Oranjestad Aruba Resort for a Day: 3 Cruise Day Passes Compared

Compare 3 Oranjestad day passes for cruisers from $50: all-inclusive, adults-only and family resorts 14 to 22 min from the pier, with prices, ages and hours.

Jeremy Camosse

Nov 2025 · Updated Mar 2026

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// At a glance

Pick your Oranjestad day pass

01$50/ adult

Tierra Del Sol Resort

22 min · 7.2 mi · Families welcome

Pool lovers who don't need a beach

Check availability

02$162/ adult

RIU Palace Antillas

15 min · 4.7 mi · Adults only

Couples and groups wanting a beach day for adults

Check availability

03$162/ adult

RIU Palace

14 min · 4.6 mi · Families welcome

Families who want pools, a beach and kids' activities

Check availability

We may earn a commission when you book through our partners, at no extra cost to you.

The Oranjestad cruise port is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean and a resort day pass is one of the best ways to spend your time at port. Instead of piecing together individual activities, you get all-inclusive access to a resort’s beach, pools, food, and drinks for one fixed price.

We’ve cruised to Aruba many times and have done the “standard” tours. They’re great. Oranjestad has stunning white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, perfect weather, and friendly locals. But we’ve found that the most convenient way to enjoy everything Oranjestad has to offer is with a resort day pass.

Below, we compare every Oranjestad resort day pass option available to cruise passengers. We include pricing, ratings, amenities, and distance from the cruise port. You’ll find everything that you need to make the best decision possible for your Oranjestad shore excursion!

// Why a day pass

Why an Oranjestad resort day pass beats a DIY port day

01 · Safety

8.0

out of 10

Ranked #31 of 131 ports

Country average 7.5

Aruba is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. It consistently ranks among the top destinations for cruise passengers when it comes to security. That said, a resort day pass still gives you an extra layer of comfort and peace of mind. You’ll be in a well-maintained, private setting with staff looking after everything. A resort is your best option for a worry-free day. You’ll have no concerns within the resort grounds. Security and privacy are valuable amenities at these properties. Even in a safe destination like Aruba, there’s something nice about knowing everything is taken care of so you can fully relax and enjoy your day.

02 · Convenience

About 11.5 hours at the resort

Ship docks
Step off the ship in Oranjestad
About 14 min
Ride to RIU Palace
About 11.5 hrs
Beach, pools, food and drinks
1 hr before all aboard
Back at the ship

03 · Experience

5.0best rating

Tierra Del Sol Resort

Resorts keep newer loungers, fresher towels and cleaner restrooms than most beach stands near the pier.

04 · Cost

$50/ adult

Lowest price on this list

One price covers the day, instead of paying for chairs, food and drinks one by one.

// Cost check

Save about $41 a person

A taxi, beach chairs, lunch and a couple of drinks add up fast in port. The cheapest pass on this list costs less than those typical costs, for a day at a resort.

DIY beach day (typical costs)$91

Taxi round trip $30Chairs and umbrella $20Lunch $25Two drinks $16

Resort day passfrom $50

One price, per adult

Tierra Del Sol Resort

// Ride times

How far is each Oranjestad day pass resort?

Typical drive times from the Oranjestad cruise pier by road. Tap a resort to jump to its listing.

3RIU Palace
14 min · 4.6 mi
2RIU Palace Antillas
15 min · 4.7 mi
1Tierra Del Sol Resort
22 min · 7.2 mi

// The options

The 3 best Oranjestad resort day passes

Traveling with kids or on a romantic getaway? Want to get active, or just float? Here is exactly what each pass includes.

We may earn a commission when you book through our partners, at no extra cost to you.

Tierra Del Sol Resort day pass in Oranjestad, photo 1 of 7

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// Option 01 · Families welcome

Tierra Del Sol Resort

Elevated pool day with sweeping Aruba views

★5.022 min · 7.2 mi9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

$50/ adult

$20 child (ages 3 to 8)Free infant (up to 2)

Pool

Best forPool lovers who don't need a beach

Check availability$50

Details

Tierra Del Sol Resort is an inland property on nearly 600 acres, with panoramic views over the Caribbean Sea from an elevated setting. The day centres on the outdoor pool and lounge chairs, with a food and beverage credit included. There is no beach.

Enjoy your resort pass anytime between 9 AM - 9 PM local time
Outdoor pool and lounge chairs
Outdoor showers
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Day Pass: Food and beverage credit - $25 per adult & $10 per child pass
Deluxe Spa Pass: Lunch or sunset dinner, bottle of wine, use of gym, sauna, steam room, and lockers

RIU Palace Antillas, Aruba day pass in Oranjestad, photo 1 of 6

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// Option 02 · Adults only

RIU Palace Antillas, Aruba

Adult pools, beach and a swim-up bar

★4.015 min · 4.7 mi9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

$162/ adult

Adults only

All inclusive
Beach
Pool
Watersports

Best forCouples and groups wanting a beach day for adults

Check availability$162

Groups of 12 or more SAVE $5 per adult.

Details

An all-inclusive resort day for adults at RIU Palace Antillas on Palm Beach, with unlimited lunch, snacks and drinks. The day can include the freshwater pools and swim-up bar, the beach, the casino, and kayaking, snorkeling or SUP.

Enjoy your resort pass anytime between 9AM - 6PM local time
Unlimited dining, excluding a la carte restaurants
Unlimited drinks (alcohol & non alcohol)
Beaches, pools, jacuzzi and casino
Use of sauna, gym
Lounge chairs, umbrellas and towels (no need to bring the ship’s towels)

RIU Palace, Aruba day pass in Oranjestad, photo 1 of 5

1 / 5

// Option 03 · Families welcome

RIU Palace, Aruba

Palm Beach all inclusive with pools and casino

★4.014 min · 4.6 mi

$162/ adult

$80 child (ages 3 to 12)Free infant (up to 3)

All inclusive
Beach
Pool
Watersports

Best forFamilies who want pools, a beach and kids' activities

Check availability$162

Groups of 12 or more SAVE $5 per adult.

Details

An all inclusive day at Hotel Riu Palace on Palm Beach, with unlimited dining and drinks, a white sand beach, 2 freshwater pools, a Jacuzzi, sauna and casino. The resort is closed from April 4 through August 6.

Enjoy your resort pass anytime between 9 AM - 6 PM local time
Unlimited dining, excluding a la carte restaurants
Unlimited drinks (alcohol & non alcohol)
Beaches, pools, jacuzzi and casino
Use of sauna, gym
Lounge chairs, umbrellas & towels (no need to bring the ship’s towels)

// Before you go

Before you book: 3 quick tips

1
Book a few days ahead
Passes are limited each day and popular dates sell out, so book once you know your port day.
2
Bring your pass and a photo ID
Have your confirmation and ID ready at the resort's front desk.
3
Plan around all aboard
Leave the resort with time to spare. The ship won't wait.

// Side by side

Compare every Oranjestad day pass

Tap any name to jump back to its full listing.

	01Tierra Del Sol Resort	02RIU Palace Antillas	03RIU Palace
Rating	★ 5.0	★ 4.0	★ 4.0
Adult	$50Lowest price	$162	$162
Child	$20ages 3 to 8	Adults only	$80ages 3 to 12
From port	22 min · 7.2 mi	15 min · 4.7 mi	14 min · 4.6 mi
Hours	9:00 AM to 9:00 PM	9:00 AM to 6:00 PM	n/a
All inclusive	No	Yes	Yes
Beach	No	Yes	Yes
Pool	Yes	Yes	Yes
Watersports	No	Yes	Yes
Family friendly	Yes	No	Yes
Adults only	No	Yes	No
	Book $50	Book $162	Book $162

// FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is an Oranjestad resort day pass?

Adult passes cost $50 to $162, depending on the resort and what is included. Child passes cost $20 to $80.

Which Oranjestad day pass is closest to the cruise port?

RIU Palace is the closest, about 14 minutes from the cruise port by road.

Can kids use an Oranjestad resort day pass?

RIU Palace Antillas is adults only. Kids are welcome at Tierra Del Sol Resort (ages 3 to 8) and RIU Palace (ages 3 to 12).

How do I get from the Oranjestad cruise port to the resort?

Getting there is easy. You can grab a taxi right outside the cruise terminal, and most resorts are just a short ride away. Check each listing to see whether round-trip transfers are included. If you prefer, you can also hop on a local bus.

Should I book my Oranjestad resort day pass in advance?

We’d definitely recommend booking ahead. Aruba is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean, and day passes can sell out quickly during peak season. Reserving early locks in your spot and sometimes gets you a better price. You can book online through the links in each resort listing above.

Is an Oranjestad resort day pass worth it?

We think it’s one of the best ways to spend your port day. Think about what you’d spend on a regular beach day: chair rental is $20+, then add food, drinks, maybe some snorkeling. That adds up to $100+ per person fast, and you’re still dealing with logistics. A day pass bundles everything into one price, and you get resort-quality facilities, better service, and zero stress. Aruba’s beautiful beaches make it even better when you can enjoy them from a resort setting.

// Our take

Our take: you can't go wrong with an Oranjestad resort for a day

Choosing an excursion is tough. Standard tours are great, but they can be hit or miss. These resorts are built for one thing: your relaxation. Any of the options above takes the risk out of your Oranjestad port day.

Stopping at other ports? Our complete guide lists every resort day pass option across all major cruise ports.