When I visited Colombia, I took a side trip to travel to Aruba and Curacao. The Caribbean islands looked amazing and were quite close. Aruba was very friendly and easy to drive around. In fact, I basically drove around the whole island in two days, except for the national park restricted roads on the north side. The weather in January was warm and a little rainy, but it was still great for sightseeing and hiking. Oranjestad, the capital, has a lot of colourful colonial architecture to enjoy. In addition, the beaches and hills provide opportunities for relaxing and hiking in nature.
I tried to book a car too late and couldn’t find anything available. Luckily, one company said they could provide a car in the afternoon instead of the morning. And they dropped it off to me in the city centre where I had been walking around. It was expensive but worth it to get around and see the island. Also, taxis were expensive and did not seem very reliable regarding the prices.
Highlights
- California lighthouse and view
- Casibari Rock Formations
- Westpunt (Boca)
- Sasariwichi Dunes
- Tres Trapi Beach
- Malmok Beach and Boardwalk
- The Butterfly Farm Aruba
- Eagle Beach and Fofoti Trees
- Manchebo Beach for the sunset
- Oranjestad, the capital
- I Love Aruba Sign
- National Archaeological Museum
- Protestant Church architecture
- Beautiful City Hall
- Museo Histórico Aruba
- Aruba Parliament Building
- Anne Frank Monument in Queen Wilhelmina Park
- Renaissance Beach
- Kustbatterij Command Post
- Aruba Street art, especially in San Nicolas
- Rodger’s Beach
- Baby Beach with soft white sand
- Bachelor’s Beach and pet cemetery
- Seroe Colorado Natural Bridge
- Red Anchor memorial
- Boca Grandi Beach
- Spanish Lagoon and Balashi Gold Mills
- Donkey Sanctuary Aruba- take time to feed the donkeys
- Hooiberg Lookout and hiking
- Blackstone beach and natural bridge
- Bushiribana Ruins
- Quadirikiri Cave
- Wildlife like iguanas, birds, donkeys
Before you go
- UK and US passport holders don’t need a visa to visit for tourism up to 90 days
- However, foreigners need to complete an embarkation form online before boarding the flight
- Aruba is a constituent island country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands
- High season is January through April
- During high season, book accommodation and car in advance
- Driving is on the right side of the road but the steering wheel can be on either side of the car
- The north side of the island is mostly off limits for the rental cars. To visit the national park, you must hire a 4×4 vehicle due to the rough and sandy roads
- Roundabouts are common and larger ones have raised areas to direct traffic into specific lanes
- Weather can quickly change so be prepared for sudden heavy rain
- Post offices are closed on the weekends
- Some restaurants are closed on Sunday or Monday
- Museum hours on Google Maps are often not accurate so check websites or ask your hotel
- Beaches are designated as public or private (for specific resorts)
- Dutch and the local language of Papiamento are the official languages of Aruba, but most Arubans also speak English and Spanish
Transport
- The airport on the island is called Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) Although there are buses to get around the island, it is most convenient to rent a car or use taxis. Taxis can be expensive and are not always available, plus the pricing seems a bit flexible
- Be sure to book a car in advance. Luckily, I managed to hire a car from Chener
Accommodation
- I stayed at the Juanedu Boutique Hotel, which was comfortable and spacious. The rooms are like studio apartments with a kitchenette. The front desk staff were very welcoming and helpful. And there’s a swimming pool. It’s not really around much, so a car is useful
- As usual I recommend checking reviews on Google Reviews or using AirBnB
Currency
The official currency is the Aruban Florin. As of January 2025, one British pound is equal to 2.23 florin. US dollars are also widely accepted and often prices will be in both currencies
I recommend to check the currency conversion just before you leave as this fluctuates
Food
While visiting Manchebo beach, I found Red Fish Aruba. I ordered the blackened grilled fish with plantains, coleslaw, rice and sauces. So yummy!
O’Niel Caribbean Kitchen in San Nicolas was a great find. Friendly and lively, with excellent food. Their lobster curry was delicious and served with a few sides.
Fusion Deli Surinamese restaurant was a very casual restaurant in the centre of Oranjestad. I wasn’t sure I had ever tried Surinamese food and it seemed to be a mix of Chinese and Indian. I had spicy chicken curry, roti, and a spring roll.
Big Mama Grill at Baby Beach is casual and has fast food and ice cream. It was a nice place to have a break.
The Pastechi House is famous for its pastechis (local fried pastries with meat, seafood, vegetables or cheese) in an iconic building.
Renaissance Marketplace is a covered area for food, drinks and shopping. It’s central and has many options.
The Cupcake Garden was a cute place to stop for freshly baked cupcakes and tea. I tried the cashew flavour and it was tasty!
Interestingly, there were a lot of American fast food restaurants on the island including Taco Bell and Panda Express, so I did get snacks from both of them.
FAQs
Q: Do I need a tour guide?
A: No, you don’t need a guide to get around and find the places of interest. However, you may want to have a car to get around the island.
Q: Do people speak English?
A: Yes, most people speak English
Q: Can I travel solo?
A: Yes, it is safe and easy to travel solo
Q: How easy is it to send postcards?
A: Finding postcards to buy was relatively easy at souvenir shops. However, finding a post office that was open was difficult. They were closed on weekends. Also, finding a postbox to send the postcards was also challenging. In the end, I stopped by one of the larger resorts and politely asked if they would be able to send my postcards. They were very nice and did so without any questions. See Sending Postcards from Abroad for details on cost and the time it took to reach the USA.
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