A Short and Sweet Visit to Aruba
It isn’t really like me to visit many “territories”. I feel like when visit a territory of another country I pretty much get an extension of the ‘parent’ country. I prefer independent countries with their own culture, food and people. So I visited Aruba on a group trip with some long time friends. Here are the details of my experience.
Entry Requirements:
Negative Covid19 PCR test 72 hours prior to departure.
Results must be uploaded in PDF format.
Purchase the Covid Insurance on the visit Aruba site for $30
Please print all necessary documents.
Tips/Things to Know:
Flights: You can get a nonstop flight to Aruba from most major US cities. I used Delta miles and only paid $85 for a nonstop flight out of New York City. The dollar equivalent to this flight was $205.
Rent A Car: Taxi prices are astronomical. So if you plan on moving around the island, rent a car. Your wallet will thank you.
Currency: Most places in Aruba accept US dollars. I mainly used my American Express card in most places.
Return Covid Test: In order to re-enter the United States, you need a negative Covid test 72 hours prior to departure. The tests are either provided at your hotel (please check to see if your hotel provides them), or you can go to a testing center along the strip in Noord. Lastly there is a testing center just across from the Oranjestad airport. The cost for the test can range from $50-$75.
Things to Do:
Take a tour wth Extreme Island Tours Aruba: We took a four hour UTV tour throughout the island which made stops at the California Lighthouse, the natural cave pool, Arashi beach, a gold mine and three natural bridges. This company also offers other tours throughout the island.
Spend a day at baby beach: Known as one of the best beaches on the island and it’s definitely worth the day trip.
Go Beach Hopping: I didn’t get a chance to do this because of time constraints. However I would recommend if you have the time. Eagle beach and Tres Trapi beach are other good ones to see.
South Beach outdoor night club: If you’re into night life, check out this outdoor night club. Entry is free and the music was pretty good. It can reach capacity as early as 9pm so be sure to get there early.
Where to Eat:
Because I hated the food at my hotel, I ventured outside to eat more than I would have liked to. But one thing about me, I will not be unhappy with my food. So if I have to spend extra coins to be satisfied then so be it. So here are a few places I found for you to try:
Willems Dutch Pancakes: Very nice breakfast place serving huge (but thin) Dutch pancakes with some amazing toppings.
Salt and Pepper: American comfort food with good brie cheese and other tapas style options.
O’neils Caribbean Kitchen: Hands down my best meal on the island. Make a stop at this authentic Caribbean/Jamaican restaurant.
Zeerovers: I didn’t get to go here, but two locals recommended this place so check it out if you can.
Where I Stayed:
Depending on the type of traveler you are, you may enjoy large all inclusive resorts which Aruba has plenty of them. So I’ll start by saying I do not like all inclusive resorts. I will go into why on a future post but long story short, boutique hotels offer more authentic experiences in my opinion.
I stayed at Barcelo Aruba which is a large all inclusive resort in Noord. The rooms were nice, the bed was comfortable but I did not enjoy the food one bit. I thought it was very bland and not not appealing at all. I stayed for 3 nights and paid just under $800 and don’t feel like I got my money’s worth. A few other folks enjoyed it but if I were to visit Aruba again I would definitely do an Airbnb or a boutique / non inclusive hotel.
In my personal opinion, I didn’t love much about Aruba. I found it to be underwhelming when it comes to Caribbean culture and I also thought it was way more expensive than other Caribbean islands I’ve visited. It’s a great place to relax because the beaches are beautiful. However I found it to be a bit inauthentic to my liking.