My visit to Aruba was inspired by the need to relax for a short time. It’s not a destination I would choose for long holidays, but as I needed to switch off for a week without thinking of anything, it seemed to me that it was the right place. To tell the truth, in addition to the splendid beaches, it doesn’t offer much, given that the interior is rather barren and presents a landscape that is not very variegated, that’s to say the classic type of vegetation that thrives in places where it rains little, low cactus and shrubs.
FLIGHT
KLM, 478 Eu, with a stopover in Amsterdam. I traveled with hand luggage only. Departure 11 May, return 19 May
CHANGE
The currency of Aruba is the Florin (AWG)
1 AWG = 0.499 EU
SLEEP
There are quite a few expensive hotels, from 300 and more USD per night, but it is also possible to find much cheaper accommodations, especially in the center of Oranjestad, and on the south side. I read the reviews carefully, because I heard about howling dogs and cock crows, and I absolutely wanted to avoid being disturbed at night or early in the morning. I also wanted a completely independent structure, without a shared kitchen or bathroom. Booking and Air BnB have many proposals to offer, my choice fell on Palm House Apartments, in Pos Chiquito. Booked through Booking, and paid 198 Eu for a week. It is basically a small apartment, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen, with an independent entrance, located on the back of a villa with garden where the owners live. The kitchen is outside, under a veranda
The garden is populated by butterflies and birds, hummingbirds, and an unknown species of marvelous colors.
During the time I was there, I didn’t see a mosquito. The hosts are Dutch, and they are very kind and helpful people. Miriam came to pick me up at the airport, which is a 10-minute drive away, and on the way she stopped at a small supermarket to allow me to buy basic necessities. The husband, on the other hand, gave me a lift the next day to reach the car rental agency. In addition, with Miriam, I went for a walk in the Arikok National Park.
CAR
Car hire could be considered superfluous as the island is served by a public transport network, however I preferred to have an easy life and I hired a micro car (a Kia Picanto) directly from Avis, without intermediaries like Rentalcars or similar. Spent 210 Eu. The agency is located at The Mill Hotel, it’s cheaper here than at the aiport branch. The amount indicated includes comprehensive insurance. It should be kept in mind that most of the car rental companies considered “cheap”, which boast prices of 130 USD per week do not have any insurance. They are usually used by US citizens, who can take advantage of the coverage provided by their credit card, a service which does not exist in Europe. I covered a total of 471 km
EXPENSES
I always cooked my own meals, spending about 132 Eu in the supermarketS for the whole week. In my hand luggage I included a tiny cooling bag, and a small plastic bowl, to prepare and carry along a packed lunch (usually canned tuna and tomatoes) on the beach. I spent about 80 AWG (40 Eu) for petrol.
Total: 848 EU, including flight, accommodation, meals, petrol.
WEATHER
May is perfect time. At day time the temperature is about 28° Celsius, pleasantly ventilated. In August, however, despite being windy, the temperature increases by 5-6° C. Aruba is outside the Caribbean hurricanes area, however, in that season, the breeze that normally makes holiday so pleasant subsides, making the atmosphere muggy, and attracting mosquitoes.
COMMUNICATIONS
I used the apartment’s wifi, so I didn’t buy local Sims.
SHOPPING
Large cruise ships stop in Aruba. In the center of Oranjiestad there are several jewelers and luxury shops, located mainly at the Royal Plaza Mall, and in the gallery leading to the Renaissance Casino Hotel. In the seaport area there are also a series of stalls selling souvenirs, but being on the cruise route, prices are not very convenient. I found the same kind of articles, but cheaper, not far away, in the shops of the mall where the cinema is, always at the Seaport. Apart from that, many Chinese-run stores are present on the island, selling a bit of everything, just like in Europe. The large supermarkets that sell food are usually found on the sides of the main road, Route 1. I often went to Superfood, which is located in the High End Hotels area. Then there are everywhere other stores that sell food, run by Chinese, or by South Americans, but they are smaller
SAFETY
According to my hosts, Aruba is a very safe place, where nobody touches anything, and you could forget the house keys hung at the door …
WHAT TO SEE
As already mentioned, in my opinion the island, apart from the beautiful beaches, does not have much to offer. The landscape is not varied, and presents the same type of vegetation uniformly everywhere.
ARIKOK NATIONAL PARK
A 6/7 km walk with my host, which forced me to go there after 4pm, to sweat less
Here is the link
NATURAL BRIDGE
It can be reached by a short stretch of dirt road. The natural setting is scenic, and there are beautiful views. Too bad that under the rock arch, due to the currents, a lot of garbage is stagnant
BUSHIRIBANA RUINS
These are the ruins of a former gold mine, now abandoned. Located about 3 km north of the Natural Bridge
SAN NICOLAS
Village on the South coast where you will be obliged to pass to reach Baby Beach. It is worth taking a stroll through the narrow streets to admire the murals
ALTO VISTA CHAPEL
Little church so insignificant that I didn’t even feel the need to take photographs
CALIFORNIA LIGHTHOUSE
Located at the North end of the island. Beautiful landscape
ARASHI DUNES
Going down the California Lighthouse road, it is possible to park the car where common sense suggests, and reach the sea through the dunes. It’s a nice walk, under a stinging wind
ARASHI BEACH
It is the Northernmost beach on the island, I liked it a lot because there are free umbrellas, and never too many people. I had so much fun watching the pelicans fish
PALM BEACH + EAGLE BEACH
These beaches are overlooked by big hotels. In the “High End” area it is not easy to find a parking space, I slipped into a small street beside the Marriott, and I managed to find a place as little as a stamp for my Picanto. The beach is completely invaded by deckchairs and umbrellas, just for hotel guests, harassed by loud music. I’ve only popped up a couple of minutes, just long enough for some pictures.
At Eagle Beach, on the other hand, in the “Low End” hotel area the situation becomes much quieter. I parked in front of a complex called “Oceania Residence”. Here there are, as in Arashi Beach, some branch umbrellas available, everything works with the principle of “first come-first served”. The shelters are not so many, so the beach is pleasantly deserted, and it is beautiful to walk on the shoreline, arriving further south.
MANGEL HALTO BEACH
It is located in Pos Chiquito. It is mainly frequented by locals. The sea is accessed from a beach that is not too large, through a mangrove tunnel. Or directly from the street, via a staircase. There are some umbrellas and tables on the edge. I found it very particular, in the positive sense of the term, of course 🙂
BABY BEACH
At the extreme south of the island, it is perhaps the most beautiful beach, because, apart from the splendid colors, there are no hotels. However, it can be very crowded, especially on weekends. In week days mornings, however, it is an enchantment. Even here there are some free umbrellas, but it is possible to shelter from the fierce sun even under some trees
