Oranjestad

Understand

Oranjestad has hundreds of local stores that sell tourist keepsakes. Close to the cruise ships is the island's largest marina that provides docking space for sailboats and yachts.

Get around

You can get into the downtown by bike. If the heat is too harsh a cab ride fare usually is only US$8-15. Cabs are always outside all of the resorts.

Road signs are in English for the most part.

A tram line links the cruise terminal with the city centre along the main Caya G. F. Betico Croes street. Tickets cost US$1.

Do

Oranjestad is a fun place for water activities such as snorkeling, boat rides, parasailing and fishing. Shopping: Most stores do not have quality products (excluding the famous jewelry stores) and mostly only sell nicknacks and the typical keepsakes. Jewelry stores around the island have prices much lower than in the United States.

The leading attraction that Oranjestad holds is its natural beauty: the Caribbean sea and white beaches. There are many carnivals, festivals, and parades that take place throughout the year. For a full calendar look at the event schedule. Highlights include: Annual Carnival Celebration Children's Grand Carnival Parade Bon Bini Festival Torch Parade A new event that has become increasingly popular is the Soul Beach Music Festival that takes place right outside of Oranjestad which included a three-night-long outdoor concert/party with big name reggae artists.

Buy

Shop Oranjestad's marketplace to find locally made art and handicrafts. Purchase fresh fish from merchants along the wharf.

In downtown Oranjestad there is plenty of food, goods, and services to purchase.

Eat

While in Oranjestad you can look any which direction and a restaurant is surely to be within walking distance. A local corner place called "Island Breeze" is filled with local flair and has many local dishes.

The Paddock has a view of the cruise ships, and the lunch special state (skewers) are reasonably priced.

Drink

The legal drinking age is 18 but for many establishments this rule is not guarded at all.

The drink of Aruba is Balashi Beer. It is the most popular and most widely consumed alcoholic product on the island. The beer is brewed on the island and is an Aruban product.

Sleep

In all accounts the leading and best resorts are located outside of downtown Oranjestad about 10-15 minutes north. The hotels in Oranjestad usually have a more "city like" feel to them because the town is always busy with tourists. Furthermore, these hotels have top notch amenities inside the rooms that make the sometimes pricey rooms worth the money. Also these facilities have great views of the incoming cruise-liners and yachts that enter the local marina daily.

Stay safe

Most likely the only crime one may come across is that from other tourists. In Oranjestad the locals do not bother or even pressure tourist into their stores or to buy their products. Also as many people experience in destinations such as Jamaica, Mexico Dominican Republic. Panhandlers are not an issue at all and it is very seldom to be approached by children or homeless people for money. Overall the crime in Aruba is nothing to worry over and it is the safest place in the Caribbean to visit.