Travel Guides

Ultimate Guide to Aruba: Luxury Resorts, Top Beaches, Cuisine, and Must-See Attractions   

Oct 1711 min read

A little tropical island called Aruba is situated near the coast of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean Sea. Because of its beautiful beaches, ideal weather, & countless activities, it is a beloved vacation spot. This guide assures that your Aruba vacation will be superb, whether you’re exploring the gorgeous beaches, dining in mouth-watering cuisine, or simply relaxing in a luxury resorts. 

Luxury Resorts in Aruba 

All kinds of visitors may easily prioritize taking in the beautiful scenery of Aruba by staying at the top luxury resorts on the island. Many elite hotels and resorts are in Aruba. Some resorts to visit:  

Ritz-Carlton  

Ritz-Carlton  

The Ritz-Carlton is a luxury hotel on Palm Beach in Aruba with extensive amenities including a spa, large fitness center, many dining venues and a private white sand beach. The rooms and suites are surrounded by villas, bungalows etc. The property is famous for its top-notch service and plush rooms. 

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino 

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino 

Sporting luxury and fun in equal measure, this all-inclusive resort features plush rooms, a top-tier casino and a host of dining options. Ideal for both adventure seekers and leisure travelers, possibilities are vast — think snorkeling and windsurfing. 

Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort 

Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort 

A favorite place for fans who prefer greenery and luxury, this adults-only spot on Eagle Beach is eco-conscious and calm. Bucuti & Tara offers spacious suites and beachfront dining, in addition to special spa services that make it well-suited for couples who desire a tranquil retreat. 

Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort and Casino 

Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort and Casino 

Hilton Aruba, located in the Palm Beach, is among the best family and couple friendly resorts. A kids’ club and a casino are on-site as well as multiple restaurants. And yeah, take a dip in the pool, or treat yourself to a luxurious treatment at the full service spa. 

Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort 

Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort 

A re-imagined destination with 40 acres of beachfront sitting on Aruba, the resort provides a serene holiday paradise for both couples and families at its two unique areas: the adults-only Renaissance Marina Hotel & the kid-friendly Renaissance Ocean Suites.  

Top Beaches in Aruba 

Top Beaches in Aruba 

Whatever your preference for beaches, Aruba has the ideal combo of sand, sun, & water to leave you smiling and never wanting to leave. 

  • Palm Beach: The Beach is lined with hotels, casinos, water sports concessions, piers and beach bars along Aruba’s northwest coast populates the area. Even with breath taking views, these waters are calm and inviting for swimmers and snorkelers.  
  • Dos Playa: This beach has two walking-accessible coves in beautiful natural settings. With a wide stretch of white sand beach for lounging beneath the sea grape trees’ shade, one cove is a favorite spot for island surfers.  
  • Eagle Beach: This beach is a famous white sand beach with beach huts, spaces with shade, plus water activities all around. If you’re visiting Aruba for the beaches, you’ll probably include a stop here on your itinerary because of the beautiful beachside experience that attracts visitors from all over the world. 
  • Arashi Beach: This beach has quite clear waters and plenty of underwater life to explore, making it one of the top snorkeling sites in the Caribbean. Arashi Beach is a great place to go snorkeling because of its quiet seas and plethora of marine life. 
  • Baby Beach: This beach also has shallow and calm waters, making it perhaps the most family-friendly beach on the island. Great for the little ones — you can barely find a wave here, and the shallowness would enable most children to stay safe and have a fun swim. 
  • Boca Catalina Beach: Because of its quiet waves and relative seclusion, Boca Catalina Beach is a bay beach where people of every age can enjoy a little swimming. 
  • Mangel Halto: This quiet beach in Aruba is good for snorkeling and sunbathing because of the shallow, tranquil seas that are home to a variety of marine life and are supported by an interesting mangrove network. 

Delicious Food and Cuisine of Aruba 

Delicious Food and Cuisine of Aruba 

The food of Aruba is a true melting pot. Try a few of these delicious Aruba foods. 

  • Pastechi: It is, also referred to be Aruba’s national snack, are the island nation’s take on the Latin American empanada. This popular finger food from Aruba includes a crescent-shaped pastry shell instead of a cornmeal crust. 
  • Sopi: Each civilization has its own specialty soup. The island serves up a delicious assortment of sopis, which are among Aruba’s greatest dishes, because of its diverse population. When a hefty dinner appears overwhelming on a hot day, cool island soup, a fruit soup, gently quenches your thirst.  
  • Funchi: Funchi is a popular side dish that resembles polenta and generally goes well with fish and stews. In order to cook funchi, it is important to thoroughly stir the mush mix in a pan. Funchi fries are a delicious snack.  
  • Pan Bati: You’ll need lots of pan bati to soak up the flavorful broth when you order soup or stew. The name pan bati, which refers to its flat appearance, means “beaten bread.” Pan bati is traditionally baked in a Spanish-style clay baking dish called a cazuela, and is made mostly of maize flour combined with some all-purpose flour. 
  • Arroz Moro: Arroz moro, sometimes called “arros moro,” is a side dish made of rice and beans. The dish is referred to as “rice ‘n’ peas” on a number of Caribbean islands. In Aruba’s version, red kidney beans, fried rice, and a red sauce made with soy sauce and tomato paste are combined. 

Major Attractions in Aruba 

Major Attractions in Aruba 

Aruba is not just for comfortably swimming in beautiful azure waves & carefreely reclining on smooth white sands. You can find plenty of major attractions and things to do in Aruba. You may explore the untamed landscape of Arikok National Park on foot or you can take in the beautiful architecture of the capital, Oranjestad. 

  • Arikok National Park: Massive in size, Arikok National Park occupies about 20% of the island. Its cacti-filled, barren landscape will initially stun visitors, but within is hidden life. All visitors must pay the conservation fee at the Visitor Center before they can enter, but it’s also a superb spot to talk to park rangers and get maps. 
  • California Lighthouse: You can experience a calm sense of wonder when you visit the California Lighthouse in Aruba. Even, you will experience a profound connection to Aruba’s natural beauty as the cool breeze blows over the cliffs during your Aruba Tour
  • Alto Vista: “High view,” or Alto Vista, is the name of a neighborhood in the interior of the island that is part of Noord (north). You may get lost in a peaceful and spiritual environment when you visit Alto Vista. Apart from this, the soft rustle of palm leaves and the sound of birds chirping provide an atmosphere of calm as you stroll through the serene gardens. 
  • The Butterfly Farm: Nestled next to the Bubali Bird Sanctuary at the start of Palm Beach, this colourful spot is home to hundreds of unique moths and butterflies from all over the world, especially the well-known blue morpho. You are free to explore this verdant, beautiful tropical paradise on your own.  
  • De Palm Island: You might ask why somebody would want to leave an island which already has enough sun and sea, to go to another one for more fun in the sun. On the other hand, De Palm Island is more of a stand-alone water park and entertainment destination with a ton of unique Aruba experiences. 

Best Time to Visit Aruba 

Best Time to Visit Aruba 
  • The best time to visit Aruba is from December to April when it has a much more pleasant temperature and makes the destination potential for outdoor activities.  
  • High season means lively festivals and a bustling vibe. Traveling between May and November is a good option if you want a more calm and affordable Aruba tour with sporadic rainfall but fewer people. 

Exciting Things to Do in Aruba 

Exciting Things to Do in Aruba 

For all kinds of travelers, One Happy Island offers plenty of exciting activities. Some are also free. Aruba is the perfect destination for adventurous tourists who want to try their hand at land sailing, scuba diving, windsurfing, or kiteboarding.   

  • Horseback Riding: You’ll have a ton of options because so many tour companies offer horseback riding excursions throughout the island. You ride through Arikok National Park and beyond, via the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins and the Baby Natural Bridge! 
  • Off-Roading, Jeep & ATV Tours: Hundreds of miles of off-road Jeep and ATV routes may be found in Aruba, providing a ton of exciting and adventurous opportunities! One of the best activities to do in Aruba is a jeep excursion. 
  • Kayaking, Canoeing & Stand-Up Paddle Boarding: Aruba has fantastic stand-up paddle board, kayaking, and canoeing chances all throughout the island. The lovely, clear seas are good for paddle sports, and the water is very peaceful. 
  • Surfing: Aruba surfing is definitely a unique experience, but, so if you’re ready and skilled and want to take advantage of a thrilling and exclusive chance that’s not available anyplace else, it can be the perfect way to spend a pleasant day at the beach. 
  • Windsurfing & Kitesurfing: In the whole Caribbean, Aruba offers the best wind and kite surfing conditions. For windsurfing and kitesurfing, Palm Beach and Hadicurari Beach are superb. 

Romantic Getaways in Aruba 

Romantic Getaways in Aruba 

Aruba is a place of romance & relaxation. The beaches are dotted with opulent resorts, and the extremely amiable residents are happy to share their easygoing lifestyle. Honeymoon Aruba vacation packages with amenities like champagne, beachfront accommodations, plus exclusive excursions are available at several resorts. 

  • Three beach bungalows and three overwater villas may be found at the opulent boutique resort Aruba Ocean Villas. You’ve discovered solitude if that’s what you’re searching for.  
  • To celebrate their big day by being right in the center of all the action. If so, heading to Hotel Riu Palace Antillas for a brief getaway is exactly what you’re searching for. Here you can have a romantic candlelight dinner. 

Aruba Adventure Activities 

Aruba Adventure Activities 

Aruba is almost perfect for romance, with its picture-perfect beaches & fiery sunsets. But the island has an entirely different side that is dedicated to adventure

  • The Ayo and Casibari rock formations are two of the most attractive locations for hikers in Aruba.  
  • In Aruba, you can still go deep even if you don’t dive or snorkel. Take a Sea Trek ocean bottom stroll for an extra dose of excitement.  
  • Although Aruba offers traditional dinner cruises and lovely sunset sails, Seabobs provide a higher level of excitement. 
  • Aruba is not a big island. The island is easy to tour by bicycle, especially if you have an electric bike, given it is less than 20 miles long. It’s actually a pretty easy way to spend a day on Aruba because the added power makes pedaling up hills and against the wind less taxing. 

Festivals and Events in Aruba  

Festivals and Events in Aruba  
  • Aruba holds a number of yearly celebrations and festivities, such as the Aruba Carnival, which happens in January and February. Parades, music, and colorful costumes are all part of this joyful celebration.  
  • The Aruba International Film Festival in June and the Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival in May are two other noteworthy occasions.  
  • These activities offer a unique perspective on the island’s culture and enhance your Aruba holiday experience. 

Conclusion 

The complete guide includes information on all the top luxury resorts, interesting activities, and major attractions in Aruba. Trekhops invite tourists who are seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural experiences to discover the perfect getaway in Aruba. Whether you’re looking to explore the island’s stunning landscapes, unwind on pristine beaches, or immerse yourself in local culture.