"Went through customs and immigration
Still this feels like home" - Kenny Chesney
After my first trip, I was hooked. It started for me when I looked out the the window and we were flying past downtown Oranjestad, I knew I was in for a time of my life. The colorful buildings and teal colored water, I had to take a minute before we landed. I have been there 5 times since then and still get butterflies every time we are about to land.
I am such a travel junkie, that even standing in an long hot immigration line gives me a sense of AHHHH. After clearing customs and grabbing your bags off the carousal at the bottom of the escalator, next to duty free liquor. They have a pretty good selection and is almost always cheaper than the local grocery stores.
There are so many places to stay while on the island, but all my trips have landed me in the palm beach area. While it caters to mostly tourists, it is a beautiful jumping off point for the rest of the island, The entire stretch from eagle to palm beach and beyond have great places to lounge, eat, drink and soak up the abundant sun and constant trade winds.
Anywhere you decide to stay on Palm beach, all the High rise hotels have plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. They range from high end to beach side bars to everything in between. If you have been or read the forums, you know people treat their Aruba dining like an Olympic sport. I will show you a few of my regular haunts. I like low key places that I can stroll up to in my flip flops while being near the water.
One of my favorite happy hour spots is on Druif Beach, nestled between the Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive and the Divi Aruba All Inclusive. The best night is Thursday when you can get served by jimmy the bartender and then he sings covers. Its some of the best happy hour entertainment at sunset you can get on the island. Be sure to search "Jimmy the singing bartender" on YouTube,
Still this feels like home" - Kenny Chesney
After my first trip, I was hooked. It started for me when I looked out the the window and we were flying past downtown Oranjestad, I knew I was in for a time of my life. The colorful buildings and teal colored water, I had to take a minute before we landed. I have been there 5 times since then and still get butterflies every time we are about to land.
I am such a travel junkie, that even standing in an long hot immigration line gives me a sense of AHHHH. After clearing customs and grabbing your bags off the carousal at the bottom of the escalator, next to duty free liquor. They have a pretty good selection and is almost always cheaper than the local grocery stores.
There are so many places to stay while on the island, but all my trips have landed me in the palm beach area. While it caters to mostly tourists, it is a beautiful jumping off point for the rest of the island, The entire stretch from eagle to palm beach and beyond have great places to lounge, eat, drink and soak up the abundant sun and constant trade winds.
Anywhere you decide to stay on Palm beach, all the High rise hotels have plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. They range from high end to beach side bars to everything in between. If you have been or read the forums, you know people treat their Aruba dining like an Olympic sport. I will show you a few of my regular haunts. I like low key places that I can stroll up to in my flip flops while being near the water.
One of my favorite happy hour spots is on Druif Beach, nestled between the Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive and the Divi Aruba All Inclusive. The best night is Thursday when you can get served by jimmy the bartender and then he sings covers. Its some of the best happy hour entertainment at sunset you can get on the island. Be sure to search "Jimmy the singing bartender" on YouTube,
A little further down on eagle beach is another great place, Matthew's Beach side Restaurant. It is a true beach side restaurant that is completely open to the beach and Aruba breezes. The last trip did include a great Sunday brunch with mimosas. Go early or plan on making it a morning because it fills up quickly. I usually like to go for an early dinner as their middle happy hour is from 4-6 pm everyday. It a beautiful spot for a cold cocktail, great grouper and breathtaking sunsets.
The next place I like to frequent can be reached from anywhere on palm beach. It is called BUGALOE BEACH BAR. It jets out into the water in front the the Rui Palace. There usually comes a time later in the afternoon when you need to stretch and change the scenery so why not meander over between 5-6pm for happy hour. The bar is usually packed with sunburned tourists escaping the frigid months up north. Its also where one of the waitress will get the crowd going with songs you can sing along to. It perfectly situated so you can watch boats in the water or people on the beach while sipping on a cold beverage of your choice. You can also go to the end of the bar/pier and watch the fish swim around in the clear turquoise water.
There is so much you can do on this island, sail on the tranquilo, snorkel on the jolly pirate, take a jeep to the north shore, ride up the the lighthouse, or just sit under your palapa until the sun sets.
Whatever you decide to do or not, it is truly a place that you can unwind in whatever way you like. But if you go, Bring a cooler bag, a bath suit and someone special and find your spot on
"ONE HAPPY ISLAND".
"ONE HAPPY ISLAND".
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