Aruba has plenty of buses and taxis, especially in the northern part of the island where all the resorts are located. However, if you’re planning on exploring the rest of Aruba, we would recommend renting a car for your trip. The cost of taking taxis everywhere can add up quickly, and you can experience a much more complete Aruba tour if you have your own wheels. The roads on the island are well-maintained and there are plenty of reputable car rental services, including the major US-based companies. Be warned, however, that the cost of gas in Aruba is more expensive than most places in the US – as of September 2023, the average price was about $5.95 per gallon.
Luckily for American vacationers, the rules of the road in Aruba are very similar to the US. Cars drive on the right side of the road, and most of the street signs are international standards, although there are some that you may not recognize. We recommend getting a sheet of the symbols from the rental car agency and giving it a quick study before you start driving, just in case you run into anything unexpected.
Keep in mind that turning right on a red light is illegal in Aruba, mostly because there are so many one-way streets in the cities. Aruba is a small island and even the urban centers of Oranjestad and Noord aren’t particularly dense, but you’ll run into some traffic if you visit during peak tourist season in December through May. As a general rule, we’d recommend using a rental car to travel between sections of the island during the day and just taking the bus or a taxi when relaxing in the evenings.
For more information on Aruba, we recommend checking out our Aruba Island Self-Guided Walking & Driving Tours, or you can sign up for Action+ to gain access to over 100 tours for a single yearly price.
Essential Travel Guide:
