How To: Island Hopping in Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao
Are you planning on going island hopping in Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao? Then I got you covered!
Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao are known as the ABC-islands and are located in the Caribbean Sea close to the coast of Venezuela. All three of the islands are unique and have their charm.
It is therefore not surprising, that many people are choosing to combine visiting Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao for an island-hopping vacation.
Since I was lucky enough to hop between all three ABC islands this year, I am willing to share the perfect Aruba Bonaire Curacao island hopping itinerary as well as important tools on how to book your vacation!
Let’s get to it!
Table of Contents
- How to Get Around between Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao?
- How Much Time Do I Need for Island Hopping in Aruba Curacao and Bonaire?
- Day Trip From Aruba to Bonaire or Curacao?
- Where Do I Start?
- How to Get Around Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire
- 1. Bonaire
- 2. Curacao
- 3. Aruba
- Conclusion: Island Hopping On Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao
- About the Author
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How to Get Around between Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao?
The most important thing for your ABC island hopping experience is knowing how to get around between the islands. There is only one good way of commuting between Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire and that is by airplane. There are no ferry services between Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.
The two major local airlines, Divi Divi Air and EZ Air commute multiple times per day between the islands of Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire.
The airplanes are very small, so you can not bring a lot of luggage, but tickets are luckily quite cheap. There is only one good platform to book flights in the Caribbean, and that is Kiwi. We have tried booking directly with the airlines, but that has never worked out well. Of course, you can also aim to book an ABC Island vacation package.
The flights between the islands only take half an hour and checking in and out is fairly easy because there are so few passengers. Make sure to fill out all sorts of passenger locator documents before going, so it will be a lot quicker.
How Much Time Do I Need for Island Hopping in Aruba Curacao and Bonaire?
All in all, I suggest taking three weeks for your island hopping vacation. Especially Aruba and Curacao are a bit bigger and have a lot to offer, so you might wanna take your time.
Spending a week in each location is ideal.
However, you can probably also get it done by spending at least 4 days on every island.
It depends on what you are planning to do on each island. Check out my detailed guides for all three islands to get a good estimate.
Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba are close to South America, so you could even extend your trip there.
Do you need travel insurance in the Caribbean? Yes, travel insurance in the Caribbean is highly recommended. Unsafe roads, water sports accidents, and food poisoning are only a few examples of when travel insurance could come in handy. EKTA offers worldwide travel insurance with 24/7 service and no hidden fees or restrictions.
Day Trip From Aruba to Bonaire or Curacao?
If you are wondering if you can take a day trip from Aruba to Curacao or Bonaire, then I have to disappoint you.
One day is not enough time to hop between the ABC-islands. You will need some time on the airports as well, keep that in mind when thinking about planning a day trip from Bonaire to Curacao.
If you only want to have a day trip in Aruba, Bonaire, or Curacao, I suggest booking a Caribbean Cruise instead.
Many cruise lines start in Kralendijk and head on to Willemstad and Oranjestad later.
Where Do I Start?
I suggest starting in Curacao or Bonaire.
Curacao is the most adventurous island of the three of them, and Bonaire is mainly famous for snorkeling and water sports.
Aruba is the most expensive island, and is famous for its beautiful beaches. Make sure to check out my in depth-article about the ABC Islands and the Pro’s and Con’s about Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.
We preferred visiting Aruba last because then we knew exactly how much money we had left over to spend there. Also, we thought the most relaxing part should happen before we return home.
How to Get Around Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire
As usual, I suggest taking a rental car at the airport.
The islands are relatively small, but it is not possible to go around them without a car.
We always book our rental cars with Discover Cars, because they are reliable and cheap.
1. Bonaire
We started our island hopping – Bonaire, Aruba, and Curacao edition off on the smallest of the islands – Bonaire.
The beautiful small paradise is famous for its pink salt lakes, the fabulous coral reef as well as the flamingos roaming the island.
Bonaire is also famous for its exceptional diving and snorkeling opportunities. The island has clear turquoise waters, making it a haven for marine enthusiasts and beach lovers.
Bonaire has the reputation of being one of the world’s top diving destinations.
Where to Stay in Bonaire
For your trip to Bonaire, we suggest staying at the Ocean Breeze Boutique Hotel. The Ocean Breeze Boutique hotel is a super chic and luxurious accommodation right next to the colorful capital city of Kralendijk.
They have an amazing pool and are located right next to some fabulous beaches. Also, you can park your rental car for free on the premises.
Things to Do in Bonaire
- Book a Bonaire is a snorkel trip
- Visit the donkey sanctuary
- Stroll through Kralendijk
- Take a Mangrove Kayak Tour
- Discover Washington Slagbaai National Park
- Windsurf at Lac Bay
- Visit Klein Bonaire
- Explore the Marine Park
- For more things to do in Bonaire besides diving head over to my designated blog post
2. Curacao
My favorite island of the Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao island hopping trip is Curacao.
This island is the most untouched one, and you can have great adventures there.
Curaçao is famous for its vibrant and colorful capital city, Willemstad, which features beautifully preserved Dutch colonial architecture.
Also, Curaçao is known for its stunning beaches, diverse marine life, and excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities.
Where to Stay in Curacao
There are many other areas in Curacao that you can stay in, especially Piscadera Bay, Mambo Beach, and Jan Thiel Beach are among traveler’s favorites.
If you are looking for a fantastic luxury hotel in Curacao, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Sunscape Resort & Spa, close to Mambo Beach.
If you are more interested in renting a house off the beaten tracks, then you HAVE to book this hidden gem place in Playa Lagun. This house has the best view of the entire island.
Things to Do in Curacao
- Take a boat trip to Klein Curacao island
- Book a snorkel tour to the finest coral reefs in Curacao
- Explore the colorful capital city of Willemstad
- Eat some authentic Curacao food
- Go visit the pristine beaches and hidden bays
- Hike to Playa Gipy and the Watamula Hole
- Check out the Shete Boka National Park
- Read about my favorite free things to do in Curacao
- Go Scuba Diving in Curacao
3. Aruba
Aruba is famous for its flamingos and beautiful white sandy beaches. Aruba is especially known for Eagle Beach and Palm Beach, which consistently rank among the world’s best beaches.
The island is also known for its year-round warm weather, vibrant nightlife, and a wide range of water activities.
Aruba’s welcoming atmosphere, luxurious resorts, and pristine natural landscapes make it a top Caribbean destination.
Aruba is also home to the famous Flamingo Beach.
Where to Stay in Aruba
There are many beautiful resorts for you to choose from when heading to Aruba. We have enjoyed our stay at the DIVI Aruba Phoenix Resort and we can recommend it.
Make sure to book a resort with direct access to the beach, for a more relaxed experience.
You can also rent an Airbnb, since Aruba is a very safe island. A nice area to stay in is Savaneta Beach, it is a bit off the beaten tracks.
Things to Do in Aruba
- Visit Renaissance Island, to see the flamingos
- See the California Lighthouse
- Go on a sunset sailing trip
- Have a romantic dinner in a beachfront restaurant
- Visit San Nicolaas, a city full of street art and picturesque spots
- Go to the Aruba Aloe Factory
- Check out the Arikok National Park
Conclusion: Island Hopping On Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao
Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire are the perfect islands for some island hopping. Commuting between the islands is easy and relatively cheap.
All of them are unique, so you can get different experiences on every island.
If you are still not sure what to expect on each island, make sure to check out my detailed guide to all of the three ABC islands.
One of the best times to explore the ABC-Islands in the Caribbean is in December – make sure to check it out.
About the Author
Sabrina is a passionate travel blogger and content creator, based in the Netherlands. She spends about half of the year traveling to various destinations together with her husband.
She provides slow-paced itineraries that focus on quality over quantity. Sabrina wants to help her readers to get more out of their travel experiences – while doing less. Read more.
