Getting around Aruba is easy once you know how each option works. The island is only about 21 miles long, the main hotel areas sit on one bus line, and taxis charge fixed government fares. The catch is that the most dramatic scenery, on the rugged north coast and in Arikok National Park, is off-limits to most rental cars. This guide compares rental cars, buses, taxis, the free downtown trolley and tours, with current fares and the driving rules first-time visitors need.

Quick answer: the best way of getting around Aruba

Option Typical cost (as of 2026) Best for Watch out for
Taxi $26–$41 airport to the hotel areas Airport runs, dinners, nights out No meters, $5 night and Sunday surcharge
Arubus $2.60 a ride, $15 day pass Hotel strip, Oranjestad, beaches to Arashi No luggage; best on the hotel-strip and Oranjestad–San Nicolas routes
Rental car Varies by company Beach-hopping, Baby Beach, San Nicolas Most can’t go on dirt roads, minimum age usually 25
Free trolley Free Downtown Oranjestad No Sunday service, short loop only
Guided jeep tour Varies by tour Arikok National Park and the Natural Pool Bumpy, dusty, book ahead
Guided UTV tour Varies by tour North coast outside the national park UTVs aren’t allowed inside Arikok

Fares: taxi per VisitAruba’s taxi guide (May 2026), bus per Arubus (October 2026).

How big is Aruba?

Aruba is about 21 miles (33 km) long, according to VisitAruba, and covers about 69 square miles, according to Aruba.com. Most visitors stay along the west coast, between Oranjestad, Eagle Beach and Palm Beach, so the bulk of your trips are short. The far ends of the island, from the California Lighthouse in the north to Baby Beach and San Nicolas in the south, are where you’ll want wheels or a tour.

Aerial view of Palm Beach hotels and coastline in Aruba
Palm Beach from above. The main hotel areas line this west coast. Photo: Lex Melony via Unsplash

Taxis in Aruba

Aruba’s taxis have no meters. The government sets fixed fares by zone and destination, and the official fare calculator is on taxi.aw. Official taxis carry “TX” on the license plate, and drivers must display a QR code linking to taxi.aw.

Sample taxi fares (up to 4 passengers)

Route Fare (as of May 2026, per VisitAruba)
Airport to Oranjestad $26
Airport to Eagle Beach (low-rise hotels) $37
Airport to Palm Beach (high-rise hotels) $41
Airport to San Nicolas $45
Airport to Baby Beach $60
Oranjestad to Palm Beach $22
Palm Beach to Eagle Beach $16

Surcharges and extras

  • $5 per trip on Sundays, official holidays, daily from 11 pm to 7 am and from December 24 to January 1. It’s charged once per trip.
  • $3 per extra passenger beyond four, up to seven.
  • $3 per extra bag on airport and hotel trips. One checked bag and one carry-on per passenger are free.
  • $1 per minute of waiting time.
  • $10 minimum fare.

Taxis wait outside the arrivals hall at the airport. Elsewhere, ask your hotel or restaurant to call one. An Aruba.com guide notes that waits can stretch to 30 to 60 minutes at night in high season, and that drivers often won’t take passengers straight off the beach, so dry off first. Carry cash in small bills; card payment may be possible when you book through the official taxi app, according to VisitAruba. The US State Department confirms that ride-sharing apps aren’t available in Aruba.

Arubus: the public bus

Arubus is the cheapest way to get around, and its main line serves the hotel strip.

Fares (as of October 2026, per Arubus)

  • Single trip: $2.60 per person
  • Retour card (two trips): $5.00
  • Day pass: $15.00

You can pay cash on the bus. Retour cards and day passes are sold at the Oranjestad bus station booth and a number of hotel gift shops listed on the Arubus site.

Routes visitors use

  • Line 10 runs from the main station in Oranjestad, across from the cruise terminal, to Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, Arashi Beach and the hotel area. Lines L10A, L10B and L10C run along the hotel strip.
  • Line 2 connects Oranjestad and San Nicolas and passes the airport. Lines L1 and L3A also run between the two towns.

Two limits matter, according to the Arubus FAQ. Buses don’t accept luggage, only carry-on items, so they won’t work for airport transfers with suitcases. And they aren’t yet wheelchair accessible. Public buses also don’t serve Arikok National Park, according to Lonely Planet.

Palm-lined street with shops in downtown Oranjestad, Aruba
Downtown Oranjestad, home to the main bus station and the free trolley. Photo: Jamie Tudor via Unsplash

The free Oranjestad trolley

A free streetcar loops between the cruise terminal and the main shopping street downtown, passing the Parliament building, the Archaeological Museum and Fort Zoutman. VisitAruba lists hours of 10 am to 5 pm, with no service on Sundays, and says the schedule can change by season. Board right outside the cruise port’s main gate. Pair it with our Oranjestad day guide.

Red trolley car on a palm-lined street in Oranjestad, Aruba
The free downtown trolley in Oranjestad. Photo: Katalin Hoczane Melich via Unsplash

Renting a car in Aruba

A rental car gives you the most freedom for beach-hopping, a trip to Baby Beach or an afternoon in San Nicolas. Several rental companies operate at the airport, and some will deliver to your hotel.

Who can rent

  • Age: the usual minimum is 25. Some companies accept drivers aged 21 to 24 under special conditions, according to VisitAruba.
  • License: VisitAruba says an international license or any valid license held for at least two full years is accepted. Confirm with your rental company.
  • Insurance: basic third-party liability is included by law. Some rentals add a collision damage waiver. Personal belongings in the car aren’t covered.

Driving rules to know

  • Drive on the right and overtake on the left. Much of Oranjestad is one-way.
  • Speed limits are in km/h: generally 30 in town, 60 outside town and 80 on faster roads.
  • Cars already in a roundabout have the right of way.
  • No right turns on red.
  • Seat belts are required, and children under 5 need a child seat, according to the State Department.
  • Watch for scooters, ATVs and animals such as goats on the road.
  • After an accident, don’t move the car. Call the police at 100, then your rental company.

Gas and parking

Most gas stations are full service, and fuel prices are the same across the island because the government regulates them. At self-service lanes, pay inside first. Pumps measure in liters. In downtown Oranjestad, hourly parking meters run from 7 am to 7 pm, with a 15-minute grace period after your time expires. Don’t park along yellow lines, on bridges or beside a solid center line.

Where a rental car can’t go

This is the most important limit. VisitAruba notes that most rental cars may not be driven on dirt roads to remote areas such as the Natural Pool or behind the California Lighthouse, and insurance won’t cover damage there. Driving on sand dunes is prohibited, and beach driving is banned. The north coast plains are reached only by rough dirt roads where off-road vehicles are strongly recommended.

Jeep, UTV and island tours

A guided tour is the simplest way to reach the places a rental car can’t.

  • Jeep tours are the usual way into Arikok National Park and the Natural Pool. Lonely Planet recommends a 4WD for the park’s rocky tracks. The park charges a conservation day-pass of $22 per adult, free for under-17s (as of October 2026, per the Aruba Conservation Foundation), sold at the San Fuego and Vader Piet entrances.
  • UTV and ATV tours cover the north coast outside the park. ATVs, UTVs and motorbikes are prohibited in Arikok National Park, according to the Aruba Conservation Foundation, which manages it, so UTVs can’t go to the Natural Pool. VisitAruba dates the ATV and UTV restriction to November 1, 2020.
  • Bus-style island tours link several of the island’s best-known sights in one outing. See what to expect on an Aruba island tour.

The easiest way to see the north coast without risking a rental car on those roads is a guided jeep or UTV tour; for Arikok and the Natural Pool, pick a jeep. Our jeep vs UTV comparison explains which one suits your group.

Cacti overlooking the ocean at the Mira Lamar viewpoint in Arikok National Park, Aruba
Mira Lamar viewpoint in Arikok National Park, reached by rocky tracks. Photo: Vera Wijermars via Unsplash

Scooters, motorcycles and buggies

Rental shops on the island offer scooters, motorcycles, ATVs and buggies, according to a 2022 Aruba.com transportation guide. They’re fun on paved roads, but the same off-road rules apply. Many 4x4s and buggies have no roof, so bring plenty of sunscreen, as VisitAruba advises.

Which option fits your trip?

  • Staying on Palm Beach or Eagle Beach and mostly relaxing: taxis from the airport, then the bus and the occasional taxi.
  • Beach-hopping and exploring the south: rent a car for a few days rather than the whole trip.
  • Arriving by cruise ship: the trolley and your feet cover downtown. See our cruise port day plan.
  • Seeing Arikok and the Natural Pool: book a guided jeep tour. For the north coast outside the park, a UTV tour works too.

Still planning the rest? Our Aruba travel tips for first-timers cover money, beaches and safety.

FAQ

Do I need a car in Aruba?

Not necessarily. If you’re staying in the Palm Beach or Eagle Beach areas, buses and taxis cover most trips. A car helps for beach-hopping and the south end of the island, but not for the north coast’s dirt roads, where most rental cars aren’t allowed.

How much is a taxi from the Aruba airport to Palm Beach?

The fixed fare is $41 for up to four passengers (as of May 2026, per VisitAruba), plus a $5 surcharge on Sundays, holidays and late at night.

Is there Uber in Aruba?

No. The US State Department says ride-sharing apps aren’t available. Use licensed taxis with “TX” plates.

How much is the bus in Aruba?

A single Arubus ride costs $2.60, a two-trip retour card $5 and a day pass $15 (as of October 2026, per Arubus).

Which side of the road do they drive on in Aruba?

The right. Overtake on the left, give way to cars already in a roundabout and don’t turn right on red.

Can I drive my rental car to the Natural Pool?

Generally no. Most rental cars may not be driven on dirt roads to the Natural Pool, and insurance won’t cover damage there. A guided 4×4 tour is the usual way in.

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