Weather can ruin a trip, and if you are planning a January trip to Aruba, you’re probably wondering is Aruba rainy in January? January is actually the fourth rainiest month in Aruba. But before you cancel those plans, it’s important to understand that even the rainy season in Aruba receives much less rain than other Caribbean islands. Here’s the most important things to consider regarding rain in Aruba in January:
- Aruba January Rain Statistics – Aruba averages 2.36 inches of rain in January. On average, 12 days in January receive rainfall. This makes January the fourth rainiest month in Aruba. There is a moderate risk that rain could disrupt part of your trip, but it is important to understand that Aruba receives much less rainfall than other Caribbean islands. Most days are warm and sunny.
- Semi arid climate – Aruba has a semi-arid climate, which is characterized by low precipitation and high temperatures throughout the year. Specifically, the island receives an average of only 15 inches (380 mm) of rainfall annually. But the vast majority does fall between the months of October and January.
- Other Weather – Most days in January are warm and sunny. The average high temperature in Aruba in January is 85 degrees Fahrenheit (30c). Aruba is a little less windy this time of year, but wind can still be strong with average wind speeds of 15 mph. January is NOT part of the Atlantic hurricane season. To learn more, visit our article: Is January a Good Time to Visit Aruba?
The main takeaway is you can expect Aruba to be rainier in January than many other months since it is part of the island’s rainy season, but don’t expect a total washout. The island gets very little total rainfall compared to other tropical islands.
Here is a monthly breakdown of average rain in inches for Aruba:
| Month | Avg Rain (Inches) |
| January | 2.36 |
| February | 1.57 |
| March | 0.39 |
| April | 0.39 |
| May | 0.79 |
| June | 0.39 |
| July | 0.79 |
| August | 0.39 |
| September | 1.97 |
| October | 3.15 |
| November | 3.54 |
| December | 3.15 |
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How Much Rain Does Aruba Get in January?
Yes, Aruba is rainy in January compared to many other months (but still not that much rain). The month of January is part of the “rainy” season in Aruba.
January is the fourth rainiest month on average in Aruba. However, before you cancel those plans, it is important to understand that Aruba has a dry climate, and even the rainy season doesn’t get as much rain as other Caribbean islands.
Out of roughly 700 islands in the Caribbean, Aruba consistently ranks as having the least amount of rainfall (Aruba averages approximately 15 inches for the entire year).
Still, because January is part of the rainy season in Aruba, there is a chance rain could disrupt part of your trip. On average, Aruba has 12 days of rain in January (source). The average total rainfall for the month of January in Aruba is 2.36 inches.
If you want to take precaution against unexpected rain, the eastern and southern part of the island usually receives less rainfall than the northern and western parts. The capital city of Oranjestad and the popular tourist areas of Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are located on the southern and eastern parts of the island and typically receive the least amount of rainfall.
If you want to visit Aruba and not worry about rain, the dry season runs from March through August (but, again, Aruba is relatively dry year round).
Aruba Average Days of Rain
| Month | Avg Days of Rain |
| January | 12 |
| February | 7 |
| March | 4 |
| April | 3 |
| May | 3 |
| June | 4 |
| July | 7 |
| August | 4 |
| September | 5 |
| October | 8 |
| November | 11 |
| December | 13 |
SOURCE: Holiday-Weather
Aruba Average Rainfall
| Month | Avg Rain (Inches) |
| January | 2.36 |
| February | 1.57 |
| March | 0.39 |
| April | 0.39 |
| May | 0.79 |
| June | 0.39 |
| July | 0.79 |
| August | 0.39 |
| September | 1.97 |
| October | 3.15 |
| November | 3.54 |
| December | 3.15 |
SOURCE: Holiday-Weather
What Areas of Aruba Get the Most Rain?
The northern and eastern parts of Aruba tend to get more rain than the western and southern parts. This is because of the island’s topography, which includes hills and mountains that affect the distribution of rainfall.
When the prevailing winds blow from the northeast, they are forced to rise over the hills and mountains on the northern and eastern parts of the island. As the air rises, it cools and condenses, leading to the formation of clouds and rainfall.
In contrast, the western and southern parts of the island are sheltered by the hills and mountains, which create a rain shadow effect. The prevailing winds that come from the northeast lose their moisture as they pass over the mountains and descend on the other side, leading to drier conditions in the west and south.
It’s also worth noting that Aruba’s rainfall is highly variable, and the amount of rain that falls can vary greatly from year to year. This is because Aruba is located outside of the hurricane belt, and most of its rainfall comes from passing weather systems, such as tropical waves and disturbances.
These weather systems can be unpredictable and difficult to forecast, which can make it challenging to determine exactly which parts of the island will receive the most rain at any given time.
January Weather in Aruba
Although January is part of the rainy season in Aruba, most days are warm and sunny. The average high temperature in Aruba in January is 85 degrees Fahrenheit (30c).
Aruba is a little less windy this time of year, but wind can still be strong with average wind speeds of 15 mph. UV strength can also be extreme.
January is NOT part of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1st to November 30th.
Something to consider about January in Aruba is daylight hours. January provides 11.5 daylight hours on average, which ranks it near the bottom out of all months in Aruba. This means days will be a bit shorter than most other months. If you want longer days, the summer months will be the better option.