Are you planning on going island hopping in Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao? Then I’ve 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!
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, fly 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.
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 at 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, and Bonaire is mainly famous for snorkeling and diving.
Aruba is the most expensive island and is famous for its beautiful beaches. Make sure to check out my article about the ABC Islands and the pros and cons of 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 returned 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- on the smallest of the islands – Bonaire.
The beautiful small paradise is famous for its pink salt lakes, the fabulous coral reef, and flamingos roaming the island.
Bonaire is famous for its exceptional diving and snorkeling opportunities. The island has clear turquoise waters, making it a haven for marine enthusiasts and beach lovers.
The salt pans along the coastline are some of the island’s biggest attractions. And of course, the Bonaire National Marine Park is worth seeing.
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 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 island, 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, Curacao is known for its stunning beaches, diverse marine life, and excellent snorkeling opportunities.
Where to Stay in Curacao
There are many other areas in Curacao that you can stay in; Piscadera Bay, Mambo Beach, and Jan Thiel Beach are among travelers’ 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 track, 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
- Book a snorkel tour to the finest coral reefs in Curacao
- Explore the colorful capital city of Willemstad
- See the Kura Hulanda Museum and learn about the history of slavery
- 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
- 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 famous for year-round warm weather, vibrant nightlife, and a wide range of water sports 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 path.
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
Visa, Country Affiliation, and Tourism
These three islands are part of the Dutch Caribbean, meaning they have political ties to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
🇦🇼 Aruba
- It’s a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands (since 1986).
- Has its own government and handles most of its own affairs.
- Defense and foreign policy? Still handled by the Dutch.
🇨🇼 Curaçao
- Also a constituent country (just like Aruba), since 2010.
- Same deal — self-governed, but tied to the Netherlands for defense and international matters.
🇧🇶 Bonaire
- A bit different! Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands.
- It’s directly governed by the Dutch, like a city or town in the Netherlands (but in the Caribbean!)
U.S. passport holders don’t need a visa for short stays (up to 90 days per 180-day period). This applies to all three islands — Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.
Most tourism on the islands comes from the Netherlands, since the countries used to be part of the kingdom of the Netherlands.
There is some travel from Latin America, and especially Aruba is popular with Americans. They are great destinations for all visitors – many types of travelers will be happy here!
Conclusion: Island Hopping In 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 have 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.
About the Author
Hi friend, I am Sabrina, a passionate travel blogger and photographer from Austria.
I love capturing the world through the lens of the seasons, chasing soft spring blooms, golden autumn light, and cozy winter moments along the way. My goal is to help you discover destinations at their most magical moments.
