Aruba is weird. I mean that in the best way possible, but if you’re looking for aruba all inclusive vacation packages, you need to understand that this island doesn't play by the same rules as Cancun or Punta Cana. In those places, the "mega-resort" is king. You check in, get a plastic wristband, and don't leave the gates for a week.
Aruba is different.
Most people don't realize that the island is actually quite safe and incredibly easy to navigate. Because of that, the "all-inclusive" scene here is a bit of a localized puzzle. You’ve got a handful of dedicated properties, a few "optional" add-on plans at high-end hotels, and then the wild world of the Palm Beach strip. If you book the wrong thing, you’re going to feel trapped. If you book the right thing, it’s basically heaven with a constant 20mph breeze.
Why Aruba All Inclusive Vacation Packages Aren't Always What They Seem
Let’s be real for a second. When you search for these deals, you're going to see the Divi & Tamarijn show up first. They are the heavy hitters. They sit on Druif Beach, which is quieter than the main tourist drag. It's a massive complex. You stay at one, you eat at both. It’s the classic experience.
But then you have the high-rise hotels. Places like the Barceló Aruba or the Riu Palace Antillas. These are located on Palm Beach. This is where the action is. If you want to walk out of your lobby and be within five minutes of a gelato shop, a casino, and a dozen high-end boutiques, this is your spot. However, there's a trade-off. The beaches here are crowded. Like, "wake up at 6:00 AM to reserve a palapa" crowded.
I’ve talked to travelers who felt burned because they booked an all-inclusive at a place that also allowed European Plan (room only) guests. It creates this weird hierarchy. You’re standing there with your "free" drink, and the person next to you is paying $18 for a premium mojito that looks way better than yours. You have to check the fine print. Does your package include the top-shelf stuff? At the Riu, it usually does. At some of the smaller boutiques? Maybe not.
The "All-Inclusive Lite" Trap
There's this trend in Oranjestad and Eagle Beach where hotels offer "all-inclusive" packages that are actually just meal credits. Be careful. A real aruba all inclusive vacation package should mean your wallet stays in the room safe. If a resort says "inclusive options available," they might just be giving you breakfast and a few select dinners.
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Look at the Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa. They offer an all-inclusive program that is world-class, specifically for foodies. Most AI food is... well, it’s buffet fodder. It’s fine. It’s sustenance. But Manchebo lets you eat off the a la carte menu. We're talking real steaks and fresh-caught snapper, not mystery meat in a chafing dish. It costs more. Obviously. But if you hate buffets, it’s the only way to go.
The Wind Factor
You’re going to get sandy. Aruba is windy. The trade winds are the only reason you don't melt in the 88-degree heat, but they will blow your cocktail napkin into the ocean if you aren't careful. When looking at resorts, check the orientation of their outdoor dining. Some spots have glass shields; others just let the wind howl through. It sounds like a small detail until you're picking sand out of your sea bass.
Where to Actually Stay (The Real Talk Version)
If you want the "I don't want to think about anything" experience, go to the Riu Palace Aruba. It’s grand. It’s white. It looks like a palace. It’s also very busy.
If you want something more low-key, the Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort is a solid middle ground. You get access to the links, and it feels more like an apartment than a hotel room. This is huge for families. Having a kitchen you don't use is better than being cramped in a double-queen room with three kids and a pile of wet towels.
Then there's the Holiday Inn Resort Aruba. People sleep on this one. It's not a "pure" all-inclusive, but they have an all-inclusive upgrade. It’s often the cheapest way to get onto the prime real estate of Palm Beach without selling a kidney. The food is standard American-Caribbean fare. It won't change your life, but the sunset from their beach bar might.
The Math: Is It Actually Worth It?
Honestly? Maybe not.
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Aruba has some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean. If you stay all-inclusive, you’re missing out on places like Papiamento, where you eat in a 126-year-old manor house, or the fresh fish shacks at Zeerovers.
You should book an all-inclusive package if:
- You drink more than four cocktails a day. (Alcohol is expensive in Aruba. A beer at a beach bar is $7-$9. A cocktail is $14+).
- You have kids who want chicken fingers every two hours.
- You genuinely want to turn your brain off.
You should skip it if:
- You’re a "foodie" who wants to explore local culture.
- You plan on renting a car and hitting Baby Beach or the Arikok National Park every day.
- You're on a tight budget—sometimes buying groceries at Super Food (the best grocery store in the hemisphere, seriously) and eating out a few times is cheaper.
Getting the Best Price Without Getting Scammed
Don't just trust the big booking engines. Always, always check the resort’s direct website after you find a price on Expedia or Booking. Often, the resorts offer "Resort Credits" or free airport transfers if you book direct.
Also, watch the seasons. Aruba is outside the hurricane belt. This is a massive selling point. While the rest of the Caribbean is dodging tropical storms in September and October, Aruba is just... sunny. This is actually "low season" because it's so hot, so you can find aruba all inclusive vacation packages for about 40% less than you'd pay in January.
A Note on Tipping
Even at the "gratuities included" spots, the staff works incredibly hard. The "Aruba Effect" is a real thing—the locals are genuinely some of the friendliest people you'll meet in travel. A few dollars to your regular bartender on day one goes a long way. It’s not required, but it’s the right thing to do.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Eagle Beach vs. Palm Beach
You'll see these two names constantly.
Palm Beach is the Vegas strip. High-rises, piers, music, people everywhere. Most all-inclusives are here.
Eagle Beach is the postcard. Wide sand, the famous Divi-Divi trees, quieter water. There are fewer all-inclusives here, but the ones that exist (like Bucuti & Tara, though they are mostly breakfast-only) are more romantic.
If you're a couple looking for a honeymoon vibe, don't book the Riu on Palm Beach. You'll be surrounded by spring breakers and families. Go to the low-rise district near Eagle Beach. It’s slower. It’s better.
Survival Tips for Your First Trip
Pack a heavy-duty insulated tumbler. The sun in Aruba is relentless. The ice in those plastic resort cups will melt in approximately four minutes. If you bring your own Yeti or Stanley, the bartenders will usually fill it up for you. It keeps your drink cold and saves a mountain of plastic.
Also, get the insurance. Not because of hurricanes, but because of flight delays. Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) is efficient, but U.S. Customs is handled on the island. This is great because you land as a domestic passenger in the States, but it means you need to be at the airport three hours early. Sometimes four. If you miss that window, you're stuck, and an extra night in Aruba isn't cheap if you haven't planned for it.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are ready to pull the trigger on a trip, don't just click "buy" on the first deal you see. Follow this specific sequence to ensure you aren't overpaying:
- Check the "Holiday Calendar": Avoid Dutch school holidays and U.S. school breaks if you don't want crowds. Late May and early June are the "sweet spots" for pricing and weather.
- Verify the "All-Inclusive" Scope: Email the resort and ask specifically: "Are the a la carte restaurants included, or is it just the buffet?" and "Is top-shelf liquor included?"
- Map the Location: Use Google Street View to see what’s actually around the resort. If there are five great restaurants within walking distance, you might want to reconsider the all-inclusive plan and go with a room-only rate.
- Book Your Transfer Early: Don't use the resort's expensive private shuttle unless it's included. Cabs in Aruba are government-regulated and have flat rates. A taxi from the airport to the high-rise zone is roughly $30-$35.
- Download the "Aruba Health App": It’s still a useful tool for local info and any remaining travel requirements that occasionally pop up.
Aruba is one of the few places in the world where the "One Happy Island" slogan actually feels earned. Just make sure you're picking a package that fits how you actually want to spend your days, not just the one with the flashiest photos.