Kelledstyle

Looking for a sunny destination to escape the Canadian cold winter? Located in the southern Caribbean, Aruba offers miles of stunning white sand beaches, a pretty colorful capital, and unique landscapes.

Based on our recent stay in Aruba during the Holidays, my sister and I have prepared this travel guide to help you plan your trip to the One Happy Island. Read on to find out our best travel tips to fully enjoy your stay in Aruba.

Beach – What are the top 3 beaches in Aruba?

There are so many wonderful beaches in Aruba that is hard to pick only one. Whatever you want to do such as snorkeling, kitesurfing, or just lying down on the white sand, there is a variety of beaches offering something special for everyone. Moreover, all public beaches are free!

During our stay, we visited at least 5 beaches from north to south. Since each beach has its own signature, we have made this selection according to the following 3 themes: quietness, fun, and family.

Eagle Beach

In 2017, Eagle Beach won the TripAdvisor Travel Award of the 3^rd Best Beach in the World. Eagle Beach is a pristine white sand beach with stunning turquoise water. We went there several times at different hours of the day during our stay and it was always quiet. This beach is ideal if you are looking to have a rest and enjoy the calm.

Palm Beach

Surrounding by luxurious resorts, Palm Beach is the most crowded beach of Aruba. All along the Palm Beach coast, you can enjoy bars, restaurants, and a ton of fun water activities.

Baby Beach

For those who travel with small children, Baby Beach is the perfect match for you. This calm and shallow turquoise lagoon located in Aruba’s sunrise city San Nicolas is safe for small children to play.

Food – Where to eat vegan food in Aruba?

The local Aruban cuisine is a blend of Amerindian, Dutch, Spanish, African, and Asian recipes. From a stew of beef (carni di baca stoba) to chicken (galina stoba), most of the truly authentic Aruban plates are served with rice and beans (arroz moro) or cornmeal mash (funchi).

We have been to many places in the Caribbean and finding variety in vegan options was sometimes challenging. We are used to browsing vegan restaurants on HappyCow but we found out that Vegan Aruba blog was more adapted to our needs. Here is a selection of restaurants for each meal of the day.

Breakfast and Brunch

One Happy Bowl is a healthy food café that has recently opened its doors at the Renaissance Marketplace. You can create your own fully plant-based and gluten-free bowl or chose an item from the menu. We opted for the Tofu Scramble with Avocado and the Flamingo Pancakes filled with coconut and chia seeds. Delicious!

Every Sunday, enjoy an all you can eat fully served vegan brunch at Taste of Belgium Restaurant located in the Palm Beach Plaza (reservations are required). This special menu is not yet featured on their website but it is offered from 11 am to 2.30 pm for 36$US per person. We tasted every item of the menu and our favorites include Brussel Twist, French Toast, and Wings of Flower just to mention a few.

Lunch

Located on the top of the Hudishibana Hill, Faro Blanco Restaurant serves with passion a delightful Italian vegan menu. While we enjoyed the best panoramic view of Aruba, we chose the Zuppa Di Lasagna, the Penne Alla Vodka, and the Pizza Vegano paired with glasses of White Wine. Every bite was tasty!

Looking for a vegan lunch on the beach? The culinary team of Elements Restaurant has an exciting lunch menu for your taste buds. We started with refreshing smoothies while contemplating the ocean view. We went with the Quinoa Macro Bowl, the BBQ Tofu Wrap, the Cashew Cheese Tacos, and the Peanut Tempeh Satay. Healthy and savory!

Dinner

Located between the Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club and the MooMba Beach Bar, Hadicurari is a seafood restaurant with open-air seating. We recommend visiting the restaurant for the dinner menu to enjoy the live music. They serve a creative vegan menu featuring Soy Fish Tempura and Fried ‘Scallops’ among others. The taste is unique!

In the heart of Oranjestad, Yemanja invites you to enjoy a fusion of Caribbean flavor and European style. They do not have a vegan menu but a few dishes are vegan and some vegetarian items could be made vegan upon request. We ate there at least three times during our stay and try several plates. Our favorites were the Superfood Salad, the Open Faced Mediterranean Veggie Burger (without feta), and the Vegan BBQ Platter.

Owned by a Canadian who fall in love with Aruba 20 years ago, Cuba’s Cookin’ is more than just a restaurant. Located in the Renaissance Marketplace, you visit Cuba’s Cookin’ to enjoy the food, the art, and the music. On the menu, there is a page dedicated to the vegan dishes. We opted for the Portobello Ribs in BBQ Sauce and the Tofu Ropa Vieja both served with rice, black beans, and sweet plantains. This restaurant is definitely a must try!

Attractions – What are the must-do activities in Aruba?

We know that is difficult to leave the beach especially when gorgeous turquoise waters meet white fine sand. Of course, there are numerous water activities to do at the beach but there are also a couple of interesting things to do all around the island. Here is a list of 5 must-do activities in Aruba.

San Nicolas

On your way to Baby Beach or Boca Grandi (top destination for kitesurfing), take at least one hour to explore the small town of San Nicolas. Despite the Valero oil refinery is not the most picturesque scenery, there are stunning murals all around the town reflecting Aruba’s history and development in time.

Natural pool

Located inside the Arikok National Park, the Natural Pool is the most popular natural attraction in Aruba. To get there, you need a 4×4 vehicle since the road that leads to the pool is unpaved. Otherwise, you can walk but it will take at least one hour from the park entrance to get there.

California Lighthouse

Climb the top of the California Lighthouse for a 360-degree view of the island. From Arashi Beach, it is around 30 minutes walk since the bus does not go until the California Lighthouse.

Rock Formations

Ayo and Casibari are the two rock formations that can be climbed and explored in Aruba. There are pathways in place to keep you on the trail. Both sites offer breathtaking views of the island.

Sunset Tour

End your day by going on a sailing adventure with Sailaway Tour. There is no better place than a boat to watch the sunset in Aruba. On board, you have an open bar, music, and friendly staff to spend an unforgettable moment. Moreover, bring your swimwear and towel if you want to do the rope swing after the sunset.

Accommodation – Where to stay in Aruba?

There are accommodations for every budget in Aruba from 5 stars luxury resort to hostel. From what we experienced, Oranjestad and the resort area are the most recommendable places to stay because there are close to the beach and the major attractions.

In Oranjestad, there is a couple of modern apartments such as Cataleya Aruba Vacation available for rent on Booking and Airbnb. The advantage of booking an apartment is to pay only for the room and to allow the rest of your budget to try local restaurants, bars, and outdoor activities.

In the north of Oranjestad begins the 10 km of stunning beaches where the vast majority of Aruba resorts are located. The first part is the low-rise resort area from Druif Beach to Eagle Beach and the second part is the high-rise resort area on Palm Beach. The high-rise resort area is close to a variety of dining and recreation options. For those who are looking for a little less crowded area, you should opt for one of the low-rise hotels.

Transportation – How to get around Aruba?

Aruba is a pretty small island where it is easy to navigate from north to south. To get around Oranjestad, you just need to walk, as most of the sights and recreations are localized within the same area. Moreover, there is a free electric trolley that operates from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and runs from the cruise terminal through the downtown and Main Street before going back to the port.

We would recommend opting for a budget rental car only if you need to reach isolated area such as the natural pool located in the Arikok National Park. Otherwise take Arubus, which is the major public transportation of Aruba and operates several routes from the main bus depot located in Oranjestad. By bus, we were able to go until Baby Beach situated down south and Arashi Beach in the north of the island. A single ride ticket costs 2.50$US and some buses also have the wifi.

Concerning the security, we felt safe in Aruba at any times of the day and night. Locals are very friendly so do not be surprised if people talk to you to say hello.

Weather – When is the best time to visit Aruba?

Following our discussion with a member of the Aruba Tourism Authority in the office located in San Nicolas, you can visit the island anytime during the year. The weather is always hot and the island is below the hurricane belt. Although, Aruba has a tropical climate with a dry and wet season; the actual raining days could be counted with only one hand.

The weather is favorable to enjoy the white sand beaches from April to December and to practice any kind of water sports. For more information about the climate and the weather city by city in Aruba, please visit the blog Where And When that features reliable data.

Overall, Aruba is a destination that we strongly suggest to add on your travel bucket list. The island offers everything you need to unwind, treat yourself and enjoy your time.

To conclude, here are additional tips to prepare your travel to Aruba:

• Money – the local currency is the Aruban Florin (AWG) but the US Dollar is widely accepted and you can also pay by cards.
• Entry Requirements (for tourism) – there is no visa required for Canadian, American and French citizens.

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