Where Ann stayed
Ann stayed at Paradise Beach Villas, across from Eagle Beach, and rented a car so she could explore the island at her own pace. Her take: Aruba is easy to get around, and the water is even more beautiful in person. Clear, turquoise and exactly like the photos.
Palm Beach vs. Eagle Beach
Both have the white sand and turquoise Caribbean water Aruba is known for, but the feel is different. Choosing the right area can be as important as choosing the right resort.
Lively, convenient
Palm Beach
- High-rise resorts
- Beach bars and restaurants
- Shopping nearby
- Water sports and boat excursions
- More nightlife and activity
- Lots within walking distance
Relaxed, spacious
Eagle Beach
- Low-rise resorts
- One of Aruba's widest stretches of sand
- The famous fofoti trees
- Beautiful, calm water
- More room to spread out
- A quieter atmosphere
Want restaurants, shopping and nightlife right outside your resort? Palm Beach. Want space, a slower pace and that classic peaceful Caribbean beach feeling? Eagle Beach. And they are close enough that you can enjoy both.
A beach for every kind of traveler
- Eagle Beach: calm, soft sand, peaceful days.
- Palm Beach: the energy, the bars, the boats.
- Baby Beach: peaceful, shallow water.
- Rodgers Beach and Mangel Halto: Ann's picks for snorkeling. Mangel Halto is where the mangrove photos come from.
One important tip from Ann: don't underestimate the sun. The breeze makes it feel comfortable, but the sun is intense. Sunscreen, reapplication and hydration are essential.
Getting around
Renting a car was easy and worth it. Aruba has plenty of roundabouts, but they became easy once she got used to them. Scooters between Eagle Beach and Palm Beach were fun and convenient, and bikes are available across the island. The people were incredibly friendly, and she felt safe and comfortable throughout. One thing she learned: Aruba's water is desalinated, and the process creates enough electricity to power the island.
Where she ate
Food was one of the highlights. Italy in the World in one of Oranjestad's historic buildings was especially memorable: authentic Italian food made by a couple in their 80s. Ann lived in Italy for three years, so that is a real compliment; she called it the best food she has eaten outside the country, beside the personal chef she had in Costa Rica. She also liked Linda's Dutch Pancakes, Lola's Tacos, Lucy's and Zeerovers, a local seafood spot with fresh food, waterfront views and a relaxed atmosphere.
Out on the water
A morning champagne catamaran cruise was one of her favorite experiences: lunch, snorkeling in clear water, sea turtles, an octopus and colorful fish. She also took a sunset cruise with Jolly Pirates, which had a fun, lively atmosphere and a rope swing into the water. Watching the sunset from the sea was unforgettable.
All-inclusive, or not?
Ann went in asking the same question. Her verdict after a week: Aruba has tons of great places to eat, and with a rental car it is easy to explore, so going without an all-inclusive is a real option. For clients who want everything included, she toured Barceló Aruba, an all-inclusive right on Palm Beach, to see it the way her clients would, and she has featured the adults-only Riu Palace Antillas on Palm Beach. The right answer depends on how you like to travel, which is exactly what Ann sorts out with you.
Her takeaway
What Ann loves most about Aruba is its flexibility. Spend the whole trip at a resort, or rent a car and explore beaches, restaurants, local neighborhoods and excursions. It works for families, couples, honeymoons, friend trips and multigenerational travel. “Would I recommend Aruba? 100%.”
One bag, one week
Ann is a carry-on-only traveler and did the whole week out of one bag. Ask her for the packing list.