GENERAL INFORMATION:
- MOST places are walking distance from the high rise hotels- or a quick cab ride. Low rises may require more taxi rides.
- Cab rides are a set fair – usually at $6 or $7 to and from most places! The cab ride from the airport is typically a flat fee and same with back to the airport after your stay!
- We have the same taxi driver that we use for the entire duration of the trip- his name is Larry. We ride with Larry to and from airport, to go on far adventures or to far restaurants at night. You can find Larry on facebook – at Larry Ras Taxi 117!
- Aruba accepts American money everywhere- it is actually preferred over their own currency so you don’t have to worry about the exchange prior to traveling!
- For restaurant reservations, we always make ours ahead of time just in case as many of the popular places tend to fill up fast. They always say to make the reservations 2-3 days ahead of time during your stay just in case to ensure a spot! The more popular restaurants may require reservations a few months in advance!
- All downtown shops are closed on Sundays! Downtown has really become a desolate area over the last couple years. Lots of shops have now closed- but it is still worth a trip to explore. There is a trolley service that rides around and offers Aruban history- super fun.
- There are a few supermarkets you can go to in case you need to pick up a few things. Our villa has a full kitchen so we usually go to SUPERFOOD to get breakfast stuff, some snacks, beer and rum. Note: you will have to buy reusable tote bags for your groceries because they do not offer paper OR plastic here!
- The weather is UNREAL. Usually a nice 86 degrees and the best wind in the world. It’s never humid- because that wind is seriously a life saver. We call it “ground hog day” because every day is the same! If it rains- which is rarely does- the showers are quick and pass by fast!
RESTAURANTS: all options below are both kid + adult friendly!
The VUE Rooftop: The VUE is new to the island. Located high above on a rooftop- you can see the skyline and oceanline of aruba. It does not only boast pretty views, but the drinks and the food are SUPER good. One of our favorite new places and a definite must visit!!!! Gives off a MIAMI flare!
Wilhelmina: Located in download Oranjestad, Wilhemina is nestled in a speakeasy city garden atmosphere. It's a beautiful space with really great food. Switch up the beach restaurants for this-- you don't want to miss this!
LG Smith Steak & Chop House: This steak house is located in the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Oranjestad. The atmosphere here is spectacular-- voted #1 steakhouse restaurant in Aruba from Tripadvisor. The vibe is an upscale lounge, and the best part? They have a mobile tableside bar with (5) signature drinks that you can choose from. The food is unreal!
Private Dining @ The Beach- Ritz Carlton: We stumbled upon this gem of a restaurant while walking over to the Ritz one night. A couple was privately dining on the sand around a sea of lights and it looked so beautiful we had to find out how we could do it! If you go to the concierge at the Ritz Lobby- regardless if you are staying there or not- they will let you choose items from a pre-fixed menu for you to dine privately on the beach! It's so romantic and absolutely a MUST.
Screaming Eagle: Located on Eagle Beach, Screaming Eagle has comfortable outdoor seating and gorgeous beach views. The restaurant is very reminiscent to South Beach in Miami-- all white vibes and outdoor glowing lights. The food here was so good and definitely worth checking out!
Flying Fishbone: A must visit!!!! They have tables that are literally in the ocean. It’s awesome. The drinks are good, the food is good. It is a little bit of a ride but it is totally worth it—don’t miss this one. Request a table in the water because they book up fast!!!
Barefoot: This is a beachside restaurant near the airport- you literally eat with your feet in the sand. The planes fly right over your head and land at the airport- it’s seriously so cool! It’s only about a 10 minute cab ride from the high rise hotels.
If you like seafood- the mango grouper is AMAZING and you HAVE to try the goat cheese appetizer!
Azzuro: Super good Italian food in an oversized palapa building above the beach! This is where you can eat pasta out of a cheese wheel Located at the Playa Linda hotel- walking distance from high rise hotels.
Gianni’s: Also Italian- located in mid-town near the Hyatt. Great food- cheese wheel also available here! Lot’s to do in this area too—so head over there a little early before dinner and shop the little huts around the restaurant
BLT Steak: Located at the Ritz Carlton. Superrrrr good! The service and food is top notch. They serve pop-overs baked with gruyere cheese on top for an appetizer and they give you a little recipe card to take home and make them at home! THEY ARE AMAZING. Order the bacon appetizer…and a blue cheese olive stuffed dirty martini! :)
Ruth’s Chris: The best. Great service, great food. Located in the Marriott Stellaris Casino Hotel. Close by to the high rise hotels and always consistent. We typically dine here twice a trip- once for steak of course and once for chicken!
Aqua Grille: SUCH Good seafood—gives us a Maine restaurant coastal themed vibe. The owner is from NYC—doesn’t feel like you are in Aruba and there is no view- kind of off the beaten path- but the food is spectacular and worth going as a change of pace. The salmon is cooked on a wooden board- and probably the best meal of the trip!!!!
Passions on the beach: Another beachside restaurant, this is located across the street from the Amsterdam Manor resort at Eagle Beach. Again, feet in the sand, beautiful atmosphere—if you decide to go here, definitely go at sunset. The pictures are gorgeous. They usually have glowing lights on the table which is super fun!
Daniels Steakhouse:. Located in the downtown high rise area right next to Gianni’s—super good and very kid friendly. They serve cheese in a ladle with rolls as an appetizer!!! It’s amazing!! Great steak!
BARS/HOT SPOTS:
The Paddock Café: This is our favoriteeeee dive bar. You have to stop in here when you are downtown in Oranjestad shopping for the day! There are dollar bills all over the walls from people all over the world. Just stop in for a drink or two- or three- or four ;) it’s a dive but it’s definitely a spot where you need to go!!!! Oh, and also- there is a spinning wheel behind the bar, that you pay $2 for a spin and you can win drinks/shirts/shots/ or lose---- but either way, it’s so fun! Don’t miss this!
Lucy’s: This is located right next to the Paddock downtown- it’s a retired surfers bar. It’s superr cute- you can sign the walls, and they serve really great drinks! Some with a scorpion in them! They have palapas overlooking the water where the cruise ships come in. Definitely check it out after your trip to the Paddock next door!
Carlitos: This is the BOSTON sports bar on the island! It’s right on the beach in front on the Playa Linda. There is a house rule though, you have to buy two drinks at a time!!! Super cute- super fun- right on the beach. Stop in for a drink
Nos Clubhuis: This is located near the Marriott Surf Club on a second story level. It has really good Instagram-worthy beer margaritas and an amazing panoramic view of the water and beach. Good for a change up for lunch and a break in the shade! Order the beer-rita—its HUGE and perfect for a photo-opp!
Eduardo’s Beach Shack: Fruit bowls, acai bowls, smoothies, this place is SO Good. This is located at the Playa Linda Hotel on the beach. Definite must--- very popular so wake up early!!! You don’t want to miss this one if you like the healthy stuff.
Scott’s Brat’s: Breakfast or lunch- this place is so good! It’s a little hut on the beach located at the Playa Linda. Real good for a nice morning walk down the beach from the high rise hotels. Great breakfast sandwiches and a build your own Bloody Mary Bar!!!! (it’s seriously the best BLOODY EVER! They give you all the items you need to make the most perfect little bloody mary!)
Malmok Bar & Grill: Located at the Marriott Ocean Club. Great lunch options—great drinks—even better people! The staff here has seriously become our family. Even if you aren’t staying here- take a trip over here to see them and explore the Marriott properties. Get the grouper sandwich, a frozen electric lemonade (with salt of course!) and ask for Edward, Wilma, Ferde, Zayonara, Pedro, and Maria! They are great people.
Antilla Beach Bar: Located right on the beach in between the Marriott Ocean Club and the Marriott Surf Club! This bar is super cute- coastal themed- with great drinks and some appetizer food options. Ask for Deborah and order the watermelon margaritas!
SHOPPING:
La Paseo Hernencia: This is a large shopping plaza located between the Marriott Surf Club and the Holiday Inn. Not a far walk from the high rises but you can definitely take a quick cab there if you want. Check out La Creperie here- super good crepes!!!!! This place has a water fountains located in the center at night which turns into a water show. I would definitely recommend shopping here at night time – it’s so pretty and fun!
Palm Beach Plaza: Lots of little shops and restaurants. Also located towards the end of the high rises near the Marriott properties.
Renaissance Mall: This is where all the fancy stores are at the Renaissance hotel in downtown Orjanestad across from the Paddock- (Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada etc) Adidas is here—which always has some good finds. And STARBUCKS! There is also a great gift shop near starbucks in the lobby that sells Lily Pulitzer.
POINTS OF INTEREST/ ACTIVITIES:
The Blue Melody (Black Pearl): MUST BOOK!!!!! This is a more laid back sunset sail OR day time snorekling!!! (we have done both and both are AWESOME!). You sit down on comfy lay down seats and they bring you to three spots on the island and you can snorkel if you’d like! They make you “boat special” cocktails and serve beers. They also give you specialty cold cheese and tomato sandwich with a chive spread -YUM! And on the way back- they hand out their famous grilled cheese and watermelon! It’s so good. Worth looking into if you want to take a quiet, peaceful sunset sail or snorkel in the morning to start your day. You can book this online ahead of time- spots fill up superrrr fast. The boat leaves from the marina at the Marriott Surf Club!
Pelican Adventures: This is a catamaran that leaves from Pelican Pier which is right in between the RIU and the Playa Linda hotel. A “booze cruise” if you will! It’s a sunset sail but no snorkeling. They play fun music where you can dance and watch the sunset. They also give you snacks and it’s an open bar- all you can drink.
The Marriott Stellaris Hotel: STARBUCKS is located here. It has the biggest casino on the island- the Stellaris Casino. The lobby is open 24 hrs for a late night gelato or a drink at the lobby bar. They also have a really good sushi bar located in the lobby called Ketsu!
The Ritz Carlton Deck: You NEEED to go to the Ritz balcony for sunset drinks one night! For some reason- the view from here is ABSOLUTELY the best place to watch the sunset! **ORDER THE SCREAMING PELICAN! It is no longer on the menu but they will make it and you won’t be disappointed! If you like Sushi--- order the RITZ CARLTON ROLL- best sushi I’ve EVER HAD**
Jolly Pirates: This pirate ship is a booze cruise/snorkeling/and rope swing. It’s more of a party type boat compared to the blue melody which is calmer. This boat leaves from the Marriott Surf Club marina. Super super fun for both kids and adults. They also bring you to a couple spots to snorkel—an Aruba specialty boat trip for sure!
California Lighthouse: In case you are into the touristy points of interest, there is the California Lighthouse which is located at the end of the island past all of the high rise hotels near Arashi Beach. There’s also an Italian restaurant located here called Faro Blanco which has beautiful views of the ocean.
ATV Tours: There are atv/utv tours on the rocky side of the island, opposite the hotels. We usually go through ATV Action Tours. You have your own 5 person ATV with a guide around. It’s super fun! They typically drop off the vehicles at your hotel- which is super convenient. We take them out for about 3-4 hours. You can either do a tour guide or just go on your own if you feel comfortable! It’s a thrilling day of fun!
Water Sports: Banana boats, couch rides, parasailing, jet skis, etc. all go out from every hotel beach. There are huts along the beach where you can rent these things or the boats will take you out!
Top Drive Jeep Rentals: RENT A JEEP AND DRIVE TO BABY BEACH!!!! It’s a ride—but it’s worth it. Grab a drink when you get there at RUM REEF BAR. It’s quite possibly the most beautiful view from a bar I’ve ever seen. This bar has an infinity pool that overlooks the ocean. It’s beautiful!
Any questions? Feel free to reach out via IG or email and ask! We love Aruba so much and love to help with anything One Happy Island!