Oranjestad, Aruba: When to Go and Weather

Weather: Aruba is located in the West Indies, just over 12 degrees F north of the equator. Oranjestad weather, therefore, is tropical, with little variation in temperature throughout the months of the year. The yearly average is about 82 degrees F. Though Oranjestad faces the warm Caribbean, the weather isn't as humid as you'd expect, and tropical storms don't affect the area because Aruba is located south of the hurricane path.

Temperatures usually only fluctuate between a comfortable 75 degrees F and a toasty 90 degrees F. Trade winds keep sunbathers cool on the beach throughout the year, with the exception of September, which is considered the hottest and (comparatively) least desirable time to visit Oranjestad. From January through August, the weather is perfect for sunbathing - bright sun, ocean breezes, and little precipitation. The 20 inches of rain that Oranjestad receives annually happen in October through December, though it's not an unpleasant time to visit Aruba. The small crowds and comfortable weather appeal to visitors during these months.

Though you probably don't need to worry much about the weather in Oranjestad once you've arrived, if you need to check local weather resources, try Aruba Today (www.arubatoday.com) and the 'Island Weather' section of (www.aruba.com).

When to Go: Peak Season
The peak travel season in Oranjestad starts in mid-December, just before the winter holidays, and lasts through April. Visitors seeking sun and sand fill the hotels and resorts throughout these months, and Oranjestad weather nearly always cooperates - you'll find warm, breezy summer afternoons, cooler, starry nights, and clear skies day in and day out. During these months, despite the crowds, Aruba is just as idyllic as the Beach Boys described. The only caveat: make sure to slather yourself in sunscreen during the hottest hours of the day, because even though the breezes are cool, the sun is incredibly intense on the sand.

When to Go: Off Season
Aruba doesn't really have a 'rainy season' per se, but Oranjestad sees more precipitation in the months of October, November, and December, making these months the area's off season. Less than 20 inches of rain fall in Oranjestad each year, and most of it occurs in these months, but tourists usually don't mind - cloudbursts are light and don't last long. September, Oranjestad's hottest month, is also considered part of the off season, as it's the only month of the year when the sun is so blazing that hanging out on the sand isn't very appealing. Hotel rates are cheapest at this time of year.

When to Go: Shoulder Season
The months of April, May, June, July, and August constitute Oranjestad's shoulder season. As in peak season, the temperatures are warm and rain is infrequent, but the crowds are smaller at this time, and the prices of rooms at hotels and resorts are significantly less than they go for in January and February. Tourists love to travel to Oranjestad during these 'winter' months when snow and ice are hitting many US cities, but if you wait until this shoulder season, you'll get a similar experience at Oranjestad for a better price (not to mention that the beach will be blissfully empty.)

• Sun

   

  Scattered Showers

  89  80

• Mon

   

  Scattered Showers

  91  81

• Tue

   

  Scattered Showers

  90  81

• Wed

   

  Scattered Showers

  90  81

• Thu

   

  Windy

  90  81

• Fri

   

  Windy

  90  81

• Sat

   

  Partly Cloudy

  90  80

Get more information on Oranjestad weather.