Aruba

Currently owned by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Popular belief links Aruba's name with the Spanish phrase "oro huba" which means "there was gold", although the Spanish did not find any gold. Another possibility is that Aruba's name comes from the Indian word "oruba" which means "well placed ". Yet another possible derivation of the name is from two Carib Indian words "ora" meaning "shell", and "oubao" meaning "island".

Language: Dutch is the official language, but most Arubans speak a minimum of four languages, including English and Spanish.

Currency: Aruba's currency is the florin denoted by the letters 'Awg. ' but also widely known as 'Afl. ' While the currency rate changes frequently, Aruba's exchange rate with the US dollar is around $1 USD : $1.80 Aruban Floran. For American tourists, the best currency to use in Aruba will be the US dollar, but carrying florin with you if you leave the popular tourist areas is a good idea since some local businesses in those areas may not have US dollars to exchange, or may be unfamiliar with correct exchange rates.

Pros

  • Outside of the Hurricane Belt

  • Nice Beaches, restaurants, shopping, nightlight

  • Excellent public bus system

  • Friendly locals who speak lots of English and accept the US Dollar (including buses and taxes)

  • Can budget an affordable trip

  • Safety to Explore

  • Water is safe to drink and is very pure

Cons

  • Mosquitos if it rains

  • Must pay of out pocket for medical assistance during your stay (they won't bill to your insurance)

  • Dry and desert0like versus being lush and tropical like the islands inside the hurricane belt

  • Not a big island


City: OranjsteadGood for: BeachesClosest Airport: AUABest form of Transportation: Bus (Arubus system - runs every 15 minutes from 6am - 6pm and every 4- minutes until 11:30pm), Fixed-rate taxies. The central bus station sits in downtown Oranjestad, adjacent to the cruise ship terminal. Retour cards good for two trips cost 8.75 Aruban florin (or about $5). Day passes, which cover unlimited travel on all the routes, cost 17.50 florin (less than $10). The bus covers the major resort areas and downtown, as well as Baby Beach. If you'll be staying in the downtown area, you can use the hop-on, hop-off trolley, which passes through Main Street and the newly renovated pedestrian mall of downtown from the cruise ship terminal. The tram, which is free to ride, makes six stops at monuments and museums along the way.
Rent a 4x4 jeep for the day you are exploring the National Park. Or sign up for a Tour.

Top Attractions and things to do:
  • Take pictures with Pink flamingos (details below)
  • Oranjestead, Aruba - city center - shopping
    • Dutch colonial architecture mixed with pastel-hued buildings of the Spanish and Caribbean
  • Wilhelmina Park - water front - main attraction - plans, and iguanas
  • Aruba Aloe Factory
  • Butterfly Farm
  • Sight see while riding the bright red Aruba Streetcar - free open-air bus that stops at top attractions in the city
  • Hike to the top of the Hooiberg Mountain - 2nd highest point on the island (details below)
  • Arikok National Park
    • Jamanota hill in Arikok National Park is the highest point in Aruba

Beaches:
  • Eagle Beach - most famous and widest beach, slightly less crowded than Palm Beach, perfect for sunset
  • Palm Beach - This is where all the action is. Think long strip, high-rise resorts, clubs, shopping, places to eat and drink
  • Baby Beach - locals, swimmers, tranquil, set apart from tourist areas
  • Malmok Beach - swimming and snorkeling, Tres Trapi (3 steps leading to water carved out of the ocanic rock)
  • Arashi Beach - swimming and snorkel the coral reeks and ship recks, great surf spots.
  • Boca Grandi - good beach for kite boarding, and surfing, heavy winds and crashing waters, so not best for swimming




Best Neighborhoods for Tourists:
  • 3 Main beach areas in Aruba
    • Palm Beach (high rise hotel area) - large hotels, restaurants, casinos, shops, beach activities - walkable
      • Eat
        • Bohemian Aruba
        • Palms Restaurant @ Hyatt Aruba Resort
        • Blossoms Restaurant Aruba - Hibachi
        • Tango Argentina Grill
        • Chicken and Lobster
        • Dushi Bagels and Burgers
      • Enjoy
        • Bar hop, Swim at the Beach, Walk the Boardwalk, Shop
        • Watersports: Catamaran Snorkeling Tour of underwater shipwreck, Jet ski, Parasailing,
      • Stay
        • Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort
    • Eagle Beach (low rise hotel area) - smaller hotels, laid back and quite, not as walkable, easy to get around by taxi or bus
      • Eat
        • Passions on the Beach
        • Screaming Eagle Restaurant and Lounge
        • Asi Es Mi Peru
        • Las Ramblas
        • The Islander Bar and Grill
        • Chalet Suisse
      • Enjoy
        • Serenity, Relax at the beach, swim, some water sports (jet sky)
      • Stay
        • Eagle Aruba Resort and Casino
        • Holiday Inn Resort Aruba
        • Caribbean Palm Village Resort
    • Downtown - town of Oranjstead is where you'll find the famous pink flamingos
      • Eat
      • Enjoy
        • Flamingo Beach and Iguana Beach Day Pass $125 - Paddle Board, Rent a Villa for $400 a day, Feed the flamingos and iguanas, kayak, eat/drink
        • Shop, Eat, Spa
      • Stay
        • Renaissance Aruba Hotel


How to visit Flamingo Beach in Aruba to see the pink flamingos?

Go to Flamingo Beach Aruba which is a part of the private island part of the Renaissance Hotel in Downtown (~$350-$500 a night). To access the private island you have to go by boat transfer or through the hotel. You can to stay at the Renaissance Hotel or pay the $125 per person for a day pass which allows you to visit the beach and includes lunch and a drink. Tickets go on sale at 7am the previous day and can sell out within minutes.
You will take a boat from the Renaissance Hotel to the private island where Flamingo Beach is.
Go tot he Adult side where the Flamingos are.
Rent a Hut for the Day which has a hammock over the water and some have a swing.


Where to catch the Aruba streetcar/Trolley.

Aruba offers a free double decker trolley throughout Oranjestad that stops at major attractions. If you want the best view ride on the top.

Trolleys run from 10am - 5pm at 25 minute intervals. Hop-on, hop-off, and explore

Trolley stops:

  • Cruise Ship terminal

  • Huisje Wild

  • House of Parliament

  • Archaeological Museum

  • Fort Zoutman (Historical Museum)

  • the Protestant Church

  • Caya G.F. Betico Croes (main street) shopping

  • Shopping and restaurants along mains street.

Hiking Hooiberg Mountai

Hooiberg Mountain is a volcanic formation and is the second highest point in Aruba. Hooiberg symbolizes Aruba rising out of the sea. There are 587 concrete steps to the hike making it a .5 mile moderate level hike with an elevation of 314 ft. There are Great views at the top, but not much of a sitting area.

Notes

  • Go early when its cooler.

  • Bring water

  • Wear sneakers

  • There is a gazebo halfway up the stairs as a rest stop that also has a nice view.

What you'll see:

  • Rock formations

  • a variety of quartz diorite

  • Staircase to the top

  • cacti, divi-divi trees, Kibrahacha trees

Directions:

You can take the bus or a taxi to the Casibari Rocks and after visiting the rocks make your way on foot to Hooiberg. To get to Hooiberg you can also park at the water park on the Morgenster (Route 7A) and walk through the park and around the peak to the trailhead.

Hiking Arikok's National Park

Arikok National Park is home to highest point in Aruba, Jamanota Hilltop.

Notes

  • You need a 4x4 Jeep to Get around the park.

  • Bring Water

  • Bring a bathing suit


What you'll see:

  • Desert-like terrain

  • Bluest waters, deserted beaches

  • Natural Pool and Natural Jacuzzi

  • Caves

  • cacti for3est

  • ATV tour

Highlights of the park

  • Guadirikiri Caves

  • Natural Pool

  • Horseback Ride at Dos Playa in Arikok (near the Natural Pool)

EXCURSIONS

Book an ATV Tour ~$120/pp

Submarine Tour (90-minute) ~$40 - $100/pp

Spa Day at Spa Del Sol ~$100-$500/package

Sunset Cruise from Palm Beach - ~$70/pp

Aruba Itinerary

Day 1 - Beach Day

  • All beaches are public. Swim. Hang under palm trees or rent a lounge chair from a nearby resort.

  • Beach activities: Kayak, Take kiteboarding lessons, standup paddleboard, parasail

Day 2: Special Attraction Day

  • Visit the pink flamingos at Flamingo Beach

    • Rent a Beach hut, Eat and drink on the island, Take pictures with Flamingos, Relax in a hammock

Day 3 - Adventure Day

  • Arikok National Park - ATV, natural pool, hike, caves

Day 4: On the Water

  • Sunset Cruise on a catamaran

  • Scuba, Snorkel, Water Activity,

Day 5: Free Trolley Around Oranjestead - Shopping, Eating, Walking ARound