If you are reading this is probably because at one point in your life you decided it was the right time to start exploring the Caribbean and what it has to offer. So, you are now finding yourself searching for information about Aruba at 2 a.m because you can’t contain your excitement!
I know the feeling because I have been there as well. I have – and always will be – so excited to visit beautiful islands like Aruba. Before you came to the conclusion that you needed to go on this trip you probably had many questions in mind.
Is Aruba expensive?
Yes, Aruba is an expensive island. A burget will cost you 8 USD, a beer will be 1,50 USD and bottled water will cost you 2 USD.
However, this doesn’t mean that you cannot enjoy Aruba on a smaller budget. Continue reading and discover how you can make this sunny island your most amazing holiday ever, while also protecting your bank account.
Get your head around the fact that it is an expensive island
I can’t continue writing if you are not willing to come to terms with this: Aruba is expensive. Period. It is the most expensive Caribbean island by far, especially since they import food and other goods from other nearby (and far away) places.
And even though there is a peak season that lasts from November to April (this means that you could pay three times more for accommodation during this time), Aruba is still expensive during the rest of the year.
But this doesn’t mean you will need to spend all of your life savings when you go to this island. It just means you need to be creative about how and when you travel, and, above all, you need to make a budget!
Is affordable accommodation that difficult to find?
Aruba is not like any other island. In fact, it can be argued that Aruba doesn’t really fit with all types of travelers or all types of budgets. In other words, you should definitely go to this amazing Caribbean spot, but be aware of the investment you are about to make!
Aruba doesn’t have many small family-run hotels or hostels for backpackers. In fact, one hostel in Oranjestad offers a room for 4 people, sharing a bathroom and it costs USD $25 per person per night.
Decent hotels which are pretty average can cost USD $130 per person, per night. Aruba is known for its resorts. A room in one of them can cost you USD $200 per night, per person. Way too expensive to some people, especially if a family is traveling together.
There are more than 50 resorts and hotels in Aruba, so choose your accommodation wisely.
Some resorts offer an all-inclusive option, but they aren’t among the cheapest in the Caribbean…or on the earth either!
If you are trying to make your budget work then I would definitely recommend you renting an apartment. Prices can vary but if there are a couple of you traveling to the island this may be a better choice.
The price of eating and drinking in Aruba
Whenever you are in Aruba, you must try the pan bati. It is a dough cooked with corn flour served alongside the stew (which can either be with beef, seafood or chicken).
In addition to the local restaurants, Aruba offers a wide range of places to eat that are very, very good…(don’t be afraid to put on some weight, Aruba’s food is definitely worth it!) But what about the prices? Are they good?
If you go to a burger joint the average amount you will spend is USD $8 per person. An average restaurant can start at USD $16. An expensive restaurant can be USD $68 per person.
What about beers? Well, if you go to a pub then you can expect to pay USD $1.50 for your drink. A small bottle of water can be USD $2 and a coffee can be USD $1.50.
Understand your financial limits
Nobody really likes to talk about limits while on holiday, right? But this is a necessary step to make as it can make your holiday more affordable. Some of you may be asking yourselves and why would you want to cut short on some things while on holiday? If you already made such a big effort to go to the other side of the world in the first place? And if you think about it, if you save a little bit of your money whenever you are on holiday, you will always have some cash left for when you go home. And, what’s more, you will have a base of money saved up for when you decide to travel again.
So, how can you keep your holiday to Aruba affordable?
I would like to share some tips that have worked well for me in the past. And in all honesty, this is why I continue to travel all the time!
- Always save at least 10% of the amount of money you take on holiday. In other words, if you take USD $1000 for your trip to Aruba, try to put USD $100 away, and forget about them.
This will allow you to have some money left for when you go home, or it can also be the source of your last purchase before you get back to your country.
- Eat in! I know when I’m away one of the scariest (yes, you read it right) things to think about is ‘’what am I going to have for dinner?’’. But sometimes life gives you lemons and you must make lemonade.
So, go to the local grocery shops or supermarkets and immerse yourself in whatever it is in front of you. You may be surprised about the wide range of options you have for all meals, you may even discover new tastes and textures for you to enjoy, and above all, you will save a lot of money by deciding to ditch the fancy restaurant with a huge bill.
- If you would like to buy some alcohol then go to the supermarkets instead of consuming it in a restaurant, as it is very expensive.
- Unlike many other Caribbean destinations, Aruba’s public transport system is actually really good and affordable (only USD $1.30 for the ticket). In fact, if you don’t feel like paying at all you can easily walk most of the Aruba coast. Just wear sunblock and comfy comfortable and shoes.
- Eat local fish: well, you are on an island, so why don’t you take advantage of this? Aruba offers its specialties such as mahi-mahi, snapper and grouper! Choosing something local (and fresh) will help you reduce your budget.
- Gambling is legal in Aruba. But this doesn’t mean you have to spend all your money playing away. If you want to try your luck in the casino, so be it, but be conscious of this pastime, especially since casinos are everywhere on the island.
- If you would like to do extra activities such as scuba diving or windsurfing then I would recommend you to contact the places that offer these activities before you actually get to the island. Some companies will even give you a discount for paying early!
