What to Pack for Aruba: The Complete Checklist

Packing for Aruba is mostly about embracing simplicity. The island has a remarkably stable climate, the dress code at almost every restaurant is casual, and you will live in swimwear and light cotton. That said, there are a handful of items most first-time visitors forget, and a few mistakes that can take a real bite out of your budget. Here is the complete list.

Clothing

Temperatures sit between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, with steady trade winds. Pack light, breathable layers and resist the urge to bring anything heavy.

• 3 to 5 swimsuits (rotate them; salt and sun destroy them fast)
• Lightweight cover-ups, sundresses, or board shorts for the beach
• 2 to 3 nicer outfits for dinner; resort casual is the rule
• Light cardigan or long-sleeve shirt for cool restaurant AC
• Comfortable sandals and one pair of sneakers or hiking shoes for Arikok
• Wide-brim sun hat or baseball cap (the wind takes a toll on hats, so secure them)

Sun protection

Aruba is just 12 degrees north of the equator. The sun is no joke. As a public service, the government banned oxybenzone-based sunscreens in 2020 to protect the coral reefs, so any sunscreen you bring must be reef-safe.

• Reef-safe mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide), SPF 30+
• UPF 50+ rash guard or sun shirt for long beach days
• Polarized sunglasses (the glare off the water is intense)
• Aloe vera gel for emergency sunburn relief

Beach and water gear

Most hotels provide beach chairs and umbrellas, so do not pack those. But a few items will pay for themselves before lunch on Day 1.

• Your own snorkel and mask (rentals are scratched and foggy)
• Water shoes for rocky entries like Arashi or Baby Beach
• Dry bag for boat trips and beach hops
• Insulated water bottle (refill at your hotel)
• Quick-dry beach towel if you plan to leave the resort

Documents and money

• Valid passport (check the expiration date; many countries require 6 months remaining)
• Printed proof of return travel; airport agents occasionally ask
• Two credit cards (one as a backup) plus around $100 in US cash for tips and small vendors
• Travel insurance documents stored in your phone and email

Electronics

Aruba uses US-style 110V outlets, so no adapter is needed if you are coming from North America. European travelers should bring a US plug adapter.

• Phone charger and a power bank
• Underwater phone case or a GoPro for snorkel days
• A small portable Bluetooth speaker for the balcony or beach (used at low volume)

The forgotten extras

These are the items first-time visitors overwhelmingly wish they had brought:

• Lip balm with SPF (your lips burn first)
• After-sun moisturizer; sun and salt dry skin out fast

• A small daypack for excursions
• Ziploc bags for wet swimsuits and damp electronics

What you can leave at home

Aruba is not formal anywhere. You do not need a sport coat, dress shoes, or a tie even at high-end restaurants. Skip the rain jacket too; on the rare occasion it rains in Aruba, the shower is over before you would have unfolded the jacket. And do not waste suitcase space on toiletries you can replace at any Aruban supermarket; the duty-free pharmacies in Oranjestad stock everything you would find at home.