Typically, I prefer an active vacation, like hiking, sightseeing i.e. going from point A to B. But there was only so much to could do on a tiny 20mile long island of Aruba. This vacation was forced relaxation! The weather is beautiful all year round, the beaches are gorgeous, water is blue and crystal clear, food is delicious and people are friendly, in short Aruba gave me the best stress buster imaginable!
Reason #1: Beaches.
Aruban beaches have powder fine soft white sand. The ocean is calm with hardly any waves and shallow. The water is crystal clear, turquoise-blue & warm. Bright sunshine bakes the beaches year around which are cooled by a steady breeze. Naturally, in Aruba, the most popular thing to do is nothing! Most of my days on Aruba started with finding a beach hut, getting beach chairs, ordering chilled cocktails and….unwinding! That and apply copious amount of sunscreen. ‘Sun baked beaches of Aruba’ is a phrase not used in vain.
But what sets Aruba apart from similar beaches (Flamenco, Puerto Rico)? While other such beaches are isolated pockets of brilliance, MOST beaches of Aruba are just spectacular & more importantly easily accessible. Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, Baby Beach, Arashi Beach, Roberts Beach the list goes on and on…I have reviewed Aruban beaches in Part 2 of the blog here. (Coming Soon).
Reason #2: Water Activities.
So you have relaxed and ready for some adventure? Aruba offers water activities for every age, skill level and interest. Go scuba diving over shipwrecks, snorkeling or snuba diving. Need for speed? Rent water scooters, high-speed boats and thanks to the constant breeze, wind surfers have a field day here.
We chose less adventurous options due to our 2-year-old son. Still we snorkeled at the Baby Beach. There are no beautiful corals like Bermuda but plenty of colorful fish. The fishes swam right up to you in search of food. I even saw a barracuda. Next day we dove to the Atlantis Shipwreck in a submarine. My first time in one! Unfortunately, visibility was low, as strong ocean currents had muddled the water. Still there were plenty of fish and decent view of the sunken ship. I suggest, check the water quality before you go, but its worth it. Click here for a video of our submarine dive.
Reason #3: Sunsets.
Aruban sunsets are a package deal. That they are beautiful is only part of it. The other part is the available options of enjoying it. On day 1 we took the free option: watched the sunset from Palm Beach. Some people pulled up beach chairs, others kayaked in the calm ocean, while others gave the Sun company as it dipped into the ocean. On our second day, we enjoyed the awesome view at the ‘La Trattoria’ at California Lighthouse. Make reservations and request outdoor seating – you won’t be disappointed. On our third day, we booked a private sunset cruise with Captain Rene. He took us along the west coast of the island from California lighthouse to Orangestand and we watch the sunset from the boat. There are sunset catamarans tours and beach side dinning options. I haven’t been but “Paradisio” Restaurant in Orangestad is highly recommended for sunset too.
Reason #4: Fine dinning.
Any cuisine, any style, every price, it’s all there in Aruba. We thoroughly enjoyed a Tiki lit, feet-in-the-sand-style ocean-side dinner at Paradise Restaurant at Eagle Beach. We went after dark but I am sure it’s just as fantastic at sunset. This dinner is a must do. If you are looking for authentic Aruban food, look no further than ‘Old Cunucu House’ in Palm Beach area. It comes highly recommended by locals and I can vouch for their succulent local delicacy, the lamb and delectable chicken. Also ask for alcohol from cashews in your drink, at the time of writing only two countries, India and Aruba, make this type of alcohol
During our trip we met so many people who keep coming back to Aruba year after year and sometimes multiple times a year. They have their reasons; I was sold on reason #1. The rest of them I discovered when I visited this spectacular tiny Caribbean Island. HEGN947Y2BCS
My Pravas 