What’s New in Aruba for 2024

Aruba welcomed a record number of visitors in 2023, and the country has even more in store for tourists in 2024. 

Between new hotels and restaurants, additional flights from the United States and Canada, and the 70th anniversary of its annual carnival, plus new technology to ease the airport arrival process, Aruba has quite the lineup of tourism developments for this year. 

“2024 will be a landmark year for Aruba as a destination, and we are thrilled for the enhancements that will make The Aruba Effect stronger than ever,” said Ronella Croes, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority. “With new property developments, technological innovations, major cultural moments, and more, we’re sure the feeling of rejuvenation that our visitors experience while on the island will continue long after returning home.”    

Hotels 
Aruba’s tourism enhancements for 2024 are marked by two major resort openings.  

The Iberostar Grand Aruba, Iberostar’s first property in the Dutch Caribbean, will begin welcoming guests this summer. The adults-only resort is located on Eagle Beach and features 240 suites, the Tierra del Sol golf course, three restaurants, five bars, two pools, and a spa.   

St. Regis Palm Beach Aruba Resort, the second St. Regis property in the Caribbean, is set to open by the end of 2024. This resort will have 220 rooms, 5-star amenities and dining, a spa, and a pool. 

Flights 
Spirit Airlines now offers daily flights from Fort Lauderdale to Aruba, up from twice weekly, during the winter season. It also has increased the size of planes flying to Aruba, representing an additional 1,140 seat availability per week. 

Southwest Airlines has increased its service from Baltimore-Washington to Aruba from two to five flights per week. In addition, Air Canada has resumed flights to Aruba, three times per week from Toronto, and WestJet has also increased its flight frequency to and from Aruba. 

Tech-savvy arrivals 
By March 2024, the Aruba Tourism Authority plans to launch the new Aruba Happy One Pass, a digital travel credential that will help streamline the process of entering the country. Travelers will be able to download the Aruba HOP app on their mobile devices and use it to complete pre-boarding verification, share information directly with immigration officials, and pass through Aruba’s border checkpoint without showing a physical passport. The app was tested in November 2023 and should be available on app stores by the second quarter of 2024. 

Food and festivals 
Last year, Aruba’s hotels welcome many new restaurants for visitors to enjoy during their upcoming travels. These include Mercát at Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, The Coco Café at Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba, and an upgraded Ruinas Del Mar at Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino. In addition, KOAL is a new chef table experience in Oranjestad’s historic district, which features a 5-course meal from Aruban native Chef Albert Raven. 

For those who want to experience even more of Aruban culture, Aruba’s Carnival takes place from now through Feb. 11, when the festival will end with the Grand Carnival Parade. The event has been running for 70 years and includes lively parades, musical events, and block parties.