Aruba Cruise Port: Official Taxi Rates and Excursion Prices (2026)

Where these numbers come from

Aruba's cruise terminal is at the edge of downtown Oranjestad, with four deep-water berths and no shuttle. Passengers walk straight into the city. The central bus terminal is a 4-minute walk across the main boulevard. A free downtown trolley loops from 10 am to 5 pm. Taxis and independent tour buses line up outside the terminal.

Taxi fares are fixed by zone and set by the government. The official Visit Aruba guide lists $33 from the cruise terminal to Palm Beach, and a May 2026 tariff summary lists base fares for up to four passengers of $28 to the Eagle Beach zone, $32 to the high-rise south area and $34 to the north high-rise area. A $5 surcharge applies on Sundays, late at night and on holidays. One older guide quotes $14 to Palm Beach, so expect the official fixed fare instead.

Worked example, four adults to Eagle Beach. The fare is per car up to four riders, so one way costs $28, or $56 round trip. Two beach chairs at $15 add $30, for $86 before lunch. That is about $21.50 per person. The public bus at $5 round trip each would cost 4 x $5 = $20 for the group, the cheapest route but slower.

Paid excursions have a timing problem. Pelican Adventures lists a 2-hour sunset cruise from $62 and a 2.5-hour snorkel sail from $70, but the snorkel sail starts at 2 pm and the sunset at 5:30 pm. Those start times may clash with an afternoon all-aboard. A morning option is the 4-hour brunch cruise from $95, starting at 9 am. De Palm Island lists an entry ticket from $119 with food, drinks and activities included, and cabanas from $269.

Four adults on the $70 sail pay 4 x $70 = $280. On the brunch cruise they pay 4 x $95 = $380. De Palm entry for four is at least 4 x $119 = $476, before transport. A port guide advises working backward from all-aboard: subtract a 60-minute buffer and 45 minutes of return travel.

US dollars are accepted everywhere, including buses and taxis, so you do not need florins. Compare with Curacao next door, or price your own day in the cruise excursion budget calculator.

Sources

• Visit Aruba: taxis and limos (official rates)
• Aruba Playbook: cruise port day itinerary (May 2026 tariff)
• Bucket List Guides: Aruba cruise port guide
• Pelican Adventures: sail and snorkel tours (operator)
• De Palm Island (operator)

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.