Palm Beach & Noord

Palm Beach & Noord is where most of Aruba's large hotels, restaurants and evening life are concentrated. Palm Beach itself is a two-mile (about 3 km) strip of white sand roughly 6 km north-west of Oranjestad, with calm water, piers, beach bars and water-sports concessions; behind it, the district of Noord — Dutch for “north” — covers the northern part of the island and is, according to the Aruba Tourism Authority, its most populated district.

How did Palm Beach become the resort strip?

The name comes from a coconut plantation whose owner, R.J. Beaujon, named it after Palm Beach in Florida; the shoreline was officially registered as Palm Beach in 1960. The plantation lease on government land was rescinded for hotel development in 1958, and the first hotel, the low-rise Basiruti, opened in the 1950s as bungalows on the sand. Today the beachfront is lined with high-rise resorts, with two large malls, Paseo Herencia and Palm Beach Plaza, completed across the road in 2009.

Is Palm Beach good for swimming?

Generally yes. The tourism authority describes the water as calm and suitable for swimmers and snorkellers, because this west coast is sheltered from the north-east trade winds. Two things to keep in mind: boats and motorised water sports operate from the piers and the sand, so swim inside marked areas where they exist; and on busy days the strip in front of the largest hotels fills up early. If you want to get out on the water, see our guides to sailing and sunset cruises and snorkelling.

What is there beyond the beach?

• Bubali Bird Sanctuary — a brackish wetland next to the hotel area and, apart from Arikok, the only significant body of water on Aruba with protected nature-reserve status. Early morning is best for birds.
• De Olde Molen — a windmill brought from Wedderveer in the Netherlands and rebuilt near Bubali in 1962, now a landmark and restaurant.
• Butterfly Farm — a tropical garden in the Palm Beach area where you can watch the life cycle from caterpillar to butterfly; arrive early to see butterflies emerging.
• Alto Vista Chapel — a small yellow chapel on a hill above the north coast, whose origins go back to 1750. It is a place of worship, so dress and behave accordingly.
• Cas Tan Tin — a traditional cunucu (country) house from the early 20th century, bought by the Monuments Fund Aruba and opened for public viewing in 2019.

Noord also has deep roots: at Tanki Flip archaeologists found a Caquetío village with long houses dating from about 1000–1500.

When is the best time of day?

Mornings are the quietest on the sand and best for swimming before the boats are busy. Afternoons bring more wind and activity. Sunset is the strip's busiest moment — the beach faces west — and evenings are when the restaurants, bars and casinos come alive.

Who is it for — and who should look elsewhere?

Palm Beach suits first-time visitors, groups and families who want everything within walking distance: beach, restaurants, shops and tour pick-ups. If you want space and quiet, Eagle Beach & Druif is a few kilometres south; for wind sports, Hadicurari Beach is just north, on the way to Malmok & the north-west tip.

What do people misjudge?

• The north coast is different. Alto Vista and the coast road beyond it face the open Atlantic swell; the calm of Palm Beach does not apply there.
• Traffic. The boulevard behind the hotels is busy in the evening; allow time if you have a dinner booking or a tour pick-up.
• Sun. Even on a breezy day the UV is strong. Shade on the beach is mostly hotel palapas reserved for guests.