15 Amazing Things To Do In Aruba: Ideas For A Four-Day Itinerary
15 Amazing Things To Do In Aruba: Ideas For A Four-Day Itinerary
Published April 20, 2023
♫ “Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya, Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama….” ♫ The iconic opening to the Beach Boys’ 1988 hit, Kokomo, is enough to get anyone daydreaming about palm trees and white sand beaches. Even though the song’s main chorus is (probably) about a fictional place, its very first word is a real island: Aruba, one of the Caribbean’s most welcoming!
If you’re considering spending a few days on “One Happy Island,” then this is the blog post for you! I’ve been to Aruba twice: once in December of 2017, and more recently in April of 2023. This little slice of paradise means a lot to me personally: it basically inspired me to start my travel blog! If you’re curious to learn more about that, check out my “About Me” page.
This post features fifteen of Aruba’s finest attractions, places to visit, foods to indulge in, and more. On my more recent trip, two friends and I did everything listed here over the course of about four days. To skip down to any particular item, click or tap the corresponding link below!
Beautiful Beaches
Aruba is a tropical island less than twenty miles north of the Paraguaná Peninsula in Venezuela. Due to its location on the south end of the Caribbean Sea, Aruba is blessed with reliably dry weather, low humidity, and low risk of hurricanes. It’s no surprise that Aruba is known first and foremost as a beach destination!
The beaches featured in this section are listed from north to south. Read on to see what each one has to offer!
#1 Arashi Beach
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/arashi-beach
The northernmost beach in Aruba is great for travelers who want a more laid-back sand and sun experience. Arashi Beach still has beach infrastructure (chairs for rent, a bar and grill, etc) without the huge crowds and resorts that line some of the more famous beaches on the island.
Swimming at Arashi beach was fun, especially since the waves here are pretty calm. The water here is also a beautiful shade of light blue!
#2 Palm Beach
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/palm-beach
Palm Beach is Aruba’s biggest and most commercialized stretch of sandy shore. Here you’ll find lots of dining options, shopping, and other activities. In my honest opinion, Palm Beach is fine but not stunning. I liked strolling the boardwalk here, but didn’t love how busy it felt.
Aruba’s fanciest resorts are also clustered on Palm Beach. Most of them are pretty nondescript, but one really stands out architecturally: the Hotel RIU Palace Aruba. I’m not exactly sure what style you’d call this eye-catching resort, but RIU Hotels & Resorts is a Spanish company. It does sort of look like the towers might have some Spanish or Moroccan influence.
#3 Eagle Beach
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/eagle-beach
A little further south of Palm Beach is Eagle Beach. There are some hotels and resorts here, but they aren’t built right up on the water’s edge like they are on Palm Beach. Because of that, Eagle Beach is a lot less commercial.
The wind and waves are strong here, so I didn’t find this beach to be the most comfortable place to relax. There are also fewer trees or places to find shade. However, I still found the water to be pretty here: a deeper shade of blue than what you’ll find at the beaches further north.
#4 Mangel Halto Beach
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/mangel-halto
Aruba is small enough that no part of the island is remote. With that said, Mangel Halto is the most off-the-beaten-path beach featured on this list. It was also my favorite! The gradients in the water are spectacular! Shallow sandy areas are as light blue as the sky, while deeper areas are much darker.
Mangel Halto Beach can be found in the village of Savaneta, which is located between the capital of Oranjestad and the second largest city of San Nicolaas. Savaneta is small, and parts of its shoreline are rocky. Therefore, it doesn’t attract nearly as many beachgoers as Palm Beach or Eagle Beach. There are also a lot of big cacti here, which gives Mangel Halto its own unique vibe.
Despite its relatively laid-back vibe, this beach appears to be popular for water activities. There were lots of kayakers, scuba divers, and snorkelers enjoying the gorgeous water when we visited.
#5 Rodger's Beach
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/rodgers-beach
The last two beaches in this section are located at the southern tip of Aruba. Rodger’s Beach and Baby Beach are actually right next to each other and only take a minute or two to walk between. If you visit one, you might as well visit both!
Rodger’s Beach is the quieter of the two, and admittedly it’s not as impressive as Baby Beach. One odd thing about Rodger’s Beach is that it “offers” an unobstructed view of the nearby Aruba Oil Refinery. Some visitors might find that off-putting, but I think it gives this little stretch of coastline some character.
#6 Baby Beach
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/baby-beach
Baby Beach is surrounded by a cove of rocks, which is probably why it’s such a beautifully calm area! The cove protects the beach from strong waves, and this seems to keep the water clean and clear. Because of this, Baby Beach is much more popular among families than neighboring Rodger’s Beach.
I’m not sure if Baby Beach is named for its baby blue water or for the fact that it’s a good place to bring kids. Regardless, either explanation works! There are a couple of beachfront restaurants to choose from on Baby Beach. We got some frozen cocktails and delicious snacks at Rum Reef (website | location), which offers a nice view of the water.
Food & Drink
I think most visitors would agree that relaxing on the beach is the number one reason to visit One Happy Island. But delicious food is a close second! Foodies will be happy to know that Aruba has amazing local cuisine and lots of international options.
#7 Local Aruban Cuisine
I highly recommend seeking out a couple of traditional Aruban meals on your trip! The island’s multiculturalism is reflected in its food, which has Dutch, Latin, and Caribbean influences. In my opinion, Aruban food is pretty distinct from the cuisines of the islands further north such as the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.
Gasparito Local Aruban Restaurant
Address: Gasparito 3, Noord, Aruba
Website: https://www.gasparito.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gasparitoaruba/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gasparitorestaurant/
This is without a doubt one of my favorite restaurants in Aruba! Not only do they serve authentic local food, but their hospitality is top notch. I highly recommend trying one of their combo plates for dinner, which will allow you to try a number of Aruban specialties. While we waited for our food, the owner chatted with us and gave us some hilarious riddles to try and solve. Unfortunately, we didn’t get any of them right, but they did make us laugh!
For an appetizer, try the escargot, coconut shrimp, or one of the soups. And for dessert, I really loved the pistachio cake here! Apparently, this is a local delicacy for special occasions. I don’t see it on their online menu, so maybe it was only available for a limited time. Regardless, everything we tried was delicious, and the atmosphere at Gasparito was very cozy.
The Old Cunucu House
Address: Palm Beach 150, Noord, Aruba
Website: https://www.theoldcunucuhouse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oldcunucuhouse/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldcunucuhouse/
A short distance from Gasparito Local Aruban Restaurant is The Old Cunucu House. Named for the traditional style of housing that’s been part of Aruba’s culture for centuries, this restaurant is also a must if you want to experience amazing local cuisine.
For our mains, we shared a seafood combo and oxtails. Both plates were excellent, especially with rice, plantain, and funchi (a local cornmeal-based food similar to polenta, which we were also served at Gasparito).
This restaurant also offers delicious appetizers and a large drink menu, so we enjoyed a few rounds with our food. We also tried iguana soup, which is another Aruban specialty. This was the one part of the meal I didn’t love, but I also didn’t hate it. The broth tasted fine, and the chunks of iguana were okay, but there were a lot of little bones.
#8 Dutch Pancakes
Did you know Aruba is technically a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands? Dutch influence can be found throughout Aruba, including in its cuisine. Dutch pancakes are widely available and make a great breakfast! They are pretty thin and light, almost like crepes. Below are two places to try them.
Linda's Dutch Pancakes
Address: Route 3 Palm Beach 6-D, Rte 3 6, Noord, Aruba
Website: https://lindas-aruba.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindasaruba
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindasaruba/
Linda’s is a pretty casual pancake house with a large outdoor dining area. It’s near Palm Beach, but it’s not right on the water. As such, it feels a little less touristy than some other eateries in the neighborhood. I ordered one of their savory options (I think with ham, cheese, and mushrooms) and really enjoyed it along with some coffee and a bloody mary!
The Dutch Pancakehouse
Address: Renaissance Marketplace, Lloyd G. Smith Blvd 9, Oranjestad, Aruba
Website: https://www.thedutchpancakehouse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDutchPancakehouse/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedutchpancakehouse/
Located in the heart of Oranjestad, this is probably Aruba’s most famous place to get Dutch pancakes. It’s admittedly pretty touristy, and we had to wait for a little while to get seated. However, I really loved the brie, walnut, and ham that I tried here. Dutch Pancakes come in both sweet and savory varieties, and The Dutch Pancakehouse offered lots of different toppings to choose from.
#9 Fine Dining
We tried two fine dining restaurants on Aruba, and the one featured below was definitely the better of the two.
Wilhelmina Restaurant
Address: Wilhelminastraat 74, Oranjestad, Aruba
Website: https://www.wilhelminaaruba.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wilhelminarestaurant
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilhelminaaruba/
This upscale restaurant in Downtown Oranjestad was cool not only because the outdoor patio had an amazing vibe, but also because the food was pretty multicultural. There were subtle Aruban and Dutch influences, but their plates are pretty international. For example, we started the meal off with some bitterballen (a savory Dutch fried ball with meat filling), and then got some Italian appetizers: ravioli and tomato goat cheese salad.
For my main dish, I tried their Indonesian roasted pork. It was incredibly tender and juicy, and it ended up being a really generous portion with a side of noodles. The cocktails, desserts, and wine pairings at Wilhelmina are all just as delicious as their appetizers and main courses!
#10 Aruban BBQ
I will be honest: barbecue didn’t seem to be a cultural staple in Aruba the way it is on some other Caribbean islands (e.g. Anguilla). However, we did find one fabulous local barbecue joint in San Nicolaas that absolutely needs to be on your radar!
Ora's Bar and Restaurant
Address: Pastoor Hendrikstraat 69, San Nicolas, Aruba
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ORAS-BAR-REST-320589558468625/
We happened to see Ora’s online, and it immediately stood out with glowing reviews. I can confirm that they are well deserved! Not only was our food phenomenal, but Ora herself (the owner) was incredibly kind and welcoming. All three of us got her BBQ combo (ribs and chicken) with rice and beans. The meat was delicious and tender, and the glaze was on point.
We also tried Ora’s homemade hot sauce, which really packed a punch! Just add a drop or two and mix it in with the rice. That’s enough to spice things up! Just be aware that Ora’s is cash only. Prices were very reasonable, and she even helped direct us to the nearest ATM to withdraw some Aruban Florins (the local currency).
#11 A Homestay Meal
Like Ora’s BBQ, I’m not sure quite how to categorize this meal, but it was another outstanding culinary experience. Our Airbnb in Savaneta turned out to have a small family-run restaurant attached to it, so we made reservations for dinner on our final night. The food was incredible!
La Tavola (Anaté Beach Apartments)
Address: Spaans Lagoenweg 33 C, Savaneta, Aruba
Website: http://www.anatebeach.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/anatebeach/100063891289474/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anate.beach/
On the second half of our trip, we stayed for a few nights at Anaté Beach Apartments. After arriving, we realized that they serve dinner. You don’t have to stay at the lodging to dine with them, but you do need to make a reservation in advance. When you do so, you can let Anaté or her husband know what you want to eat, and they’ll take care of the rest! We told them we wanted seafood, and we were served fish and shrimp with sides and appetizers.
Everything about this dinner was amazing, from the wine pairings to the salad and the starters. There were distinct Venezuelan elements to the meal too, since that is where the property owners are originally from. For example, we were served patacones (fried plantains) as well as tequeños (cheese sticks).
In addition to dinner, Anaté Beach Apartments also offers an equally delicious breakfast. We were in love with their Venezuelan arepas served with scrambled eggs, beans, and cheese! If you want to stay near Mangel Halto Beach, Anaté Beach Apartments is an amazing option for lodging and food. If you are passing through Savaneta, I still suggest reaching out to Anaté and seeing if you can reserve a meal here!
Towns to Visit or Stay In
Since Aruba is a pretty small island, there are only a handful of towns to explore. Luckily, all of them are quaint, and you can’t really go wrong no matter where you choose to stay. Below are three great options if you need some ideas.
#12 Oranjestad
The capital of Aruba (pronounced “oh-RUN-yeh-stadt”) is unsurprisingly the most developed and commercialized part of the island. This is largely because a large cruise ship port is located here. I explored Oranjestad a little more on my previous trip than I did this time. There are a lot of jewelers, souvenir shops, and casinos. Although there are lots of dining options in the capital, some restaurants look like tourist traps.
#13 Savaneta
This small village is south of Oranjestad, and you’ll probably drive through it if you’re headed from Oranjestad or Palm Beach down to Baby Beach. Savaneta feels much more local than the capital, and I’m glad that we spent a few nights here! Our Airbnb in Pos Chikito was so pretty, and it was worth it to be a short walk from Mangel Halto Beach.
#14 San Nicolaas
Aruba’s southernmost town is a quiet, local community far removed from the resorts on Palm Beach and the cruise ship crowds in Oranjestad. Since this is as far as you can be from the touristy areas up north, you’ll see fewer tourists in San Nicolaas than you would almost anywhere else on Aruba.
The most interesting thing about San Nicolaas is the abundance of public art. A lot of it appears to come from the annual Aruba Art Fair. Entire buildings are covered with beautiful murals. The colors are vibrant, styles are varied, and the subjects are captivating. There are a lot of portraits, as well as sea life.
While we were exploring San Nicolaas, we happened to find Charlie’s Bar and Restaurant (website | location) in the Zeppenfeldstraat Area (where a lot of the street art is on display). We were immediately intrigued by the sheer density of decorations inside, and enjoyed chatting with the bartenders while sipping on some delicious rum cocktails.
Activities & Tours
One amazing thing about Aruba is that it’s perfectly suited for both relaxing on the beach and going on some adventures! The island offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, but there’s one that I simply had to put on this list! Read on to learn more!
#15 Rent an ATV or UTV
The one tour you shouldn’t miss on your visit to Aruba is an ATV or UTV rental. You can book a group excursion, or rent a vehicle and set off on your own. I booked an ATV during my 2017 trip, and we did a UTV day trip this time.
The main reason to reserve an off-roading vehicle is that it will allow you to explore the rugged, unpaved northwest coast of the island. You simply cannot get out here in a standard rental car, and the scenery is pretty distinct from the sandy beaches featured above.
I wrote a comprehensive review of our UTV rental, so be sure to check out that separate blog post to learn all about what to expect!
Go Enjoy Aruba's Sun, Sand, and Sea!
I hope this post provides guidance and inspiration if you are headed to Aruba soon! If you can, I recommend spending three, four, or even five days on the island. That will give you time to try all fifteen things on my list (and possibly more)! One or two days is long enough to get a good sense of Aruba, but you may not have time to experience everything One Happy Island has to offer!
Now that I’ve been to Aruba once by myself in 2017 and once with friends in 2023, I can say with certainty that this Caribbean island really stands out. It’s a place I could see myself going back to throughout my life. I’d happily return to places like Gasparito Restaurants and The Old Cunucu House while also seeking out new experiences. I hope you find Aruba to be just as charming as I do! Enjoy your visit, and leave a comment below to let me know if you found this guide helpful!
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This post was published on Apr 20, 2023
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Where I’ve Been
The pristine white sands, turquoise water, and the various amenities such as bars, restaurants, and water sports make these beaches of Aruba a paradise for beach lovers.