Aruba in December: The Perfect Holiday Escape
If you’re looking for a tropical getaway during the holiday season, Aruba in December is an excellent choice. With its warm weather, white-sand beaches, and festive atmosphere, this Caribbean paradise is the perfect place to unwind and celebrate.
Why Visit Aruba in December?
1. Ideal Weather: December in Aruba is warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 77°F to 86°F (25°C to 30°C). Since Aruba is outside the hurricane belt, you can expect clear skies and gentle trade winds—perfect for beach days and outdoor adventures.
2. Holiday Festivities: Aruba embraces the holiday spirit with Christmas lights, music, and local celebrations. Some highlights include:
• Bon Bini Festival – A weekly cultural event featuring music, dance, and local crafts.
• Dande Festival – A unique Aruban tradition where musicians go door-to-door singing blessings for the New Year.
• Fireworks on New Year’s Eve – The island lights up with spectacular fireworks displays.
3. Gorgeous Beaches & Water Activities: December is a great time to enjoy Aruba’s world-famous beaches:
• Eagle Beach – Known for its soft sand and Divi Divi trees, Eagle Beach has the longest stretch of white sands and turquoise waters of all in Aruba. I stayed at the Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort (highly recommending suite L1 as it’s the only one with a soaking tub in it) and loved that my room faced the ocean. You can also dine in the sand at the elegant “Passions On The Beach” restaurant at sunset. Hint: Make your reservations as soon as you possibly can as it’s a highly sought-after boutique hotel and restaurant).
• Palm Beach – Ideal for watersports and nightlife. I stayed at the Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino, which is a large oceanfront hotel, did enjoy my stay here but it became very crowded at seemingly all hours of the day.
• Baby Beach – (My personal favorite) A shallow, family-friendly lagoon with crystal-clear water. This beach is located at the southwestern-most tip of the island, about 25 minutes away from Eagle Beach (or 30 minutes away from Palm Beach). We did not see any convenient resorts here, but this may be part of the charm. Park, find an available palapa or cabana (must pay with cash— we paid about $100 for the day), and enjoy!
Snorkeling, diving, and sunset sailing tours are also popular during this time.
4. Exciting Outdoor Adventures: For those who love adventure, Aruba offers:
• Arikok National Park – Explore caves, rock formations, and hidden beaches.
• Natural Pool (“Conchi”) – A secluded ocean pool perfect for swimming.
• Off-Road Jeep Tours – Discover Aruba’s rugged desert landscape. I LOVED taking a half-day jeep tour with De Palm Tours! The drivers/tour operators are very knowledgeable, the tours are safe (as is Aruba), and you’ll see the island like you’ve never seen it before.
5. Festive Dining & Nightlife: Many resorts and restaurants host special holiday dinners and beachfront parties. Try local Aruban dishes like keshi yena (stuffed cheese) and fresh seafood while enjoying live music and ocean views. While the island seems to “close down” early (10 PM’ish), there are some bars and clubs that are open and poppin’ on the weekends in highly touristic areas.
GENERAL TIPS:
Sunscreen: Don’t forget to bring your reef-safe sunscreen. (required to be reef-safe in Aruba)! You can burn very quickly if you’re not constantly covered and/or applying sunscreen every few hours.
Wind: There are no good hair days in Aruba. The wind is strong and will blow your hair around (if you have any hair). If you choose to wear a hat, ensure it’s kept on with a string as the wind will take your hat right off.
Food + Drink: The food is safe to eat and the water is safe to drink. I have a very sensitive stomach and my system was very happy in Aruba. Almost everything is imported into Aruba, except water and aloe, but I still recommend enjoying the seafood here.
Languages: English is widely spoken on this island, as is Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, and Papiamento (creole mix and official language of Aruba, although this island is owned by the Netherlands).
Bug repellent: When I first traveled to Aruba in July, no bug repellent was necessary. When I returned in December, bug repellent was a must. Highly recommend having some on hand, just in case.
Attire: I recommend wearing water socks/shoes on most local beaches as they can be rocky and/or have sea moss that is cumbersome to walk through/on with one’s bare feet. You’ll be at/near the beach most of your visit, so bring your bathing suits, coverups, sundresses, shorts, t-shirts, and sandals to wear each day. There are not many instances during which one must dress up unless you’ve decided to do so for any particular visit/dining experience. This is a very laid-back desert island.
Phrases: “Bon Bini” (welcome), “Bon dia” (good morning), “Bon tardi” (good afternoon), “Bon nochi” (good evening), “Danki” (thank you), “Dushi” (cool/good/lovely), “Pasa un bon dia” (have a great day)
Final Thoughts: Aruba in December offers the perfect mix of sun, sand, and holiday cheer. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, explore the island, or ring in the New Year in paradise, this Caribbean gem right off the coast of Venezuela won’t disappoint.
Would you spend the holidays in Aruba? Let me know in the comments!
