Photo by: Nicole Valente
Aruba's motto is "One Happy Island", and as someone who has been there on 4 different occasions for vacationing purposes. It is one of the most touristy island vacation spots, but there are some subtle ways to get around that. Aruba is an exception to many other vacation spots in the sense that there is not much to do that isn’t considered “touristy”. This is because their entire economy is heavily dependent on tourism. But it is still a perfect vacation spot if you are seeking relaxation and minor adventure. When I vacation I like to get a taste of what the locals experience, but I also like the relaxation and “no worries” aspect. As far as no worries, the people in Aruba are very kind. In my experience there, I never came into contact with any rude locals.
The food in Aruba is impeccable. I highly doubt any place you eat will be a bad meal. The islands are known for being pricey, but the food there is worth every penny. Some of the best restaurants include Madame Janette, Chalet Suisse and a more local favorite Driftwood. Madame Janette is my personal favorite. Every time my family and I go there, they basically have to roll us out of the restaurant because we eat so much. The menu changes every so often but it is always guaranteed to be delicious. A fun drink item they always have is a Heisenberg Mojito, which is based on the show “Breaking Bad”. Chalet Suisse is a fancier dining option, but again you will not be let down with this gourmet meal. The steaks and fish everywhere you go in Aruba are unbeatable. When you get to Aruba the best thing you can do to maximize your experience is to ask the cab drivers where they like to eat. They will not steer you wrong. One of the cab drivers we had told us about Driftwood, and I am so glad he did. It is a more laid back option and it has a shorter, more affordable menu. The food is simple and delicious. There is a different fresh catch of the day each night. The whole atmosphere makes you feel like you are part of the island, driftwood lines the walls with dim lights and fun music. It is a restaurant you must go to when in Aruba.
Don’t only ask the cab drivers and locals about food though, also ask them about what beaches are the best and what to go see. It is an island so you can’t get too lost. One driver advised us to grab a map and rent a 4x4 and go exploring! It is a rather dry island but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a little bit of adventure. Going to the grocery stores and asking locals what they recommend is also a great way to find things to do. One of our cab drivers recommended Baby Beach, which is further away from the high rise hotel scene. It is more secluded and will give the feeling of being on a more remote island rather than having the constant Tiki bar music in the background.
Photo by: Melaina Valente
One of my favorite things that we did was we rented a boat with one of the local water sporting guys. He is an older native of Aruba named Frank, who sits under his hut and offers the best prices and advice to people who are willing to listen. He took us out on a boat to go snorkeling away from all the craziness of the island and it was beyond beautiful. It was a million times better than going on one of the tourist boats that are packed with people. This was just my family and I on a little speed boat and we cruised the island, stopping at every reef along the way. I would recommend finding Frank on the beach and booking with him!
Photo by: Nicole Valente
Another key factor to consider about Aruba is the time of year you plan to go. Christmas time is the island’s busiest time of the year. You could find yourself waiting for cab rides for upwards of 40 minutes. The restaurants are packed, the beaches are packed and the streets are packed. To avoid this, try to visit this island right after summer or right before summer. During the summer it is manageable; you will enjoy yourself. The main thing is to avoid the month of December or else you might not get the relaxing vacation that you need.
Overall it is hard to avoid being a tourist in Aruba, but it is possible. If you are looking for a trip to have full relaxation, amazing meals and some beautiful exploring then this is the place for you.
