Oranjestad Hotels

If you get bored of the white sands and turquoise waters of Druif Beach, head to Oranjestad’s vibrant Sasakiweg Street for a hit of hedonism. Visit Lloyd G Smith Boulevard for a seafood skewer, or the scenic Port of Aruba for fish so fresh it’s virtually still flapping! Royal Plaza Mall and Seaport Village Mall offer local handicrafts and designer clothing, and look no further than the closest bar for a taste of local flavour in the form of island-brewed Balashi Beer. No wonder over 50 nationalities call Oranjestad home.

Oranjestad’s Top 10

Oranjestad History

• California Lighthouse – Named after the California ship that wrecked offshore, infamous for not responding to the SOS from the Titanic.
• Fort Zoutman – Historic building and oldest construction on the island.
• Historic Gold Mills – Aruba’s name comes from the red gold found on the island in the early 1800s.
• Fort de Windt – A small fort from the 1700s with rusty cannons atop a stone wall along the side of the cliff.
• Beth Israel Synagogue – An attractive building located in the centre of Oranjestad.

Oranjestad Art & Culture

• Aruba Numismatic Museum – Displays of the country’s unusual currency both past and present and more than 40,000 artefacts.
• Carubbian Festival – Takes place every Thursday night and shows the multicultural charms of the city.
• Archaeological Musuem of Aruba – Interesting and informative place to visit in Oranjestad with excellent displays and exhibits.
• Bon Bini Festival – Weekly festival with folkloric music and dance that give a taste of the island’s flavour, music, people, hospitality and cuisine.
• Cas di Cultura – An architecture blend of the tropical and futuristic with dancing performances, art exhibits and folkloric shows.

Oranjestad Shopping

• Cigar Emporium – Shop with awesome cigars and great service.
• J.L. Penha and Sons – Local perfume shop found in the centre of Oranjestad.
• Kayâ’s Fine Jewellery – Wonderful selection of fine pieces of jewellery at great prices.
• Aruba Aloe Balm – Learn about aloe and visit the gift shop.
• Agatha Boutique – Stop by for a spectacular experience with fabulous finds.

Gay & Lesbian Oranjestad

• Carnival – Local celebration that goes on for weeks. Held yearly from the beginning of January until just before Ash Wednesday.
• Jimmy’s Place – Local bar with great music and drinks.
• Little David Guesthouse – Small, friendly men-only hotel in Oranjestad.
• Choose A Name – A local bar that hosts gay parties once a month.
• Aruba Tropic Apartments – Gay-owned place with predominately GLBT clients.

Oranjestad Outdoor

• Aruba Ostrich Farm – Lovely nature and wildlife area in Oranjestad.
• Palm Beach – Located on the south coast of the island and offers calm blue water that’s so clear you can see straight through to the bottom.
• The Butterfly Farm – Enjoy tours through this spectacular area that covers conservation, biology and other fun facts.
• Eagle Beach – One of the longest, cleanest and most popular beaches on the island with lots to do.
• Wilhelmina Park – Beautiful park on the waterfront with a statue of Queen Wilhelmina, the leader of the Netherlands during the first part of the 1900s.

Oranjestad Sport

• Oranjestad offers wonderful diving in the crystal-blue ocean waters.
• The Tiera Del Sol Golf Course offers a full-length practice range and 18-hole course.
• While in the area, don’t pass up a chance for great snorkelling.
• The Fisherman’s Hut Beach is the place to go for kite surfing.
• The island’s coast is a great place for kayaking.

Oranjestad Events

The Bon Bini Festival is so popular it’s held 52 times a year! Every Tuesday it brings two hours of food, drink and local art vendors to historic Fort Zoutman.

The Torch Parade is the first parade on the Aruba Carnival Foundation calendar (January). With bright lights and extravagant costumes, it holds its own in terms of spectacle.

Oranjestad’s biggest party is the Annual Carnival Celebration in February. With music, extravagant costumes and street parties, it lasts an entire month.

In February’s Children’s Grand Carnival Parade, kids show off colourful costumes and some rather fancy footwork.

Soul Beach Music Festival (May) is one of the younger events, but it didn’t take long for the idea of five days of amped-up nightclubs, sizzling beach parties and concerts to take off.

When To Go

• Oranjestad enjoys an equatorial climate with constant temperatures.
• Oranjestad experiences just 60-70mm (2.5in) of rain a month, most of it morning drizzle.
• Hurricanes tend to avoid Aruba. Wind usually means nothing more than a cool breeze attracting windsurfers.

Getting Around

Oranjestad roads can get clogged with tourists, so avoid them by renting a bicycle or simply walking.

For longer distances, the bus service is regular, reliable and relatively cheap.

There are good water connections between Oranjestad and other Caribbean islands if you want to explore even further.

General Information

Attractions & Activities

Restaurant & Nightlife

Climate

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Aruba, in the Heart of the Caribbean