Best Time to Visit Oranjestad

January to April: dry and busy

This is the sweet spot, and everyone knows it. Days sit around 27°C, the trade winds blow steadily, and rain is rare. April is the driest month, with just two showery days. Beaches like Eagle Beach and Palm Beach are at their best, and the sea is calm enough for easy snorkelling.

It's also high season, so expect fuller hotels along the Palm Beach strip and busier restaurants in town. Travelling with kids? February and March have the most reliable sunshine, though April's school breaks bring families too. Carnival runs through January and February, with parades and music in Oranjestad. The big grand parade lands on the Sunday before Lent. Book a spot along the route early if you want a good view.

May to September: hot, calmer and cheaper

It's warmer now, with highs of 29°C or so by summer. Rain stays light until September, when showers become more common. You'll get sticky afternoons, but the breeze helps, and a dip in the sea does the rest.

If you like a quieter beach, this is your time. Crowds thin out, and prices usually ease off. Windsurfers and kitesurfers love the steady wind at Fisherman's Huts and Hadicurari Beach. June has the best balance of sun and low rain. July and August can bring more visitors again, mostly families on summer holidays. Late August and September get a bit more humid, and September has some of the highest temperatures of the year at 30°C.

October to December: the wet spell

October and November are the wettest months, with rain on almost every other day, 19 days in October and 18 in November. Showers are often short, but some days are properly grey. Beach days can still happen, but you'll want a backup plan. Try the Aruba Aloe factory, the National Archaeological Museum in town, or a long lunch at a local spot serving keshi yena (cheese stuffed with spiced meat).

If you hate crowds and want low prices, these months deliver. Just be flexible. December is a turning point. Rain drops and the holiday crowds return. Expect lights in the streets and a festive mood, with a lively New Year's Eve on the waterfront.