Amazing Must-Dos in Aruba
Aruba is known as “One Happy Island” and if that isn’t enough to get you to hop on a plane and head there, then hopefully this list of awesome things to do on the island will. Aruba is full of delicious food, sparkling beaches, and tons of fun. It’s great for family vacations, girls’ trips, or romantic getaways because there’s something for everyone.
Where To Stay in Aruba
Two of the main beaches in Aruba are Palm Beach and Eagle Beach. These beaches are pretty close together. They’re both full of spectacular, powdery white sand and gorgeous ocean views. Palm Beach is a little further north and is a little more crowded. More people visit this beach because it’s home to most of the island’s high-rise hotels.
Eagle Beach is more private and calmer since the hotels around there are generally smaller. The biggest tradeoff for fewer crowds is rougher seas. Both of these beaches are gorgeous and will bring your Caribbean paradise dreams to life.
There are tons of amazing hotels to stay in right on (or at least really close to) the beach. Here are a few suggestions:
Palm Beach
If you are looking for the ultimate island luxury, the Ritz-Carlton Aruba is the place for you. It’s a 5-star resort with one of the most luxurious spas in the Caribbean. There are two sparkling pools, including one that is adult’s only. The resort also has six separate dining spaces, including the BLT Restaurant in case you need a fancy meal to go with your fancy stay. There’s also a casino on site. Maybe you can win back some of the money you spent on your extravagant vacation!
If you are looking for something slightly more affordable, the Holiday Inn Resort Aruba is a great choice. Each room has a patio or a balcony so you can enjoy that island sunshine. The resort also has multiple restaurants, including pizza that can be delivered directly to your room. There’s also an activity center for the kiddos. Added bonus - kids can stay free with qualifying adults!
Boardwalk Boutique is another fun option in the Palm Beach area. This hotel only allows children if they are 12 or older, so there won’t be any tinies running around. One of the great things about Boardwalk Boutique is that almost all of the rooms have a kitchenette. The only type of room that doesn’t is the fancy-pants Palapa Lodge 360 which makes up for its lack of a kitchen with a 360° wrap-around terrace. I think that’s a pretty good tradeoff. The resort also has two pools if you’re not in the mood for salt and sand.
Eagle Beach
La Cabana is a resort with all suites that include kitchens. This is an awesome thing, especially if you want to save some money. You can just get some bread and sandwich stuff and then eat lunch in the hotel. The hotel also has a GORGEOUS pool, complete with a waterslide and cool-looking rock bridge. There are six onsite restaurants, plus a casino, salon, and spa. The resort is basically ocean-front, with just a not-busy road separating you from the sparkling white sand.
Riu Palace is a giant hotel with over 400 rooms. It’s an all-inclusive resort with tons of food choices, so there’s something for everyone. They also have nightly entertainment including live music. No boring nights here! The pool here has a swim-up bar, which I’m pretty sure we can all count as a big plus.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Bucuti & Tara Boutique. It’s an adult-only boutique-style resort. It’s full of romance, focused on serenity rather than the hustle and bustle of some of the larger resorts. Bucuti & Tara also has a big emphasis on wellness and offers classes in yoga, Tai Chi, and even nutrition demonstrations.
Another amazing hotel option that isn’t on Palm or Eagle beach is the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort. This resort is actually made up of multiple buildings including one that is on a private island. How cool is that? This island is one of the most famous places to visit in Aruba due to one thing - FLAMINGOS! That’s right, the famous Aruba flamingos live on an island owned by the Renaissance Hotel. Even if you aren’t able to snag an island room, anyone staying at the resort can visit the island by taking a free water taxi. This hotel also has restaurants, a casino, and a spa.
What To Do in Aruba
Even though Aruba is only 69.5 square miles, there is so much to do!
On top of your “Must-Do In Aruba” list has to be Baby Beach. It’s on the southern end of the island and is one of the most GORGEOUS places I’ve ever been. The water is calm, making it perfect for swimming or wading. The turquoise water and white beaches look straight out of a screensaver. It’s the most picture-perfect beach ever.
Across the island from the main hotels is the wild and wonderful national park, Arikok. The best way to visit the park is by booking a tour so you can explore with one of their 4x4s. DO NOT TAKE YOUR RENTAL CAR TO THE PARK. While I was there, I saw two broken axles and one flipped-over jeep. Most of the rental companies on the island will not cover you there. Don’t chance it.
A lot of these national park tours will also take you to a natural pool along the ocean which is a great way to cool off from the Caribbean heat.
Another awesome thing to do in Aruba is to visit the Donkey Sanctuary Aruba. Donkeys originally came to Aruba over 500 years ago and eventually, a wild donkey population formed. The Donkey Sanctuary Aruba rescues some of these donkeys and you can visit them. You can help feed them, pet them, or just watch these funny creatures go throughout their day. You don’t need a lot of time here, but if you have a free afternoon or morning, it’s definitely worth checking it out.
Anytime you’re in the Caribbean, a must-do is snorkeling. Luckily, Aruba is surrounded by gorgeous, crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The best way to see it is to book a catamaran tour that takes you out to the best sites. Bonus points if they serve rum punch on the way back!
Another unique thing to do is visit the Aruba Butterfly Farm. It’s really convenient, located right on Palm Beach. At the Butterfly Farm, you can see tons of different types of beautiful butterflies and learn about their life cycle.
If shopping is more your speed, there are tons of places to do that in Aruba too! There is the super fancy Renaissance Mall, home to stores like Gucci and Rolex.
There’s also the Paseo Herencia mall that's just steps away from the high-rise hotels in Palm Beach. Here you can find stores like Aldo, Pandora, Alex & Ani, and Calvin Klein. Plus there are stores to find local souvenirs like Aruba Aloe and Aruba Forever Souvenir shop. One of the coolest things about Paseo Herencia is the nightly water show at the fountain in the center of the plaza.
Ok, this might seem like a weird thing to include in a “must-do” list, but you have to check out the Super Food Plaza grocery store. It’s kind of like Aldi and Ikea had a baby, but with fresh food and an amazing cheese section. The bottom floor has every kind of grocery you could imagine and the upstairs has random home furnishings. This is a great place to stock up on bread and peanut butter if you want to take advantage of your in-room kitchenette!
Where to Eat in Aruba
One of the best things about Aruba is the food! There are no shortages of great restaurants all around the island. Even though some hotels offer all-inclusive options, it’s a great idea to eat out at some of the awesome restaurants.
An amazing restaurant for a picture-perfect beach sunset dinner is Water’s Edge. Not only do they have a fancy dining room, but you can also eat with your toes in the sand on the beach! The food is great, featuring steak and seafood. Plus they have pretty fantastic desserts. This one is a must-visit!
Another fantastic beachfront option is The West Deck. It’s a fun beach bar with delicious food and cold beer. If you go with a group, you can get a bunch of options from the hot and cold appetizers and have a smorgasbord of deliciousness. Then, wash it all down with cold Balashi - Aruba’s national beer. Can’t beat the views and the relaxed atmosphere here!
If you are heading to Baby Beach, there’s a great restaurant on the way called Zeerovers. The menu is super simple - fried fish or shrimp served with fried plantains, fries, pan bati (local cornbread), onions in vinegar, and tartar sauce. Don’t let the simplicity scare you because it’s some of the best seafood out there. It’s all local and you can taste the freshness.
Whatever you choose to do in Aruba, you’re in store for an amazing trip. The island is gorgeous, the people are friendly, and the food is top-notch. It’s definitely a bucket list destination and now is a great time to check it off the list!
