Island Life Travel Guide: 7 Things To Do while in Aruba

Aruba is one of my favorite place. It really deserves its slogan of "One Happy Island". Although it's a bit pricey and can get busy depending on the month you go, it's such a carefree place. You'll feel relaxed, and just happy to wake up in the morning. I'm sure a lot has to do with the amazing weather, white sand, and clear blue water. But also everyone is in a good mood and welcoming. Now every time that I feel a bit down and try to think about a place I would rather be, I think of Aruba.

Ok, let's get into it! Here is my list of 7 things you can do while on the island.

🏝 🏝 🏝

1. Go for a walk on Eagle Beach

One of my favorite things was walking on the beach, and more specifically Eagle Beach. I would walk all the way down to Manchebo Beach or Divi Beach. Just taking in the surroundings, listening to the waves break, it felt like paradise.

Eagle Beach keeps on ranking among the Best Beach in the World on TripAdvisor’s annual ranking. This year, users have voted it as N. 2 top world's best beaches, and N. 1 in the Caribbean.

I stayed at the Eagle Aruba Resort, It's within walking distance to the beach and close to the island's bigger supermarket, which is practical if you are on a budget. I enjoyed it because it was not in the busiest area (Noord/Palm Beach), where all the party resorts are (like Riu). But still close enough to walk there, if the envy came.

2. Have dinner on the beach at sunset

You can have dinner at Passion On The Beach to watch the Sunset. There are mostly couples as it's seen as a romantic setting, but I went by myself and I had a great time. The staff was super nice, and the food was pretty good. The whole experience was very dreamy, just make sure you book your spot ahead and ask for a front-row table.

That being said, you can seat on the beach every day to watch the sunset. But having a nice dinner and drink makes the experience a bit different and even more enjoyable.

3. Go have lunch at Zeerover

If you want fresh seafood for super affordable prices you HAVE to drop by Zeerover. They are a local restaurant where fishermen bring fresh seafood daily. It can get very busy so make sure you arrive early to avoid having to queue in the sun on an empty stomach for too long.

It's located in San Nicolas towards the south of the island. Go explore and head to Baby Beach just after. And if you are into kite surfing you can go towards Grapefield Beach or Boca Grandi.

4. Join happy hour on the beach

There are a lot of bars on the beach, and they do happy hours (2 for 1) during the afternoon (reminder to drink safely: alcohol and sun are not the best match, so make sure you drink water too). And, If you buy drinks or food you can have access to the sun lounger without any time limit. You can also head to De Palm Pier in Palm Beach for some snacks and a view.

5. Go get a drink at the Bohemian

Bohemian is a French-owned restaurant and bar, with great atmosphere and entertainment. I stayed at the bar to have a drink and small plates while listening to live music and performer. You can make reservations for dinner, they have a great menu and entertainment from Wednesday to Sunday that's worth giving a chance.

6. Spend an afternoon in Downtown

Go see Aruba's colorful historic buildings inspired by Dutch Colonial architecture. Located in Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba. You can hop on the trolley on Main Street around the city center, take a break at the Plaza Daniel Leo, enjoy the local market (buy some souvenirs) and shopping malls like the Royal Plaza. If it's a Tuesday, you can also stay until the evening and attend the Bon Bini Festival at Fort Zoutman.

7. Spend your evening at Apotek Speakeasy

If you are looking for a bit of a different atmosphere, head to Apotek Speakeasy. A hidden lounge located in Oranjestad, that offers nice cocktails accompanied by house music.

Other things you might find useful 💡

• Explore the rest of the island🚶‍♀️

The north of the island is the most constructed and touristy, but it's only a small part. If you have a car, go visit the rest of the island. Go to Philip's Animal Garden, take a hike to the Bushiribana Ruins, visit the Quadirikiri Cave, and go to the Conchi Natural Pool or other hidden beaches. You can also kite surf towards the south at Grapefield Beach or Boca Grandi, many people come to the island just for this.

• Book a spot to see the Flamingos 🦩

Flamingo Beach located on Renaissance Island, is one of the main attractions of Aruba. It gives you the chance to see and take pictures with this iconic pink-colored bird. I was not able to go as it was sold out when I was there, but adding this here so you can learn from my "mistake". The First option is to stay at the Renaissance Resort to be able to see them whenever you like, the second option is to book a day pass online. The slots open at 7 am the day before for the following day, and they go as fast as Coachella tickets.

• Do your groceries at Super Food Plaza 🥫

If you're staying somewhere where there is a kitchen, which is a good idea because Aruba can be expensive, and you need to go grocery shopping. The market with a good range of products is the Super Food Plaza close to Eagle Beach.

• Lunch or dine, great food for every budget 🌮

If you are looking for nice tacos and drinks for a very affordable price, head to Lola taqueria. If you are looking for something a bit fancier and are comfortable with pricier menus, then Madame Jeanette is just for you. Pasta cravings? head to Lucca Trattoria. You can also join some chill breakfast spots like Matthew's beachside restaurant. You can find a lot of good places and food types, but there is also a lot of touristy food, just need to read the reviews well.

Travel guide and insights

🏝🏝🏝

Thanks for reading; I hope you have a great stay in Aruba.

Stay tuned for more destinations!