For a first-time visitor like me, wandering and discovering the One Happy Island felt instantly comfortable.
Enjoy Aruba’s Polished West Coast
The west coast is where most visitors fall in love with Aruba. Stretching from Palm Beach, south to Eagle Beach and the capital of Oranjestad, calm, turquoise water and powder-sand create the quintessential Caribbean getaway. Home to more than 200 shops, restaurants, bars, and boutiques, it’s easy to spend your days beach-hopping and soaking up Palm Beach’s lively, unpretentious energy.
The Aruba Ariba is the nation’s signature cocktail. At top: A beautiful mural San Nicolas. The city is famous for having a thriving creative community. (Jim Bamboulis photos for VacayNetwork.com)
For an authentic taste of the island, The Stone by Le Petit Cafe Aruba has been delighting diners since 1980 with its signature sizzling-stone experience. I sip an Aruba Ariba — the island’s iconic cocktail made with vodka, white rum, crème de banana, and fruit juices — before having a bib placed around my neck by my friendly server.
“You’ll need this for the main course,” she says of the napkin. I go with it, and voraciously devour The Caribbean Delight — a feast of succulent shrimp, lobster, and tenderloin served on a sizzling hot stone tableside.
This sizzling feast of seafood and delcious meats by Le Petit Cafe is known as the Caribbean Delight served on a hot stone. (Jim Bamboulis photo for VacayNetwork.com)
Down the street, Azia Restaurant and Lounge pairs fusion dishes like the pork belly bao buns and crunchy bluefin tuna with eclectic, handcrafted cocktails such as Dragon’s Blood, featuring mezcal, blueberry-jalapeno-cilantro syrup, and a Tajin rim.
Meanwhile, Eagle Beach moves to a slower, more tranquil rhythm. Swim in its crystal-clear waters, stroll its seemingly endless white-sand coastline, and linger for the nightly sunset ritual, when thousands gather to watch the horizon explode with shades of gold and red. Frequently ranked among the world’s best beaches, Eagle Beach also features Aruba’s iconic fofoti trees. Bent permanently by the trade winds, they create one of the island’s most recognizable and photographed scenes.
Bao Buns being served at Azia Restaurant in Palm Beach. (Jim Bamboulis photo for VacayNetwork.com)
Oranjestad charms visitors with its candy-colored Dutch colonial buildings, palm-lined streets, and lively waterfront. Spend the day browsing shops and enjoying a coffee along the waterfront. For a deeper appreciation of Aruba’s heritage, with a potent twist, stop by Bodegas Papiamento for a rum-tasting experience that encapsulates the island’s spirit one sip at a time. The family-owned distillery located inside a restored, historic ice factory celebrates the country’s cultural identity, and much like the Papiamento language itself, blends influences from across the Caribbean and Europe to create award-winning spirits, and cocktails made with herbs and sugarcane grown on the property’s farm.
Aruba’s west coast is where you want to start your journey. (Jim Bamboulis photo for VacayNetwork.com)
“In San Nicolas, cars will stop to let you cross the street … to enjoy the art,” says Tito Bolivar, owner of ArtisA, a community-driven hub that’s transforming the city into the Caribbean’s street-art capital. Once a gritty industrial locale, home to an oil refinery, San Nicolas is now the epicenter of the island’s vibrant, artistic soul where quaint streets are alive with murals, galleries, public installations, and a thriving creative community. Meandering along the city’s narrow streets offered me another completely different side to Aruba, one where every corner told endless stories of the country through incredible public art.
Explore Aruba’s Rugged East Coast
Then there’s Aruba’s east coast, where the island pulls a Jekyll-and-Hyde, revealing an entirely different, lunar-esque personality. Lush, tropical scenery gives way to cactus forests, limestone cliffs, and crashing surf. A stellar starting point is the historic California Lighthouse, which stands prominently near the Sasariwichi Dunes, and offers panoramic views of the island’s contrasting coastlines.
Palm Beach at night. Many high-rise hotels are located in the city, such as Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino, Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino and Barceló. (Jim Bamboulis photo for VacayNetwork.com)
My astonishment leveled up at each turn, including Natural Bridge, Aruba’s famous attractions, and popular viewpoints. The Ayo Rock Formations are comprised of massive boulders that rise unexpectedly from the desert landscape, creating one of the island’s most unusual geological attractions. Considered to be sacred by the Indigenous population, visitors are encouraged to respectfully explore the area, and appreciate its wonders. Farther south, Arikok National Park protects nearly 20% of the island, and offers visitors a chance to hike desert trails lined with towering cacti, discover caves with ancient pictographs, and explore rugged coastal formations. Inland, the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary provides a glimpse into the island’s past. Once essential for transporting people, donkeys were abandoned after cars arrived. Today, hundreds find refuge at this volunteer-run sanctuary where visitors can interact with these gentle, resilient animals while learning more about the vital role they played in the island’s history. More than a rescue centre, the sanctuary preserves an important chapter in the island’s rich heritage.
More About Visiting Aruba
Tours that Make for Effortless Exploring: For those on a time crunch or who just want to leave the driving to someone else, De Palm Tours and Cocolizo both offer expertly guided excursions that let you discover beaches, landmarks, and hidden gems at a relaxed pace, all while their team members share local insights.
Where to Stay: The Radisson Blu Aruba offers an excellent balance of luxury and location. Situated just a short walk from Palm Beach, the all-suite hotel provides spacious accommodations with full kitchens and separate living areas. Multiple pools, including a stunning rooftop infinity one, offer a quieter alternative to the busy beachfront, while restaurants, shops, and nightlife remain within easy walking distance. Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s Signature Experiences, included with their stay. I loved the mindful garden flow, and soundbathing session, and enjoyed making my own unique piece of jewellery, and aloe scrub!
Getting to Aruba: For U.S. vacationers, American Airlines, JetBlue, United, and Delta have frequent direct flights from east coast cities, as well as Houston, Dallas, and Chicago. For Canadians, Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter offer non-stop flights from Toronto, and seasonal direct service from Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport. Travelers who prefer hot, sunny Caribbean days will be delighted that Aruba’s famously dry climate means vacation days aren’t likely to be washed out by rain. Better yet, the country sits outside of the Caribbean’s hurricane belt, making it a reliable escape year-round.
Notable: Aruba may be minuscule but both its natural and cultural wonders speak volumes, and give it a personality all its own. As a polyglot-lover, I was immediately struck by how effortlessly conversations switch between Spanish, Dutch, English, and Papiamento, Aruba’s native Creole that weaves together influences from European and West African languages.
Foreign Currency: Aruba’s currency is the florin, but the U.S. dollar is also widely accepted.
