Weather locations in Aruba

Aruba sits in the far south of the Caribbean arc, close off the coast of Venezuela and south of the usual hurricane track. Its climate is tropical and maritime: the sea keeps temperatures steady through the year and the steady trade winds off the Atlantic prevent the air from becoming oppressive. Rain is scarce by Caribbean standards and falls mostly as brief warm showers rather than long wet spells, so the island stays sunny and dry for most of the year.

Main climate types

The whole island has a desert-type tropical climate in Köppen terms, bordering on the arid. Rainfall is minimal and concentrated in a short wet season, and the north-easterly trade winds, which blow almost every day, bring low cloud and a refreshing onshore breeze in the early morning. On the leeward side, towards San Nicolas in the south, rain and shade are slightly rarer still.

Temperatures

Temperatures are remarkably constant. Oranjestad averages about 25 °C to 26 °C in January and about 27 °C to 28 °C in September, the warmest month. Daytime highs rarely go far above 31 °C, and the evening breeze on the beach almost always makes the air feel cooler than the thermometer suggests. Nights stay mild all year.

Rainfall

Annual rainfall is only about 300 mm to 450 mm around Oranjestad, one of the lowest totals in the Caribbean. Most of it arrives between October and January, usually as short, heavy thundershowers in the late afternoon. Humidity stays moderate despite the low rain because of the constant wind, and the dry months from January to June are the sunniest of the year.

When to go

The dry, sunny months from January to April are the most reliable time to visit. Storms in the late autumn can occasionally disrupt plans, but Aruba lies south of the main hurricane belt and severe storms are rare.