ARUBA
Aruba is one of multiple islands that make up the Dutch Caribbean. It also makes up one third of a group of islands in the Southern Caribbean. The ABC islands are so named after each country within it; Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Most islands in the Caribbean Sea are tropical, but the ABC islands and more specifically Aruba are hot and arid. One can expect clear, sunny skies year round. Just 20mi/32km long and 6mi/10km wide this small island is well known for its white sand beaches. But adventure can easily be found here as well! This combination made for the perfect place to ring in the start of Jon’s 30s.
Aruba can almost be split into two. The western and southern coasts are protected from the ocean currents and are exactly what you imagine when you picture Aruba. With white sand sand beaches and gorgeous sunsets, these coasts are where most of the population lives and are much more built up. The eastern and northern coasts bear the brunt of ocean storms and as a result are much more rugged and untouched.
Table of Contents
Lodging / Transportation
Transportation on the island is truly dependent upon the type of trip you want to have. If you are staying in a resort and plan to stay near the resort visiting restaurants and shops, there is really no need to rent a car. Tours are also offered through the resorts with transportation included, if you so choose. But, if you’re like us and like to explore at your own pace renting a vehicle is HIGHLY recommended. We rented from Budget Rent A Car. Many times rental car companies offer deals for 3-day rentals. They average about $30/day. There are some areas of Aruba where only 4x4s are used, so if you plan on off-roading keep that in mind. Dune buggies and ATVs are road legal as well if you want to rent those. While it’s easy to walk around the beaches, high-rise area, or downtown Oranjestad as it’s primarily paved. We wouldn’t suggest walking around if you’re not right on the beach based on personal experience. There are no sidewalks so while we didn’t have any issues walking on the road, it’s always better safe than sorry.
We stayed in 3 different AirBnbs during this trip and would gladly recommend them. The first is located around the Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL). The first AirBnb was a completely private 2 room in-law suite with separate entrance and courtyard. We only stayed here for one night on our layover from Michigan and it suited our needs perfectly. Approximately 10mi/16km from the famous Las Olas Beach, we were able to get some beachtime in before setting off for our final destination.
Our main AirBnb was everything we wanted! Located about 15min walking to Palm Beach, this apartment provided everything we could possibly need! Considerably cheaper than a resort and in our opinion even better! In my experience, most island nations do not always have hot water or air-conditioning standard in each household. But let me tell you I get very cranky when hot. So for everyone’s sanity we decided to at least have the option of air-conditioning. We very rarely used it, primarily at night. It is located on the second floor with the entrance up a spiral staircase so it’s not suitable for children under 8. The best part? The owners rescue animals and have many dogs and tropical birds on the property! Although they were separated by a wooden patio divider, we thoroughly enjoyed waking up to bird calls and making new four legged friends.
The last AirBnb we stayed at was again around Fort Lauderdale on our layover en route home. This was a private room in a condo with a private bathroom. Our host David met us at the gate and he was fantastic! We arrived in the evening and were pretty spent after our trip so we just stayed in the room and watched movies. It was a great way to end our trip! It seems as if the listing has since been removed.
Places to Eat
Coconuts
was exactly what we wanted. Located on Fort Lauderdale’s Intercoastal waterways with fish tacos (Jon’s favorite) we couldn’t ask for more.
Pelican Nest Restaurant
Located on Palm Beach, it sits on a pier with a gorgeous view of the crystal clear Aruban waters. Frosty drinks at the ready with some food to soak up the alcohol, this place hit the spot!
Big Mama’s Grill
Located on Baby Beach, it’s the perfect place to grab some grub after some time in the sun. Here, we tried conch for the first time as well as a locally brewed Balashi beer! (Balashi Beer pic)
ZeeRovers
This was our favorite meal of the whole trip! Talk about a gorgeous view! This local favorite serves freshly caught fish and shrimp in a basket with the choice of fries, fried plantain, red onions in vinegar, tartar sauce and pan bati (Aruban cornbread). As first timers here, we were slightly intimidated. A very helpful waiter directed us to the window at the entrance where you’ll find a menu in both English and Papiamento. Here is where you order by either weight or by piece. If you want to immerse yourself in the local Aruban atmosphere, this is a MUST SEE!
Elements Restaurant
at Manchebo Beach was a more luxurious option. This restaurant is # 2 in the world for date night by TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice Awards. The food was excellent and the view unrivaled.
Pega Pega Beach Bar and Grill
This open air bar and grill is found in Oranjestad. WE grabbed some fish tacos and of course a frosty drink. But our favorite part? We were visited by a cheerful, lively bird called a bananaquit or my preferred nickname “chibichibi”!
Caves
When you think about Aruba, caves are probably not the first thing to come to mind. But, let me tell you, their caves are quite…magical. They contain both stalactites and stalagmites. The 3 most visited are found in Arikok National Park at the base of a limestone cliff. Entering Arikok from the South are Huliba Cave, Quadiriki Cave, and Fontein Cave. These caves are important to Aruba and for good reason! They contain petroglyphs of Amerindian origin, specifically the Arawak peoples. Fontein Cave, the furthest north of the 3, is probably the most visited as it’s the only one with petroglyphs. If you ask park rangers at the caves entrances for tours, they can share interesting information on the cave drawing and cave formations. Quadiriki Cave is next and famous for light dappling through the roof of the cave. It makes for a sight that can ABSOLUTELY take your breath away. The cave consists of 3 chambers in total. The first 2 chambers are naturally lit via the holes in the roof of the cave and the third chamber is enshrouded in darkness. Damp and dark, the third chamber is well known for hosting a large number of harmless bats and in turn lots of bat guano. The final cave, Huliba Cave, is furthest south. Sadly, once we arrived at Huliba Cave it was barred up so we aren’t able to comment on it.
Interestingly enough, a mythological tale is tied to these caves! Many years ago, a tribal chief’s daughter fell in love with a man her father did not approve of. She was imprisoned in Quadiriki Cave to come to her senses and her lover was imprisoned in Huliba Cave (Tunnel of Love). They eventually met underground and decided to live the rest of their lives, however long that is, together. They died together in the cave which imprisoned them and it’s said their spirits escaped to heaven through holes in the roof of the cave.
Conchi
Another natural wonder found in Arikok National Park is Conchi or Aruba’s natural pool. This unique rock formation is made up of volcanic rock surrounding a depression. You can swim in the pool and watch the crashing waves create a dramatic display.
There are many ways to get to Conchi. There are tours available through multiple platforms using everything from ATVs to Jeeps. According to the park’s website ATVs are prohibited, but it seems tours are still offered by ATV as of Sep 2021. I’m thinking ATVs are only allowed if part of a designated tour. If you have access to a Jeep or 4×4, you can drive to the natural pool.
Upon entrance to the park, the road is paved and then turns to gravel. Eventually, you’ll encounter a sign that says 4×4 vehicles only. You can also hike from the visitor center which is about 3.5mi/5.5km one way. Now, because we didn’t have a 4×4 we drove as far as we could and hiked the final 2.5mi/4km to the pool. A few recommendations? Bring water and sensible shoes if you plan to hike. It is a well-trodden path but there are plenty of loose rocks. It is a very popular spot, but most people come on tours. So if you stay long enough, the crowds do thin out. The rocks near the edge can be slippery so tread carefully. Water shores while not necessary could be helpful. DO NOT swim outside of the natural pool as the waves and tides are very dangerous. Whatever way you choose to get to Conchi, make sure to take in the unique surroundings and landscape. You may even come across a few animal friends!
Arikok National Park actually makes up about 20% of the island of Aruba. The geography of the park is primarily made up of Aruban volcanic formation, quartz diorite, and limestone rocks from fossilized coral. The northern coast is also dotted with picturesque bays that are a favorite of nesting sea turtles. Many species of plants and animals are only found on the island of Aruba and can be seen in the national park. There is an entrance fee of $11 USD for a day pass. These funds go to preservation and education programs for the park. The park’s hours are 0800 to 1600.
Drift Snorkel Baby Beach
Baby beach is located at the southwestern tip of the island and is famous for its family friendly conditions. This scenic half moon sandy shore is aptly named because of the lack of waves and shallow, clear waters. Ideal for those who like to wade out and still touch the bottom and safe for young children. Not only does this beach boast calm conditions but it’s also known for snorkeling. This was by far our FAVORITE thing that we did while in Aruba! The Valero oil refinery is within sight of Baby Beach. Thankfully, due to the direction of ocean currents the water is unaffected.
The bay itself is pretty uninteresting as far as snorkeling. With its sandy bottom, visibility can be poor, and there isn’t much marine life. But, towards the inlet you’ll find a variety of fish, eels, even the occasional squid. The right side of the bay, or furthest south can be very wavy and is favored by kite surfers and even wind surfers. The left side has a breakwater with a shallow trench between it and the shore. It was here that we found our favorite snorkeling. The waves crash over the breakwater which fills the trench with water. The depth ranges from 2-5ft/0.6-1.5m. The waves create a quick current down the trench towards the inlet. So dependent upon weather it can be quite swift at times. The trench is filled with rocks, so you’ll find plenty of fish. It was here that we saw peacock flounders, garden eels, and parrot fish! You can even see the occasional barracuda! It is a good idea to wear water shoes as the rocks can be quite jagged.
After swimming or snorkeling you can grab some food or drink at Big Mama’s Grill. There’s a dive shop on the west side where you can rent snorkel gear. There’s also beach chairs for rent and palapas up for grabs if you get here early enough!
Aruba Aloe Factory
Aloe is integral to Aruban culture so much so that the plant is even featured on Aruba’s coat of arms. Aruba Aloe is the oldest aloe company in the world and one of the first to formulate aloe skin care products. Founded in 1890, this company jumpstarted the Aruban industry. The aloe itself has been hand harvested since the beginning. They offer free tours every 15 minutes and let me tell you, lots of history to learn here! Their products are very quality and make for the best souvenir or little present to yourself! Apparently, we didn’t take any pictures during the tour, sorry about that!
Beach Days
One of the main draws of the island of Aruba are its picturesque beaches. With 40 beaches dotting the coastline it’s no wonder people flock to this island for carefree vacations. But don’t think Aruba’s beaches offer only spectacular views, swimming and sunbathing. You’ll also find some of the best beaches for snorkeling, kite surfing, and even rocky beaches to witness the power of the Caribbean Sea. We’ve already discussed Baby Beach but there are plenty others worth visiting.
Palm Beach
Grapefield Beach
Arashi Beach
Palm Beach Here you’ll find the majority of the high rise hotels. Just North of Eagle beach, this is the most touristed beach on the island. You’ll find many restaurants, souvenir stands and water craft rentals easily. If you want to be in the heart of the action, this is the place for you.
Grapefield Beach is well known for kitesurfing. Unfortunately, neither Jon nor I know how to kite surf but we both are anxious to learn. I’m always amazed by man’s ability to harness natural elements (ahem ahem sailing). Not only did we see some very talented kite surfers but we saw some wild goats and some piggies too! 😀 It’s definitely our lucky day!
Arashi Beach This the northernmost beach on the northwest coast of Aruba. Well known for snorkeling; it was here where we saw not one but 2 Caribbean reef octopuses! We were doing very shallow snorkeling and I happened to look underneath Jon and there he or she was! After some very aggressive gesturing at Jon, he finally saw it before he or she scuttled away! We spent a few hours here as there was so much to see! Even without diving we saw some incredible ocean life! Arashi beach also offers showers, lounge chairs for rental and sometimes live music at the bar. With calm waters this is a great place for families and while it’s shallow for a ways be careful because the waves can sneak up on you!
Westpunt Beach
Westpunt Beach Very different from the sandy shores of the west side of the island but no less beautiful. Here, the shores are rocky. It was here we found tons of scuttling crabs as well as an unidentifiable creature. After much research it was identified as a chiton! It looks like the now extinct trilobite. Prolific in shallow areas and the intertidal zone.
Eagle Beach
Eagle Beach is famous for its white sands, this beach is less crowded than Palm and primarily used for swimming and relaxing. At its northern end, Eagle Beach is home to the two iconic fofoti trees that regularly appear on Aruba tourist brochures.
Manchebo Beach
Manchebo Beach is just South of Eagle Beach and the western most point of the island. Smaller resorts line this beach so you’ll find it less crowded and more seclusive than both Eagle and Palm. It’s more peaceful as there are no motorized water sports here.
Aruba really encompassed its slogan, “One Happy Island”. Everyone we met was kind, compassionate and more than willing to answer questions and give recommendations. We encourage you to explore the entirety of the island and venture beyond the “resort region” because this island has so much to offer!! As always be kind to one another, trust your instincts and push your boundaries because YOU WILL BE REWARDED!
2 Responses
Aruba is beautiful and I’m so happy to know that there’s such a thing as “Baby Beach” for people like me lol!
Absolutely! Something is there for everyone!