopping, gambling, golfing and going to one of the many beautiful white-sand beaches.
Aruba typically has a very nice climate, as dry, warm and sunny weather is the norm. It lies outside of the Caribbean region that is somewhat hurricane prone. This means that there's really no "bad" time of year to visit Aruba.
Destinations The following destinations can be visited on a cruise leaving from Oranjestad, Aruba:
Caribbean (Southern)
Currency The official currency of Aruba is the Aruban florin (AWG). US dollars are accepted at many tourist locations. ATM machines are available, but make sure you use one that works with the card you're using. ATM machines will usually give you a better exchange rate than a hotel. Using a credit card is a great way to avoid having to exchange currency.
Language The official languages of Aruba are Dutch and Papiamento (a native Creole language of the ABC islands). English and Spanish are both spoken by many of the locals as well.
Tourist Attractions Oranjestad's duty free shopping is quite popular among tourists. That's why you'll find a lot of people getting off of the cruise ships and immediately checking out the local jewelry and designer clothing stores. The most popular road for such shopping is Caya G. F. Betico Croes.
Water sports are very popular in Aruba. Since most people end up going to one of the beautiful beaches, many partake in snorkeling, jet skiing or simply tanning. A popular shore excursion offered by most cruise lines is horseback riding. Another popular activity in Aruba is gambling, as there are many casinos available. Among the most popular of the casinos are the Crystal Casino (not too far from the cruise port), Stellaris Casino (located in the Marriott) and the Copa Cabana Casino (located inside of the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino).
Among the best beaches in Aruba are Palm Beach (perfect for sunning, sailing and swimming, stretching from the Wyndham Aruba Beach Resort to the Aruba Marriott Resort), Baby Beach (a secluded beach with shallow waters that snorkelers enjoy), Arashi Beach (located in the northernmost portion of the island, with great snorkeling and white sand) and Rodger's Beach (a white-sand beach located near Baby Beach, with great swimming and snorkeling waters).
There are quite a few resorts within a close driving distance from the cruise terminal (such as the aforementioned Wyndham and Marriott). Many cruisers choose to travel to one of the properties to spend a day in the sun on one of their beaches. The resorts may require you to purchase a day pass to use their facilities, beach chairs and/or beach.
Tierra del Sol Golf Course is a world-class 18-hole golf course located in Malmok, Aruba. There is a bird sanctuary, clubhouse, swimming pool, lounge and restaurant there as well.
Port Location Cruise ships dock right in downtown Oranjestad, making it convenient for cruisers to be able to walk right into town.
