PHOTO: © ARUBA TOURISM AUTHORITY
Aruba is known as the “Happy Island,” and with its turquoise waters, balmy weather and friendly locals, it rightfully deserves that reputation. But there’s more to explore in Aruba beyond the popular 2-mile strip of Palm Beach, famous for its white-sand coastline, array of global hotel brands and lively nightlife.
On my most recent visit to Aruba, I ventured off the beaten path, immersing myself in the flourishing local art scene and adventuring into the wilds of Arikok National Park. Of course, embracing a life of leisure while on island time is of the utmost importance, but you’ll find many ways to kick back in this Dutch Caribbean oasis.
To experience the best of this idyllic island, set your sights on the following destinations and get ready to discover a different side of paradise:
ARIKOK NATIONAL PARK
Aruba’s beaches may take center stage, but the island’s expanse of untouched tropical desert also proves a thrill to explore. Located along the eastern coast, the rugged landscape of Arikok National Park accounts for 20 percent of the island’s total landmass. Set aside a full day to explore the moon-like terrain via open-top Jeep, on horseback or along the 20 miles of walking trails. Candelabra cacti, giant lizards, natural pools and Arawak drawings abound; and even the most well- versed explorers will surely be surprised by what they discover in this vast, arid wilderness.
SAN NICOLAS
Aruba is known as the street art capital of the Caribbean, and San Nicolas is the island’s cultural capital. Once home to booming oil refineries, the city became a ghost town and home to the island’s red-light district after industry disappeared. Today San Nicolas is undergoing a renaissance, thanks to local artists and patrons who adorn the streets with large-scale murals and support independent galleries. Check out the ArtisA Gallery and sign up for a mural tour to appreciate the work of artists from the Caribbean and beyond.
PHOTO: © ARUBA TOURISM AUTHORITY
MALMOK BEACH
Swim in the azure waters of Malmok Beach, a seaside region in northern Aruba featuring a rocky, limestone coastline and shallow, secluded bays perfect for swimming and snorkeling. This narrow stretch of shoreline houses an array of reefs and shipwrecks that entice scuba divers from around the world to explore Aruba’s crystal-clear waters. Though only 3 miles from the ever-popular Palm Beach, Malmok feels much more secluded and hidden from throngs of sunbathing tourists. Head to Boca Catalina for an even more private beach experience, with its thatched-roof cabanas lining the white-sand coast.
LODGING
Aruba Ocean Villas
Pretend you’re in the South Pacific at the island’s only overwater villas overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Enjoy the sweet serenity of this adults-only hideaway along Aruba’s sleepy southeastern coast.
Savaneta 356a, Savaneta, Aruba
$$$$$
Boardwalk Boutique Hotel
Just steps from the bustle of Palm Beach, this lush tropical oasis boasts cozy casitas, secluded gardens and saltwater pools, set in the middle of a former coconut plantation.
Bakval 20, Noord, Aruba
$$$$$
Bucati & Tara Beach Resort
This luxury Eagle Beach resort offers a personal concierge to fulfill your every need. Sip seaside cocktails at SandBar and enjoy a moonlit dinner for two in a private cabana.
L.G. Smith Blvd. 55B, Oranjestad, Aruba
$$$$$
DINING
Papiamento Restaurant
Dine beneath the twinkling lights of overhead palms at this historical cunucu house. Order keshi yena cheese pie, Aruba’s national dish, paired with an international vintage from the impressive wine cellar.
Washington 61, Noord, Aruba
$$$–$$$$
Taste My Aruba
The menu changes daily at this family-owned, sea-to- table restaurant in an open-air courtyard of a restored 100-year-old heritage house. The cuisine is entirely sourced locally with Aruban ingredients.
Wilhelminastraat 57, Oranjestad, Aruba
$$–$$$
Zeerovers
This laid-back establishment is a local favorite, serving seafood on picnic tables on a fishing pier. Guests enjoy views of the Caribbean while watching fishermen return with their daily haul.
Savaneta 270, Savaneta, Aruba
$$$–$$$$
INFO TO GO
Aruba has only one international airport, but, luckily, it’s one of the busiest in the Caribbean. Queen Beatrix International Airport offers flight services to the United States, Canada, other countries in the Caribbean, and parts of Europe and South America. The airport is centrally located in Oranjestad, and given the relatively small size of the island (21 miles long and 6 miles wide), it’s easily accessed by taxi from other parts of Aruba.
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedNovember 2024
Nov 16, 2024Discover The Cotswolds’ Quintessentially English Villages
Famous for rolling green hills, quaint villages and distinctive honey-colored limestone buildings, the Cotswolds (an 800-square-mile region in central southwest England) carries a designation as an Area of Outstanding Beauty. More than 80 percent is still farmland, meadows and woodlands.
Sponsored Content
Experience Next-Level Travel with Condor Airlines’ New A330neo Fleet
Condor Airlines completely renewed its long-haul fleet, featuring its new Airbus A330neo. Designed to elevate your travel experience, the A330neo is equipped with cutting-edge technology and offers unrivaled comfort, ensuring an exceptional journey for every passenger. With its striking signature striped livery, the A330neo not only promises a memorable flight but also enhances the start of your vacation from the moment you step aboard.
Airlines
Nov 16, 2024Brussels Airlines Expands Fleet, Invests in New Cabins
Brussels Airlines will grow its long-haul fleet with three new Airbus A330 aircraft, bringing its widebody fleet to 13 in the coming years. These additional aircraft comprise the airline’s greater initiative to strengthen its position in Africa following increased demand for air travel across the continent. The airline will mainly use the extra long-haul capacity to reinforce its Sub-Saharan African network, making Brussels Airlines a European hub for flights to and from Africa.
Daily
Nov 15, 2024SLS Barcelona Opens This December
SLS Hotels & Residences makes its European debut this winter on Spain’s Mediterranean coastline in Barcelona, where the city’s excellent climate keeps winter temperatures pleasant. SLS Barcelona hits the waterside district of Port Fòrum, where a large marina is 15 minutes from city center.
Sponsored Content
Pick Your Paradise: Experience Bali at 3 Incredible Hotels
Bali is a name synonymous with island bliss. But there is more than just one side to this incredible place. Get a sense for the variety of experiences Bali offers by learning about three hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with distinctive opportunities for adventure and relaxation. With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card, earn points for free nights at each of these properties.
November 2024
Nov 15, 2024Treat the Travelers on Your List to the Perfect Holiday Present
Pluto Pod The relentless search for the perfect airplane neck pillow can seem like a lifelong quest, but the Pluto POD may finally prove the solution. Offering the 360-degree support of a neck brace combined with a pillowed hood for ultimate leaning anywhere and a built-in convertible eye mask, this powerhouse pillow was created with input from sleep researchers, flight attendants and frequent travelers. The result is a cool-touch plush collection of support and sleep-aiding features in one compact pillow, and you can use as many or as few as you need at a time, with the hood and eye mask easily tucking without detaching. The POD snaps down into compact travel mode and includes a small carabiner for easy hooking to your carry-on bag. $145.
Six Senses Hotel to Debut in London Next Year
Hotels
Nov 14, 2024Discover the Birthplace of Cacao in Ecuador
Daily
Nov 13, 2024November 2024
Nov 13, 2024Drink It All in During a Stay at Hotel Manapany on Swanky St.-Barth
Vacationers travel to the posh island of St.-Barth for its ritzy shops, tucked-away local beaches and elevated cuisine melding classic French technique with flavorful Caribbean ingredients. Guests staying at Hôtel Manapany, an eco-focused boutique property on picturesque Anse des Cayes beach, can also sip their way through beverages that showcase these two distinct yet remarkably harmonious cultures.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines First to Purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel for ORD
Chicago O’Hare International Airport will soon receive sustainable aviation fuel, all thanks to United Airlines, which became the first airline to purchase SAF for use at the airport, one of the largest in the United States. Neste, a producer of SAF, will provide up to 1 million gallons of its Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The first supply arrived in August.
November 2024
Nov 13, 2024İstanbul Magically Integrates Past and Present, East and West
The breathtaking Bosporus Strait divides Europe and Asia in İstanbul, the former capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman empires, a city where trade has been intrinsic to the global bridge since the advent of the Silk Road and the Spice Route.
ShareThis