Bushiri Beach, Aruba: The Complete Guide

Bushiri Beach sits on the quieter stretch of coastline between downtown Oranjestad and the Palm Beach hotel strip, close enough to walk to from several resorts, but rarely crowded. It’s not the postcard beach you’ll see on brochures, but it’s a good one to know about if you’re staying nearby and want sand without the beach-chair jockeying of Palm or Eagle Beach.

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Where is Bushiri Beach and How Do You Get There?

Bushiri Beach runs along L.G. Smith Boulevard on Aruba’s western coast, in the Bushiri neighborhood between downtown Oranjestad and Eagle Beach. If you’re coming from the airport or Oranjestad, head northwest on L.G. Smith Boulevard toward Palm Beach. Bushiri is one of the first stretches of sand you’ll pass, right around the Divi and Tamarijn resorts.

There’s public parking along the road, and because it sits on the main coastal boulevard, it’s an easy stop to fold into a beach-hopping day rather than a destination you need to plan a whole afternoon around. If you’re staying at one of the resorts in the immediate area, like Divi Dutch Village, Tamarijn Aruba, or Renaissance Wind Creek, you can walk to it directly.

What to Expect at Bushiri Beach

Bushiri is a long, relatively narrow stretch of the classic white sand and turquoise water Aruba is known for, but with noticeably fewer people than the beaches further north. The water tends to be calmer than the more exposed beaches, though you’ll find some rockier patches along parts of the shoreline, so water shoes aren’t a bad idea if you plan to wade in.

Facilities are minimal to none. Don’t expect beach bars, rental umbrellas, or food stands directly on the sand. Bring your own water, snacks, and shade if you’re staying more than an hour, and consider water shoes if you’ll be swimming near the rockier sections. What Bushiri lacks in amenities, it makes up for in elbow room and an open, unobstructed sunset view, since there’s no wall of high-rise hotels blocking the horizon the way there is at Palm Beach.

Fun Fact: Keep an eye out for the shoco, Aruba’s small native burrowing owl. They’re sometimes spotted nesting in the sandy areas nearby, and they’re one of the more memorable wildlife encounters on this side of the island.

What Happened to the Bushiri Beach Hotel?

If you’ve searched for “Bushiri Beach Hotel Aruba,” you’ve probably found a mix of old reviews and confusing history… Here’s the short version.

The Bushiri Beach Resort was Aruba’s first all-inclusive hotel and also doubled as a hospitality training school. It operated from the 1980s through the early 2000s before closing for good around 2002. For over a decade afterward, the abandoned property sat empty along the beach, and a widely reported plan to redevelop the site into a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino was announced back in 2012, but the financing fell through, and the project never broke ground.

The old hotel was eventually demolished, and as of late 2025, the government of Aruba’s Department of Public Works has been carrying out a Bushiri Shoreline Upgrade Project, rebuilding the former hotel’s parking lot and the cycling path that runs between it and the Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort. So if you’re picturing an active hotel called “Bushiri Beach Hotel” today, it doesn’t exist anymore. The name now really just refers to the public beach and neighborhood that took its place.

Where to Stay Near Bushiri Beach

There’s no resort directly on Bushiri Beach itself anymore, but several solid options sit within walking distance:

• Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort: These condo-style units sit right next to the beach. They’re great for families who want more space than a standard hotel room.
• Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive: An oceanfront and all-inclusive resort that’s just a short walk south along the coast.
• Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort: Just a few minutes’ drive toward downtown, and with the added perk of its own private island.

If you’d rather stay closer to the action on Palm Beach or Eagle Beach, Bushiri is still an easy stop on the way to or from either one.

Tips for Visiting Bushiri Beach

• Bring your own water and snacks. There are no vendors or beach bars directly on the sand.
• Pack water shoes if you plan to swim. Some sections of the shoreline are rockier than the wide sandy beaches further north.
• Go for sunset. With no high-rises blocking the view, Bushiri has one of the more open, unobstructed sunset horizons on this side of the island.
• Combine it with a beach-hopping day. Its location right on L.G. Smith Boulevard makes it an easy add-on stop between downtown Oranjestad and Palm Beach.

Frequently Asked Questions