It has been nearly 25 years since I have been to Aruba. My husband and I were fortunate to spend our honeymoon here for a week in October 1999. It is one of the ABC islands (Bonaire and Curacao are the others) and fun fact, it is NOT in the hurricane belt. So anytime your little heart desires to go there, you can surely bet, this won’t be a problem. And millions agree, as this is quite a popular destination year round. You can easily arrive here by early afternoon and enjoy a sunset dinner. Some of the things I will share are from my own experience. But I absolutely have to give a shoutout to my brother and sister-in-law, Derek and Michelle. They provided me with updated pictures and restaurants they had the pleasure to visit. As one can imagine, things have likely changed over the years.
Let me first introduce you to the Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort https://www.bucuti.com. This is a 4-star property that is for adults only. Daily breakfast and beach chairs for every guest are just a couple reasons Bucuti provides an overall amazing experience. It is located on Eagle Beach nestled among other resorts who also have restaurants on sight, which are accessible within minutes. They only have 104 rooms, a restaurant and bar, a pool and wellness activities. It is a quiet and relaxing venue if a high-rise and/or all-inclusive property is not your style. We absolutely loved it as a peaceful haven after our wedding. I remember the concierge graciously helping us rent a jeep for the day and he made dinner reservations for us. My brother received an anniversary gift in their room upon arrival! The welcoming hospitality and multi-lingual staff make this place so memorable. Keep this resort on your radar if you’re looking for an intimate oasis.
Renting a vehicle for your entire stay certainly is possible but the public transportation is safe to use as well. Some hotel stays include round-trip airport transfers. I mentioned above we rented a jeep for the day to explore the island (my brother did the same). Aruba has plenty of excursions available from sailing, snorkeling, and air-conditioned vehicles to tour the island, just to name a few. Viator is one site that has plenty of excursions to choose from https://tp.media/r? marker=523050&trs=299464&p=1922&u=https%3A%2F%2Fviator.com&campaign_id=47 .
Now we move on to the more important topic of food! Faro Blanco is an Italian restaurant on the NW side of the island near the lighthouse https://faroblancoresaurant.com. We went to this very same restaurant a quarter of a century ago, I just don’t remember if it was the same name. It was definitely Italian cuisine and yes, I do remember having a 4-cheese pasta dish. I recollect our waiter being quite funny as well. When I asked him where the restroom was, he said I had to climb the lighthouse. For a second I believed him and then the three of us erupted into laughter. If you decide to eat here, don’t be surprised if you see a random goat nearby sitting on the stone ledge (true story). Faro Blanco does have the option online to purchase gift cards if you wanted to surprise a loved one and contribute towards the meal. Reservations are recommended and indoor and outdoor seating is available.
Here are some of the other places my brother and sister-in-law ate during their stay that were outside of Bucuti grounds: Chopped, Madame Janette’s and Pika’s corner. Chopped was a steakhouse next door at Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa https://www.manchebo.com. It is an outdoor bar/restaurant with palapas (their hut-like umbrellas). Reservations should absolutely be made (sometimes before you leave for your trip) for Madame Janette’s https://madamejanette.info. This place was recommended by visitors and locals, which is always a good sign. Michelle said they had huge portions and shareable salads on the menu. Pika’s Corner was a fun place to have lunch. They serve meat on a stick! Much like a Brazilian steakhouse. Most hotels in Aruba have at least one restaurant on site, even the small ones, like Bucuti. There are also dozens of other options, should you choose to be adventurous and try the local cuisine. All of the restaurants mentioned were are within a few minutes from the Bucuti and Tara resort.
The currency in Aruba is the Florin. However, USD and credit cards are widely accepted. Banks are generally open Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm if you would like to exchange your money. Do NOT exchange in any airport, as you will be charged exorbitant fees. As far as tipping any service employees, it is not mandatory but appreciated. Just like the US, 15-20% is the going rate.
A negative Covid-19 test is no longer required, nor is travel insurance. However, travel insurance is highly recommended, and I personally have used it well before Covid existed.
Within a week before your arrival, you will need to fill out an Aruba ED card (embark/disembarkation) before entering the country. Head to https://www.aruba.com and click on the “Travel requirements” tab at the top of the page. Then go to “Before you travel”. This will bring up a link to fill out this form. According to my brother, they give you a QR code to be scanned at customs and they also send an email. Making sure your passports will not expire within 6 months of your visit, is the first thing you should check when deciding to travel internationally. It was taking 3 months for passport renewal, but currently some people have received them within one month. Don’t wait till the last minute to avoid having to pay extra to expedite your documents. According to a coworker, even when expediting has been requested, the government can return it the day of your travel (you have to enter this in when submitting). No one wants that stress before vacation.
I have never heard a bad word spoken from anyone who has visited this small island in the southern Caribbean. It is a perfectly safe place to travel, the locals are kind and the weather is nearly perfect year round! If you’re interested in planning a trip, feel free to email me at [email protected].
