Is Aruba a Desert Island? Understanding the Island’s Semi-Arid Climate

Besides swaying palm trees a mixture of cacti, aloe, sisal, and agave dominate Aruba’s landscape. Therefore, you might wonder: is Aruba a desert? While our island is famous for its long stretches of white sand beaches and spectacular ocean views, Aruba has a dry, desert-like climate. That means Aruba’s is characterized by a semi-arid climate with hot daytime temperatures (average 86F), hardly any rainfall and dry, constant tradewinds (source: World Climate Guide; climatestotravel.com). In this guide we’ll answer if Aruba is a desert island, explore Aruba’s semi-arid climate and desert-like landscapes, such as the Sasarawichi Dunes, Arikok National Park, and the rugged North Coast.

Does Aruba have a desert?

Aruba has a desert-like environment and offers a desert climate, yet Aruba does not have a desert in the classic sense. The closest thing to a desert in Aruba is Sasarawichi Dunes at Hudishibana, offering snow white landscapes of endless sand dunes.

So Aruba does not have a desert, but it surely is characterized by a desert environment. Rural, undeveloped backlands (which in local terms is called ‘mond’i), cacti-filled, boulder-rich landscapes and farmland on dry, rocky soil (called ‘cunucu’) set in a dry, desert climate define Aruba’s environment. These elements combined explain why Aruba is a desert island. 

What is Aruba’s desert environment like?

Aruba is a desert island, offering a semi-arid climate that consists of sunny days and very little rain. Unlike tropical destinations that can feel sticky, muggy and humid, Aruba’s desert-like climate results in constant dry-air trade winds that offer a pleasant, cooling effect. The lack of rain in the dry season can give the landscape a desert-look with vegetation turning from green to shades of brown and grey, and dust clouds forming on sandy roads. Another sign that Aruba is a desert island is the island’s unique landscape. Cacti-filled hilltops, ancient rock formations and fofoti trees shaped by the constant trade winds stand tall as strong survivors in Aruba’s semi-arid climate and warm temperatures.

Arikok: Exploring Aruba’s nature and desert landscapes

Arikok National Park is home to much of Aruba’s flora and fauna, encompassing almost 20% percent of the island. Here you will find unique desert landscapes and sweeping views over endless rows of cacti. Make sure to drive up to Aruba’s highest hilltop, Jamanota for 360 island views, take in Aruba’s desert island landscape while hiking the Miralamar hill and admire the sand dunes of Boca Prins. Nowhere else on the island will you be able to immerse yourself so fully and directly into Aruba’s desert landscapes and unique natural wonders as in Arikok National Park. Tip: book a tour with a local ranger!

Desert drives: navigating rural roads in Aruba

As you’ve now learned, Aruba is a desert island with a semi-arid climate and therefore can get pretty hot, sandy and dusty, especially if you venture off the main roads and navigate the island's more rural inlands and rugged North Coast. If you set out on a desert drive, especially along the North Coast, make sure to bring sufficient sun block, water, protective clothes, proper (sturdy) footwear and be prepared to get a bit dirty.

You will most definitely get a great impression of Aruba’s desert landscapes on a drive along the North Coast with its boulders, bocas, hidden beaches, sand dunes, caves and sweeping ocean views. Other highly recommended destinations for a desert drive and desert like landscapes include:

·   Casi Bari Rock Formation

·   Ayo Rock Formation

·   Alto Vista

·   Hooiberg

·   Seroe Crystal

Keeping Aruba’s desert intact

While we highly encourage you to explore our desert island Aruba in all its shapes and forms and venture past our famous beaches and main attractions, we ask you kindly to adhere to some basic rules. Please do not drive on sand dunes, respect birds nests and turtle breeding areas, avoid unnecessary off-roading into untouched nature, adhere to local rules, guidelines and road closures. Here’s more background why we ask this. And how your behavior and collaboration have a huge impact. We thank you in advance.