Aruba is a Dutch island off the coast of Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea. Tourists and newlyweds flock to this country because of its year-round warm and sunny weather, white sand beaches, and gentle ocean. European influence is all around, from the Dutch population to the tropical architecture. Though it’s a Dutch country, everyone does speak English, Spanish, and the native Papiamento. It's true what they say: Aruba is One Happy Island. Click To Tweet

Neighborhoods

Aruba is a small island country, and most of the activity is all in the capital city of Oranjestad. Oranjestad is a unique blend of old and new that lends itself to Aruba’s distinctive charm. Oranjestad is a port city with cruises docking daily, so you can find plenty of shopping, nearby beaches, restaurants, cafes, bars, and casinos. This is the area where most of the hotels, resorts, and rental properties can be found. Whether you enjoy food and drink, plentiful unique island shopping, sunbathing, meeting new friends, or learning about historic culture, Oranjestad has something for you.

San Nicolas is a quiet town known as “Sunrise City,” about 12 miles southeast of Oranjestad. This area of Aruba offers beautiful beaches and island charm. Though it’s Aruba’s second largest city, it’s far from the glitz and glamour of high-rise hotels and bustling shopping centers. San Nicolas boasts a history of Caribbean steel bands, calypso music, and exuberant Carnavals. If you’re looking for authentic Caribbean flavor, San Nicolas is a great choice.

Almost 20 percent of Aruba is covered by the rugged terrain of Arikok National Park Foundation. You can see desert-like hills filled with cacti, a breathtaking coastline, and protected flora and fauna. You can explore this area on your own or on a guided tour to see Aruba’s natural beauty at its best.

Beaches

The most popular beaches in Aruba are in Oranjestad. Palm Beach is probably the most popular beach, known for its white sand and calm waters. Most of the popular hotel chains like the Marriotts, Ritz-Carlton, Hilton, Hyatt, Barceló, and Holiday Inn are on Palm Beach. There are also plenty of time share condos in this area so you’re likely to see the same people year after year, making Aruba start to feel like a second home for you. Palm Beach is a popular beach for snorkeling and diving due to the calm, clear waters and bountiful sea life.

Eagle Beach is just south of Palm Beach and offers visitors a quieter, more local feel. Eagle Beach is one of the most breathtaking beaches on the island, with pure white, soft sand and clear, sparkling water. This is a popular area for turtle nests so a few times a year, certain areas will be marked with red flags to protect nesting sea turtles. Eagle Beach offers shaded picnic areas, palm huts, motorized water sports, and plenty of parking. Some low-rise hotels and rental houses call this beach their own.

The best water sport beach in Aruba is Hadicurari Beach. It’s a rocky strip past all the resort hotels popular with surfers, windsurfers, kite surfers, and fishermen. In fact, the Aruba Hi-Winds, the largest windsurfing even in the Caribbean, is held in Hadicurari Beach every June or July.

Malmok Beach is Aruba’s great snorkeling beach because of its shallow, clear Caribbean waters. Reefs and sunken wrecks nearby attract divers as well. The Malmok Beach area is popular with locals and tourists for hiking, biking, golfing, and other outdoor activities. The famous California Lighthouse is in this neighborhood too.

Arashi Beach is a quiet, narrow stretch of beach and is a favorite among locals. It’s also a great spot for snorkeling with its gentle currents and abundant sea life. Arashi Beach is just north of Malmok Beach in a residential area of Aruba near the California Lighthouse.

Where to Stay

Aruba has a plethora of accommodation options, including hotels, all-inclusive resorts, timeshares, and apartment rentals. There’s room for every budget, every group size, and every length of stay. There are options to stay right on the beach or in a more secluded area. Keep in mind that for some hotels you won’t need a car at all during your stay; for others, you might not be able to rely on public transportation all the time.

As far as timeshares, I stayed at La Quinta in Eagle Beach. It’s a nice low-rise hotel in Eagle Beach with a local feel. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, the pool is nice with iguanas everywhere, and it’s just a short walk to the beach. It’s also a very short walk to the Screaming Eagle restaurant, which is one of my favorite restaurants in Aruba.

I’ve also visited the Divi Aruba Phoenix Resort and the Hyatt, which both have a great beach that gets sun all day, palm tree huts to shade yourself from the burning Aruba sun, and glorious pools. The pool bars even have stools underwater – what more could you ask for?

My favorite place to stay was a friend’s house in the Eagle Beach neighborhood, because I loved the local feel. Of course you can get the five-stay treatment at one of the fancy hotels or timeshare, but my recommendation to you is to rent an Airbnb (get $40 off your booking here). Aruba is an amazing island, but the best way to experience it is like a local.

Where to Eat

My absolute favorite restaurant in Aruba is Screaming Eagle. It’s a trendy South Beach style restaurant in Eagle Beach, where one of the dining options is to eat IN BED. There are a few mattresses set up in addition to tables where you can sit in bed with sheer white curtains blocking out other diners, and food is served on a bed tray. The food is a bit pricey but it’s delicious, and the drinks are perfect. Expect to pay a small fortune, but that’s typical of most restaurants in Aruba. Trust me, Screaming Eagle is worth the price!

Madame Janette is inland in a residential neighborhood, but once you find it you won’t regret it. It’s popular among locals and tourists for combining northern European and Caribbean cuisines. Lights adorn the surrounding fence and trees while you sit atop stones and wicker chairs, sipping wine and dining on fine International dishes. Madame Janette’s is another pricey restaurant but the food is perfect and the atmosphere is unlike anything else in Aruba.

The most romantic dinner I had in Aruba was at Passions on the Beach (the name says it all). At Passions, you eat dinner on the beach surrounded by tiki torches and tiki huts with romantic music. Plan for a sunset date night and make reservations! Passions is at Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort.

For authentic Italian cuisine, try the family owned Gianni’s. Gianni’s offers everything from soups, salads, and antipasta to seafood, steaks, and chicken. The spaghetti al formaggio parmigiano comes with a huge flaming cheese wheel! Gianni’s is a bit pricey and while the food was good, I wasn’t impressed with it enough for the prices. Others in my party really enjoyed it, but if I was going to spend $50 to $100 on a meal, I’d prefer to eat on a beach like Passions, in bed like Screaming Eagle, or eat local food like Madame Janette’s.

Smokey Joe’s Island Grill has the best barbecue in the Caribbean with a casual yet festive atmosphere. It’s less pricey than some of the other restaurants in Aruba so if you’re on a budget, this is a great choice. If you love ribs, roast chicken, or pulled pork, Smokey Joe’s is calling your name!

Bingo Cafe & Restaurant is a casual restaurant inland a bit from Palm Beach. Taste local Dutch and Aruban food and drinks at an affordable cost. Bingo has a great indoor ambiance and an amazing outdoor terrace. The chefs are creative and innovative and produce amazing food. Give Bingo a try for some good local cuisine at a modest price!

If you like brick-oven, thin-crust pizza, Casa Tua is the place for you. It’s in the center of Palm Beach’s high-rise hotels. The pizza is delicious but there is more than just pizza. Casa Tua has a great outside atmosphere right next to Soprano’s and the price is perfect for those on a budget. We celebrated a birthday here with a large group of pizza and the family style servings were perfect for the big group!

Where to Drink

Aruba has two local beers that you can’t find in America: Amstel Bright and Balashi. Amstel Bright is a pale lager from Amsterdam and Balashi is brewed locally right in Aruba! You can tour the Balashi brewery and visit the Balashi Beergarden weekdays for $6.

If you’re looking for the best beach bar in Aruba, look no further than Bugaloe at the Riu Resort on Palm Beach. It’s a great place for food, drinks, music, friends, and sunsets. Bugaloe is on a pier over the water so it’s common to see boats pull up to grab a drink. You can also spot sail boats just past the pier watching the sunset, which just adds to the magic of the bar. Tuesday happy hours are the best time to go!

Sopranos Piano Bar is the spot for a nightcap. It’s not the typical piano bar you might be thinking, although piano players are responsible for the music. The impressive musicians can play just about any request you can make! But the focus isn’t on the piano: it’s on the loungy atmosphere and delicious cocktails. It’s a great place to meet friends or go solo and make new friends.

Where to Play

The Kukoo Kunuku Bus is Aruba’s party hopping bus. The big red bus with loud music blasting out the open-air windows will pick you up at your hotel for a wild night of bar hopping around the island. Start off with a champagne toast at sunset then dinner at Casibari Cafe, across from the Casibari rock formations. Then, get restless and reckless at three Aruban bars with a free drink at each one. The bus runs from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. It’s one of the best tours in Aruba!

Aruba’s first casino opened in 1959 and gambling was a major attraction for years after. Today, there are a dozen casinos with slots, table games, and even bingo. As long as there’s a crowd, the casinos will stay open. Some stay open 24 hours no matter what! All casinos are open to everyone 18 and older, though that rule is only loosely enforced.

The Alto Vista Chapel is a tiny bright yellow Catholic church high on a hill on the north side of the island. It was built in 1952 on the original site of the first Catholic church in Aruba, dating back to 1750. To get to it, take a winding road lined with white crosses up the hill. It’s the perfect place for contemplation, peace, relaxation, and of course, pictures.

Have you been to Aruba? Where did you stay? What was your favorite restaurant? Did you do anything I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments below!

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P.S. You might also enjoy Curacao or 8 Most Unique and Beautiful Beaches