Around the World in Reality: Aruba

To keep up our tradition of traveling around Valentine’s Day, I knew a beach trip was a must. Donnell was longing for the waves, and early in the year was the perfect time to go—the weather is ideal, and the crowds are smaller. So, we decided to visit a place we’d always heard great things about: Aruba.

Day 1 – Saturday, February 10

HIGHLIGHTS: Quinta del Carmen

We had an early flight at 7 AM with a layover in Atlanta. A delay in Raleigh meant we had to rush to catch our connecting flight to Aruba. Once on board, it was a short 3.5-hour flight before we landed. Arrival was quick and straightforward, and I was especially grateful for my trusty backpack. Stepping outside, we were greeted by the cool Aruban breeze and quickly caught a taxi. After about 30 minutes, we arrived at our Airbnb, the Lizard Inn. It’s a quaint place with fewer than 20 units.

The first thing on our list was to buy groceries. On our short walk to Super Foods, I realized I had forgotten the bag given to me at the airport—a rookie mistake. Fortunately, we could buy another one, and we did. The grocery store was incredibly busy, with everyone seeming to arrive at the same time. We got the items we needed and made our way back.

Since we hadn’t eaten during the layover, I moved our reservation up at Quinta del Carmen. This place has an interesting history, as it was originally an architect’s home before becoming a restaurant. To start dinner, we had cheese croquettes and scallops. Both were delicious, with the croquettes earning a 9.5 and the scallops a 9. The scallops were even better when paired with bread to soak up the delicious sauce. For our main entrees, Donnell had the salmon, and I enjoyed the pineapple shrimp, which I would rate an 8.5. Additionally, I had a delightful watermelon caipiroska, which I would also rate a 9.5.

Day 2 – Sunday, February 11

HIGHLIGHTS: Passions on the Beach, Grand Carnival Parade and Catch Aruba

We slept in a bit since we were both quite tired. For an early lunch, we headed to Passions on the Beach. The location was beautiful, with a perfect breeze. Donnell had the Beyond Burger, which he rated a 7.5, and I had the Fish Tacos, which I rated an 8. While my tacos were delicious, they could have used more fish. Donnell mentioned that the bun was too large for the patty. I also enjoyed a Summer Rose cocktail, which I rated a 7.5, but it was a bit too sweet for my liking.

After lunch, we caught the bus to Oranjestad for Carnival. We found a great spot among a few others who had already begun setting up. Although the schedule indicated we’d wait an hour or so, we ended up waiting for 3 hours. Despite the long wait, it was well worth it. The parade was beautiful and captivating. We watched for about 90 minutes before needing to catch the bus back for our dinner reservation.

We went to dinner at the Catch Restaurant. For appetizers, I had the Pan Tomate, which I rated a 9.5, and Donnell had the Watermelon Salad, which he rated a 9. We immediately noticed how large the portions were. For our main entrees, I had the Risotto Del Mar, consisting of risotto with fish, shrimp, mussels, and squid. I rated it an 8, finding it a bit too acidic for my taste but still enjoyable. Donnell had the Shrimp Linguine, which he also rated an 8. Though he doesn’t usually have a sweet tooth, Donnell ordered the Apple Pie a la mode and rated it a perfect 10, which is very rare for him! I enjoyed a strawberry paloma, which I rated a 9.5, and a Cucumber Rosemary cocktail, which I gave a perfect 10.

Day 3 – Monday, February 12

HIGHLIGHTS: UTV Tour

We woke up and decided it was time for some beach relaxation. Although it was very windy and the waves were quite big, we lounged for a bit before heading out to find lunch.

Typically, the day after Carnival, almost everything is closed. However, I decided to take my chances and head over to Magu Burger. Unfortunately, it was closed as well. Luckily, there was a small Italian restaurant nearby, so we decided to give it a try. We shared a large four-cheese pizza, which was delicious. I would rate it a 9.5. 

We went back in time so Donnell could rest before our day’s excursion. We had booked a UTV adventure and were promptly picked up by our driver. On our way to the central hub, we stopped at Philip’s Animal Garden to feed rescue animals before the excursion began.

After 20 minutes, our excursion began, and we hopped into our UTVs, taking off immediately. It didn’t take long for me to realize that my sunglasses were ill-suited for the adventure. If you ever decide to take one of these tours, I highly recommend purchasing, renting, or bringing your own goggles; it gets incredibly dusty out there!

Our first destination was Alto Vista Chapel, followed by Baby Bridge. Next on our itinerary was a visit to the Bushiribana Ruins, where we took a break to enjoy a snack. We opted for a tuna sandwich, which turned out to be quite tasty. Although we had planned to swim in the cave pool, the waves were too strong, so we had to skip that part. Our final stop was Andicuri Beach, where we managed to swim for a bit despite the imposing waves; the scenery was breathtaking, nonetheless. Overall, it was an amazing experience!

Arriving back at the room, we opted to enjoy our leftovers from the previous night. With the weather being so lovely, I settled into the hammock outside and enjoyed the gentle island breeze. It was the perfect way to end the day!

Day 4 – Tuesday, February 13

HIGHLIGHTS: Butterfly Farm, Lola Taqueria, Snorkeling Tour and Infini Aruba

On our last full day, we began with a stroll to the Butterfly Farm. It was an incredibly enjoyable way to kick off the day, feeling like a kid again surrounded by the beauty of the butterflies.

For lunch, we headed to Lola Taqueria for Taco Tuesday, and the atmosphere was fantastic, with great music setting the vibe. If you’re a meat eater, you can enjoy two of their tacos for just $1 each on Tuesday, which is an unbeatable deal. We tried the Not chicken chick’n taco, Baja fish taco, and bang bang shrimp taco. Donnell and I both agreed that the not chicken chick’n was our favorite, closely followed by the bang bang shrimp. The baja fish taco came in last, but only because it was slightly less flavorful than the others. Alongside our tacos, we indulged in guacamole clásico and a refreshing raspberry mule.

For our next adventure, we embarked on a catamaran cruise, which included snorkeling at two different sites. At the first snorkel site, we were thrilled to discover a shipwreck despite the choppy ocean conditions. The abundance of marine life made the experience truly unforgettable. Our second stop offered calmer waters, although there were fewer fish to observe. After our snorkeling excursion, we headed back to the dock, thoroughly satisfied with our underwater exploration.

For dinner, we planned to go to Infini, but getting there turned into quite an adventure. After encountering some disorganization with the taxi service we’d messaged, we found ourselves without a ride for our reservation. Undeterred, we decided to walk and try our luck flagging down a taxi. As we made our way, a gentleman named John stopped and offered to take us to our destination. Though initially hesitant, we took the chance, and John turned out to be amazing, getting us straight to Infini without any fuss. He even refused payment, but I insisted on compensating him for his kindness. While relying on strangers for rides isn’t something I’d recommend, I’m immensely grateful to John from Casa Del Mar for his kindness and assistance!

Upon arrival, we encountered another couple also searching for the entrance, which proved to be a bit hidden. Eventually, we found our way and were seated. We started our meal outside with glasses of sparkling wine and the first course, enjoying the perfect weather and beautiful surroundings.

After finishing the first course, we transitioned inside for the remaining courses. Right from the start, I could tell this dining experience was going to be special; it reminded me of the A to Z experience in Panama. The setting was intimate, with no more than 20 people gathered around a U-shaped bar. We had a perfect view of the chef and sous chefs diligently working to prepare our meals. The presentation was impeccable, and I was particularly impressed by the creativity showcased in each dish. What made the experience even more enjoyable was the fact that most of the sous chefs were culinary interns, gaining valuable hands-on experience. Overall, I would rate this experience a perfect 10 out of 10.

Day 5 – Wednesday, February 14

HIGHLIGHTS: Aruba Experience

On our final day in Aruba, we decided to sleep in and linger until the last possible moment before checking out. Taking the bus to Oranjestad, we made our way to Aruba Experience for lunch. The café, housed in a charming multi-room building, buzzed with activity. To start, I tried the coconut lemonade, a recommendation from our waitress. Despite seeming like an unusual combination, it proved to be absolutely delicious, with a delightful blend of sweetness and tartness that was new to my palate.

For lunch, I opted for the ‘I am generous’ dish, which included a spinach arepa, scrambled eggs with onion, tomato, black beans, and shredded white cheese. The title was spot-on, as the portion was indeed generous, and every element was delicious. The flavorful beans particularly stood out as the highlight of the dish. Donnell ordered a tuna sandwich, which he thoroughly enjoyed, even sneaking bites of my beans. Overall, we would rate this place a 9.5 out of 10.

We took a taxi to the airport, heeding advice to arrive at least three hours early. As warned, there was a significant queue upon arrival, and it took us about an hour to complete the check-in process. Afterward, we sought refuge in the lounge to relax before boarding, only to find it packed as well. My advice would be to allow for plenty of extra time at the airport and avoid cutting it close to ensure a stress-free experience.

Final Thoughts

Overall, it was a fantastic experience. I completely understand why Aruba is known as “one happy island” – the weather is stunning, the people are incredibly kind, and the atmosphere is simply amazing. While I may not have the chance to return anytime soon, I can definitely see why many people make it an annual destination.