I just returned from a wonderful week in Aruba. I had no idea what to expect, but now understand why Aruba is dubbed One Happy Island. Read on to find out why Aruba might be perfect for your next vacation destination.
1. Aruba’s Beautiful Beaches Make for One Happy Island
With pristine white sand and gorgeous ocean colors of jade and blue, Aruba’s beaches are the ideal place to relax.
Eagle Beach, located in Oranjstad, is the widest beach in Aruba. It was voted the 2022 TripAdvisor Traveler’s 3rd Best Beach in the Caribbean and 5th best in the world.
Palm Beach is where you will find the island’s glamorous resorts and casinos. This 2 mile stretch of beach offers plenty of restaurants and water sport concession stands along its shore.
For the family, Baby Beach provides shallow, crystal clear waters to splash and swim.
Andicuri Beach is best for surfers and boogie boarders.
The weather in Aruba stays around the mid-80’s year round making it the model beach spot. Don’t worry about hurricanes! The island is outside of the hurricane belt. Trade winds help to keep it cool for laying out, and rain showers tend to be brief and end quickly.
Click below for more information on the many beaches of Aruba:
2. Aruba’s Residents are the Nicest People Ever!
I am not kidding when I say I have never met nicer people ever! Everyone from the taxi driver to the front desk clerk at the hotel to the hostess in the restaurant greet you with a smile and are genuinely happy to see you. The Aruban economy is almost entirely dependent on tourism and hospitality is instilled in their culture.
As we drove through cities, people would wave from their front yards. Heck, one person even stopped in an intersection to give us directions when they saw we were a bit lost. Everywhere, everyone was wonderful!
3. Aruba’s Crime Rate is Very Low
Aruba is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. According to a local, tourists are taken care of because they are vital to Aruba’s economy. Taxis are regulated by the government, so don’t worry about being scammed. Pickpocketing and muggings are scarce, but always use common sense. Keep an eye on your valuables and don’t walk in dark or remote areas alone.
For more information about crime in Aruba, please click the link below:
https://www.travelsafe-abroad.com/aruba/
4. So Much to Do in Aruba!
Besides relaxing on the gorgeous beaches, there are a ton of activities for those seeking a little adventure. ATV tours allow you to explore the entire island including the rugged coastline. For those who prefer doing things on their own, rent an UTV from Offroad Evolution. They provide the vehicle and a map and off you go.
Water sport huts dot the beaches and offer a variety of things to do. Go parasailing or tubing. Charter a donut boat or rent a jet ski. Just want to float in the ocean? A raft will cost you $5 for the day. Frank’s Place was our go to on Aruba.
Looking for some romance? A luxury sunset cruise on the Monforte III is your ticket complete with a 4 course dinner. Or, how about lunch and snorkeling? They offer a daytime lagoon cruise as well.
https://www.monfortecruise.com/about.html
Shop designer stores or scout for souvenirs and trinkets. Take a submarine tour. Try your luck in one of the casinos. There is plenty to keep you busy in Aruba.
5. An Abundance of Delicious Food Awaits You in Aruba
While you will be able to find a Big Mac on the happy island, please forego and try one of the amazing restaurants in Aruba. Whatever your favorite cuisine is, you will find it here. Love Italian? There is an Italian restaurant on almost every corner in Palm Beach due to the heavy tourism from New York and New Jersey. Sushi? They got it. Asian? They got it. Steak? They got it. Greek? They got it.
The seafood is awesome. For the freshest choice, Zeerovers is a must. A little off the beaten path, their menu consists of only the catch of the day served with French fries, plantains, corn bread and tartar sauce. On my visit, I was treated to fantastic Mahi Mahi and Tiger Prawns.
For breakfast, experience a Dutch pancake. Aruba is part of the Kingdom of Netherlands, so a Dutch presence is felt on the island.
One of my favorite meals was at Papillon in Palm Beach. Boasting a fabulous wine list and French-Caribbean food, everyone at our table raved about their meal.
https://www.papillonaruba.com/
Aruba’s local dishes consist of stews and soups often with goat. Their local beer is Chill and Balashi. I tried the beer and liked it. I did not have the opportunity to sample the stews, but whatever your palate desires, you will find it on One Happy Island.
For more dining options in Aruba, please click the link below:
https://www.aruba.com/us/things-to-do/dining/local-aruba-cuisine#openFilter
What to know to not stress before you go:
- At the time of writing, you are no longer required to show a negative Covid-19 test result or proof of vaccination to enter Aruba. Purchasing Aruba’s Visitors Insurance is optional. You must fill out Aruba’s ED (embarkation/disembarkation) card before coming to the island. It is available online and easy to do. Visit www.aruba.com to find out more.
- Taxis are available at the airport to transfer you to your hotel. There are also private driver and shuttle services you can book on sites like viator.com. I chose the private driver service which was nice and convenient. I do not recommend booking a shuttle as they stop at every hotel dropping visitors off. Depending on where your hotel is on the schedule, you could be stuck on the shuttle for some time.
- Book popular dinner cruises ahead of time as they do sell out.
- Remember you are on island time. While service is very friendly, it is not always fast.
- The weather is consistently in the 80’s. I traveled in July and encountered some humidity, early morning clouds and a couple of short bursts of rain. Be prepared for a bit of wind.
- When departing Aruba, it is recommended to arrive 2-3 hours early to the airport. You go through customs before leaving Aruba. It takes a bit of time, but once you arrive back in the United States, you don’t have to worry about clearing customs again.
Stay tuned for more upcoming blog posts on my trip to Aruba.
Follow Out of the House with TLC on Facebook to stay up to date:
https://www.facebook.com/outofthehousewithtlc