Aruba was just named the safest destination in the Caribbean: here’s why it’s my favorite escape

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When you travel as much as I do, peace of mind is no longer a nice-to-have, but starts to become the deciding factor.

We all want the crystal clear water and white sandy beaches. But do you actually want that? relaxedor do you want to be with one eye open for a week? Because it’s not always the same depending on where you go.

Well, the numbers are in. Based on 260 recent traveler votes on our Safety Index, Aruba just scored a 98/100, higher than any other destination on the entire index. Officially voted the safest destination in the Caribbean right now, and honestly? Not even a little surprising to me.

I’ve been saying this for a while. 😄

The atmosphere as soon as you land

Aruba is only about 20 miles long and 6 miles wide, so your drive from the airport to your resort will be short no matter where you stay.

But what strikes me every time is not the ride… it’s that just the tension drops the moment I step off the plane.

Because the safety index is so high here, you won’t feel like you have to stay confined to your resort accommodation.

I walked back to my hotel at 1am after a few drinks and felt completely fine.

That’s not something I would say about many major tourist destinations, and it really changes the whole experience.

San Nicolas: much more than a beach day

When most people think of Aruba, they think of the beach. And look, the beaches are incredible, and we’re getting there. But my favorite What there is to do on the island has nothing to do with sand.

You must go to San Nicolas.

Founded in 2016 by Tito Bolivar after a visit to Bogota, Colombia inspired him, the Aruba Art Fair got things going and San Nicolas never looked back. Now there are over 40 murals covering the buildings, painted by some of the greatest muralists in the world. Everywhere you turn your head there is something breathtaking.

I’d do the morning tour: the sun won’t be so brutal, and you’ll thank yourself. Then pass by Zeerover on the way back. It’s a local spot right on a pier, and you eat fresh fish while staring at the same water it came from. That’s a tough combination to beat.

The desert (yes, really)

Here’s something I didn’t know until a few days before my first trip: Aruba has a desert.

I first expanded my Caribbean knowledge by spending time in Grenada, which is incredibly mountainous. You can’t look in any direction without hitting a peak. Aruba is the opposite.

The north side of the island is flat, barren and rugged in a way that really feels like another planet. You can see for miles.

The best way to see it? A UTV tour. 🌵

UTVs are basically a hybrid between an ATV, a golf cart and a car, and they are absolutely a blast to drive. We went with De Palm Tours and our guide was both hilarious and informative, which is a rarer combination than you might think. You will stop at various points along the way. Natural bridges, the California Lighthouse, places to stretch and stop driving, and it’s a Great time to make some videos as a passenger.

One thing: wear sunglasses with serious coverage, or grab some off-road goggles. They sell them before the tour if you forget. There is no windshield and the desert will find its way to you. 😂

After the ride you jump straight into the water on the beach of Tres Trapi. The best shower you will ever take.

The perfect base camp: why I choose the Marriott

Aside from choosing to visit Aruba in the first place, your biggest decision is where to stay. The two mile stretch of Palm Beach is legendary, and for my travels the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is absolutely the perfect choice for a completely stress-free holiday.

The accommodation has everything you need on site. (I once realized an hour into my trip that I had forgotten toothpaste, deodorant, nail clippers, and my snorkel gear – a total amateur move. Instead of panicking, I just walked downstairs and found all four immediately!)

The rooms are incredible (and newly updated, I can’t wait to check them out)! Drinking coffee in the morning while watching the sun rise from the balcony is a memory that will remain etched in your memory forever.

What really sets the Marriott apart is that you can go home with more than just souvenirs. They offer incredible food that will stick in your mind long after you get home.

To take back the ultimate memory, end your adventures and enjoy a sunset dinner at Atardi.

You dine with your feet literally buried in the sand in one of the most beautiful settings in the Caribbean.

The part that makes Aruba the easiest Caribbean trip for Americans

Okay, this is what really makes Aruba stand out above everything else, and it has nothing to do with the beach, the art or the desert.

Aruba has a pre-clearance agreement with the United States, which means that US customs officers are actually stationed there within Aruba Airport. When your trip is over, you will pass through customs before boarding your flight home. When you land back in the United States, simply pack your bags and walk out as if it were a domestic flight.

Just know (and I want to be honest about this because it matters to your planning) that you will essentially go through two full security checkpoints and baggage scans at the Aruba airport. Give yourself extra time. Arriving early is not optional here; it is really necessary.

But once you get home, drive down and walk straight out of the airport, without a queue, without waiting, without a customs hall?

It’s the perfect, stress-free ending to a trip on the safest island in the Caribbean. 🏖️

Tyler Fox

Tyler is our editor-in-chief and writer. After years of reading, writing, and obsessing about travel (while traveling as often as possible, of course!), he wants to give readers the best and most balanced experience possible when exploring the site.