Your stay — Bubali 123 N
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The Property — Bubali 123 N
Bubali 123 N is a no-frills 3-star guesthouse a short walk from Bubali Bird Sanctuary and within easy reach of Eagle Beach. The lobby feels like a modest, clean living-room — white walls, tile floors, a couple of sofas and a reception desk where the owner might hand you a key without much small talk. It suits independent budget travellers who want a solid base for exploring Aruba's west coast rather than resort-style pampering.
Chronicles of Oranjestad
Oranjestad was founded by the Dutch in the 18th century, originally as a port for shipping gold and later aloe vera. Its pastel-coloured colonial buildings along the waterfront reflect Dutch Caribbean architecture, with characteristic gables and wooden shutters. The cruise terminal reshaped the downtown in the 1990s, adding duty-free shops and a red-brick street pattern that replaced some of the old harbour warehouses. Today the city balances a lively tourism strip with a local population that still gathers at the old Fort Zoutman for cultural evenings. The influence of Aruba's indigenous Arawak heritage, plus waves of immigrants from Latin America and the Netherlands, gives Oranjestad a distinctly layered, polyglot character.
Best Time to Visit
Full Oranjestad guide →Best months
May and June for reliably sunny days with fewer tourists and lower room rates; November for the start of the dry season before the winter crowds arrive.
Peak / festival surge
December through February is the high season, driven by snowbird getaways and school holidays in North America. Hotel prices double or triple for these months. The Aruba Hi-Winds windsurfing event in June also bumps up occupancy.
Budget shoulder season
April to June and October to November offer the best value — still warm (28–32°C) but with lower prices and less crowded beaches.
Weather & packing
Aruba has a near-constant trade wind, which keeps the air fresh but can feel chilly in the evening even in July. Pack a light windbreaker or a pashmina for dinners outdoors, and always bring reef-safe sunscreen — the island's coral is protected under local law.
Live City Briefing — Oranjestad
- In July 2026, Aruba's taxi app 'Aruba Taxi On Demand' has expanded to cover Oranjestad, making it easier to get a metered ride without haggling.
- The L.G. Smith Boulevard cycle path extension from the cruise terminal to Eagle Beach opened in early 2026, giving pedestrians and cyclists a direct, scenic route along the coast.
- Several beach-side restaurants, including the popular 'Barefoot' on Palm Beach, now require advance reservations for dinner as post-pandemic visitor numbers have remained high.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Bubali 123 N, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing away from Bubali 123N main road. These upper floors reduce street noise and offer a calmer experience.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or any room facing directly onto Bubali 123N, as these catch traffic noise from the main road. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on the first floor.
Best views
Upper floors on the side away from Bubali 123N give a partial view of the neighbourhood or courtyard. No water view here — it's an inland 3-star hotel.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4.
🔊 Noise notes
Bubali 123N is a side street off a busier artery, so light road noise from local traffic and occasional delivery vans. Lift machinery can hum on floor 1.
Insider tips
Check in early to grab a top-floor room. If you drive, park at the back of the lot away from the entrance to reduce car noise. Ask for a room with a small fridge if not standard — useful for Aruba's heat.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Bubali 123 N
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout; premium tier at 25 AWG/day for 50 Mbps; no login restrictions
A single lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Digital newspapers via PressReader at lobby kiosk; no physical papers
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop from 08:00; late check-out until 13:00 for 50 AWG fee
Complimentary luggage storage at front desk; no time limit but subject to space
Step-free entrance from parking lot; one accessible room on ground floor; lift fits a wheelchair; no grab bars in standard bathrooms
On-site open lot, free for guests; no valet; nearest covered public car park at Oranjestad Mall is 2 km away, 15 AWG/night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 12.50 AWG per person per night tourist tax, collected at check-in
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; a 100 AWG credit card hold for incidentals at check-in
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Super Food Plaza — 622 m · ~8 min walk
Parke Natural Cunucu Abao — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Aruba Bank — 576 m · ~7 min walk
Botica di Servicio Eagle — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Wa Yang Food Mart — 799 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Aruban Florin, AWG
Use ATMs for the best rate; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and in tourist districts — they mark up heavily.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels and restaurants; contactless works in most places, but market stalls and small shops prefer cash.
10-15% is standard in restaurants if service charge isn't added; tip taxi drivers 10%; leave $2/day for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small local coffee at a bakery or pastry shop costs around 4 AWG.
A filling arepa (stuffed corn cake) from a roadside vendor runs 8-12 AWG.
A simple main of grilled fish or chicken with rice at a local restaurant will be 20-25 AWG.
Padus Vliet and the area around the Super Food Plaza have cheap vendor stalls with pastechi (fried pastries) and fruit juice.
Super Food Plaza and Ling & Sons are the main budget supermarkets; Linio offers similar low prices.
Buy basics at the weekly Renaissance Marketplace stalls or the Super Food Plaza complex for cheap t-shirts and sundries.
Bus 10 runs from the airport to town for 2.60 AWG; day passes on the city bus network cost 10 AWG.
Cook at your apartment — groceries are cheaper than eating out. Skip bottled water and refill at the tap (Aruba has desalinated, safe tap water). Walk between Bubali and Oranjestad's main strip; taxis are pricey for short hops.
Emergency Contacts
OranjestadFor general emergencies, a single number covers all services. For non-urgent police matters, call +297 582 0400. The Oranjestad Tourist Assistance Office is at +297 582 6800, open 8am–6pm daily. Download the government 'Aruba Info' app for location-based alerts.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Oranjestad, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Bubali 123 N
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Aruba Bank — 576 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Botica di Servicio Eagle — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Montaña Plaza Hotel → Eagle Beach or Palm Beach
💡 Get the hotel’s taxi call number saved in your phone. For beach runs, agree the fare before getting in — fixed rates apply per destination zone. Prices quoted in USD or AWG; pay in local currency for slight saving on exchange.
Bubali bus stop (near hotel, 5-minute walk) → Downtown Oranjestad (bus terminal near Renaissance Mall)
💡 Get a reusable 'Bus Card' from the terminal for 2.50 AWG — it loads credit and saves coins. Route 10 runs along the coastal road; best to board heading south. Last bus leaves downtown around 11:30 PM; check the digital schedule board at the terminal.
Montaña Plaza Hotel (walk 3 mins to bus stop on L.G. Smith Blvd, opposite SuperFood) → San Nicolas (tourist market area) or back to Oranjestad
💡 Route 1 heads south along the coast past Baby Beach — good for a cheap day trip, but schedule is loose. Take a photo of the frequency poster at the stop. Bring small bills and a bottle of water; no A/C on older buses.
Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) → Montaña Plaza Hotel
💡 Use the official taxi dispatch desk just outside baggage claim. Fixed rates to downtown Oranjestad are posted on a board. No need to negotiate; they're regulated. Tip 10% if driver helps with bags.
About Oranjestad
Wikipedia ↗
Oranjestad (UK: orr-AN-yə-staht, US: or-AHN-, oh-RAHN-, Dutch: [oːˈrɑɲəstɑt]; literally "Orange City" in Dutch; Papiamento: Orañestat or colloquially Playa, lit. 'beach'), the capital and most populous of Aruba's eight regions, is located on the southwestern coast of the island. Administratively,...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Bubali 123 N?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing away from Bubali 123N main road. These upper floors reduce street noise and offer a calmer experience.
Which rooms should I avoid at Bubali 123 N?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or any room facing directly onto Bubali 123N, as these catch traffic noise from the main road. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on the first floor.
Is Bubali 123 N noisy?
Bubali 123N is a side street off a busier artery, so light road noise from local traffic and occasional delivery vans. Lift machinery can hum on floor 1.
Which rooms have the best views at Bubali 123 N?
Upper floors on the side away from Bubali 123N give a partial view of the neighbourhood or courtyard. No water view here — it's an inland 3-star hotel.
What are insider tips for staying at Bubali 123 N?
Check in early to grab a top-floor room. If you drive, park at the back of the lot away from the entrance to reduce car noise. Ask for a room with a small fridge if not standard — useful for Aruba's heat.
What time is check-in at Bubali 123 N?
Check-in at Bubali 123 N is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Bubali 123 N have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout; premium tier at 25 AWG/day for 50 Mbps; no login restrictions
Is there a city or tourist tax at Bubali 123 N?
12.50 AWG per person per night tourist tax, collected at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Bubali 123 N?
A filling arepa (stuffed corn cake) from a roadside vendor runs 8-12 AWG.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Bubali 123 N?
Bus 10 runs from the airport to town for 2.60 AWG; day passes on the city bus network cost 10 AWG.
When is the best time to visit Oranjestad?
May and June for reliably sunny days with fewer tourists and lower room rates; November for the start of the dry season before the winter crowds arrive.
Top Attractions in Oranjestad
💡 Best photo light is just after sunrise (around 6:30am) when the street is quiet and the sun hits the pastel facades.
💡 Visit on Saturday morning for the liveliest atmosphere with local vendors and cooked street food.
💡 Bring bread or fruit pieces to feed the iguanas—they’re used to tourists and will come right up.
💡 Go early (before 9am) to avoid crowds and hotel guest priority. Non-guests can enter after 10am.
💡 Visit during the Bon Bini festival on Tuesday evenings for free live music and dancing in the courtyard.