I always prefer renting a car, as it gives you the freedom to see so much more of a destination whenever you want. On Aruba that means you can easily look for the best quiet beaches and drive all the way up north to watch the sun go down over the sand dunes and see the lighthouse light up.

Yes, you can drive to almost every beach in Aruba, and in 2026, having a rental car is considered the best way to see the island. The popular "Low Rise" and "High Rise" hotel beaches, like Palm Beach and Eagle Beach, have ample free public parking lots just steps from the sand. For the more remote and rugged beaches on the north and east coasts, such as Baby Beach or Arashi Beach, the roads are paved and easily accessible by a standard sedan. However, if you want to visit the "Natural Pool" (Conchi) or the hidden coves within the Arikok National Park, you will strictly need a 4x4 vehicle as the terrain is extremely rocky and sandy. In 2026, Aruba has introduced "Pagatinu" metered parking in downtown Oranjestad, but the beaches remain largely free to park. It is a "pro" tip to look at the "Fofoti" trees; they always tilt toward the west, so if you get turned around on a backroad heading to a beach, the trees will literally point you toward the calm, resort-filled western coastline where the most famous beaches are located.