Aruba's Visitors Are Loving the Island to Death — But a Sustainable Future Is Still Within Reach
By Leo Stamper

by Tony Slavin

A Paradise Under Pressure
On the northern tip of Aruba, a Crested Caracara briefly halts traffic as it crosses a dusty road. It's a rare, quiet moment. Most days, off-road vehicles — especially ATVs — roar through this arid terrain, disturbing delicate ecosystems and putting pressure on Aruba's iconic wildlife.
Among the most vulnerable are the Shoco, Aruba's burrowing owl and national bird, and nesting terns whose breeding grounds lie perilously close to tourist routes.
The concern? Aruba is being loved a little too much.
Tourism's Toll
1.3M
Tourists in 2024
A staggering figure for a small island
4
Lane Highway
New Watty Vos Boulevard accelerating tourist flow
While this boom brings prosperity, it also brings strain. The Palm Beach area, long a hub of tourism activity, continues to densify with high-rise developments and expanding infrastructure. While the new four-lane Watty Vos Boulevard has improved airport-to-hotel access, it's also accelerated the flow of people into fragile natural areas.
Over-tourism isn't just seen — it's smelled. The island's waste management systems, particularly the RWZI Water Treatment Plant near Eagle Beach, are often overwhelmed. During peak seasons, guests at nearby resorts report unpleasant odors, and some hotels have had to issue refunds due to the stench.
Officials acknowledge the problem and are working on upgrading infrastructure, but progress has been sluggish.
A Struggle to Stay "One Happy Island"
Moratorium on New Hotel Development
Along vulnerable beaches to protect coastlines
Ban on Single-Use Plastics
Reducing waste and environmental impact
Prohibition of Harmful Sunscreens
Banning chemicals like oxybenzone that damage reefs
Clean Energy Investments
Including wind turbines to reduce fossil fuel dependence
Aruba's slogan promises paradise, but the island's ecosystems are in peril. Nesting areas are trampled by vehicles, coastlines are threatened by unchecked construction, and wastewater challenges mount. These steps signal a shift toward sustainability. However, change requires more than government policy — it requires buy-in from the tourism industry and the visitors themselves.
Hotels Take the Lead
Energy Innovations
Solar panels now dot rooftops and air conditioning units are upgraded for energy efficiency
Water Management
Water recycling systems irrigate lush gardens, reducing freshwater consumption
Waste Reduction
Composting practices are being adopted in hotel kitchens to minimize food waste
Educational Initiatives
Guided sustainability tours offer behind-the-scenes looks at eco-friendly innovations
Several Aruban hotels are pioneering sustainability in bold and visible ways. Some properties have gone further, offering guided sustainability tours. Guests can witness water reuse systems in action, explore native flora conservation efforts, or learn how hotels are repurposing waste. These behind-the-scenes innovations have turned some resorts into case studies for eco-conscious tourism.
Local Innovation, Global Goals
Energy Generation
Boutique hotels installing solar panels and battery storage for partial off-grid operation
Water Solutions
Properties using filtered seawater for resort operations to reduce freshwater consumption
Regulatory Challenges
Utility regulations limiting how much energy individual properties can generate and store
Supply Chain Issues
Difficulty sourcing sustainable vendors on a small island reliant on imports
While Aruba's government supports island-wide sustainability goals, much of the innovation is happening at the grassroots level. Efforts continue to navigate these challenges, including pushing for policy changes and sourcing sustainable vendors — a particularly tough task on a small island reliant on imports.
Balancing Nature with Business
Environmental Damage
Off-roading activities destroying sensitive dune ecosystems
Conservation Efforts
Calls for tighter enforcement of protected zones and stricter ATV regulations
Tourist Education
Better education for visitors about fragile ecosystems and responsible tourism
Low-Impact Alternatives
Hotels encouraging activities like hiking, kayaking, and birdwatching in protected areas
Environmental advocates across Aruba emphasize that real change must extend beyond hotel rooftops. Meanwhile, some hotels are encouraging guests to explore Aruba through low-impact activities like hiking, kayaking, or birdwatching in protected sanctuaries like Bubali Plas and Arikok National Park.
The Path Forward

Sustainable Destination
Aruba's ambition to lead Caribbean sustainability
Industry Innovation
Hotels and businesses adopting eco-friendly practices
Visitor Behavior
Tourists choosing sustainability over convenience
Aruba's ambition to become the Caribbean's most sustainable destination is bold — and necessary. But for all the island's progress in policy and innovation, one critical factor remains: visitor behavior.
If travelers continue to prioritize convenience and cost over sustainability, the island's ecosystems will continue to suffer. If, however, tourists begin to actively support eco-friendly accommodations and experiences, Aruba's future may indeed be both happy and sustainable.
It's a collective journey — and one that requires urgency. Because paradise, once lost, is incredibly hard to rebuild.