3 days in Aruba: an itinerary for the best beaches, restaurants and other first-timer essentials

While it's easy (and tempting!) to stay for a week or more, Aruba is a great destination for a long weekend. The island is just 70 square miles, and you can drive it end to end in under an hour. Plus, it sits outside the hurricane belt , so weather rarely derails travel plans. After more than 30 trips, this is the three-day itinerary I'd give any first-timer.

Day one

Once you land at the airport and check into your accommodations, change into your bathing suit. Head down for a swim in the ocean, then stake out a spot to watch the sunset from the beach. For a quick trip, it makes sense to stay somewhere centrally located, like one of the hotels on Palm Beach.

For dinner, keep it low-key. Bugaloe , on the Palm Beach pier, pairs live music and sunset views with casual Caribbean fare and frozen cocktails. Fisherman's Hut , near the high-rise strip, is another easy, unfussy option. Either one lets you ease into your vacation without committing to a big night out.

If you catch a second wind, Soprano's Piano Bar on Palm Beach keeps the party going with dueling pianos and touring musicians who perform late into the night. For something a little different, Boutique Speakeasy is an intimate spot hidden behind an unmarked door, while Kalibra offers DJs and live entertainment. Or, you can try your luck at one of the casinos lining Palm Beach, where the blackjack tables and slot machines stay busy well after dark.

Day two

Start with a smoothie at Eduardo's Beach Shack near Palm Beach to fuel up before a day on the water. Spend the middle of the day on a catamaran cruise . It's the easiest way to see the coastline and reach snorkel spots you can't swim to from shore, including the Antilla, a sunken World War II ship. Want a slower morning instead? Trade the daytime snorkel trip for a sunset sail later in the day. 

If you had any luck at the casino the night before, put it to use at the luxury shops in the Renaissance Mall downtown. From there, start the evening early at Pepe Margo distillery for a taste of handcrafted spirits, then sit down to dinner at Lima Bistro , a family-run Peruvian spot on the harbor that I think is the best restaurant on the island. Not ready to head back to your hotel? Grab a nightcap at Apotek Speakeasy .

Day three

Begin at The Dutch Pancake House or Linda's Dutch Pancakes . The signature pancakes are larger than your face and perfect to share, with sweet or savory toppings to choose from.

Then get in the car and head to the island's southeastern tip, where you'll find Baby Beach , a shallow half-moon lagoon that's calm enough for wading. On the way back, stop at Zeerovers , the dockside fish shack where lunch is whatever the boats brought in that morning, fried and priced by the pound. Get the fried shrimp and don't skip the sides, especially the pan bati.

If you have time and daylight to spare, check out San Nicolas's colorful street art scene. You can book a walk with Aruba Mural Tours , or just take in the murals unguided before grabbing a beer at Charlie's Bar , a San Nicolas institution. Either way, make a stop at Super Food for elite plane snacks and a wheel of Gouda while you're there.

For your last dinner, keep it local and low-key. The Old Cunucu House serves traditional Aruban cuisine, including keshi yena, the national dish, in a 19th-century bungalow. Or head to Wacky Wahoo for the daily catch. Just get there early, since they don't take reservations.

Before you fly home

As tempting as it can be to push it and enjoy one last piña colada, give yourself the full three hours at the airport. You clear U.S. customs and immigration before leaving the island, which means going through security more than once. If you've timed it right, squeeze in one last meal at The West Deck , less than 10 minutes from the terminal.