Aruba

Every year, Aruba welcomes tourists to their happy little island. Some of them dream of walking on white sandy beaches with a drink in their hand. Others want to explore a new land. And some of them just want to spend time with their family. Regardless of who you are, Aruba will welcome you with a smile. And before you know it, you may think it's paradise.

Thanks to the virus, it's harder to travel. Yet, Aruba is one of the few countries that are open to visitors. All you need is a negative covid test and insurance from Aruba that cost $30. If you want to know more about covid rules in the airport, you can read my other story about it here

Apartment

Renting a place in Aruba can be expensive. Thankfully, I found an affordable apartment that is a hidden gem called, Vicente apartments. It's close to the airport which is a bonus and it's only a 10-minute walk from Surfside beach. Also, it's in a gated community. The apartment itself was clean with a lot of space and comfort. And my stay there was wonderful. Vicente and his family were amazing hosts. They were always happy to help whenever I needed it.

Beaches

Aruba has the most beautiful beaches in the world. The crystal blue water is gorgeous. And the sand gently goes through your toes. The three beaches that I went to were Surfside beach, Baby beach, and Eagle beach.

Surfside haves the least people. There is a small boardwalk just in case you get hungry. But what makes this beach special is watching the airplanes land. They go so low you honestly believe it's going to crash. It's an amazing sight to see.

Baby Beach is infamous for its beauty. Seeing it from afar looks like you're staring at a crescent moon. Its waters are calm and shallow. It's the perfect place if you just want to stay at the beach for the whole day. And If you have a family it's perfect to bring your kids.

Eagle beach is where the fun is. There are so many activities to do there. People are jet-skiing, wind sailing, or riding boats there. This is also where you find some of the luxury hotels such as the Hilton for example.

Activities

One of the unique things to do in Aruba is using an underwater scooter. Not only is it fun, it feels like you're driving underwater. During my hour session, I went deep into the water and it felt like I was exploring a new world. I swam with colorful fishes and I was able to touch a giant sea turtle. It's defintely an experience.

Oranjestad

The city of Oranjestad feels alive with its tropical colors. While exploring, you'll find luxury stores, restaurants, street vendors, clubs, and casinos if you want to test your luck. Additionally, there are museums like the Aloe museum, the butterfly farm, and art galleries. You'll also see evidence of the Netherlands colonization in the 1800s with the architect and its historic landmarks. It almost as you're looking into the past.

Food

Aruba has a wide range of restaurants from different countries. You'll find Spanish, Asian, Arabian, and Carrabian food. You'll also find commercial chains such as Mcdonalds, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. Go and explore and allow your taste buds to wander.

Language

Over 42 different nationalities live in Aruba. That's a lot for a small island. And the languages that you mostly hear are English, Spanish, Dutch, and Portuguese. But the most unique language is Papiamento. It's the island's national language and it's a mix of all of the languages that I mention. And just like music, it haves a rhythm of its own with a flow that rolls out of your tongue.

There's a reason why it's called the happy little island. With so much to do and see, no wonder thousands of people visit the island every year. Whether is to go to a beach or see something different, we all need a retreat from the stresses of life. And this is what Aruba does best. It gives you a small piece of joy. Small enough that you can carry it wherever you go. And with everything going on today, we all need a little more happiness.