Ready for your trip to Aruba? You will be soon! Packing for an island is as good as it gets. The clothes aren’t bulky, no one really cares what you wear, and weather is often predictable. Aruba is a unique island, though, as far as islands go. It’s a desert island. Here are all the things you definitely need to pack for your trip to Aruba. 

Travel Outfit: Leggings, Tee, Slip-on Shoes

First things first, right? You gotta get there! Depending on the season and where you’re coming from, you may almost feel like you need to leave in one outfit and land in another. Aruba is constantly in the 80s Fahrenheit year-round, after all. I always like a comfy pair of leggings with pockets paired with an oversized tee and slip-on tennis shoes. Add a jacket and light scarf (always handy on a plane, no matter the temperature outside), and unless you’re coming from the actual tundra, this should be sufficient to get you through! 

More here: The Ultimate Guide to Traveling on Aruba

Beachy Dresses, Jumpsuits, or Rompers (1-2) and Sandals

Aruba is an adventurous island, so you’ll definitely want some more rugged outfits (below), but it’s also an island with some special occasion opportunities, too. If fancy, yet beachy, dinners out are your thing, definitely pack a flowy dress, airy jumper, or flirty romper for just such an occasion. Whatever you choose, please leave the fancy, uncomfortable heels at home. A nice, comfortable sandal is all you need!

Also helpful: Why Aruba Could be Your Next Romantic Vacation

Activewear: Clothing and Shoes

As mentioned, Aruba is for adventurers! Whether you want to hike up Hooiberg Mountain, hand-feed ostriches, or take a day trip on an ATV or UTV, you’ll need the right wardrobe! Any activewear made with wicking material will be good, but also consider more coverage with UPF fabrics as well. The sun is no joke on Aruba! 

That said, don’t forget about your feet while packing. Flip flops and open sandals seem like a great idea until you’re picking rocks out of your shoes and trying to keep them on using just your toes, not to mention you might not be allowed to take that adventurous day trip without proper footwear for liability reasons! You don’t need the most rugged of hiking boots, but lace-up tennis shoes or cross-trainers are going to be essential for your general daily wear. These are a great option!

Keep reading: Where to Play with Animals on Aruba

Bathing Suits (2-3) and a Cover-up

No Aruba packing list is complete without a bathing suit or two! Aruba has some of the best beaches in the world, plus almost every accommodation has a pool, and of course there are those famous flamingoes! I took two suits and two cover-ups for the week, but I really only needed one cover-up. I personally prefer a two-piece suit, but here are some options perfect for Aruba:

Read on: Your Guide to Seeing the Flamingoes on Aruba

Dry Bag

If you’re packing a bathing suit, you will also benefit from packing a dry bag. Not only does it keep your essentials safe from water and sand, it will also float in water, so you can take it in the ocean with you instead of leaving your valuables onshore! Here is my favorite:

Also helpful: The Best Restaurants on Aruba

Wet Bag

It’s great to keep things dry, but what about the stuff that’s supposed to get wet, like bathing suits? Enter: The wet bag. These are great for that last-minute dip in the pool or the Caribbean Sea before you have to leave. Instead of putting your wet bathing suit or water shoes in with the rest of your dry luggage, toss those items into a wet bag first! This will keep your damp items contained without contaminating everything else. Easy. 

Read next: What to Know Before You Visit the Caribbean

Water Shoes

The most useful thing you can take with you to any island is the same thing you never thought to pack: Water shoes! It’s great and even relaxing to walk around with the sand between your toes, but only up to a point. Eventually, you’ll step on a rock, shell, or broken piece of coral, and it’ll hurt! Heading to Flamingo Beach? That one is particularly covered in broken shells and coral. Your feet need that bit of protection! These are also great on boats, as the rubber soles make things less slippy.

Also, your feet have to work harder than you think to walk through sand, and harder still to use your toes to keep your flip-flops on as you walk. Trust me when I say that you will be so glad you tossed a pair in your suitcase!

More here: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing an Anniversary Trip Destination

SPF 50 Sunscreen (or higher)

You read that right: SPF 50 (or above). The sun is incredibly strong on Aruba, with very little shade or cloud cover to balance things out. You will definitely be glad you brought a strong sunscreen, and word to the wise: Reapply regularly, at least every two hours! I wanted to use up my SPF 30 sunscreen, and I misjudged how long we’d be in the sun, so I burned pretty badly our first day, so take a lesson from me. Bring the high SPF, and bring enough to reapply multiple times per day. (It’s worth checking a bag if you prefer lotions to solids, just to make sure you have enough!)

If you do burn, however, you’re in luck: Aruba is know world-wide for growing the best aloe, and you can find aloe products in just about every shop!

Keep reading: The Traveler’s Ultimate Guide to Sunscreen (according to a dermatologist!)

Hat and Sunglasses

Last but not least, please bring a hat and sunnies! Whether you prefer a baseball, trucker, visor, bucket, or floppy style, bring one, and then also bring a backup. Keep that face out of the sunshine as much as possible. Similarly, you’ll want to have sunglasses at the ready as well (and possibly a back up pair). Again, the sun is strong here! Make sure you opt for polarized as well. It’s worth making sure you can see in the daylight and in the shade!

Read next: The Best FREE Things to Do on Aruba

Want more? Get everything you need to plan your trip on my dedicated Aruba Page!

Love this post? Pin it for later!