2.5 Days,

Day 1 and 2:

Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort is a beautiful and convenient place to stay within steps to Druif Beach. As with many island destinations, you may be faced with a multitude of mosquitoes but if you come prepared with bug repellent you won’t mind it much. Pre-booking an airport shuttle service to your resort is highly recommended after a late night flight. You can sit back and admire the sparkling meteor shower rain lights all the way from Oranjestad to the beach area (assuming they’re still hanging around). Aruba is all about relaxing on the beautiful beaches outside your door, with Eagle Beach being rated as one of the best in the world. There are plenty of exciting beach activities and by exciting envision me holding on to my friend for dear life and getting so freaked out that I told her to drop me back off on land. Take a night stroll around J.E. Irausquin Blvd and circle the Arawak Gardens & Shopping Mall for a great place to eat, drink and lounge around while listening to some great music. I had a great time basking in the ambiance of The Sopranos Piano Bar even on a quieter Sunday night.

The Arawak Gardens & Shopping Mall is a vibrant and busy center with cute little shops and vendors. Casa Tua Italian Restaurant has excellent food after you’ve gotten your fill of walking an shopping. Along with the national language of Dutch Papiamento, many people speak multiple languages so don’t be shy getting to know the locals in this part of town!

Day 3:

Moving further north you’ll find Palm beach, where you kind find sailing and snorkeling adventures. If you’re over the beach, in the town of Oranjestad you can learn more about the history of the country and its Dutch influence. Check out the Royal Plaza Mall and Renaissance Mall (where you can find the popular Aruba Aloe Store). The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino overlooks the sparkling marina and sea. On a weeknight, many things may close early but as you’re walking listen carefully. You just may hear Caribbean music drifting through the air. On one such occasion, I followed the sound which led me to a small Filipino restaurant called Kambal Pinoy Kusina. The lumpia are light and crispy and the people are so welcoming. They have an awesome local Karaoke night that is a perfect end to a short, relaxing weekend in Aruba. 

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