Aruba Vacation: Our Tips for the A of the ABC Islands
Vacation on Aruba - that sounds so heavenly like palm trees and endless white beaches. But where exactly is Aruba located? Aruba is one of the so-called ABC islands along with Bonaire and Curacao and is only 25 km away from the coast of Venezuela. For us it was the first trip to this part of the world and we are still amazed. Spoiler alert: Aruba has taken our hearts by storm! And that is definitely not only due to the paradisiacal beaches and the crystal clear water, but also for a completely different reason.
- Aruba Vacation: Our Tips for the A of the ABC Islands
- Everything you need to know about vacationing in Aruba
- One happy island: Is a vacation on Aruba worth it?
- Sights in Aruba: Small but mighty
- Unique Street Art in San Nicolas - Art Murals
- Oranjestad – The colorful capital of Aruba
- Sights in Oranjestad - port city with flair
- Arikok National Park - wild & untouched
- Hiking Aruba - Short Hike to Conchi Natural Pool
- Gold mines in Aruba
- The most beautiful beaches in Aruba - Our top 4
- The best snorkeling spots in Aruba
- Food & Culinary Aruba - The best restaurants in Aruba
- Pastechi - Traditional breakfast in Aruba
- Our hotel in Aruba: The Wonders Boutique Hotel
- Car Rentals in Aruba
- Practical tips for your Aruba vacation
- Lina, where are the flamingo pictures? – Flamingos on the beach in Aruba
- Holidays in Aruba: Our experiences
Everything you need to know about vacationing in Aruba
Bon bini! Welcome to Aruba! Language(s) in Aruba
"Bon bini" means "Welcome" in Papiamentu, the local language Aruba. Because in addition to the official language Dutch, Papiamento is also spoken in Aruba. The creole language originated on Curaçao during the second half of the 17th century and spread from there to Aruba and Bonaire. Papiamento is a wonderful mix of Portuguese, Spanish, Afro-Portuguese Pidgin, Dutch and English.
Even German-sounding words like "Danki", which translated also means thank you, occur in Papiamento. Due to the proximity to Venezuela and Colombia, Spanish is also spoken. At school and in the family, Aruba's children learn four (!) languages from an early age: Papiamento, Dutch, English and Spanish. Perfect English is spoken almost everywhere on the island. And the population of Aruba is as diverse as the languages. There are over 110 nationalities living in Aruba!

One happy island: Is a vacation on Aruba worth it?
One reason we fell in love with Aruba so much is because of the wonderful people on the island. Rarely have we met such warm, helpful people as in Aruba. We spoke to some locals, such as Tito Bolivar, the founder of Aruba Mural Tours, and he shared with us why Aruba people are so balanced and happy. Of course, the sunny weather plays a major role, but not exclusively. He told us that there is hardly any social inequality and at the same time Aruba offers a very high quality of life. For example, primary and secondary schools are free. Young people also have the opportunity to go to the Netherlands to study there after they graduate. But there are also universities on Aruba.
Sights in Aruba: Small but mighty
Although Aruba is only 30 km long and about 9 km wide, the small island offers an incredible number of activities and sights. We spoke to locals who are still discovering something new in Aruba after more than 30 years. A new small natural pool was recently found (here you can find the already known one Conchi natural pool).
Unique Street Art in San Nicolas - Art Murals
On the second day of our trip we visited the colorful Art Murals in San Nicolas. The interactive art district is like a museum of sorts under the Caribbean sun. But since the artworks here are also part of the buildings and architecture of San Nicolas, it's much more relaxed than the typical quiet museum you're used to. Because here the works of art create an interesting dialogue between the artists, locals and tourists. And in several languages at the same time.
Until 1880 San Nicolas was a simple fishing village. However, after phosphate was found in the area, an oil refinery was built and the second largest city in Aruba quickly developed into an industrial and working-class city. However, in the mid-80's, the oil refinery ceased operations, causing many residents to leave San Nicolas. Gambling and prostitution dominated the streets from then on. San Nicolas therefore did not play a major role in tourism at first and was overshadowed by the popular sights of Aruba.

But Tito Bolivar wanted to change that. When he returned from a trip to Colombia in 2015, he had a vision for the then bare, drab walls of San Nicolas. He quickly put together a collective of artists and San Nicolas not only blossomed in the brightest colors, but has also developed into a real magnet for visitors since the Art Fair. The street art works of art are a real treat for the eyes and soul. Because every work of art thrives on exciting details and is rooted in the history of San Nicolas and the spirit of Aruba.





Oranjestad – The colorful capital of Aruba
Colorful, more colorful - Oranjestad! The lively capital of Aruba looks a bit like the Caribbean version of a Dutch city with its colorful colonial-style house facades. However, since nobody lives in the colorful houses in the center of the city and mainly fashion boutiques have taken up residence, Oranjestad also has a bit of an amusement park character.

Sights in Oranjestad - port city with flair
With almost 30.000 inhabitants, Oranjestad is Aruba's largest city and a popular starting point for exploring the island. Especially because the port city is approached by many cruise ships. Oranjestadt is great to explore on foot. The best place to start is with a stroll along Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard, Oranjestad's port street.

Lagoon & Wilhelmina Park
If you want to watch iguanas as much as we do, then you've come to the right place in Oranjestad's Wilhelmina Park. In the evening we even saw Aruba's national animal here: The burrowing owl (rabbit owl), also known as Shoco, is a cute little owl that mainly lives in burrows and nests there. Due to the smuggled Boa Constrictor, the population of this owl has unfortunately declined significantly in recent decades.
We were all the happier to meet the Shoco owl when we discovered it on the Anne Frank statue in Wilhelminapark. What we liked about Oranjestad, apart from the beautiful animal encounters, is the location right by the sea. A pleasant breeze blows in the secluded lagoon of Oranjestad, which is really good after a long tour of the city.

The Blue Horses of Aruba
Hard to miss are the eight blue horse statues in Oranjestad. They are reminiscent of Aruba's horse trade but are also symbolic of Aruba's historical role. For over three centuries, Aruba was considered the "stable" of the changing colonial powers in the Caribbean.
The horse trade began in the 16th century under Spanish occupation.
However, the horse trade flourished during the Dutch rule. That's why Oranjestad used to be called Paardenbai. The sculptures represent the strengths "nobility, grace, beauty and freedom". They represent Aruba's collaboration with local and international communities, as well as global trade between Europe, South America, the Caribbean islands and the Mediterranean. But why are they blue? Quite simply, the blue color symbolizes the sea and evokes the historical moment when horses jumped from ships into the Aruba sea and for a long time lived on the island in large herds.



Oranjestadt City Hall - Getting married on vacation in Aruba
The path along the Havenstraat is lined with historic buildings in the style of Caribbean townhouses. One of the most striking and beautiful buildings in Oranjestad is the green City Hall, known as the Stadhuis. Both locals and tourists get married here in a civil ceremony. Pretty practical to say YES in Aruba and then spend the honeymoon on the island.

The tram in Oranjestad
Cute, isn't it? The colorful trams give Oranjestad a bit of a San Francisco feel in the middle of the Caribbean. There are a total of four cars that travel a distance of just under two kilometers between the port and the city center. As you can imagine, the railway is much more of a pretty tourist attraction than a typical mode of transportation. The train has been in operation since 2012 and the ride is free for everyone.


Arikok National Park - wild & untouched
A holiday on Aruba not only offers white dream beaches and palm trees, but also has a completely different, rougher and wild side that we really wanted to get to know. We were originally lured by the Conchi Natural Pool after seeing numerous pictures of it on the internet. But looking back, we find the huge nature reserve in which the pool is located particularly exciting and worth seeing.
Since we neither booked a tour nor had an off-road vehicle as a means of transport, we followed the numerous advice on other blogs to simply drive a rental car to Daimari Ranch, park there and walk about 30 minutes 2 km to the Natural Pool to run. So far so good.

Hiking Aruba - Short Hike to Conchi Natural Pool
But in theory it sounded much easier than it really was. We would definitely NOT recommend driving the route to the ranch in a normal car, as the off-road dirt road can be very critical in places. Also, we were the only people on the trail that day. We found that on the one hand wonderfully slowing down and on the other hand a bit exciting. Rarely have I experienced such a "loud silence" as in Arikok National Park. The wind raged relentlessly and deserted beaches spread out in front of us. Here and there a crab scurried under our feet but otherwise? Absolute peace and quiet. Only your own breathing and heartbeat as companions.


Arriving at the natural pool was not a disappointment, but a realization: the way to the pool was the real goal after all. Because the Conchi Pool itself was unfortunately not visible that day due to the high waves. But that was okay. But we got to know the incredibly beautiful wild nature of Aruba a little better. If you don't want to take a guided tour to the natural pool or go on a lonely hike, you can also do the route on horseback.


Gold mines in Aruba
The first discovery of gold in Aruba dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. In 1824, a shepherd's son found a gold nugget on the north coast of Aruba and proudly brought it to his father. The story goes that one night in the local pub, the father divulged the secret find over a little too much alcohol, triggering a real "gold rush". Almost 100 years until the end of the Second World War in 1918, gold mining was Aruba's largest industry - a total of 1.735 kg of gold was mined during this time.
We visited the former gold smelter in Bushiribana on our excursion with ABC Tours and found the historical remains of the former gold rush super fascinating. Inside the ruins you can enjoy a wonderful view of the north coast of Aruba.

The most beautiful beaches in Aruba - Our top 4
Aruba is world famous for its heavenly white beaches and is definitely one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen. Velvety soft, white powdered sugar sand, crystal clear water, countless coconut palms, strange trees and a colorful underwater world that invites you to snorkel and dive - what more do you want? We particularly liked the fact that we could easily get from one beach to the other and that almost every beach is very easy to reach by car. In addition, it is nice to meet many locals on the beaches as well as tourists. So we quickly got into conversation with some people who live in Aruba. We found it exciting to learn more about life and everyday life on the island.
But now we come to our top 4 of the most beautiful beaches on Aruba. In 7 days on Aruba we didn't manage to visit all of Aruba's beaches, but the ones we saw are simply breathtakingly beautiful! Let's start with a little beach hopping.
1. Mangel Halto – Tranquil snorkeling & diving paradise in the mangroves
Mangel Halto is a popular starting point for various water sports activities such as kayaking & SUP tours on the open sea. The mangrove grove right on the beach is beautiful. The mangroves are not only an absolute eye-catcher and a pretty photo motif, but also offer many shady berths.
In addition to the colorful underwater world, the Kappel shipwreck should also be very interesting for divers and snorkelers. The tugboat lies at a depth of 12-15 meters under the sea and, thanks to the clear water, can already be seen from the water surface.




2. Baby Beach – picture book Caribbean beach at its finest
In the southeast of Aruba near San Nicolas is Baby Beach - one of the most popular and famous beaches on the island. Anyone who visits this beach can easily understand why it is popular with tourists and locals alike: the gleaming white sandy beach is located in a paradise-like lagoon straight out of a picture book.
The water is crystal clear and shimmers from afar in the most beautiful turquoise we have ever seen. Incidentally, Baby Beach owes its name to the wind-protected lagoon location: the gently sloping, shallow water is ideal for families with children. Here even the little ones can come into contact with the sea without much danger and, with a bit of luck, maybe even meet a sea turtle.



3. Rodger's Beach in San Nicolas - Among locals
A little insider tip is Rodger's Beach in San Nicolas, which is particularly popular with locals. The view of the disused oil refinery may be a little irritating at first, but the water on this beach is at least as clear as Baby Beach and the sand is even softer! Rodger's Beach is also a bit quieter than Baby Beach and has an overall pleasant vibe.

4. Same same but different at Eagle Beach - Charming fofoti trees on the 2 km long sandy beach
Eagle Beach is probably the dream Caribbean beach par excellence and has even made it into the ranking of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. It has received the Tripadvisor Traveller's Choice Award several times in a row in recent years. And maybe you've seen this picture of the bizarrely shaped trees on the beach. Because there are two special tree species that grow on Aruba, which are similar but different. One of them grows on Eagle Beach and has even made the beach famous.
Danger of confusing two beauties
While the so-called Fofoti trees are similar to the Divi-Divi trees that are considered the symbol of the island, one notable difference is that Fofoti trees grow on the beach, while Divi-Divi trees are more likely to be found off the coast. Several of the graceful fofoti trees are located directly on Eagle Beach. Incidentally, the trees owe their bizarre shape to the northeast trade wind.
Eagle Beach is not only the largest beach on the island, but also a popular (Instagram) photo motif thanks to the unusual shape of the Fofoti trees, which give the beach an almost surreal touch. The best time to photograph the trees is very early in the morning when the sun rises or in the evening when the sun goes down.



The best snorkeling spots in Aruba
Arashi Beach - Snorkeling paradise with a view of the California Lighthouse
Another beach that we are really excited about is Arashi Beach. A Caribbean postcard idyll not only awaits you above the water, but also below the surface of the water: just a few meters from the shore, a colorful underwater world blooms, inviting you to snorkel and explore. With its spacious, shallow entry into the water and the calm waves, Arashi Beach is also ideal for families with children. From the beach you have a wonderful view of the California lighthouse. Surrounded by wild cacti and other beautiful desert plants, a footpath leads to the recently renovated lighthouse. If you want to go high, you can even climb the lighthouse for $5 and enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the island. Especially at sunset, the landscape shines in a sea of intense colors.




Tres Trapi Beach – Snorkeling addicts on a turtle tour
At no other beach have we been as often as at Tres Trapi, the "three steps" to the sea.
But why did we actually come back several times? Already on our first snorkeling tour at Tres Trapi Beach, we discovered a sea turtle as soon as we entered the water. And anyone who has ever encountered turtles while snorkeling or diving knows how addictive it is to hover in the water and observe the gentle animals. (Ok, when I write it like this, it sounds a bit like stalking ^^). That's why we promptly came back two days later and were lucky enough to be able to admire several turtles. Our hearts jumped with joy every time a turtle appeared.
Tip: The best chance of spotting a turtle at Tres Trapi Beach is in the morning before all the catamarans and tourist boats arrive.

Food & Culinary Aruba - The best restaurants in Aruba
Aruba also has a lot to offer when it comes to culinary delights. The island's more than 110 nationalities have created an exciting fusion cuisine, so there's something for almost everyone (so we definitely wouldn't recommend an all-inclusive hotel for a vacation in Aruba). We have seldom eaten sooo well as in Aruba. Arubian cuisine combines South American, Caribbean, African, Dutch and Asian influences. Fish in particular plays a major role here. Popular fish include Red Snapper, Mahi Mahi & Wahoo. Let's start with our culinary recommendations:

The West Deck in Oranjestad - Romantic restaurant with Caribbean flair right on the sea
On the first night of our trip we visited The West Deck Restaurant in Oranjestad. The West Deck is a good choice to get that Caribbean feeling after a long journey. We particularly liked the romantic ambience on the cozy wooden terrace right by the sea. And with the warm sea breeze in your face, the anticipation of the meal is particularly great.

The portions are huge and there is a wide variety of delicious food. In terms of taste, there is something for everyone here. We opted for the catch of the day and the grouper. What we noticed right away: “Plantain”, fried bananas, are often served with many dishes, including hearty ones. Although bananas are rarely found on my menu, I found the plantain banana super delicious!
Zeerover: Eat like the locals (?)
Zeerover is one of Aruba's most famous restaurants. Admittedly, if you're looking at the picture right now, the store might look a bit dodgy. But that was only because we took the photo in the evening when we were just leaving the restaurant with a full stomach. On our first trip we were already recommended to visit the Zeerover. Here you can find freshly caught fish and seafood prepared according to typical Aruban recipes - deliciously seasoned.
Due to the fact that it is now well known, you should bring a little patience with you when visiting the Zeerover: You order at the entrance, here it can sometimes take a good 30 minutes (or even longer) before the order can be placed. But the wait is definitely worth it when the huge basket of freshly caught fish and delicious side dishes is finally served. We only paid $24 for two people here. And we heard it was cheaper a while ago, before the many tourists got a taste for Zeerover.

Beach Vibes at Flying Fishbone: Seafood restaurant for special occasions right on the beach (and who likes even with feet in the water)
According to The Daily Meal, the Flying Fishbone is one of the 10 best beach restaurants in the world (ranked 8th!). It is quite easy to understand why the restaurant made it into this ranking. After all, who doesn't want to enjoy a candle light dinner right in the (!) sea of Aruba? Not far from the Zeerover restaurant in Savaneta, the Flying Fishbone is on a rather unspectacular street from the outside. But in the restaurant itself, an extraordinary surprise awaits the guests.
According to the restaurant, the so-called "on-the-beach-dining" has become popular in Aruba: Here you can not only literally sit in the water, but actually dip your feet into the sea while eating. In addition to various pasta dishes, mainly fresh fish specialties are served, as the name suggests. The prices are a bit higher considering the extraordinary ambience and the concept. Therefore, the Flying Fisbone is also a popular address for special occasions. We ate here at the end of our trip and enjoyed the great atmosphere.

Tip: If you want to get hold of a so-called “water table”, you should ideally reserve for 16 p.m. (the number of tables is limited here).
Po-Ké Ono: Modern Asian cuisine in Aruba
Po-Ké Ono in Aruba is a modern restaurant with Japanese and Hawaiian influences. Founder and Chef Urvin Croes has had several successful restaurants in Aruba and in 2020 opened Po-Ké Ono, which features the famous Poké Bowls, Sushi and Bao's. Po-Ké Ono is now available twice in Aruba: in the Marketplace in Oranjestad and in the Azure apartment complex on Eagle Beach. We tested both the Bao's and the Pokeé Bowls and were very impressed
Tip: Be sure to try the Poké Bowl with the crispy tofu! It really was the best tofu we have ever eaten!

Pastechi - Traditional breakfast in Aruba
A snack that we have often seen in Aruba and of course tried is the traditional pastechi. They consist of fried, crescent-shaped dough filled with various ingredients such as meat, vegetables or cheese. The main ingredient is then usually topped with finely chopped onions, green peppers, celery sticks, raisins, cumin, nutmeg and hot peppers. The golden brown fried pastechis can be found all over the island but we saw them a lot in roadside food stalls. The dumplings are usually eaten in the morning for breakfast.

Our hotel in Aruba: The Wonders Boutique Hotel
We spent our week in Aruba in the beautiful boutique hotel Wonders. We felt very comfortable during the entire stay. Only a few minutes' walk from the city center of Oranjestad, the Wonders is a small oasis of retreat with a personal touch - for everyone who is looking for individual, quiet accommodation and does not like large hotel bunkers. The Wonders Boutique Hotel has a total of 11 rooms and a courtyard pool surrounded by palm trees. The host Gustin and the entire team gave us a super friendly welcome, gave many tips for excursions and created a great and, above all, relaxed atmosphere.
Every morning we were greeted with a fantastic breakfast. Guests can choose from various menu options: from healthy breakfast muesli with lots of fruit and nuts to Dutch Pannenkoeken, there is something for everyone.
The location is also great if you want to do a lot of excursions in Aruba. The hotel is well located practically in all directions: It's less than 10 minutes by car to Eagle Beach (the hotel also offers a shuttle to the beach every morning if you don't want to rent a car), Arashi Beach or Tres Trapi just about 15 minutes drive. You can even walk comfortably to Oranjestad. Another bonus that wowed us: Hotel guests can borrow all snorkeling equipment as well as comfortable beach chairs, loungers and bags free of charge.


Car Rentals in Aruba
In order to be as mobile as possible on Aruba, we decided to rent a car. A car was the most flexible solution for us to be able to see as much as possible within a week and lose as little time as possible. And arranging a rental car in Aruba is easy. Depending on the model, you can get a rental car at Aruba airport from around €50 per day. We picked up our rental car from Amigos Car Rental. Road traffic in Aruba is surprisingly quite relaxed. There is also right-hand traffic and the many roundabouts slow down driving a lot. And the best part? Parking is mostly free in Aruba! When looking for the right rental car, just like when looking for the right flight, it is always worth making a comparison: In this blog article, I describe how I used the Find a cheap rental car proceed.

Practical tips for your Aruba vacation
The climate on Aruba and the best time to travel – eternal summer
A big advantage of Aruba is that the Caribbean island can be visited all year round. The climate can be described as "tropical-warm" all year round. Temperatures stay around 28°C all year round, with very little rainfall (only an average of 400 millimeters a year!) and a lot of sunshine (7 to 9 hours a day all year round). In Aruba, the (northeast and south-east) trade winds always blow a light, pleasantly warm breeze, which makes the high temperatures pleasantly bearable. Temperatures around 25 degrees are also mild at night. Shorter showers can occur from mid-September to early December; there is no real rainy season in Aruba.
The water temperature is also ideal for a year-round beach holiday, it is constantly between 25°C and 28°C. High season on Aruba is from December to April, during which time many cruise ships make a stop on the island, so if you like it a little "quieter" you should plan your vacation in the remaining months. In terms of price, you can also save a bit in the “off-season”.
time shift
Aruba is in the Atlantic Standard Time (AST) time zone and does not use Daylight Saving Time. The difference to Central European Summer Time (CEST) is -6:00 hours. In the afternoon at 14 p.m. in Germany, the day in Aruba begins at 8 a.m.

How safe is a vacation to Aruba?
One of the first questions we asked ourselves before we traveled to Aruba was how “safe” it actually is on this paradise Caribbean island. The answer is short and sweet: Aruba is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean in terms of crime rate. And we felt super comfortable and safe throughout our stay in Aruba - the open and warm nature of the Aruba residents definitely contributed to this. As the smallest of the ABC Islands, Aruba can easily be visited all year round - since the island is located south of the "hurricane belt", the risk of a tropical storm is also extremely low.

Currency and payments in Aruba
The official currency in Aruba is the Aruba Florin. Until 1986, this was still the so-called Dutch "Antilles guilder" - when Aruba left the Netherlands Antilles, it was replaced by its own currency, the florin. The Aruba florin is pegged to the USD with a fixed exchange rate: 1 USD = 1,79 AWG. Paying in Aruba is very straightforward. Credit card payments are possible almost everywhere on the island.
Of course, it is advisable to have a credit card with you, with which you can pay in foreign currencies free of charge. Or, if in doubt, you can withdraw cash in Florin or US dollars free of charge. My recommendation, therefore: definitely get one free credit card for your travels. In this article I will introduce you to my top 3.
Entry into Aruba
Along with Sint Marteen, Curacao and the Netherlands (this includes the European Netherlands and the Caribbean islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba), Aruba is one of the four equal countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. However, as an autonomous country, Aruba is neither part of the European Union nor the Schengen area.
Nevertheless, entering Aruba is very easy. As an EU citizen (but also applies to US citizens and Canadians), you do not need a visa (up to 30 days). Only the so-called "Aruba ED-Card" has to be filled out in advance - this is the digital entry card that you here you can apply for in just a few minutes. You must also have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months.
Lina, where are the flamingo pictures? – Flamingos on the beach in Aruba
In fact, many years ago I first became aware of Aruba through the numerous “pink” flamingo pictures on the beach. For a long time it was even on my bucket list to visit this beach where apparently flamingos just roam freely and pose for pictures. But after Tobias and I happened to listen to a lecture on wild life tourism & animal welfare in Bali, we became more cautious when it came to the topic of "animal attractions".
Because what many do not know: The famous flamingos of Aruba are only found on the two private islands Renaissance Island and De Palm Island. Since Renaissance Island is part of the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort hotel, visiting the island is included for hotel guests. With a day pass of currently $125, non-hotel guests can also spend a day on the island. However, tickets are limited and often sell out. An important question we asked ourselves is why the flamingos don't fly away. Numerous reports suggest that the poor birds are being clipped, which makes sense. Since animal welfare is important to us, we decided against visiting the Flamingo Islands. We still dream of encountering flamingos at some point, but in the wild and at a reasonable distance.

What's the best way to get to Aruba?
When looking for a suitable flight, it is always advisable to compare different offers, just like when looking for a rental car. I usually use various flight search engine portals to find the best flight for us. We flew from Frankfurt with KLM to Amsterdam and then from Amsterdam directly to Aruba.
My tip to you: How about combining your Aruba vacation with a short city trip beforehand and flying comfortably directly from Amsterdam to Aruba? If you live near the border with the Netherlands, you can even consider spending just one night in Amsterdam and then book a direct flight to Aruba - this can often be worth it in terms of price. Similar to Germany, you can also find cheap parking spaces near Amsterdam Airport and get to the airport with a transfer.
In Aruba, we also learned from locals that British Airways will also be offering two direct flights per week between London Gatwick and Aruba from March 2023.
Holidays in Aruba: Our experiences
Aruba really turned our heads! Despite the long journey, we immediately felt comfortable on the island. We are still particularly impressed by the warm, helpful nature of the locals and the considerate way they treat each other. There is such a pleasant lightness on the island that immediately rubbed off on us. So many happy faces are just a joy! And this relaxed, good mood on Aruba is definitely contagious 😉
Another important point that we would like to highlight is the issue of mobility. We're not fans of just spending our time in big, anonymous hotel complexes and sizzle in the sun. That would also be a shame on an island as diverse as Aruba. Much more we would like to explore the area and get to know the culture - as safely and easily as possible. Due to the manageable size of the island, there are hardly any long distances to cover on Aruba, so you can easily get from A to B with a rental car or the bus. If you like to work up a sweat, you can also rent a bike and explore the island by bike .

A mix like no other
We were particularly enthusiastic about the variety of restaurants in Aruba. Whether street food or fancy beach restaurants - there is something for every requirement and budget. A big highlight are of course the fantastic beaches of Aruba. The crystal clear water and the intense color of the sea is simply magical! So far we have only experienced such a beautiful turquoise on the Maldives. Both the sea and the beaches themselves are very clean. In general, great importance is attached to environmental protection in Aruba, which we immediately noticed positively. As such, the island is home to many fascinating animals, such as our favorite animals, the sea turtles. You can even see them nesting on some beaches!
Aruba is the second destination we got to know in the Caribbean. Almost two years ago we were already in the Bahamas. However, we decided at the time that we didn't necessarily want to travel to the Bahamas a second time. You will soon find out why in our Bahamas article. But even before leaving Aruba, we were certain: we will be back! For us, the island simply has the perfect mix of dream beaches, colorful culture, excellent food, warm temperatures, a fascinating underwater world and great people. We also found out that carnival in Aruba is supposed to be a real highlight 😉
Transparency: This article was created in cooperation with the Aruba Tourism Authority. I was supported in my research by the Aruban Tourism Association. Thanks a lot for this! You can find more exciting information about Aruba at www.aruba.de