Gorgeous Sunsets

The Beautiful Island of Aruba 🇦🇼

For \240years I hesitated going to the island of Aruba. Although I have always heard wonderful and positive things about Aruba, I was not really interested. I’m a native New Yorker and spent my childhood at plenty of beaches with high rise buildings in view. So when I thought of Aruba, I thought of high rise Aruba. Not realizing that this beautiful island has so much to offer!

We own a timeshare through Divi. For ten years we went to St. Martin. We loved Divi Little Bay. The island is beautiful. The year Hurricane Irma hit the island it was shut down. We had to trade our timeshare for another island. So our trip began…. We chose Aruba and haven’t left!! We’ve returned twice a year in the past six years and keep going back. We love Divi in the low rise section… less crowded, Druif Beach/Divi Beach and great dining. It’s more relaxing for us at the low rise section.

I’m going to take you on our journey. The breathtaking beaches, great sightseeing opportunities and the incredible array of cuisine. I haven’t included everything Aruba has to offer. I provided pictures and look for the faded arrow on photos for videos. I covered the basics and provided many ways to obtain all the information you need to enjoy your vacation.

Let’s go!🏖️. Enjoy!!

** Be sure to click on most of the photos that are short videos

A short movie of our journeys.

Map of Aruba’s Beaches

#1 Arashi Beach

Arashi Beach is located near the California Lighthouse. It has a restaurant, bathrooms and chair and umbrella rentals. Walk further down the beach where there are palapas. Arashi is great for snorkeling. The water is rocky until you go farther out. I always have my water shoes. The water is usually calm and you can go farther out.

Take a walk along the beach and get beautiful views of the sunset, California Lighthouse and Arubas pristine nature.

Both of these beaches are small and popular for snorkeling.

Of course!!!!! Happy Hour !!! 😁

There is a lovely area on Druif Beach where the Shoco owls are nesting.

https://www.arubatoday.com/arubas-burrowing-owl-or-shoco/

Natural Pool

Arikok National Park

The park is absolutely incredible. There are many ways to visit the park. You can rent a four wheel drive or sign up with one of the Aruba tour groups. There is so much to see and do!! Natural Pools, caves, incredible ocean views and great hiking.

https://www.arubanationalpark.org/main/contact/

Let’s begin with just the views.

After visiting the Quadirikiri Cave be sure to ask the Park Ranger where you can get your natural pedicure. Just put your feet in the stream and experience little fishies nip away at your feet. They are known as Garra Fish. The Park Ranger may tell you talapia…their not.

2. The Ostrich Farm

We unfortunately got to the farm after the last tour. We didn’t get to see the Ostrich. We will definitely be back in November.

https://www.arubaostrichfarm.com/

3. Alto Vista Chapel

http://www.aruba-travelguide.com/discover/attractions-and-sights/Alto-Vista-Chapel.html

4. Studio Morano Glass Shop

http://www.studiomuranoart.com/

5. Butterfly Farm

https://www.thebutterflyfarm.com/

6. Aruba Aloe Factory

This is an informational tour. They explain the aloe production along with a tour of the factory. I use their products all the time. At the end of the tour you can shop in their store and receive a discount. You can also get on their mailing list. I get specials through email all the time that you won’t get in the stores.

https://arubaaloe.com/pages/lookbook-factory-museum-tour

Awesome Fish Soup

Santos Coffee With Soul

Incredible menu for breakfast,lunch and dinner. Fresh food, baked goods and awesome service!!! Relaxing atmosphere.

https://santos-aruba.com/

Agrigento

Excellent southern Italian. Everything is made from scratch. Anna Maria does all the cooking herself. We usually don’t eat Italian out because we are good Italian cooks. We went twice in a week and loved it!!!

https://www.arc.aw/-ristoranteitalianoagrigento.html

Chalet Suisse

If you love prime meat this is the place to go!! The best Chateaubriand and lamb chops!!!!Steak houses are a matter of choice. I usually don’t eat meat on the island…. Mostly fish. However this place is locally owned, not Americanized and has great food. Try it!

https://www.chaletsuisse-aruba.com/

Chateaubriand at its best!!!!!!

LaGranja Aruba

Want to eat what the locals eat. Try this place!!!!

https://www.lagranjarestaurants.

San Cocho!!!! Excellent

Fresh fish

Great ribs

Zeerovers in Savenetta

This local restaurant serves seafood right out of the ocean. The catch of the day might include wahoo, snapper, barracuda or kingfish, and when available, big shrimps. All of these can be accompanied with fries, plantains, onions in vinegar (pika), and pan bati (Aruban cornbread). Enjoy great seafood and a spectacular sunset at this restaurant.

Their fish is only fried. I suggest you request your fish to be ‘half’ or ‘medium’ cooked so your fish isn’t dry.

It’s an awesome experience!!!

Lionfish Truck

Read the links below and watch the YouTube video about Lionfish. They are only open Saturdays. We go there for lunch after our Saturday arrival. It tastes like a light fish.

https://thelionfishsnackaruba.com/

https://youtu.be/ccnC3qrsE8c

A Lionfish

Yum

Wacky Wahoo

It is a very popular place. They don’t take reservations. The fish is outrageously fresh, reasonably priced and delicious. Also they are known for the best civiche on the island and it is!!!! Enjoy if you go!!

Barracuda!!!!! The best on the island.

Unbelievable civiche!!

Linda’s Dutch Pancakes

Bring an appetite!!! Their Dutch pancakes are thin and big. You have many choices of fresh toppings.

http://lindas-aruba.com/

To die for!!

Mount Hooiberg

Eduardo Tromp built a staircase on the Hooiberg consisting of 900 stairs. It’s great excercise. Go early before it gets hot. The views of the island are beautiful.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/aruba/aruba/mount-hooiberg?u=i

Flowers and cacti from all over the island of all shapes, sizes and colors.

Charlie’s Bar

The bar is fun to check out! It has great nostalgia, friendly people and a decent menu. It is touristy and you must visit it \240atleast once. If your a hot sauce person you will have to try Charlie’s Honeymoon Sauce. It is to die for!!!!

https://www.charliesbararuba.com/

Walls covered with nostalgia

Honeymoon Sauce

Shopping in Aruba

There is plenty of shopping all over the island. It’s also a great place for jewelry shopping. Prices beat the states and there are many jewelry stores.

My recommendation: Touch of Gold

I’ve been going to them for years. Ask for Sanjay or Vinnie. Tell them JoAnn and Robert from NY sent you. They’ll treat you like family!

https://touchofgoldaruba.com/

Car Rental Jays Car Rental

We’ve used Jays for 9 years now. Rent in advanced and decent prices.

https://www.jayscarrentalaruba.com/

Beach Accessory Rental

Travel Light Aruba: Very reasonable prices!!!! Beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers, kids beach toys.

https://m.facebook.com/100071191803451/

Happy Hour

No need to provide a list. Happy Hours starts at 12:00 everywhere!!!! Some offer two for one or lower priced drinks. Ask around. It’s everywhere and anywhere on the island.

Here’s a link to many Happy Hours on the island.

https://www.visitaruba.com/blog/dining/15-happy-hour-hot-spots

My timeshare at Divi Golf and Beach has one every hour starting at 2:00 until 6:00pm two for one!!!!!!

Airport Suggestions

• Before you arrive be sure to complete you ED card online. They DO NOT provide the paper form on the planes anymore

https://edcardaruba.aw/

• Get there three hours early on Saturday and Sundays when leaving.
• Try not to have a checked bag. You’ll get through faster. I know this is challenging but if you dislike lines…..
• Try to apply for Global Entree it get you through faster.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/how-apply

You can also check what time and how many flights are leaving on your departure day.

https://www.airportaruba.com/live-departure-times

Facebook Groups in Aruba

These groups provide a large amount of information, opinions and \240suggestions.

• All things Aruba
• Aruba Foodies
• I ❤️ Aruba.
• Aruba!
• Aruba-one Happy Island
• Aruba Timeshare Rentals and Sales

I hope you were able to get good information from this. Enjoy your trip to Aruba. You will not be disappointed. You may contact me at jopiscatelli@ gmail.com

More beautiful photos….

Another movie…..