An Aruba Honeymoon Guide for Every Kind of Couple

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An Aruba honeymoon provides a bit of everything for every type of couple. Adventure, a dash of culture and beautiful Aruban beaches full of calming, turquoise blue waters await newlyweds in one of the best honeymoon destinations in the Caribbean. If you're a luxury traveler, you'll find top-rated accommodations and high-end experiences. If you're more of a budget traveler, you'll discover affordable stays and activities at agreeable price points.

As a Caribbean island closer to South America, Aruba does require a longer flight (about four to five hours from the south) than the Bahamas or the Keys, but it's well worth the travel time. That being said, let us be your guide when it comes to planning your Aruba honeymoon. From the best months to visit the Caribbean to all-inclusive resorts and things to do, here are our top tips.

Aruba Honeymoon Tips in this Article:

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• Best Time to Honeymoon in Aruba
• Aruba Honeymoon Planning Tips
• Best Aruba Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts
• Aruba Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas
• What to Pack for an Aruba Honeymoon

Photo: Liam Crowly | Getty

Best Time to Honeymoon in Aruba

The climate in Aruba is pleasant mostly all year round with the island's location outside the Caribbean Hurricane Belt. For the best weather and the least precipitation odds, it's best to book a honeymoon from January through March. For the most affordable hotel rates, look to the wetter months of October through December (don't worry, though—even Aruba's "wet" season isn't really that wet; you'll just see a stray shower here and there, blown in by the trade winds).

Best weather: January to March.
Festival highlights: Aruba's Carnival season starts in January and runs until the end of February or early March, right before Ash Wednesday; The Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival is traditionally held over the Memorial Day weekend in the US, which is the last weekend of May.

Aruba Honeymoon Planning Tips

When planning a honeymoon in Aruba, you'll find that this Dutch Caribbean island has many activities and attractions to offer. Its small size makes it easily accessible compared to other destinations in the region, which are packed with dense forests and developing roads.

Aruba is very safe, allowing couples to explore most areas of the island without concern. Perhaps the biggest pro is that Aruba sits outside of the Caribbean's Hurricane Belt, meaning you can plan your Aruban honeymoon for just about any time of year. Most couples aren't too concerned that their honeymoon might be canceled at the last minute due to inclement weather.

While it is possible to find affordable accommodations and activities in Aruba, you will have to actually hunt down those options in detail. In other words, it's not impossible to find a great honeymoon deal—but you'll have to look.

Before buying plane tickets or starting a packing checklist, here are some things to keep in mind.

Entry requirements: A U.S. passport valid for the duration of your stay; a completed Embarkation and Disembarkation Card (ED-Card); a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your accommodations and food expenses during your stay.
Language: The official languages are Dutch and Papiamento, but English and Spanish are widely spoken.
Location: Aruba is a small island in the southern Caribbean Sea, located about 18 miles north of the Venezuelan coast. It's part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Currency: The Aruban Florin (AWG).
Flight time to Destination: From New York, flight times are usually around 5 hours.
Getting around: Car, bus, bicycle or by foot.

Pro tip: Invite a honeymoon planning expert to join your vendor team. Browse travel agents near you on The Knot Marketplace for Aruba honeymoon expertise, reviews, testimonials and more.

Best Aruba Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts

As a fabulous beach honeymoon destination, you'll find plenty of accommodations worthy of a romantic getaway. Here are some of our favorite spots.

Photo: LanaCanada | Getty

The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba

The Ritz-Carlton Aruba offers luxurious accommodations on Palm Beach, as well as a range of on-site amenities. Without ever leaving the property, newlyweds will enjoy access to two swimming pools (for some fun in the sun without sand), a casino and a spa, where a couple's massage awaits.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort

The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino property is ideal for those who would prefer to stay in Oranjestad, where you'll find a broader selection of restaurants and shopping. However, guests at the property also enjoy one unique perk that you can't get elsewhere: access to the hotel's private island, which is home to many friendly flamingos.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort

Eagle Beach is frequently lauded as Aruba's best beach and if you want to stay just steps away from the beachfront, you'll find a few hotel options like Bucuti & Tara. Once called the "most romantic hotel in the world" by TripAdvisor, the property is ideal for a honeymoon getaway.

5.0 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort Aruba

For a budget-friendly honeymoon resort on Eagle Beach, look to Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort Aruba, where the villa-style accommodations offer patios overlooking the pool and the resort's grove of fofoti trees. Additional room perks include ocean views, the property's Dutch colonial architecture, oceanfront palapas and more.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

The adults-only pool and Ruth's Chris Steak House are just two indulgence options at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. The resort has everything you need for comfort away from home, including a Starbucks.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Pro tip: If you're looking for accommodations that'll provide you more privacy or lower prices, you might also want to consider staying at a romantic Airbnb or VRBO.

Aruba Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas

From adventure to relaxation, a trip to Aruba provides honeymooners with endless things to do. Whether your goals are to play or lounge the day away, here are some ideas to get you started.

Photo: Jimmy Villalta | Getty

Rent a Jeep

One of the best ways to see the expanse of Aruba's desert landscape is by Jeep or a four-wheel-drive vehicle. You can either rent a car and head out into the desert on your own or venture out with a private or group tour guide. Popular stops during a tour of Aruba include the California Lighthouse, Alto Vista chapel and the natural bridges.

Stroll Oranjestad

Beautiful Oranjestad, Aruba's capital city, features colorful Dutch architecture and history. Worthy of an afternoon of sightseeing, the city also boasts adorable, boutique shops and cute restaurants. You may also want to stop into the city in the evening, too, for its nightlife.

Explore Arikok National Park

Arikok National Park encompasses about one-fifth of the island of Aruba. Its otherworldly desert landscape, dotted with cacti and caves, is gorgeous. Book a guided tour to learn more about the park's cultural and historical significance (and even see some historic cave paintings). Couples are also welcome to venture out on their own with their own rental car.

Beach Hop

Of course, you can't visit Aruba without enjoying the white sand beaches. Even if you're an adrenaline-seeking and adventurous couple, you still deserve to spend a day, at the very least, under a palm tree with a drink in hand. The most popular beaches in Aruba include Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, Hadicurari Beach and Baby Beach. The latter option is also popular for snorkeling, scuba diving and other water sports.

Pro tip: Add Aruba honeymoon experiences to your gift registry so that loved ones can give you a memorable couples activity. Don't forget to post cute honeymoon photos to your wedding website and social feed for your guests to see.

What to Pack for an Aruba Honeymoon

Photo: Fokkebok | Getty

When traveling to Aruba, pack all your typical beach gear in your honeymoon luggage; most importantly, sun protection. Reef-safe sunscreen, a sun hat and aloe vera are a must.

Aruba has a desert climate and the island's proximity to the equator can mean the sun beats a little stronger than what you're used to at home. If you plan to leave the city or your resort to explore, it's also wise to add hiking shoes and a portable water bottle to your packing checklist.

Brittany Barber contributed to this article.