Trips to the sparkling white sand beaches of Aruba often come with a steep price tag from Vancouver — but there are ways to save on costs to the bucket-list destination.
Located in the southern Caribbean, the island of Aruba wows visitors with hypnotically turquoise waters, stunning shores with powdery-soft sand beaches, and a hot, tropical climate. Since it is only 15 km off the coast of Venezuela, it is possible to see the country on clear days.
A quick scroll through photos from the tropical gem shows palm tree-lined shores, glamorous high-rise buildings, and even elegant, coral-pink flamingos wading into its crystal clear waters. It's one of four countries in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which also includes Curaçao and St. Maarten.
While many people visit the paradisaical gem during the winter, it is located outside of the Hurricane Belt, meaning vacationers will be spared the intense summer storms of other places in the tropics. With a median temperature of 28 C, visitors aren't typically aren't met with scorching heat, either.
How to get cheap Vancouver flights to Aruba
Round-trip flights from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) in Oranjestad, Aruba typically start at upwards of $1,000. However, there are some cheaper options if you book travel in advance.
If you don't mind visiting the tropical island during the onset of the rainy season, you can expect to pay as little as $372 including all taxes and fees for a trip with two stops in October on United Airlines, according to Google Flights.
In October, the destination sees about 62 mm of rainfall (Vancouver gets about 115 mm in the same month). It is still beautiful, but it is certainly something to keep in mind.
Alternatively, you can enjoy near-perfect weather on the island hot spot with a trip in January or February at a steal if you book in advance. Tickets with United Airlines with a couple of stops start at $462 including all taxes and fees.
