Planning a trip to Aruba? Time to start getting ready!  One of the most important things is to determine what you'll be taking with you for your journey. We've put together a clear and comprehensive packing list for you. This way, you'll be well-prepared and won't forget anything.

Aruba has a tropical savanna climate, with abundant sunshine and temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) throughout the year.

Aruba experiences limited rainfall. The rainy season spans from October to January, characterized by brief, intense showers followed by sunshine. Most showers occur during the night. The heaviest rainfall is in November and December. The warmest months in Aruba are August and September, while February and March offer the most pleasant temperatures.

Aruba is under the influence of trade winds, which often provide a cooling breeze during the heat. The hurricane season runs from June to December, but the likelihood of a hurricane affecting Aruba is extremely low.

Aruba is a sunny destination year-round and ideal for a stay. The best time to visit is from January to June when there is less rain and the most pleasant temperatures.

The first choice you have to make when you go on a trip is whether you opt for a suitcase or a backpack. There are advantages to both, and the best choice depends on your travel itinerary, the activities you'll be doing, but mostly on your personal preference.

The biggest advantage of a backpack compared to a suitcase is that you can carry it on your back. In Aruba, you won't always find good sidewalks and paved roads, especially when traveling to more remote places outside of major cities, so a backpack can be the obvious choice. On the other hand, traveling with a suitcase is much more comfortable. You don't have to carry a suitcase on your back, making it more relaxed for longer walks.

An important difference is that a suitcase is heavier than a backpack. With a suitcase, you quickly reach the maximum weight for checked baggage. A backpack can be packed heavier, but it often has less space than a suitcase.

A backpack offers a lot of flexibility, but in most places, you can travel just fine with a suitcase. For example, in locations with only unpaved roads, you can usually take a taxi. It may be challenging to move your suitcase only in places where there are no taxis and no paved roads. So, consider your route carefully and choose what's best for you.

We often travel with our Eastpak travel bags. These have all the benefits of a suitcase, but they are essentially wheeled bags. This results in a lower weight than a suitcase, allowing you to bring more.

• Don't pack too many clothes. While traveling in Aruba, you can easily and inexpensively have your clothes washed at your hostel, hotel, or at a laundry service found everywhere.
• Avoid bringing thick sweaters or jackets, but pack clothing that can be layered for higher-altitude places where it can get cooler in the evenings.
• Think carefully about whether you really need everything. For example, we recommend not bringing expensive watches or jewelry to Aruba.

• Passport + copies
• Visa
• Credit card(s) (with sufficient monthly limit)
• Debit card (worldwide)
• Cash
• Driver's license
• Medical passport
• Vaccination passport
• Copies of important documents such as health insurance, travel insurance, emergency numbers, contact information for family/friends
• Passport photos
• Boarding pass
• Backpack/Daypack
• Rain cover (for backpack/daypack)

Tip: Withdrawing cash abroad using your local bank card or credit card can be expensive. When withdrawing in a different currency, you often face unfavorable exchange rates and additional transaction fees. Our solution is Wise. For a one-time fee of $9 USD, you can open an account and receive a VISA debit card. You can hold and convert money in more than 50 currencies, always at a favorable rate. Additionally, you can spend money in over 170 countries without any extra charges.

• Toiletry bag
• Deodorant
• Shampoo (+ conditioner)
• Shower gel
• Hairbrush/comb
• Razor and/or trimmer
• Contact lenses and/or glasses
• Contact lens solution
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Dental floss/toothpicks
• Nail clippers and/or manicure scissors
• Tweezers
• Sunscreen
• Aftersun lotion
• Daytime moisturizer/night cream
• Tampons/sanitary pads
• Sanitary pad disposal bags
• Birth control pills
• Condoms
• Wax, gel, or hairspray
• Lip balm
• Makeup
• Hand sanitizer gel
• Moist towelettes

• Mobile phone
• SIM card removal tool
• Camera
• E-reader
• Tablet or laptop
• Power bank
• Chargers and batteries
• Worldwide adapters (type A,B and F)
• Splitter
• Earphones or headphones
• Mouse, keyboard, SD card

• Insect repellents/mosquito repellents with (ideally 40%) DEET
• Betadine ointment
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• Paracetamol
• Ibuprofen
• First-aid kit
• Malaria pills
• Regular medication
• ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution)
• Vitamin supplements
• After Bite
• Tiger balm
• Motion sickness medicine
• Blister plasters

• Sneakers
• Flip-flops or sandals
• Hiking boots
• Underwear
• Socks
• Outdoor/fleece jacket
• Thin long-sleeve shirt
• Thin sweater
• T-shirts
• Shorts
• Dresses/skirts
• Thin long pants
• Sunglasses
• Belt
• Thermal clothing
• Pajamas
• Poncho or rain gear
• Swim trunks/bikini
• Cap/hat
• Sportswear

• Toilet paper
• Tissues
• Elastic bands
• Pen and paper
• Small towel
• Travel towel
• Collapsible umbrella
• Dry bag
• Travel games and playing cards
• Headlamp
• Ear plugs for sleeping
• Snorkel mask and snorkel
• Sleeping bag line
• Sewing kit
• Mosquito net (impregnated)
• Lock for backpack
• Luggage tag
• Travel alarm (mobile smoke detector)
• Small roll of tape
• Universal sink stopper + clothesline
• Hand wash detergent
• Travel guide (e.g., Lonely Planet)
• Vacuum bags for clothing
• Packing cubes