Ask ten people whether you should book all-inclusive in Aruba and you’ll get ten different answers — and at least half of them are coming from someone with a reason to say yes. Here’s the more honest version: it has less to do with your personality as a traveler and more to do with exactly where on the island you’re staying.
It’s Really About Location, Not Preference
Aruba’s resort area breaks down into two general zones. The high-rise district runs along Palm Beach, where hotels sit stacked close together and you can walk to a long list of restaurants, bars, casinos, and shops within a few minutes. A bit south, along Druif Beach, things spread out. It’s quieter and less commercial, which a lot of people love.
That’s really the whole decision. Stay somewhere with dozens of restaurants within walking distance, and an all-inclusive plan can start to feel like you’re leaving good food on the table. Stay somewhere a little more removed, and all-inclusive solves a real, practical problem: you’re not calling a cab every time someone gets hungry.
On Palm Beach? A Kitchen Might Serve You Better Than a Buffet
Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort sits right in the middle of the high-rise strip on Palm Beach, and it doesn’t currently offer an all-inclusive package, but all rooms are suites with full kitchens instead. Given the location, most guests don’t miss it. You can make coffee before you’ve even changed out of your swimsuit, keep snacks on hand for kids, and still be a short walk from more restaurants than you could realistically try in a week. It’s less “no all-inclusive” and more “you don’t need one here.” Bed and breakfast is a convenient option that guests love!A Little Further From the Strip? All-Inclusive Earns Its Keep
Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort and Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort both sit on Druif Beach, a bit removed from the restaurant-dense high-rise area — and this is where all-inclusive really pays off. The food and drinks are steps from your room instead of a taxi ride away, and between the two resorts you’ve got multiple restaurants and bars, a swim-up bar, and even a 9-hole golf course at Village Golf. You’re not budgeting cab fare or debating where dinner’s coming from every night; it’s already decided.
Plus, the food offers plenty of quality and variety. Whether you want a post-beach buffet or a fancier, sit-down spot in the air conditioning with great views, these resorts have it all. They also offer kitchens in most rooms, so you can cook one-off meals as needed. The have-it-your-way any day offering makes it ideal for large groups or families.
A Few Other Things Worth Weighing
- How much time you’ll actually spend off-property. If you’re planning excursions most days, an all-inclusive plan’s value can go underused
- Budget predictability. All-inclusive makes it much easier to know your total cost before you land
- Group dynamics. Picky eaters or a group with very different budgets sometimes does better with the freedom to choose their own meals
Quick Answers
Is all-inclusive worth it in Aruba? It depends mostly on location and how much time you’ll spend exploring — it tends to pay off most when your resort isn’t within easy walking distance of a lot of restaurants.
Which Divi Aruba resorts offer all-inclusive? Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort and Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort, both on Druif Beach.
Does Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort offer all-inclusive? No — it’s room-only with full kitchen suites, located in the high-rise district on Palm Beach, within walking distance of many restaurants. There is, however, a bed and breakfast option.
Wherever you land on the island, Aruba makes it hard to go wrong. Compare Divi’s three Aruba resorts and figure out which setup actually fits your trip.