Caribbean · Two Dutch Caribbean islands (+ Bonaire on longer trips)
Sunny, dry and outside the hurricane belt: Aruba's white beaches and desert national park, then colourful Willemstad, turtle beaches and Klein Curaçao, with a hop to Bonaire on longer trips.
Overview
The 'ABC islands' off the coast of Venezuela are the Caribbean's safe bet for weather: dry, breezy and sunny all year, and almost never hit by hurricanes. Aruba has some of the world's best beaches (Eagle Beach, Baby Beach) and a wild cactus desert with a natural pool on the windy north coast. A 30-minute flight takes you to Curaçao. Its capital, Willemstad, is a UNESCO-listed Dutch colonial town painted in candy colours, and the island has dozens of small coves with turtles and superb snorkelling, plus the uninhabited Klein Curaçao. On the longest versions, you also hop to Bonaire, a diving paradise with flamingos. It's a beach-and-snorkel trip rather than a cultural one, and it's expensive, but very easy and relaxing.
Scorecard
Tap a criterion to see why it got that score.
Average of 19 criteria
Fresh seafood, keshi yena, Dutch and Latin influences; good but pricey restaurants.
UNESCO-listed Willemstad; little else.
Cactus deserts, rugged north coasts, Christoffel park and Bonaire's reefs.
World-class white beaches on Aruba and beautiful coves on Curaçao.
Sea turtles, reef fish, flamingos (Bonaire) and iguanas.
Excellent snorkelling and diving, windsurfing and kitesurfing (Aruba, Bonaire).
Casinos and bars on Aruba's hotel strip; Pietermaai in Willemstad.
A pure sun, sea and snorkelling holiday.
Two or three similar but distinct islands; mainly beaches.
Via Amsterdam (KLM nonstop to both islands), ≈ 13–14 h from Geneva.
Good bus along Aruba's beaches; Curaçao needs taxis and tours; short flights between islands.
Visa-free, English widely spoken, US dollars accepted everywhere.
−5 h (winter) / −6 h (summer) from Geneva.
Expensive: hotels CHF 200–400, meals CHF 30–60, taxis and tours at US prices.
Sunny, dry and breezy all year (30°C), and outside the hurricane belt.
Very safe, especially Aruba.
Good healthcare and excellent desalinated tap water.
Many resorts and apartments, but expensive.
Aruba's Palm Beach is busy, Curaçao's coves are quieter, Bonaire is calm.
When to go
Good all year, which is the islands' big advantage. January–May is the sweet spot, and August–October has calm water for diving.
Getting there
KLM flies nonstop from Amsterdam to both Aruba (AUA) and Curaçao (CUR), and TUI and Corendon also fly to Curaçao. From Geneva, connect in Amsterdam: about 13–14 h in total. Book an open jaw: into Aruba, home from Curaçao (or Bonaire).
| Routing | Airline | Stops | Travel time | Return, economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GVA → AMS → AUA (in) / CUR → AMS → GVA (out) | KLM | 1 | 13h–14h | CHF 800–1300 |
| GVA → US hub → AUA Needs an ESTA for the US transit. | United / American / Delta | 1 | 15h–18h | CHF 800–1400 |
Itinerary
Pick a trip length. Day 1 is arrival day and the last day is departure day; the overnight flights are extra. Each transfer lists every option, with the recommended one first.
Four days on Aruba (beaches, Arikok, snorkelling), then Curaçao: Willemstad, the west-side beaches, Klein Curaçao and a beach-club day.
Afternoon arrival, a taxi to your hotel, and the first sunset under the fofoti trees.
15–25 min to Eagle or Palm Beach.
The famous fofoti trees and a wide white beach.
A 4×4 tour through the cactus desert and along the rugged north coast to the Natural Pool (Conchi), the Fontein caves and the California lighthouse.
A bumpy ride through the national park to swim in a volcanic rock pool sheltered from the waves, plus cave drawings, the Alto Vista chapel and the lighthouse.
A bus to the shallow turquoise lagoon of Baby Beach, a stop at the San Nicolas murals, and snorkelling among the mangroves of Mangel Halto.
A calm, shallow lagoon at the southern tip, with snorkelling at the edge of the reef.
A former refinery town turned open-air gallery of murals.
Snorkelling among mangroves and a coral drop-off.
A 30-minute flight to Curaçao, then an evening stroll across the floating Queen Emma bridge between Punda and Otrobanda.
A floating pontoon bridge that swings open for ships, and the famous row of colourful facades.
Punda, the floating market and the synagogue (the oldest in the Americas), the Otrobanda murals, the Kura Hulanda museum, and the Blue Curaçao distillery.
A sand-floored synagogue from 1732, the fruit market and Fort Amsterdam.
A moving museum on the Atlantic slave trade and African history, in Otrobanda.
The distillery of the famous blue liqueur, made from the local laraha orange.
A tour of the wild western end: the cliffs and turquoise coves of Playa Kenepa (Knip), turtles at Playa Grandi, and the waves of Shete Boka National Park.
Grote Knip and Kleine Knip, Playa Lagun, cliff jumping at Playa Forti, and snorkelling with turtles at Playa Grandi (Playa Piskado).
A catamaran to an uninhabited island with a pink lighthouse, a shipwreck, white sand and turtles.
About 1h30 by catamaran (the crossing can be rough); snorkel with turtles and walk to the old lighthouse. Lunch and drinks included.
A lazy day at the beach clubs near Willemstad, and a snorkel over the sunken Tugboat.
A small sunken tugboat covered in coral, just offshore at Caracasbaai.
Beach clubs with sunbeds, bars and calm water.
An early hike up Curaçao's highest point (372 m) for sunrise views over the island, then a swim at Playa Grandi.
A 1–1.5 h steep climb (start before 8 am because of the heat), with deer, orchids and panoramic views.
A last swim, then a taxi to the airport for the KLM flight.
20 min from Pietermaai.
An extra Aruba day to sail and snorkel the Antilla wreck.
Afternoon arrival, a taxi to your hotel, and the first sunset under the fofoti trees.
15–25 min to Eagle or Palm Beach.
The famous fofoti trees and a wide white beach.
A 4×4 tour through the cactus desert and along the rugged north coast to the Natural Pool (Conchi), the Fontein caves and the California lighthouse.
A bumpy ride through the national park to swim in a volcanic rock pool sheltered from the waves, plus cave drawings, the Alto Vista chapel and the lighthouse.
A bus to the shallow turquoise lagoon of Baby Beach, a stop at the San Nicolas murals, and snorkelling among the mangroves of Mangel Halto.
A calm, shallow lagoon at the southern tip, with snorkelling at the edge of the reef.
A former refinery town turned open-air gallery of murals.
Snorkelling among mangroves and a coral drop-off.
A catamaran to the WWII Antilla shipwreck and Boca Catalina, then Oranjestad's free trolley and markets.
Snorkel over the Antilla wreck (one of the Caribbean's largest) and the reefs of Boca Catalina, with an open bar.
Dutch colonial facades, and the free streetcar along the Main Street.
A 30-minute flight to Curaçao, then an evening stroll across the floating Queen Emma bridge between Punda and Otrobanda.
A floating pontoon bridge that swings open for ships, and the famous row of colourful facades.
Punda, the floating market and the synagogue (the oldest in the Americas), the Otrobanda murals, the Kura Hulanda museum, and the Blue Curaçao distillery.
A sand-floored synagogue from 1732, the fruit market and Fort Amsterdam.
A moving museum on the Atlantic slave trade and African history, in Otrobanda.
The distillery of the famous blue liqueur, made from the local laraha orange.
A tour of the wild western end: the cliffs and turquoise coves of Playa Kenepa (Knip), turtles at Playa Grandi, and the waves of Shete Boka National Park.
Grote Knip and Kleine Knip, Playa Lagun, cliff jumping at Playa Forti, and snorkelling with turtles at Playa Grandi (Playa Piskado).
A catamaran to an uninhabited island with a pink lighthouse, a shipwreck, white sand and turtles.
About 1h30 by catamaran (the crossing can be rough); snorkel with turtles and walk to the old lighthouse. Lunch and drinks included.
A lazy day at the beach clubs near Willemstad, and a snorkel over the sunken Tugboat.
A small sunken tugboat covered in coral, just offshore at Caracasbaai.
Beach clubs with sunbeds, bars and calm water.
An early hike up Curaçao's highest point (372 m) for sunrise views over the island, then a swim at Playa Grandi.
A 1–1.5 h steep climb (start before 8 am because of the heat), with deer, orchids and panoramic views.
A last swim, then a taxi to the airport for the KLM flight.
20 min from Pietermaai.
Finishes with a hop to Bonaire for flamingos and a night, flying home from there.
Afternoon arrival, a taxi to your hotel, and the first sunset under the fofoti trees.
15–25 min to Eagle or Palm Beach.
The famous fofoti trees and a wide white beach.
A 4×4 tour through the cactus desert and along the rugged north coast to the Natural Pool (Conchi), the Fontein caves and the California lighthouse.
A bumpy ride through the national park to swim in a volcanic rock pool sheltered from the waves, plus cave drawings, the Alto Vista chapel and the lighthouse.
A bus to the shallow turquoise lagoon of Baby Beach, a stop at the San Nicolas murals, and snorkelling among the mangroves of Mangel Halto.
A calm, shallow lagoon at the southern tip, with snorkelling at the edge of the reef.
A former refinery town turned open-air gallery of murals.
Snorkelling among mangroves and a coral drop-off.
A catamaran to the WWII Antilla shipwreck and Boca Catalina, then Oranjestad's free trolley and markets.
Snorkel over the Antilla wreck (one of the Caribbean's largest) and the reefs of Boca Catalina, with an open bar.
Dutch colonial facades, and the free streetcar along the Main Street.
A 30-minute flight to Curaçao, then an evening stroll across the floating Queen Emma bridge between Punda and Otrobanda.
A floating pontoon bridge that swings open for ships, and the famous row of colourful facades.
Punda, the floating market and the synagogue (the oldest in the Americas), the Otrobanda murals, the Kura Hulanda museum, and the Blue Curaçao distillery.
A sand-floored synagogue from 1732, the fruit market and Fort Amsterdam.
A moving museum on the Atlantic slave trade and African history, in Otrobanda.
The distillery of the famous blue liqueur, made from the local laraha orange.
A tour of the wild western end: the cliffs and turquoise coves of Playa Kenepa (Knip), turtles at Playa Grandi, and the waves of Shete Boka National Park.
Grote Knip and Kleine Knip, Playa Lagun, cliff jumping at Playa Forti, and snorkelling with turtles at Playa Grandi (Playa Piskado).
A catamaran to an uninhabited island with a pink lighthouse, a shipwreck, white sand and turtles.
About 1h30 by catamaran (the crossing can be rough); snorkel with turtles and walk to the old lighthouse. Lunch and drinks included.
A lazy day at the beach clubs near Willemstad, and a snorkel over the sunken Tugboat.
A small sunken tugboat covered in coral, just offshore at Caracasbaai.
Beach clubs with sunbeds, bars and calm water.
A 20-minute flight to Bonaire, then a tour of the salt pans with their flamingos, slave huts and the Lac Bay mangroves.
Pink salt ponds, flamingos, the historic slave huts and the windsurfing lagoon of Lac Bay.
A boat to the uninhabited Klein Bonaire for some of the best snorkelling in the Caribbean, or a two-tank dive.
A protected marine park with healthy coral, turtles and huge fish. Water taxi from Kralendijk; the marine park tag is required.
Guided kayak or snorkel among the mangroves.
A last snorkel off the seafront, then fly home (KLM via Amsterdam, or via Curaçao).
5–10 min from Kralendijk.
Aruba, Curaçao with the Christoffel hike, and Bonaire.
Afternoon arrival, a taxi to your hotel, and the first sunset under the fofoti trees.
15–25 min to Eagle or Palm Beach.
The famous fofoti trees and a wide white beach.
A 4×4 tour through the cactus desert and along the rugged north coast to the Natural Pool (Conchi), the Fontein caves and the California lighthouse.
A bumpy ride through the national park to swim in a volcanic rock pool sheltered from the waves, plus cave drawings, the Alto Vista chapel and the lighthouse.
A bus to the shallow turquoise lagoon of Baby Beach, a stop at the San Nicolas murals, and snorkelling among the mangroves of Mangel Halto.
A calm, shallow lagoon at the southern tip, with snorkelling at the edge of the reef.
A former refinery town turned open-air gallery of murals.
Snorkelling among mangroves and a coral drop-off.
A catamaran to the WWII Antilla shipwreck and Boca Catalina, then Oranjestad's free trolley and markets.
Snorkel over the Antilla wreck (one of the Caribbean's largest) and the reefs of Boca Catalina, with an open bar.
Dutch colonial facades, and the free streetcar along the Main Street.
A 30-minute flight to Curaçao, then an evening stroll across the floating Queen Emma bridge between Punda and Otrobanda.
A floating pontoon bridge that swings open for ships, and the famous row of colourful facades.
Punda, the floating market and the synagogue (the oldest in the Americas), the Otrobanda murals, the Kura Hulanda museum, and the Blue Curaçao distillery.
A sand-floored synagogue from 1732, the fruit market and Fort Amsterdam.
A moving museum on the Atlantic slave trade and African history, in Otrobanda.
The distillery of the famous blue liqueur, made from the local laraha orange.
A tour of the wild western end: the cliffs and turquoise coves of Playa Kenepa (Knip), turtles at Playa Grandi, and the waves of Shete Boka National Park.
Grote Knip and Kleine Knip, Playa Lagun, cliff jumping at Playa Forti, and snorkelling with turtles at Playa Grandi (Playa Piskado).
A catamaran to an uninhabited island with a pink lighthouse, a shipwreck, white sand and turtles.
About 1h30 by catamaran (the crossing can be rough); snorkel with turtles and walk to the old lighthouse. Lunch and drinks included.
A lazy day at the beach clubs near Willemstad, and a snorkel over the sunken Tugboat.
A small sunken tugboat covered in coral, just offshore at Caracasbaai.
Beach clubs with sunbeds, bars and calm water.
An early hike up Curaçao's highest point (372 m) for sunrise views over the island, then a swim at Playa Grandi.
A 1–1.5 h steep climb (start before 8 am because of the heat), with deer, orchids and panoramic views.
A 20-minute flight to Bonaire, then a tour of the salt pans with their flamingos, slave huts and the Lac Bay mangroves.
Pink salt ponds, flamingos, the historic slave huts and the windsurfing lagoon of Lac Bay.
A boat to the uninhabited Klein Bonaire for some of the best snorkelling in the Caribbean, or a two-tank dive.
A protected marine park with healthy coral, turtles and huge fish. Water taxi from Kralendijk; the marine park tag is required.
Guided kayak or snorkel among the mangroves.
A last snorkel off the seafront, then fly home (KLM via Amsterdam, or via Curaçao).
5–10 min from Kralendijk.
Everything, with a second diving or snorkelling day on Bonaire.
Afternoon arrival, a taxi to your hotel, and the first sunset under the fofoti trees.
15–25 min to Eagle or Palm Beach.
The famous fofoti trees and a wide white beach.
A 4×4 tour through the cactus desert and along the rugged north coast to the Natural Pool (Conchi), the Fontein caves and the California lighthouse.
A bumpy ride through the national park to swim in a volcanic rock pool sheltered from the waves, plus cave drawings, the Alto Vista chapel and the lighthouse.
A bus to the shallow turquoise lagoon of Baby Beach, a stop at the San Nicolas murals, and snorkelling among the mangroves of Mangel Halto.
A calm, shallow lagoon at the southern tip, with snorkelling at the edge of the reef.
A former refinery town turned open-air gallery of murals.
Snorkelling among mangroves and a coral drop-off.
A catamaran to the WWII Antilla shipwreck and Boca Catalina, then Oranjestad's free trolley and markets.
Snorkel over the Antilla wreck (one of the Caribbean's largest) and the reefs of Boca Catalina, with an open bar.
Dutch colonial facades, and the free streetcar along the Main Street.
A 30-minute flight to Curaçao, then an evening stroll across the floating Queen Emma bridge between Punda and Otrobanda.
A floating pontoon bridge that swings open for ships, and the famous row of colourful facades.
Punda, the floating market and the synagogue (the oldest in the Americas), the Otrobanda murals, the Kura Hulanda museum, and the Blue Curaçao distillery.
A sand-floored synagogue from 1732, the fruit market and Fort Amsterdam.
A moving museum on the Atlantic slave trade and African history, in Otrobanda.
The distillery of the famous blue liqueur, made from the local laraha orange.
A tour of the wild western end: the cliffs and turquoise coves of Playa Kenepa (Knip), turtles at Playa Grandi, and the waves of Shete Boka National Park.
Grote Knip and Kleine Knip, Playa Lagun, cliff jumping at Playa Forti, and snorkelling with turtles at Playa Grandi (Playa Piskado).
A catamaran to an uninhabited island with a pink lighthouse, a shipwreck, white sand and turtles.
About 1h30 by catamaran (the crossing can be rough); snorkel with turtles and walk to the old lighthouse. Lunch and drinks included.
A lazy day at the beach clubs near Willemstad, and a snorkel over the sunken Tugboat.
A small sunken tugboat covered in coral, just offshore at Caracasbaai.
Beach clubs with sunbeds, bars and calm water.
An early hike up Curaçao's highest point (372 m) for sunrise views over the island, then a swim at Playa Grandi.
A 1–1.5 h steep climb (start before 8 am because of the heat), with deer, orchids and panoramic views.
A 20-minute flight to Bonaire, then a tour of the salt pans with their flamingos, slave huts and the Lac Bay mangroves.
Pink salt ponds, flamingos, the historic slave huts and the windsurfing lagoon of Lac Bay.
A boat to the uninhabited Klein Bonaire for some of the best snorkelling in the Caribbean, or a two-tank dive.
A protected marine park with healthy coral, turtles and huge fish. Water taxi from Kralendijk; the marine park tag is required.
Guided kayak or snorkel among the mangroves.
A boat to the uninhabited Klein Bonaire for some of the best snorkelling in the Caribbean, or a two-tank dive.
A protected marine park with healthy coral, turtles and huge fish. Water taxi from Kralendijk; the marine park tag is required.
Guided kayak or snorkel among the mangroves.
A last snorkel off the seafront, then fly home (KLM via Amsterdam, or via Curaçao).
5–10 min from Kralendijk.
Skip a region, add beach days, change the pace… Suggest changes and a new version of this trip will be created.
Getting around
On Aruba, stay near Eagle or Palm Beach and use the Arubus and your feet, plus Oranjestad's free trolley. Arikok and the rugged north coast are done on a 4×4 tour. Fly to Curaçao (30–40 min). In Willemstad, walk between Punda, Otrobanda and Pietermaai, and take taxis to the beach clubs. Join a 'west side' tour for the far beaches, and a boat trip for Klein Curaçao.
Arubus on Aruba is frequent and cheap; Curaçao's buses are limited and irregular.
Fixed-fare taxis: reliable but expensive.
Excellent 4×4, beach and boat tours with hotel pick-up.
Short inter-island hops of 20–40 min.
Willemstad and the Aruba beach strip are walkable.
Where to stay & budget
Per person per day, excluding international flights. Assumes two people sharing a double room, buses and taxis, one tour or boat trip a day, and restaurant meals. The inter-island flights add CHF 120–200 each.
A dry, windy island with soft white beaches on the calm west coast and a wild, cactus-covered interior and north coast.
Where: Eagle Beach (calmer) or Palm Beach (high-rise, lively); both on the Arubus line.
The colourful UNESCO-listed capital: Punda's waterfront facades, the floating Queen Emma bridge, and the restored mansions of Pietermaai.
Where: Pietermaai (walkable, restaurants) or near Mambo beach.
A quiet island that's a paradise for divers and snorkellers (a protected marine park all around), with flamingos and the Lac Bay mangroves.
Where: Kralendijk seafront (walkable, dive shops).
Practical
Information last checked: September 2026. Visa rules, prices and timetables change, so always check before booking.
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