I am not going to lie, I was pretty nervous to go to Aruba even a decade later after all the drama the island has received. Plus, this was my first time flying out of the country alone to meet my girlfriends for a bachelorette trip. One of the things I did before this trip was to get Global Entry TSA. That was a game changer for flying. I had read aruba had really long wait times at their airport on the weekends, but by having precheck, you can skip all of that and save about an hour. I am all about savoring my island time! So I filled out all the paperwork, did my fingerprints, and BOOM within a couple weeks I was cleared for global entry! I also suggest using the app on your iphone: “Find my friends” it made me feel 100% more safer knowing they all had my location at all times.
The Island was definitely crowded with tourism, and it seems to be a favorite spot to vacation for the retirees too :). The food was very good, and actually relatively inexpensive. I flew in on a Friday and flew out on a sunday, so I didn’t get to experience the island as much as I would have wanted to.
Below are the highlights from our trip and things I wish I would have known beforehand!
Accommodations:
1. The Hilton Aruba:
I Loved the whole set up here. Huge property with pools and beach. Rooms were nice, ground floor ones Id request next time. The bar had firepits at night and played live music. We ate dinner here one night overlooking the pools, make sure to sit outside!
We stayed here one night strictly to have beach access for two days at Flamingo Beach. I would only stay at this hotel if on a family vacation and request the beach view side. More details on flamingo beach below!
Restaurants:
Breakfast: Linda’s Dutch Pancakes– SO GOOD! get there early. Smaller place, and we waited about 30 minutes.
Acai Bowls: Eduardo’s Beach Shack– I never made it here and was so bummed, the reviews and locals said it is amazing. And If you know me, I would eat an acai bowl daily the rest of my life if I could!
Dinner: Papiemento– Beautiful outdoor set up! The entire place is the outside of an old house, the seating is around the pool and there are trees everywhere. The food was great and lobster was in season!
Things to do:
–Visit Flamingo Beach! – Spend the entire day or your entire vacation here in my opinion! You have to either be staying at the resort, or get their early to buy a day pass for access to flamingo beach. A ferry shuttles people over every 15 minutes during the day from the hotel. Apparently they only sell a select amount a day for the island, so make sure to get there early. They have a bar and food on the island.
*Know before you go: BOOK BUNGALOWS for the day! Call the Renaissance Hotel to reserve. They are booked months in advance. They are the coolest spot overlooking the beach where you can relax on your own hammock over the water! Also bring quarters to buy food for the flamingos.
-Jolly Pirates: All day snorkeling and rope swinging!
Brands Im loving and wore on this trip:
Swim:
Lspace- Coral bikini
Montce Swim- Gingham & Polka-Dot bikini
Triangl- neon Pink bikini
Beach Riot- Pink onepiece
Bag: Salt Suit
Hats: Lack Of Color
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