Budgeting for a trip to Aruba can be overwhelming. Where do you start? What do you include? What do things cost in Aruba? We’re here to help.

To start planning your budget for Aruba, you need to first get an idea of what things cost on the island and then start adding them up. This has to cover all of your expenses, including transportation, accommodation, meals, activities, miscellaneous expenses, and more.

Keep in mind that the costs used here are just to give you an idea of what to budget. It can easily be cheaper or more expensive, depending on your budget and travel style.

The Cost of Things in Aruba

Aruba is not known for being a cheap destination because well, it’s an island. Everything has to be imported. Don’t let that discourage you though from visiting. Find out about how much you should expect to spend, and then start budgeting for Aruba!

Cost of Flights to Aruba

Check for the best deals on flights to Aruba. Prices can vary based on the time of booking and the season. Generally you’ll want to budget $100 – $1000 per flight. It can vary widely based on location and time of booking. Flights from the East Coast of the US tend to run about $500 – $600.

Remember to also factor in your $20 Sustainability Fee that you’ll have to pay when you fill in your Aruba ED Card (Embarkation & Disembarkation) up to 7 days before your trip. For the sake of the sample Aruba budget below, we’ll lump that $20 fee into the cost of flights.

Cost of Accommodations in Aruba

Research and book accommodation based on your preferences. Aruba offers a range of options from luxury all-inclusive resorts to budget-friendly hotels or vacation rentals. Budget hostels and hotels run $50 – $150, mid-range is closer to $150 – $300, and luxury hotels are generally $300 and above.

Cost of Meals in Aruba

Estimating daily food expenses can be challenging. Aruba has a variety of dining options, from high-end restaurants to local eateries. Consider trying local cuisine, but also account for meals at your accommodation or more affordable options. Budget meals will run around $10 – $30. Mid-range will be about $30 – $50. Fine-dining restaurants will run closer to $50 and above for your meal.

Cost of Drinks in Aruba

In addition to the cost of the meal, you’ll want to factor in your drinks. The cost of drinks in Aruba can vary depending on the type of place you visit and the specific drink you order. If you’re a big drinker, this can really impact your overall budget for Aruba. Plan to spend about $2 – $5 for sot drinks, $3 – $6 for local beers, $4 – $8 for imported beers, and about $8 – $15 per cocktail.

Pro Tip: To save on the cost of alcohol in Aruba, buy a bottle in duty free before you leave the United States or your point of departure. Also – plan to hit up happy hours! They’re offered around the island in the afternoons and you’ll often find 2 for 1 alcoholic beverages!

Cost of Activities in Aruba

Plan your activities and excursions in advance. This might include water sports, tours, or entrance fees to attractions. Research the costs of popular activities in Aruba and set aside a budget for them. Generally excursions and tours run $50 – $150 per person. Meanwhile entrance fees to attractions in Aruba are a bit lower at $10 – $30.

Costs of Transportation in Aruba

If you plan on exploring the island, consider renting a car or using public transportation. Factor in fuel costs or bus and taxi fares to your budget. For car rentals, budget $20 – $60 per day. For buses, plan $5 – 10 per day per person. Taxis will run around $10 – $40 per ride depending on your starting point and destination.

Miscellaneous Costs in Aruba

Include a buffer for unexpected expenses or souvenirs. Obviously this depends completely on what your interests are and what you buy, but generally souvenirs and miscellaneous expenses run about $20 – $50 per purchase. This could include things like chair rentals, sunscreen, or a local handicraft!

Currency Exchange and Fees in Aruba

Account for currency exchange fees and be aware of any additional charges for using credit cards abroad. These often run around 3% on every purchase you make – which does add up. Ultimately, exchange fees vary. Check with your bank. Credit card fees also vary. Check with your card provider.

Tipping in Aruba

Tipping in Aruba is customary. Plan to include tips for services such as dining and tours. Plan for 20% of the bill for meals, plus tips for services. This will generally add up to about $15 – $30 per day per person. Of course, it does depend on what you do and where you eat, but make sure to include a tipping line in your Aruba budget!

Cost of Travel Insurance for Aruba

Consider getting travel insurance to cover unexpected events, including medical emergencies and trip cancellations. Generally the cost of travel insurance for traveling to Aruba is around $5 – $20 per day. This is not a mandatory expense, but it’s always wise to know if you’re covered in case of an emergency!

Contingency

Include a contingency fund for any unforeseen circumstances or additional expenses. I recommend putting aside 5-10% of your total budget – just in case.

How to Create a Budget for Aruba

Once you have an estimate for each category above, add them up to determine your overall budget for your trip to Aruba. This will give you an idea of your total cost for Aruba. Adjustments may be necessary based on your specific preferences and travel plans.

Sample One Week Budget for Aruba – 2 People

The below budget for one week in Aruba is built with the following assumptions:

• 2 people traveling to Aruba for 1 week
• Flying in on $500 flights and renting a car at $40/day for the full week
• Staying at a mid-range hotel for $200/night
• Eating out lunch and dinner every day at mid-range restaurants
• Drinking 2 cocktails per person each day
• Doing 2 excursions and visiting 2 attractions in the week
• Traveling with travel insurance
• Incurring foreign transaction fees
• Traveling with a buffer of $250, or 5% of your total budget… just in case!

BUDGET FOR ONE WEEK IN ARUBA	COST
Flights Flights ($500 per person): $500 x 2	$1000
Accommodation Mid-Range Hotel ($200 per night): $200 x 7 nights	$1400
Meals Mid-Range Dining ($70 per day, per person): $70 x 2 = $140 Total for a week: $140 x 7	$980
Alcohol Cocktails ($12 per drink, 2 per person): $12 x 2 x 2 = $48 Total for a week: $48 x 7	$336
Activities Excursions and tours (per day, per person): $100 x 2 = $200 Two excursions and tours per week: $200 x 2 Entrance fees to attractions: $20 x 2 = $40 Two entrance fees to attractions: $40 x 2	$400 $80
Transportation within Aruba Car rental (per day): $40 x 7	$210
Miscellaneous Souvenirs and miscellaneous expenses: $30 x 2 = $60 Three souvenirs and miscellaneous expenses: $60 x 3	$180
Tipping Tipping (per day, per person): $20 x 2 = $40 Total for a week: $40 x 7	$280
Travel Insurance Insurance ($15 per day per person) $15 x 2 = $30 Total for a week: $30 x $7	$210
TOTAL	$5,076
Contingency 5% of the total budget (approximately)	$250
Credit Card Foreign Exchange Fee 3% of expenses (approximately)	$150
TOTAL BUDGET FOR 1 WEEK IN ARUBA	$5,476

So how much does a trip to Aruba cost? Well, the total cost to spend one week in Aruba is around $5,500 for two people. This of course can flex up and down depending on how you travel.

If this is out of your budget, don’t worry! Get a credit card with zero foreign transaction fees – you’ll save about $150. The $250 emergency fund should not actually be spent. Take that off the budget. Not interested in travel insurance? That’s another $210 savings! And that’s before you even touch the experience you’ll have in Aruba!

Hopefully, this Aruba budget breakdown helps you know what to expect on the island so you can plan accordingly and still have your dream vacation!