Overview
** ARUBA TOURS **
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We had a fantastic time in Aruba (pic from 2023); we’ve been multiple times and enjoyed every visit. Make sure to get by O’Neil Caribbean Kitchen for some great food and beautiful murals throughout the streets. First trip we stayed at the Divi Golf Resort, loved the staff, included restaurant access and the concierge crew for booking excursions. Second trip we rented a car for the whole week and divided the cost. Having the rental is more cost effective if you want explore more of the island, that’s how we made it O’Neil’s, the lighthouse (not free), grocery store and other beaches. The locals were absolutely friendly and welcoming, we felt safe everywhere we went.
I love Aruba. I’ve been several times. There is so much to do and the beaches are beautiful. Walking around and taking the travia was a nice way to see apart of it. Between the buses and public transportation, it is easy to hit a beach. Try going at least to see the natural parts of aruba at least once.
Aruba is very nice! I’ve gone solo and also with a friend. Both ways can be fun! I rented a car. As someone who is not the best driver, aruba is very small and easy to navigate. Bettina on Airbnb has the best place!!!! E Cas di Zoe. recommend so much. she is a great host, clean affordable rooms that are in a good location and near the beach. Nighlife: Gusto, and the strip.
Food: Linda’s Dutch pancakes,, Papiamento (upscale, luxury vibe), Bayback grill (affordable)
Aruba is a great destination beautiful beaches, great food, relaxing environment, locals were very friendly. My favorite beach was baby beach literally safe for babies to go into the water hence the name lol. It’s a small island you have the Renaissance Hotel which owns the island that you see all the flamingo pics and access is free for hotel guest, it’s cute but them flamingo’s poop in the water ain’t all that’s it’s cracked up to be, I stayed at the Renaissance so we had free access. I believe a day pass is over $100 per person I don’t think it’s worth it personally. I say skip that one. Dutch pancakes a must try, flying fishbone restaurant unique dining restaurant. Yemanja good restaurant we ate at that was close to our hotel. There isn’t Ubers/lyft so had to use regular taxis which can add up. Renaissance hotel is by itself by the cruise terminal.Palm Beach has many more hotels and restaurants. Aruba is a little more pricey than some of the other Caribbean islands. Aruba lies outside the hurricane belt so chances of hurricane hitting the island is very low.
Loved visiting Aruba. It was actually my first vacation. The views are breathtaking! Eagle Beach is so pristine. I was able to leave my belongings on the beach, swim in the beach, and my stuff remained. A nicer Beach is Baby Beach!! Not a walk so please get a ride their. Most gorgeous place I saw in my life.
Aruba Parasailing:
Aruba is a beautiful country with cobalt aquamarine waters and white sandy beaches. The Aruban people are very friendly and Aruba is known as ‘One Happy Island’. Did you know most Arubans can speak seven languages fluently? Papamiento, Dutch, Portuguese, German, Spanish, English, and French. Do not worry about understanding their accent, Arubans speak the languages flawlessly and easily switch from one language to the other without hesitation. Spend some time outside of the well appointed resorts and casinos to see the rest of Aruba and her people. Talk with the locals and try some local cuisine. One of the more adventurous activities you can try while on the island is parasailing. I chose Frank’s Place Watersports for my parasailing adventures. October is part of the slow season for Aruba and I booked my excursion the day before via Viator without any problems, or delays. Frank’s tent on the beach was easily accessible via access through the lobby of the Holiday Inn Hotel. If you are staying at one of the neighboring hotels you can make use of the paved beach path that runs the length of the north beaches behind most of the hotels. If you plan it just right – you can walk the path and stop along the way for cocktails, or an entertaining show at one of the hotels. Most of the hotels now have an armband system Identifying its guests. As a visitor, or just passing through the hotel lobby, you are free to stay, watch a show, or pay al la carte for a drink, or a meal.
Frank’s Place Watersport staff on the beach quickly checked me in via mobile, but you could also give them a paper confirmation.. Staff quickly, but efficiently explained the procedure and told me what to expect for ascent and descent. I relinquished my shoes, told them my shirt size, signed a waiver and happily headed off to the beach and sailboat bobbing at the shoreline. The very capable crew of two quickly took me out to the open water and I was in the air sailing above the waves and sea turtles in no time. The exhilaration of gently swaying on the breeze above the crystal blue waters is impossible to describe. The apparatus is very sturdy and I felt completely safe at all times. The equipment didn’t jerk or rapidly lose altitude while sailing in the air, or upon descent. If you had any fear of parasailing, I encourage you to set it aside and ride the air on your next trip. To make the experience even better I was handed my ‘ I Love Aruba’ t-shirt when I was given my shoes. Perfect way to spend the day!
Aruba – Divi Dutch Village:
This resort was relaxed and refreshingly uncomplicated. It is part of the Divi Properties you see along Aruba’s beautiful north side beaches, but the vibe here is definitely more laid back. You can book as an all inclusive guest, or hotel only. Either way you are given a wristband which grants you access to the other Divi properties and amenities free of charge. An awesome perk! The activities calendar for all the properties is digital. Make sure you scan the QR code to see the complete listing. There are daily activities around the pool such as bingo, barbecues and live entertainment. Golf at the Divi Golf is directly across the street and the activities desk can book your tee time.. If you want to try one of the other Divi properties you can either walk the paved path in the rear of the resort which connects them all, or take one of the readily available shuttles. If by chance there isn’t a shuttle waiting in the lobby the concierge desk will call one for you. If you are staying in one of the rooms with a kitchen, the grocery store is 10 minutes away by foot.
The one bedroom unit was beautiful. Well decorated without being over the top. There was plenty of room 670 square feet. It included a full size living room with a separate dining room and a balcony with enough room for a lounge chair and a table seating for four. You could easily entertain a group of ten for a dinner party. The color palette was perfect – blues, grays and white. Housekeeping was very attentive and refreshed the room often. There wasn’t a washer and dryer inside the unit, but there was a laundry facility on the property. The concierge desk staff and give you change for the machines.
If you choose to eat at one of the other Divi properties there is a nice selection to choose from, but I also encourage you to eat off the resort property at one of the many local restaurants and eateries. There is something for everyone. The restaurant prices are comparable to New York or DC prices so plan accordingly. The taxi drivers have business cards with QR codes and you can call one directly to return you to the resort property.
The beach at Divi Dutch Village is visually pleasing and there are plenty of palapas, shaded tables and lounge chairs covered by thatched roof umbrellas, available for guests The beach at this location is very rocky, however the walkable beach and swimmable beach is next door 200ft away at the Divi Tamarijn . No matter what you choose to do while you are in Aruba please be sure to tip the staff, employees, waitstaff and drivers well. Tourism accounts for eighty percent of the island’s income. Book your trip to the ‘Happy Island’ today.
I traveled to Oranjestad, Aruba in 2021. The island was absolutely gorgeous. We stayed at the Boardwalk Boutique Hotel for the first half of the trip then Renaissance Aruba. One of the benefits of staying at the Renaissance is the free ferry to flamingo island, if you are staying at another hotel there is a separate cost. Some of the popular restaurants that I found were far from Oranjestad’s side of the island. I will say we were recommended Red Fish as one of the local restaurants and it was great. The Renaissance hotel basically has a mall and restaurants located on the property. We heard amazing reviews of L.G. Smith’s Steakhouse and it was such a great experience that we went twice.
The one thing I will note is that Aruba is randomly priced. Food wise, nothing was extremely expensive but the local shops were overpriced for every item. I tried to buy regular/no-name flips flips and the starting price was $40. Overall the people were nice, the food was great, and the beaches were clear and beautiful.
My husband and I visited Aruba for New Years 2023. We booked using Greenbookglobal’s link to Marriott. We stayed at the Courtyard in the Noord area of the island, about a 20 minute ride from the airport. Taxi’s are inexpensive. They take USD $$. The hotel is not “on the beach”, but there is a shuttle that takes you right there and it’s about a 5 minute ride. The hotel is walking distance to several restaurants and bars. It was really nice. We had breakfast at the hotel daily and then would go out to eat for lunch and dinner. I recommend Lola – it’s a great taco spot about a 10 minute walk from the hotel. The drinks and food a really good, we ate there twice.
We learned about the flamingos on flamingo island (though not indigenous to the island). We missed the window to reserve time to go to the island. You have to go on the Renaissance website and reserve by 9:00 am on Saturdays for the upcoming week, it sells out quickly. We have some flexibility to work remote, so we went ahead and booked one night at the Renaissance in Oranjestad, Aruba (capital city) to be able to get the ferry to visit Flamingo Island. The Courtyard was nice, but the Renaissance was AMAZING!!! It’s in the heart of everything! Flamingo island is worth the hype, but get there early. We got there around 8:45 am before everyone else. The drinks are reasonably priced and the food was pretty good. It costs $0.25 to get food for the flamingos to feed them and there are options to get some solo shots for the ‘gram early. It’s a unique experience. We stayed for a couple hours and then took the ferry back to check in to the hotel. We walked around Oranjestad and went to get some culture. There are a lot of street vendors and cool spots.
On our day we ate at the Dutch Pancake House and tried the Poffertjes (Dutch Mini Pancakes), they were pretty good.
Aruba is just chill. They’re known for their Aloe, which we got a few lotions, soaps, etc. But ultimately it’s just like any other island, but to ring in the New Year and just relax, it’s worth it!
Aruba is getting a mixed review here. I visited for a private group experience, a Yoga Retreat where we set our own itinerary however — If you’re Noord you’ll find plenty of water activities to embark upon there on the beach: Water/Jet Skis, Paragliding, Yatch Partying, Swimming/Tubbing, and etc. I’d say come early if you want the experience because activities book up quickly and you don’t want to miss out or waiting. I traveled during Pandemic and I could say that they things were even still pretty lively all over the island. If you’re a holistic, conscious, plant-based eating person you’ll enjoy their eateries, vegan menu options and places where which to relax getting a massage. There are some guiding walking trails so be sure to visit Airbnb Experiences to learn more. The nightlife is pretty lively also and depending on what hotel you’re staying there, local performances by descendants of the Native islanders take place. So ask your concierge!!! Talk to the Locals!!! Just about everyone there is kind, open, and communicative. Have a Great Time:)
I visited Aruba several years ago so there’s not much I can recommend. We actually went as a missions trip to help a pastor there. We stayed with the locals (pretty much in the poor areas) but we did get to visit the beach and saw the resorts. That is where the people we were visiting worked. They did not get paid much and certainly could not afford to stay at the resorts where they worked. Please consider tipping them well during your stay. They rely heavily on tourism.
If you’re going to Aruba, you must stay at the Renaissance and go to Flamingo Beach. The Renaissance adult resort is great but caters to couples. We were told all double rooms are on the first floor. Every night we could barely sleep because the street was so noisy. But if you go as a couple or single and stay on a high floor you should be good.
Great food, great drinks, great people. Now for Flamingo Beach on the Renaissance Private Island. Everyone talks about the Flamingos but no one mentions the BIRDS! BEWARE, the birds and flamingos are very comfortable with people and not at all afraid of us. In addition to feeding flamingos I fed the birds. One bird decided it was a good idea to land on my arm and just stay there….. All in all I had a great time & highly recommend!
Aruba was amazing when I went. It was a group of friends and family we found a nice Airbnb due to the size of the group and it was very affordable for each person/family. While we were there we did several excursions over the week time frame. Everyone on the island was so friendly and happy it truly is one happy island. Compared to other islands I have been to I would say this was the on par with being the most affordable. Average cost were the same as being at home honestly when it came to food, grocery, gas (we hand rental vans). I can’t wait to return and explore the island more. BETA TEST
Not that afforable.
Where we stayed:
Aruba is such a beautiful and unique island. We had a lovely time there in June 2021. The island however is not cheap. We stayed at the Renaissance for 3 nights and used Marriott Bonvoy points (180k points for 3 nights). We still had to pay resort fees of $25/night. We booked there because we wanted free access to the Flamingo Beach and word going around at the time was the day passes (for people not staying at the Renaissance) were sold out until October 2021. There were about 8 flamingos on the beach, very pretty to look at, take pictures with, and feed. The Iguana side the beach is for families as part of it is only 1-2 feet deep.
Where we ate: The Renaissance has a bar near check in and a restaurant in the hotel. We ate at the bar when we first arrived as our room was not ready as of yet. Other than that, we went outside of the hotel to eat. My husband mentioned that it seemed like the “room is not ready” is an action they use to get you to eat and spend time at their bar while you wait for your room. We had breakfast at the Dutch Pancake House, just 5 min walking from the hotel at Renaissance Marketplace. It was not too expensive as we paid approx $30 USD for breakfast for 2 and portion sizes are significant. The place is popular and we had to stand in line for about 35 min before being seated. Right next to the Dutch Pancake House is Cafe the Plaza. We had breakfast there as well, less breakfast options but we paid less than $20 for breakfast for 2. Dinner price range for us was $30-$80 for 2. We had dinner at West Deck which was very good, vibe was nice and many vegetarian options. We also ate at Cuban Cooking- they have live music, dinner was around $70 for both of us, and Yemanja Woodfired Grill- about $75 for 2.
Things to Do: Besides going back n forth to Flamingo Beach a few times, we did spend a whole day exploring the island via tour. One of the days spent, we went to the Butterfly Garden. We walked about 5-7 min to the bus station from Renaissance and took the local bus to the Butterfly Garden. One thing about Aruba is there is no uber, only taxi and taxi’s are expensive. They wanted to charge $17 one way to take us to butterfly garden, maybe 8-10 min down the road. We figured out the bus situation really fast. The bus dropped us right in front of the garden and we paid $10 for 2 bus passes that allowed for 2 rides. After the Butterfly Garden, we walked to Eagle Beach. Eagle Beach from Butterfly Garden is about 7-10 min walking. Eagle Beach is very nice, clear water, nice sand, and lots of water sports. We ended up doing water tubing instead of the jet ski’s. Water tubing was $40 for 20 min on the water for both of us and it was extremely bumpy. I did it in Grenada years ago and I don’t recall it being as bumpy as it was in Aruba. That was the only water sport that we did but there are options to do banana tubing (if you have more than 4 people), jet ski, parasailing, and others. After Eagle Beach, we took the mini bus (the one the locals really use) back to Renaissance as there is a bus stop right outside of the beach.
The next day we did a tour with De Palm Tours. It was an all day affair. They picked us up at 845 and we returned around 4 pm. De Palm Tours has plenty of tour options to choose from but we chose to do the Baby Beach Off Road Safari. The cost was $99/person and it included lunch. De Palm Tours has many modes of transportation to choose from ie air conditioned bus, UTV, and jeep. We were on the jeep that sat 16 ppl and it was EXTREMELY bumpy at times. If you have back or physical ailments, definitely not a suitable option. After they pick everyone up from their individual hotels, the tour starts at California Lighthouse, we didn’t go to the top but just the area provides a nice view of the island. We took pictures and drank coconut water straight from the coconut. The tour then took us to Alto Visa Chapel, The Natural Bridge ruins (the natural bridge collapsed in 2005 a year after hurricane Ivan) and the new man made baby bridge, black stone beach, Studio Murano Art which is a glass blowing exhibit (also where we ate lunch), Donkey sanctuary, and Baby Beach. Baby Beach was my favorite beach because it is like a swimming pool. It is also great for families with young children as the depth of the beach does not pass the waist (of an average height person).
Overall, traveling while black was not an issue in any way. Arubans are a mix of black, white, and hispanic culture. The country is a part of the Netherlands but technically independent. It is also not far from Venezuela so very diverse culture. The languages spoken are English, Spanish, and Dutch. There are a lot of European travelers there. One of the individuals on our tour was from the Netherlands and has never been to the United States.
I felt very safe in Aruba and was amazed by all the different ethnicities of people speaking many languages including Spanish, English, Dutch and the native language. I spent 3 days there and felt very saves traveling around the city at night. We even made friends with the airbnb’s son who took us out to dinner and to explore the night life. I would go back here again with the family since it was so safe. 10/10 had no problems traveling while black and didn’t feel like I was the first Black woman the locals had seen like I have in some of my other places. I would suggest this place to my black friends and to my family knowing that their experience would be pleasant.
Before going to Aruba, I would always hear how honeymoonish Aruba is and I can see why. Aruba is a very small island that can be driven through in about 45 mins to 1 hr. The highlight of most people’s trip to Aruba is the Flamingo Beach. Flamingo beach is on a private island owned by the renaissance. It’s fun seeing flamingos walk around and trying to get ‘the’ photo with the flamingos. Doing an ATV tour in Aruba was fun because you get to see all of Aruba, literally, You’ll see the historic gold mines – Balashi Gold Mill. The ATV tour will show the devil’s bridge, the California light house and much more. Another thing to do in Aruba is go hiking on the Hooiberg hiking trail which is steps all the way up. The view at the top is beautiful and it’s a nice hike but the intensity is high because it’s stairs all the way up. Some of the restaurants have great sunset views such as West Deck Restaurant and the fish taste so fresh and not like they froze it for days/weeks. Also, a boat party is ideal when in Aruba, fun music, good food and great people. Aruba is a nice relaxing vacation.
Aruba truly is one happy island!! I went this past January on a group trip for my best friend’s birthday. We had the perfect amount of adventure and relaxation. On the first day, we did a 4 hour tour of the Island by “Around Aruba Tours” with stops at Philips Animal Garden, the Natural Bridge, the Gold Mine Ruins and the Natural Pool ($50/person). We had a blast feeding the animals at the “garden” and every other stop on the tour was absolutely breathtaking! The last stop, the Natural Pool was a hidden gem. Apparently there are two natural pools, and we went to the less populated one, in the Conchi area. It felt great to be somewhat secluded and have the pool almost entirely to ourselves (especially with COVID).
The next day, we spent the afternoon on a catamaran with light snacks and drinks included ($60/person). But the overall highlight of the trip had to be Flamingo Beach! Flamingo Beach is a private island hosted by the Renaissance Hotel and it’s where all those cute insta-worthy flamingos reside. To access the beach, we booked a night at the Renaissance Hotel so that we could avoid paying the $125 entry fee for non-guests. We also booked a private six-person cabana for the day so that we could relax and carve out space to ourselves–because COVID ($85/per person). The cabana came with a bottle of champagne, fruit and light snacks. As a special touch, they also wrote my friend’s last name in the sand–how cool! Now onto the fun part–the flamingos! We enjoyed feeding the flamingos and getting our glamour shots :) The beach itself is also perfection!
On our last day, we woke up early to catch the sunrise and check out Eagle Beach which is home to the famous Divi Trees :). The trees remind me of something out to the Lion King. We were one of the few people on the beach in the morning and right before we left we saw a rainbow! How fitting is that! It was the perfect way to cap off the trip. I was celebrating my friend’s birthday, but I didn’t know how much I needed the trip for myself—to relax, re-energize and recharge after a difficult season. I will definitely be back :)
Food and drinks were awesome on the Island. Seeing the flamingos was awesome, they will eat out of your hand. Flamingo beach is adults only which I loved, but the do allow kids between 9 and 10 am for photos and feeding the flamingos.
The nature walk was awesome, keep an eye out for hermit crabs, lizards, and of course birds.
The iguanas were awesome, but aggressive if you leave food around.
My experiences with the flamingo foo. All the birds will eat it. the little black birds will try to catch it out of the air. If you throw some in the water near the dispenser many fish will come out and eat it too.
The water is crystal clear, the beach is clean. You can get towels and rafts and snorkel gear, kayaks and paddle boards from the hut on the iguana side of the island.
Arrive early for choice of beach chairs, although the staff can help you source some, or move some if you need.
Oct 2020 I traveled to Aruba & stayed at the”Barceló Resort” received a travel agent’s rate due to complications due to a previous trip so that was a plus..Beautiful island with beautiful water & sun! Activities I did was a UTV tour of the island.. they take you off-road, through the city and a long some of the beaches. At different spots they allow you to jump off some mini cliffs & some snorkeling all for around $140 a person for like 4/5 hours (bring a snack)! The following day I had book morning jet skis for half hour for $60 for single rider & $70 for double rider.That afternoon was the sunset cruise on the catamaran boat for only $40! You sail out into the sea as the sunsets with music & drinks.They let you swim if you want & swing off the ropes into the ocean before heading back. I had booked everything on the beach by a guy walking the beach resort named Junior who worked for a company and who took only the deposit & once you got to the destination of the excursion you would pay the rest
Can’t wait to go back
First time i went to Aruba for my birthday was in 2017,my highlight was the ATV tour around the island for 8 hrs,i love seclusion without tour guides so this was perfect so i went again in 2019 and did the same ATV tour and also went to Flamingo beach on Renaissance island,which was very luxurious & relaxing,plus the boat driver that took me to the flamingo beach started speaking Dutch to me because he said i looked like him,he thought i was from there (I’m African American) Therefore Aruba is my favorite island so far!
ATV tour below
http://www.justinscarandatvrental.com/
When it comes to things to do in Aruba, I like to think there are some really good activities. I stayed at the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino, and although it wasn’t all-inclusive like I prefer, it was still a nice stay. The location was really good, in walking distance to some really nice local restaurants and also a hooters and a really nice hookah spot.
We went on an ATV adventure which showed us all of the island hot spots and best beaches. I’d also recommend visiting the Renaissance Hotel to see Flamingo Beach. You can purchase food to feed the flamingos and they come right up to you and eat from your hand. It’s super nice.
Aruba’s waters are also some of the clearest I’ve seen on this side. Loved it. It’s not an ‘OMG, I HAVE to go back’ destination, but I would definitely visit again to stay at a different resort.
Last summer, I did a girls’ trip to Aruba, and I must say that Aruba is not a cheap location. We went during the summer peak season, so that might also explain why. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Resort, which is a beautiful resort by the beach, and the per night cost of a room is about $400. Nonetheless, my girls and I still had a great time.
We had dinner at the Barefoot restaurant, which is an elegant restaurant on the beach where you sit in the sand or water. I recommend going just before sunset, so that you can enjoy the sunset. The food and drinks at this restaurant was also great. For dinners, we spent about $50 per person, and this sometimes included drinks. Food and drinks were always so good though, so it was worth the money spent.
Another good place to eat is Windows on Aruba. This is a fine dining restaurant with Michelin Chefs. The large windows around the dining room gives you a view of the Divi Resort Golf Course and part of the area. We had dinner there on a bust Saturday night, and although we did not have reservations, there were still able to accommodate us in less than 30 mins. The food was amazing the service we received was incredible. Not only did they have live jazz music, but there other guests were also so friendly that, we ended the night dancing the night away with some of the other guests.
Aruba is a beautiful island with access to some of the most beautiful beaches. I visited this island with my mother and son. We stayed at the Renaissance which provided us easy access to the ‘private beach’ with Flamingos. We were able to feed them and enjoy the seclusion of the beach.The rooms were a little over $500.00 per night with tax.
Aruba, Aruba, Aruba! Beautiful place but extremely expensive. I stayed at the Renaissance which gave me complimentary access to the flamingo island everyone talks about. This was probably the highlight of my trip. Being so close to them and being able to feed them right out of my hand was really memorable for me. I went with a group of girl friends and we did a car rental. During the day we drove to the other side of the island and visited a lighthouse. Unfortunately for us there was some construction going on so we weren’t able to get as close as we wanted to. Still the views from where we were at were breathtaking. In the night we went to a party on a beach outside the main city. We just happen to be driving around and saw there was a concert going on. We asked if there was an entrance fee and it was completely free!!! We couldn’t really get too close to the stage because it was crowded but we heard the music perfectly fine from behind. While at the party we heard Major Lazer’s signature promo sound and realized we were at his party. It made the whole Aruba experience that much better.
Aruba was a birthday trip for to get away from the States for a few days. Easy non-stop flight from BWI and I found myself in the Country (One Happy Island) I must admit in customs as the airport was the long I ever had to wait to get a stamp, nearly 2 hours. I rented a car which allowed me to not have to wait on taxis, shuttles or excursion buses to go anywhere. I do recommend rental a car that way your time isn’t limited to waiting on other transportation.
I stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino which allowed me to have free and unlimited access to Flamingo Island; which is a private island for the Marriott property. They also have free parking if you rent a car. You can also show up early to the front desk and purchase a day pass. I must admit that island is the ultimate relaxation. I wasn’t to crowded, you can order food and drink, jump in the water and take a few pics with the flamingos. There is two sides to the island; the flamingo is adult only after a certain time and the family side (Iguana Beach).
I took a hike up to Hooibery Mountain for a slight cardio workout. It is only a short drive from Oranjestad. Here you can take the stairs up a Mountain (approx 600 stairs) pretty much located in the middle of the Island. At the top you are presented with a panoramic view of the entire island. I highly recommend going if you are looking to do something different outside of the main city.
Other locations I recommend visiting are Natural Bridge Aruba and the lighthouse either at sunrise or sunset. All are located in my “Aruba” IG story.
IG: Scotty_300
IG: sharneice.m
Aruba was quite the site. When traveling through the city, most people are surprised that this island is mostly a desert surrounded by water. There are surprisingly lots of dry land and cactus once you tour the island. The people of Aruba are mixed with a lot of different cultures, so, you’ll find a lot of different types of food to eat there. There’s no Uber there, so you must take the local taxi. Aruba is a very small island. The food is affordable. Overall I would say you only need 4 days max there.
Things to do:
Butterfly Farm.
Here you have personal, knowledgeable tour guides that walk you through an enclosed area, where you can become familiar with hundreds of butterflies. The guides also provide information on the life cycles and mating of the butterflies. The farm is very well put with beautiful little gardens. I booked this through the butterfly farm website.
Sunset sail.
Here we boarded a luxury caterman boat. We sailed out not the open ocean and enjoyed views of palm beach. At night you can watch the starts come out and enjoy the night time sky. The crew was friendly. Music, drinks and music entertain you while you set sail.
Booked through viator.
Sea world Explorer semi- submarine.
This was something different from everything. Here you will hoard an air conditioned vessel. You can see spectacular views of the coral reef, amazing sea life and the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean, the famous WWII shipwreck, The Antilles.
Booked through viator.
Tours:
Natural pool off road safari.
Do be aware that if you are on the back seat, it will be a very bumpy ride. Here I ride in a safari Jeep on an adventure to the natural pool. It was so awesome to swim in this natural pool. The tour provides life vests for people like me who can’t swim. Afterwards, we explored the historic sights on the island including the Alto Vista Chapel and the natural bridge.
Booked through viator.
Bus sightseeing tour.
Here I took a tour on something similar to a school bus tour. Here we toured the light house. Then we stopped in between the tour in the local community for some authentic Aruba food. The food was Great. This is included in the package. Next we stopped at baby beach. Baby beach is one of the best beaches in Aruba. It’s such a calm lagoon and it’s Caribbean beach paradise scenery is amazing to view.
IG: Sharneice.m
Loved Aruba, will definitely visit again although I’m not one to visit countries multiple times. We visited the caves and the Burishibana Gold Mine Ruins which we could explore freely on our own and take some AMAZING pictures. Aruba also is a great destination for water sports. We also found a great sunset cruise with on-board rum punches and a dinner at a restaurant with a gorgeous ocean view for around $70 USD with a simple google search! One thing about Aruba that all should know is that it rarely rains, causing the landscape to look more like desert than lush greenery that one usually thinks of when visualizing a Caribbean island. It’s great for weddings and other family events because weather is rarely a problem.
Aruba was beautiful. I went with my fiancé and we both loved it. The flight from Florida was just a few hours..Seeing the flamingos was pretty dope. I was able to feed them and take 1,000 pictures lol. The food was very delicious. Everything was walking distance from our hotel. The nightlife was very nice. They really know how to party and party all night. Since the weather was nice we was able to relax on the beach with a drink in our hand almost every day. I love how diverse they are there. You see Black, White, blue and green and everyone is so nice and friendly.
Aruba was one of my most fun trips to date! We rented an Airbnb with a private beach, and it was very very nice. If choosing to do an Airbnb, be sure you are traveling with a group because most of them are far from the main street without street lights at night and a little challenging to find. If I traveled to Aruba again, I would choose to stay in a hotel on the main street to be much closer to all of the action. There were a ton of restaurants and adventures to experience each day. Be sure to go to Flamingo Beach to take some Insta-worthy pictures up close with those beautiful birds! It is a private beach with limited tickets each day, so it is a very relaxing beach experience as well. The next biggest highlight of the trip was driving an ATV to the Natural Pool. The drive takes you through the town, around the edges of the beach and is soooo much fun. The natural pool is absolutely beautiful and we spent some time there diving off of the rocks and swimming. We also enjoyed a fair share of local cuisine, which was delicious and stumbled across a low-key karaoke bar that we turned into a full concert hall. Random note: I did not have any phone service for much of my trip (T-mobile), so one of my friends purchased a local cell phone and phone card while we were there. Overall I highly recommend a visit to Aruba.
I took my girl to Aruba for her birthday and we had a great time! Aruba can be really relaxing or really adventurous. We chose relaxing. You can literally sit on the beach all day long and drink. Which is what we did. We got in the water and it was super warm. Went to the Palm beach bar had some drinks and great local food. Be sure to get fish! The fish is super fresh and it was my first time having a whole fried fish. It was fire ?. It was an amazing escape from the everyday grind. I recommend it.
Also if you wanna relax on the beach with flamingos ? be sure to either stay at the Marriott or be sure to wake up early and get a ticket from the Marriott resort so you can take the boat to the island with the flamingos. They only accept a certain amount of people. It’s around $100USD per person
ARUBA! Most people will say it’s expensive but it’s really not. If you are on a budget trip it may be but nothing over the top! “Where there’s a will there’s a way”. I stayed at the Marriott a stellaris casino hotel which was just beautiful. I think it’s peak season because our room ran us $700 a night and the hotel was at max capacity. Let’s talk food! I don’t like the food on the island I give it a 5 but if you want food that’s a 8 please go to THE OLD CUNUCU HOUSE, Their food was amazing! For night clubs we did GUSTO night club which had a very good vibe but on Sunday nights the place to be is a spot on the beach called MOOMBA. The tour shark on the island is called de palm tours and all of our tours was with them. We did the UTV tour which took us thru the desserts and beautiful beaches of Aruba, the cost was 110usd per person but believe me when I say it’s more than worth it! We also did a snorkeling tour which was pretty good with good music and sandwiches onboard. Idr the cost but it was likely below $100 if I’m not mistaken. They speak four languages on the island ENGLISH, SPANISH, DUTCH and their native language Papiamento. There was not a communication issue so you will get around fine! We rented a car for the entire trip and it cost $30 per day. Aruba is pretty small so everything is close but please note all the action is on SOUTH BEACH. You will have not problem finding anywhere since it’s so tiny and easy to move about. We drove out to a little spot called baby beach and I actually enjoyed the few sandwiches I bought at the restaurant there. If you are a lover of seafood you absolutely have to try the seafood market which is easy to find, you choose your seafood and they cook it right there on the grill for you. I loved Aruba and all but I won’t be going back ?.
ARUBA! Such a beautiful island and is only a 6-hour plane ride if you’re coming from the DMV area. We stayed at the Marriott timeshare which was great so the cost of lodging wasn’t an issue. The flights start at $450 and a higher round trip from BWI. It is very dry in Aruba because it’s considered the desert and the natives don’t speak a language its more of a dialect. The water is beautiful and calm which makes days at the beach so enjoyable. The sand feels like a soft carpet on your feet. You have to visit baby beach and the restaurant called Big Mama has delicious food. If you want to visit the island with the flamingos then just know its $100 for the day at the Renaissance hotel. If you want to relax then Aruba is the place to visit.
My best solo trip to date, it was everything. I had an eventful stay. I stayed Airbnb at Studios 11&11 for 5 nights 6 days which costed me usd$391?? I did a lot of activities including parasailing with Octopus group check them out on ig. I had dinner in the sea, my legs were in the water at Fishbone Restaurant, Sopranos is nice as well. I did a day tour with ABC tours and was able to float in a Cave pool, cool right ? Palm beach is my favorite at the Beach bar happy hour is from 12pm to 7pm? was highly intoxicated everyday ???I made new friends the locals are nice. I hardly went out at nights was too tired. Aruba is a must go
I just from Aruba and as usual I had a great time!
Most of our excursions were last minute, so I would say book anything you’re doing at least a day in advance if you’re the type of person that needs to work on a schedule. Our first night we partied at Sand, Gusta and finished the night at South Beach dancing in the rain. We went on the UTV tour with De Palma tours ($110 pp) Jonathan and Dmitri made sure we had a great time at the natural pool and the ruins. Don’t be cheap and buy the googles! We also opted to do the kukoo kunukunu pub crawl party bus and we were lucky enough to get Mama. She usually does the bus with the dinner. The bus was $50. You get 4 shots, one at each of the bars. On our final day we decided to rent a car and spend the day at baby beach. There is a restaurant and bar there that is pretty good, but we later foind Zeerover that was about 10 minutes away and the best food we had on the island. I tried the fried Barracuda and shrimp with plantains and pickled onions. Food was sold by the pound. The average price was 14-20.
Great night life and good food.
Two words, RED FISH!
All of the food we had on the island was nothing shy of great but RED FISH took the cake! So much so, we had to go twice! Their fried Grouper was by far the best fried fish I’ve had in awhile. The island has a little of everything when it comes to food and portion control is NOT their thing! We stayed at the Renaissance (Adults Only) and while walking around one night we decided to try the Candela Food truck parked down the block. Let’s just I’d never order wings from a food truck back in the states but THESE wings, BOMB! Every one will tell you to experience Madame Janette’s and by any means you should, but be weary of how expensive it is. Dutch Pancakes from Diana’s or Linda’s is a MUST. If you find yourself in dire need of some Italian, look no further than the giant cheese bowl at Gianni’s!
Don’t expect too much partying or nightlife from Aruba but GREAT food is a for sure guarantee!
Aruba was my first real trip out of the country and I would definitely recommend it to anyone. There are many things you can do in Aruba but my favorite thing was a party bus they have there called Kukoo Kunuku. My fiancé and I weren’t excited about it at first but didn’t have anything to do that night. I am so glad we did, we had the time of our lives. It truly is a party on the bus and you essentially bar hop to a few different bars and one stop for dinner. The host really knows how to keep the energy going, which only gets easier as the night progresses and the drinks keep flowing. A definite must do in Aruba.
https://www.kukookunuku.com/
Aruba is honestly an excursion lovers dream! Not to mention it’s so affordable I did it twice in 2018. Bff wanted to spend her bday there in January, then when a girls trip set it’s sights there in May I was still very down lol.
Renaissance Island is everything it’s hyped up to be. Scenic and gorgeous and home of the infamous flamingos and iguanas. So much fun to be around. Though I got chomped on by the birds, and an iguana ran up and took my whole crab cake platter lol. Still very memorable! And if your squad is willing to pony up for a private bungalow or cabana you’ll love it even more!
The first trip we opted for a hotel stay, but for the girls trip we went for the all inclusive experience at The Renaissance. Worth. Every. Penny. The food selection is AMAZING, even at the pool lounges and bar areas. We also did a TON of shopping. ZARA Aruba is hands down one of the best locations in existence. Excluding nobody. Lol. All of the luxury retailers have brick and mortar stores there as well, in a gorgeous lil section of town. So leave room in your luggage. Or, yanno..cop another like I did lol.
Instagrammable, relaxing, and deeply committed to FUN. Aruba honestly is one happy island ❤️
This is my first time experiencing Aruba and I was definitely NOT disappointed. I travels by Delta International Airlines and I was treated like a king for the entire trip from the moment I stepped foot on the plane. I stayed at the beautiful Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino. I had only a week to stay but wish it was a lifetime lol. I had complimentary WiFi so you know I had to share the beauty of the land on social media. Everything from the service, the food, the sights and the sounds was simply exquisite. I truly can truly say that I only dreamed of coming to Aruba until I could finally make it a reality. I even got to chill with some flamingos, which are my absolute favorite birds. Every single moment was honestly picture perfect and I will be coming back to stay even longer than just a week. Thank you Aruba for your true beauty. ??
I absolutely love Aruba! It was one of the best vacations I ever had! I’m obsessed with traveling to gorgeous beaches, so I’m mainly basing my review on that.
I am a flight attendant so traveling is my passion. My best friend joined me on this trip. Whenever I travel somewhere, I prefer to rent a car so I can get around with ease and independence. This was also critical to see all the beaches on my list.
After we picked up our car, we drove to our Airbnb that was right by the Ritz Carlton on Palm beach. I specifically chose this beach to stay at because it is the most lively beach in Aruba. A great location for two single girls. Palm beach had tons of people, but not so much that you feel overcrowded. The beach is lined with restaurants and bars, Moomba and Bugaloe being our favorite hangouts. It also has the beautiful turquoise water that Aruba is famous for.
The next day we hit Baby beach, which was about a half hour away. This beach had the most crystal clear water on the island. It was absolutely stunning, and it looked like you were in a pool. The water here was also the chilliest of all the beaches.
After that we visited Eagle beach, which was the most overall beautiful. It’s less than 10 minutes from Palm Beach. There were much less people on this beach, but the expanse of sand was far greater than any of the other beaches. This was a very long beach with mesmerizing hues of turquoise water. We found that the waves here were bigger than the other beaches. Eagle beach is the ideal picture perfect beach and is free from the crowds of Palm beach.
The last beach we visited was Arashi beach, which was about a 15 min drive away. This beach has idyllic crystal clear water and is most famous for its snorkeling. The water here is also the warmest of all the beaches because it’s pretty shallow. When I donned my snorkel gear and went for a swim, I was astounded by the hundreds of fish that surrounded me. Actually there were so many fish that it freaked me out for a second because they were literally everywhere. I wasn’t even deep, only 3-4 feet of water.
Before my trip to Aruba, I did extensive research on its best beaches, so these beaches were very carefully chosen.
Ok. Aruba is really nice, but I wasn’t all that thrilled with my experience there. What made me not-so-thrilled was how “American” it seemed to me. Maybe my weekend there wasn’t long enough to fully explore the local culture, but I felt like the entire island was created for Western tourists.
Everywhere I went, I felt like I was in America. Just in South Florida. There were American restaurants, shops, and the general infrastructure/architecture reminded me like I was still at home. And there’s nothing inherently WRONG with that. For many people, Aruba serve their needs: it’s warm, the beaches are gorgeous, and it’s not too expensive. But my travel preference is cultural immersion and I just didn’t get that during my visit.
But overall, if you’re looking for a traditional beach vacation, I think Aruba is a good destination. There are a number of all-inclusive resorts on the beaches and they are located in the middle of everything. But if you don’t want to shell out that kind of money, there are TONS of really affordable, nice Airbnb’s in the middle of the island, and with how small Aruba is (you can drive from one end of the island to the other in 45 min), you’re not far from any of the action. We booked an Airbnb for $30 a night and rented a car to get around. Important: if you don’t stay at a resort on the beach, then I highly recommend renting a car because other modes of transportation on the island are scarce.
This is the Airbnb where we stayed. I LOVED it: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/10224027?s=51
This is a restaurant that had AMAZING food. Get the red snapper!!!! It’s locally-owned and family-ran: https://www.facebook.com/cocoplumrestaurantaruba/
*MUST-DO* My favorite thing we did on the island was hike to the Conchi (natural pool). The hike was difficult but the beauty of the pool made it extremely rewarding. We swam in it and the water was lovely!
Aruba gave us life!! This was the most romantic/relaxing trip I’ve been on yet. We booked our entire stay through cheapcarribean.com for our 3rd year anniversary. We got a really good flight+hotel deal for the Renaissance Resort and Casino. We saw a picture of the flamingo island and just had to see it for ourselves. The rooms were very clean and the hotel is located near a lot of stores and restaurants so we didn’t have to rent a car. The food in the resort is American (in fact most of the restaurants nearby were American too). We didn’t get to experience much Island style food which is probably the only downfall of staying at the resort. Everyone spoke English and took American money so it was very easy to communicate. We stayed for 3 nights and honestly this was the perfect amount of time to do everything we wanted. We never even got a chance to explore much outside the hotel area (something we’d like to do next time). The first night we hung out at the pool bar with live music. The next day we went took the boat taxi to Flamingo island which is free if you have a room there. The flamingos were everything! The island wasn’t even very crowded and the weather was perfect. We went in early September. Later that day we got a couples massage at the hotel spa with champagne and appetizers. It was a little pricey but we really enjoyed ourselves. We didn’t know much about where the nightlife was (because we hadn’t known about “greenbookglobal.com” yet ;) ) so we stayed close to the hotel and walked around for the rest of the evening. The next day we rode bikes in the surrounding area and it felt very safe. No weird vibes at all! People here are very chill and laid back. Our kind of people. Its the perfect spot if you’re looking to relax or baecay. We did not want to go home! If you want to see pics and our travel vlog of our stay in Aruba check out http://www.loveandluggage.com. :)
I loved my time in Aruba! It’s a beautiful Dutch Caribbean island which is drivable. Most people rent a car but I didn’t. I want solely to relax and take it easy on the beach. It’s very tourist friendly and takes U.S. currency. Locals speak 4 or more languages (Spanish, English, Dutch, Papiamento). Palm beach and eagle beach is a must go. If you really want to relax, stay at boutique hotel close to the beach or just stay at a resort which is pricier. For the 4 nights I visited, I stayed a 2 boutique hotels, 1 resort and a boat and breakfast. Yes, a boat on a marina, just to add some adventure to the mix. Also as a solo traveler, I wanted to stay somewhere social for the first night and I met a friend which I hung out with for then rest of my trip. We had a photo shoot by the Divi Divi trees, dinner at West deck beach Bar and island grill and went to rennasance Private island. Dinner and nightlife at MooMba on sundays. I found my accommodations on Airbnb and booking.com. I purposely wanted 4 unique places to stay but for true relaxation, 1 place is perfect. I got a massage by the beach by Spa del Sol at manchebo beach which I also recommend if you want a peaceful beach. Taxi’s were not the most reliable as later in the nights, I waited a long time for a taxi on 2 occasions, but if you’re close to a resort or shopping center, they can usually fetch you one easily.
Aruba is one of my favorite places – I’ve been once several years back and want to go back again and do all the things I didn’t get to do the first time! It’s a beautiful little island, filled with nice, smiling people. Love their motto (which you’ll see on the license plates): “ONE HAPPY ISLAND.” I went during Carnival season, which I highly recommended if you like nightlife because you’ll see a lot of people come out for the festivities and it’s lots of fun. I stayed in a home in Oranjestad, which was close to a mall and not a far drive from Eagle Beach – a really nice beach. If you do go to this beach, definitely try some food from Big Mama’s food truck nearby – you will NOT be disappointed. I learned a lot about the culture in Aruba, which I loved. Most Arubans speak 5-6 languages : English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch and Papiamento (the native language). Super smart people! FYI, the Natalie Holloway disappearance was a sore subject to some locals – especially since it hurt their economy because people were scared to travel there. (Also, the white man said to be responsible for her disappearance wasn’t even a native Aruban, he was Dutch but living and studying in Aruba at the time.) But let me say that I NEVER felt unsafe in Aruba. The locals were nothing but friendly and hospitable! Things to do: The Aruba Sunset Sail was amazing. The daytime cruise was a lot of fun too – the crew caught an octopus during our cruise and let people touch it (I did not partake but that might be your thing!) My friends also went snorkeling and had a lot of fun. The nightlife was great – loved the vibe. We went to a bunch of places but one I remember the most is the club inside the Old Dutch Windmill – it was so much fun! There’s also a little restaurant outside of the Windmill that serves the most amazing food during the wee hours of the morning. A few other things that might be good to know : Aruba is super windy – which helped never feel too hot – but made my hair look crazy in most of the pictures I took. Lol. So plan accordingly! Also, since Aruba is a desert island, not much produce is grown locally (besides Aloe – which is plentiful there). They get a lot of fruits and vegetables imported – but this might be something you’d want to research more if you have certain dietary restrictions. When I go back to Aruba, horseback riding and meeting the flamingos are two things I want to cross off my bucket list!
Aruba is the perfect island for relaxation. There aren’t a ton of things to do, but there are two very beautiful beaches. Eagle beach is gorgeous, and a lot more subtle, with less people. It’s located on the low rise side of the island. Then on the high rise side, that’s where all the hotels and large resorts are located. There is a different beach over there, that is also beautiful, but there are definitely more people in that area. It doesn’t get too loud, unless you choose to be in that type of setting. I’ve been twice, and the weather is generally nice year-round. If you wanna lay out in the sun, or do outdoor activities, this is a great place to do it because the environment is so relaxed. I definitely recommend Aruba for a peaceful, stress free vacation.
Aruba is a vibe. Not that many things to do but the water is beautiful. Its always hot here so great place to get some sun. Palm beach is where the fun is. If you want a more peaceful beach, visit Eagle Beach.
If I had to recommend one adventure to do in Aruba, it would be the ATV rides without a doubt. I have yet to find a destination that has similar ATV routes, meaning you aren’t just driving around in a circle and also aren’t driving very slow because you are in such a large group. The company we went with allowed us to book with just our group of 4. Our tour guide took us around the entire island and we stopped to explore many places on the way. He also took us parts of the island where we could really play with the ATVs and drive as fast as we wanted. We explored historical sites, beaches, and the countryside. The ride got bumpy and a little scary during some parts but I would still rather that excursion over any other ATV excursion I’ve tried since then.
I went to Aruba for the first time in June of this year. It was an amazing experience. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Resort which was right on the beach. The resort had alot of pools and events on the property. The hotel was located on a strip with other hotels that had casinos and bars and clubs to check out all within walking distance.
I rented a car and was able to travel downtown to check out other cool restaurants and shops. The locals were very friendly. I met a nice family who showed us around; I was able to also visit a national park and go hiking and venturing in the natural caves, hang out at a natural pond where the fish ate the dead skin off your feet. I was also able to check out a local art gallery that hosted glass making classes and was able to make some jewelry. Over all the experience was amazing and I definitely will be back.
I love Aruba! I really enjoyed the food. Aruba is a place where everything is not pricey. You can there and relax . The weather was amazing. I went in June. I stayed at the Renaissance Marriott and I loved it. I will be going back next year and i will be staying there again!
Aruba had to be one of my all time favorite vacations thus far because there was always so much to do. We stated at the Barcelo Aruba resort which is part of a strip of 4 and 5 star resorts, directly across from lots of shopping, bars, clubs and restaurants. This was extremely convenient because we never really needed a taxi to get anywhere as everything was in walking distance. My group and I (my fiance, then boyfriend, his brother and his girlfriend) were fortunate enough to meet another young black couple during an ATV excursion (whom we’re still good friends with!) and spent some of the rest of our vacation bar-hopping and hanging out with them. Aside from the nightlife (which there is plenty of), it’s a great place to simply relax on the beach as well. Plenty to do here. Highly recommended for younger people who like to be out and about during their vacation.
Link to the company we used for ATVs & watersports if anyone’s interested: https://www.delphiwatersports.com/
Aruba is BEAUTIFUL!
I went w/ a group of 10 friends and we had a blast
We booked a BNB in Palm Beach (Merlot Villas AMAZING)
When in Aruba you MUST DO Jolly Pirates and Kukoo Kunuku Bus Tour (Mama, the host, is a riot)
We bought our liquour in the airport. Before arrival we heard there was a 1L per person limit … between us all 15 bottles were bought, we didn’t get stopped nor did we pay a tax
The beaches are beautiful
We got some stares
But nothing crazy
Birthday dinner was at Barefoot, the food was great
Didn’t see the flamingos … next time!
Overall
Will definitely do Aruba again
Went for a girls trip in August & was surprised not to find much night life in Aruba. We did find out(on the last day of our trip) that the steakhouse in the Renaissance has an after hour lounge that goes on until 5am on certain nights. I’ll definitely be going back for more flamingo pics & to see what the after hour is really like…
Beautiful location and people!! Must visit Flamingo beach by contacting the Renissance Resort and take a speed boat to the private beach and experience encounters with wild flamingos!!!
I went to Aruba for a week after my graduation. I had an absolute blast! We made friends with a local Venezuelan there who took us on a 8hr day trip around the entire island!! Literally got to see the entire island itself. It was AMAZING. Definitely make your way to the natural pool and try the ATV tour. I wouldn’t waste money or time on kite surfing. I did it and they made us split 2hrs between the both of us and we paid like $120 each. It was a total ripoff. Snorkeling was fun too, but be sure to bring your own gear so that you don’t have to pay for it there ;) We stayed in Malmok beach and rented a car. They speak Spanish, Dutch, and their native language which is a mix between the two. If you know Spanish and/or English though you’ll be just fine! I’d definitely go back!
Go find the adventure!
Love love LOVE the food here!!! Conch is one of the island’s specialties!! If you go here my most favorite restaurant is called Amazonia!! Delicious!! The staff is very friendly and attentive. This is a great restaurant to go for a romantic vibe!!
Love Aruba, have been 3 times! Fun casinos, plenty of nice resturaunts and bars, beautiful beaches and adventure tours! Highly recommend the buggy island tour that goes to the Natural Bridge and the Captain Morgan party booze cruise. We also did the Sunset Catamaran which included an open bar. Sunsets there are amazing! The locals are nice and there is plenty of shopping and nightlife activities. I always felt safe and will continue to visit. The Hilton has been my go-to there due to it’s prime location within walking distance to everything.
If you visit Aruba, the only place to stay is the Renaissance Marriott.. like you HAVE to!!
They have a private flamingo island which was the absolute highlight of the trip. It’s free if you’re staying at the Marriott, & $100 if you aren’t. There’s a boat that literally pulls into the hotel to take you there. It’s so beautiful!! We went literally everyday
Things to do: you have to do the party bus. The best fun I’ve ever had in life haha. They blast loud music, & take you to about 5 different bars. The bus had ppl from various walks of life and all ages; people celebrating their 21st, and people celebrating turning 65.. which sounds like an odd group right? Surprisingly the older people were more lit than we were haha. Sooo much fun!
We also did ATV, which includes a tour & dope history lesson. We visited the light tower and dressed up for dinner at the fancy Italian restaurant near the tower.
Aruba is definitely a place I have to go back to visit. Best birthday trip ever, but it would be nice for a baecation too. (I actually helped plan my soror’s honeymoon there for her & her hubby :)
I went to Aruba last year in June 2017 for my birthday as a girls trip. We flew to Aruba and the flight was cheap because we bought the tickets months in advance and decided to stay at a hotel. Aruba is a very small island that one can easily travel through the entire island in a few days. Some of my favorite moments were riding ATVs through the country while sightseeing. We got to see the natural beauty of this island, visit their caves, and interact with the locals. I also loved the Renaissance beach where I got to interact with the flamingoes. The party bus was really nice too because if it’s your birthday or anniversary they announce it and make you feel special. Then the party bus took us to have a champagne toast on the beach which is definitely romantic if you’re traveling with bae. This was definitely a fun and more relaxing trip and I would definitely go back.
Anytime anyone I is travelling to Aruba I tell them, be sure to go to Kamini’s Kitchen in San Nicolas! Kamini is the beautiful and extremely hospitable owner. When we visited Aruba we opted to stay in the least touristy area so we stayed in San Nicholas area in an Air BNB. You can’t miss the bright blue and green building, I made note that once all my friends arrived we’d eat there as our first official meal on the “Happy Island”. Kamini’s did not disappoint! From the time we walked in I felt we were in the midst of family, Kamini is beautiful tiny woman who gave us a brief over view of what brought her to the island as well as informed us of the island’s history. Kamini’s serves a lot of West Indian cuisine, and what I would describe as “soul food” which in my opinion is food that soothes your soul, and makes you feel good. That’s exactly what we experienced eating at this cozy spot. It was the kick off to my birthday so we took shots with the few patrons in attendance, listened to cool stories from some local patrons. Visiting Kamini’s set the tone for the rest of our trip! Visit Kamini’s Kitchen if you’re ever in Aruba.
Hands down my favorite place I have visited! There is so much magic on the little island of Aruba that I had no idea about until I traveled there myself. The culture is really interesting and the people very diverse. Most of the locals consist of a melting pot of Spanish, African, and Dutch descent. Because of this many locals understand four languages , including their own language (Papiamento). I traveled in December of 2017 and to this day I still use some of the language I learned (Fun fact: a popular word in Papiamento is dushi which stands for “sweetheart”). If you are like me and also interested in the history/culture of the area you are traveling to, then I recommend doing an ATV tour to the natural pool . The natural pool is a hidden gem in Aruba that consists of a small body of natural water surrounded by the rugged terrain o the un established side of the island. In order to get there you have to take some sort of heavy duty car ( like ATV) because its very rocky and full of hills. The travel there was exciting and scary all In one and along the way we were able to stop by Aruba’s ruins. he tour guides are amazing and break down for you everything that you see along the way up until you get to the natural pool. I myself am not a swimmer but for those of you who are ( and have a risk taking spirit b/c its definitely intense) you are able to swim in the natural pool as well. Overall , the scenery on this island is so vast which is surprising because its quite small. A must travel for those looking for scenery and rich culture
ONE HAPPY ISLAND!!!! Aruba is like heaven on Earth. A beautiful island with beautiful people and great food. Best place for a family vacation. The island is very small and you can literally tour it in one day but he sceneries are great. Driving there is also easy, I rented a car and felt as though I have been living there for years. I would probably get myself a vacation home there.
I am in love with this island! It is located below the hurricane belt so the weather is always perfect. The people in Aruba are so pleasant and hospitable, and are proud of their home and culture. I’ve been on solo trips and it is just the best place to relax on dream beaches and get your mind right. You can also venture out to the beautiful and affordable butterfly farm, climb Hooiberg the highest point in Aruba, enjoy the cultural Bon Bini festival that takes place every Tuesday evening, or take in beautiful sites while shopping in Aruba’s high end malls. This place has something for everyone!
Love Aruba such a great place to relax and enjoy the sun and beach. I love how accessible all the restaurants are, so many options, no need for all inclusive hotel/resort. Great restaurant to visit is Barefoot, it’s on the beach and yes you eat barefoot. Also quite a few clubs on the strip, great nightlife. Aruba is a must visit.
Aruba is very different from most Caribbean islands. It’s dry and dessert like. But still very beautiful. Make sure to take a trip to the east coast to see the Natural Bridge. Flamingo beach offers great photo ops with the flamingos. There’s also the Ayo Rock Formations.
As someone who has traveled to many Caribbean islands, one of my biggest fears is that when choosing a new island to visit, it won’t be any different from a previously visited island. However, for Aruba, THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. The island offered many different things to do. If you’re looking to party, there is a strip with many bars and restaurants, Gusto was my favorite as the music selection was great and so was the crowd, it even stayed open until 3am. If you’re looking for shopping, there is an upscale strip, that has many designer stores such as Prada, Tommy Hilfiger, & many more. But also on this same strip, just across the street there are outdoor huts run by locals which is a great and affordable place to purchase souvenirs (I got 5 keychains for $10). Then don’t even get me started on the beaches, the island has approximately 7 different beaches, each one offering something different, whether you’re looking for a party beach, a family beach, or a romantic secluded beach, there is a beach there for everyone. Lastly as far as tours and excursions go, there are also many of those and they are extremely affordable. I paid $100 for a full day (8 hour) tour of all the must see spots on the island, this tour also included a hearty meal. The booze cruise was also the cheapest I’ve ever paid for out of all the islands I’ve visited, being only $45 for 3 hours on a pirate ship, with a rope swing, unlimited alcohol, & two snorkeling destinations. Overall a create tropical getaway.
Aruba is known as “One Happy Island” and it didn’t disappoint. For my birthday, a group of friends and I visited Aruba and that’s where the adventure began. If you’re looking for things to do in Aruba, not to worry. On the surface it may seem like a couples retreat or only beaches but there’s way more to it.
Visit Flamingo Beach:
No trip to Aruba is complete without a trip to Flamingo Beach. If you’re staying at Renaissance Aruba Resort, then you’re in luck — Renaissance Island where Flamingo Beach is located is free for all hotel guests. If not, there is also a $99 day pass you can buy. We chose to kill two birds with one stone and stay at the Renaissance. Go early and get a chance to feed the flamingos before the crowds come. On the other side of the island is Iguana Beach where the iguanas reside.
Board A Yacht Happy Hour Cruise:
The best way to see the turquoise waters of Aruba is to go on a cruise! We used Mi Dushi Cruises to book a day trip (which included a Caribbean lunch). There was also an open bar throughout the ride, and the drinks were surprisingly strong! The cruise also stops in certain points along the coast and includes some snorkeling. Win-win!
Arikok National Park:
We rented a Jeep and took a bumpy ride through the National Park to their private coasts. The Park is $11 per person and is perfect for nature lovers! Bring your own lunch because you easily get hungry on the road.
Bushiribana Ruins/Golden Caves:
There are a lot of tours that take you to the ruins. If you rent a car like we did, you can drive there for free (there is no admission fee). We chose to rent because when exploring places like ruins and caves, having no time restraints can help you find some cool spots. Near the ruins is a ladder leading to the golden caves filled with natural pools and tiny crabs. If you’re afraid of heights, you might want to stay at the ruins since the ladder is on the edge of the cliff.
I partied on the beach during my 4 day visit. Aruba is like most Caribbean countries. Offering beach excursions such as paragliding, snorkeling, jet skii’s Etc. Moomba beach is where I partied every night and had the time of my life.
I attended a very fun booze cruise as there are many to choose from and for your liking. I dedicated an entire day to De Palm Island, which is a MUST do if you are visiting especially if you have children. From 9 pm to 4 pm, you will take a small boat for about 20 minutes. For $100 you will eat all day, breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet with delicious food. You can snorkel, underwater sea walk scuba dive, play sports, go to the spa, zip line or even play on their massive water slide. There are even dance lessons and more. Or you can lay out on the beach.
I stayed at the Renaissance Hotel so that I was able to see the Flamingo’s. Hotel guests gets complimentary and first access to Renaissance beach where the flamingo’s are. This hotel is more in the city, while there are bars and night life, I spent half my time here and half my time along the beach. This hotel is 20 minutes away from the beach.
Aruba was a great trip and I plan to visit again! Not everywhere gives me a “come again” experience. #Abbenturous
I went to Aruba to celebrate my birthday!! I’m a Marriott rewards memeber so I was looking for somewhere that had a nice Marriott hotel in the Caribbean. Flights to Aruba from the southern states were decent at the time so that’s what helped with my decision. Me and my friends actually were able to do a lot while there. My hotel owner flamingo island so there was a free boat ride there everyday which was cool because that’s one of the biggest attractions on the island. We went on a atv tour around the whole island which I highly recommend. Lastly, the yatch that served free alcohol all while stopping at certain points so they everyone could snorkel. I can’t speak on the night life because I remember passing out everyday around 10pm lol
Aruba, located in the Netherlands Antilles, is known as the “One Happy Island” filled with colorful fish, white sandy beaches and crystal clear water.
Aruba is a great place for romance!! My husband and I stayed at the Renaissance Hotel. Where flamingo beach is located so it was free for us.
I wasn’t a fan of the food because I felt it was americanized.
We did do a day of adventures. ATV tour, clif jump and visited the natural pool.
We really just wanted to relax. And that was what we did. I will be returning in September. So I will update this review.
I’ll be honest Aruba is a beautiful city and has amazing ocean views. Unfortunately from a cultural perspective Aruba can seem very Americanized. You will see typical chain restaurants like Pizza Hut and at local restaurants it will be your standard sea food. Beautiful resorts and a ton to do however so overall a nice vacation spot!
Aruba is a place that is mainly focused on night life. During the day there’s not much to do besides visiting the beaches. Baby beach is a highly recommended. It is very beautiful, very scenic and also has and underwater cave at the location.
During the night walking on the strip there’s plenty a clubs that stay open from 1 to 3 AM. They are very fun and play American music.
Did I also mention you can take pictures with flamingos? Renaissance Hotel has a day pass to there private island in which you can dance with flamingos, lay on the beach, and chill out with the local iguanas. Let me give you the specifics on how you can get to the private island:
So there are a few options:
1) If you are not booked for the renaissance hotel you can book $180 massage(on the private islands)
2) You can book a hotel stay which is typically $200-$400 a night which gets you a free trip to the island and access all day anytime.
3)Or you can get a day pass for $99 that includes lunch. They only give out a total of 30 day passes each day to people who ARE NOT staying in the hotel. Also they may not sell the day passes at all to non-guest if they think the island would be overcrowded. You only can buy in person at the Renaissance Hotel and they don’t take reservation online but you can call ahead. So if you don’t want to be disappointed book a hotel night
I enjoyed Aruba however i found it to be very touristy. The night life was full of tourists so i felt i was in USA. Lol. I recommend taking the water taxi to the Renaissance private island to get a better experience with the wildlife and island culture
Must visit Natural Pool…. It’s natures version off a wave pool with awesome views! Also visit flamingo beach for some awesome pictures with the local birds.
Aruba !!!!! hands down the best travel island vibe location I have visited thus far.
Peaceful, Pristine waters, relaxing and romantic getaway if you tryna have a Bae-cation.
Aruba sunset and sunrise is simply surreal. If you are a photographer Aruba is the place to visit to capture the most candid/Kodack moments.
Food is extremely good and fresh. They, however, have a lot of Italian restaurants in the marketplace, a little pricey but worth the experience.
The only downside of being in Aruba was the heat and humidity, however, if you all about getting a tan Aruba is for you.
Overall it is a beautiful unique location to visit compared to all the other islands. The ocean is calmer, white sands and crystal clear water. Will definitely visit again.
I am still obsessed with Aruba and would love to move or get a vacation home there. We sayed at the renaissance so we had access to the private island and the flamingos! But we also rented a car and saw the lighthouse, baby beach (which is gorgeous and you can swim with sea turtles), Boca Catalina (less tourists, more locals and my favorite beach in the world so far) and eagle beach/palm beach. We drove to the hotel strip, where all of the big all inclusive hotels are located and they were having some kind of festival with live music which was fun. They’ve got lots of shopping, casinos, beaches and excursions. There’s always something to do.
If you are looking for a relaxing yet affordable trip with amazing beaches Aruba is the place to go! I highly recommend the petting zoo (it’s not any normal petting zoo as you can interact with the animals) and taking a trip to the black sand beach. My favorite thing about Aruba was it’s natural pools. Words can’t even describe what a beautiful island it really is!
Check out the private flamingo island! If you book your room at the renaissance access is free. If not one day at flamingo island will run you about $90.
Aruba is amazing. We stayed in an Airbnb in Tanki Leendert. It was beautiful and relaxing. We rented a car for our own convenience. We went to De Palm Ísland, an all day activity place. We also used go karts with go cherry atv. Gusto is a popular nightclub
Aruba is a great place to visit on a budget! It is a small island with many Americanized places to shop and eat. I wish that there was more culture, however, it is a very relaxing and calm. Flamingo beach is a must!
Oranjestad Aruba, was very relaxing, but very hot(not your normal tropical heat more sweltering heat). There were a lot of cute shops in walking distance from our hotel in the day and at night…the same shops catered to the party goers. Even though Aruba had a few good night clubs, I still felt like I was in the States vs on tropical island. The same with the food, I would have preferred to have more native food than American food. As far as excursion, we were able to do everything we wanted to do in one day(in Oranjestad). We rented a jeep and went to Saint Franciscus Church, Bushiribana Gold Mills Ruins(loved building a house out of rocks, etc, etx), Aruba Street car(lots of amazing shops..hop on hop off), Renaissance Mall, saw the natural bridge and pool. If your looking for a relaxing vacation- Aruba is the place. But if your looking for adventure, a true cultural experience(food,lifestyle,history), Aruba wouldn’t be my top choice.
Without a doubt my visit to Oranjestad, Aruba was one of my trips with the most adventure packed in. De Palm Tours is one of the more reputable tour guide/agency on the island and they did an incredible job on the exursion. The excursion we went on was an off-road excursion in a Land Rover. Extremely bumpy, but awesome! We explored natural bridges, beautiful beaches, caves, ostrich and donkey farms….lol, and also included some snorkeling. This particular excursion was by far one of my favorites, and not too expensive. I would recommend to anyone willing to step outside of their comfort zone. Again very bumpy! However, I would do this excursion again!
Aruba is one of the most beautiful islands I’ve been to so far, everyone is happy from the time you land until the time you leave. Night life is amazing! I recommend gusto night club, the bartenders are welcoming, down to earth, and they sure will get you on the bar before the end of the night. You must try Kukoo Kunuku party bus I believe Fridays and Saturdays are the best. MooMba Beach Bar on Sundays. If you’re looking to just relax at the beach! I recommend driving down to baby beach or biking it to Arashi which was my favorite beach. Overall everyone should visit Aruba at least once.