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A R U B A AN INSIDER’S GUIDE

AN INTRODUCTION These days it’s hard to find a place that can still surprise you. But with every trip, Aruba charms us with something new. It is somewhere where you can enjoy all the luxuries that we come to expect, but where the invitation to pause and savour simple pleasures like watching a spectacular sunset still holds strong. Here you can indulge in the finest cuisine or opulent spa, stumble upon a deserted stretch of sand or uncover an intriguing fragment of history.

Aruba is a rare example of how even in our welltravelled age, the Caribbean can still enchant and inspire—if only you know where to look. In this guide, we’ll take you behind-the-scenes on its Nature, Culture and unique brand of Barefoot Luxury. To bring you an edit of the best bits you’ve heard of, and some that perhaps aren’t yet on your radar. Read on to discover the insider’s Aruba.

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The Ritz-Carlton

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Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort

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Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort

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Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino ... 4

EXPERIENCE T H E E L E M E N T S

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N A T U R E

Stunning beaches and sparkling seas have cemented Aruba’s place as a vision of Caribbean paradise, but this little island is more than just a sunbathing spot. Whether hang-gliding or horse riding, diving or wildlife spotting, this is still a land where you can leave urbane life behind and take on nature’s challenges. From adrenaline kicks to magic wild encounters, here’s how to experience the elements in Aruba.

WA T E R A C T I V I T I E S

Snorkeling // As an isle adrift in the Caribbean ocean, water plays a major part in the Aruba lifestyle. Its beachstrewn coast is licked by the clearest waters in the bluest-of-blue hues, all rich with undersea life. Just grab a snorkel and spend the day gliding over reefs gazing at technicolour fish and corals.

You’ll find time in the water provides all the modern-day distractions you need.

Diving // Aruba’s reputation as one of the world’s finest wreck-diving destinations is well-lauded and well-deserved. Take your pick from sunken ships, war vessels and even a plane—all diver-friendly wrecks that Aruba’s waters have claimed— now home to shoals of damselfish and angelfish and corals in a myriad colours.

Stand Up Paddleboarding // Once you’ve had your fill beneath the waves, take some time to enjoy Aruba’s beauty above the surf. An SUP ride along the shore offers a stunning viewpoint to appreciate the white sands and rugged

coast that makes it onto all the postcards.

And the clear, flat waters mean you’ll have a window to the world beneath you too.

WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS

Swimming with turtles // The best way to experience nature is to get up-closeand-personal with the creatures that call it home, and there’s plenty of wildlife to get acquainted with in Aruba. Some particularly revered residents are the turtles that favour the tropical waters.

The chance to swim alongside these ancient sea dwellers that have been coming to nest on these beaches since the beginning of time is a moment that will stay with you forever.

Horse riding // If you want to truly bond with Aruba wildlife, spend the day getting your metrics along the east coast atop of one of Aruba’s four-legged natives.

Ranches like Daimari Ranch offer beach horse rides where you’ll find yourself climbing vertical, rocky hillsides and racing across sweeps of sand with waves crashing on the shore. Just let your trusty steed navigate at his own pace and awe at the wild surrounds.

Bird-spotting by bike // Aruba’s remote location and array of landscapes means it boasts some unique flora and fauna, including plenty of endemic birds. Hop on a bike in Arikok National Park and go in search of the Burrowing Owl and Brownthroated Parakeet, keeping watch for hummingbirds in ruby-red or emeraldgreen hues. Surrounded by Aruba’s raw, natural world, you’ll reconnect with the earth and forget all about your 9-to-5.

W I N D - F U E L L E D A DV E N T U R E S

Hang-gliding // Windswept by everpresent trade winds, Aruba offers the perfect conditions for wind-powered exploring. For the best views, make the most of the cloudless skies and ride the thermals hang-gliding along the coast.

Drifting smoothly over rocky headlands and pristine beaches turned gold in the setting sun is an experience you’ll never forget.

Kitesurfing // For a white-knuckled adventure, try taming the winds and hurtling across the flat Caribbean blue at 20 knots on a kitesurf. Aruba is a kitesurfing haven and you can join in the acrobatics of the surfers that spin and dart through the air on Palm Beach.

Experienced kitesurfers can beeline to Boca Grandi, a small sweep of bay where the winds and waters offer a daring playground.

Yachting // If you prefer life at a slower pace, then there’s nothing like setting sail on your own private yacht. On board, you can let the winds be your compass as you soak in the stunning coastal scenery, strand yourself on hidden beaches or just drop anchor and snorkel the crystalline waters. All the time enjoying the refreshing Caribbean breeze.

WILD NIGHTS OUT

While sun, sea and sand are Aruba’s main draws during the day, nature continues to put on a dazzling show when the sun goes down.

Stargazing on Palm-Eagle beach // Man has always been fascinated by the stars. They are nature at its most mysterious and unfathomable. And you

can be sure that when you’re on an island with nothing but the Caribbean Sea stretching out in front of you, they shine bright indeed. Find a spot on the soft alabaster sands of Palm Eagle Beach and let the clear night sky show off its finest gems, soundtracked by gentle waves.

Sunset dinner cruise // Sunsets in Aruba are not to be missed. They start glowing gold before throwing the sky into ombre shades of sherbet orange, pink and deep purple. It’s Mother Nature showing off massively, and one of the best ways to catch this great show in the sky is on a sunset dinner cruise. Here you can relax, sip Champagne, and dine on freshlycaught seafood aboard a luxurious catamaran as the sun melts into the sea.

Romance comes guaranteed.

Night diving // If you’re looking for a truly heart-stopping evening escapade, then a night dive is bound to thrill. The feeling as you delve into the dark waters and watch exotic fish flash past or the skeleton of a shipwreck emerge into view is nothing short of otherworldly.

Secret sundowners // We all dream of having our own slice of paradise just for ourselves, and in Aruba, there are plenty of hidden spots where you can get offthe-beaten track for a sundowner. Head to Boca Prins for mesmerising views of the turquoise waves crashing over rocky cliffs and duck into the nearby local haunt Boca Prins Restaurant & Bar for a rum cocktail.

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C U LT U R A L M E LT I N G P O T

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C U L T U R E

Culturally speaking, Aruba is one big happy melting pot. A place where you can find postcard-perfect beaches beside rugged cactus-strewn wilderness, bright Dutch architecture and caves lined with ancient Indian drawings. It’s the winning combination of natural beauty, European heritage and Caribbean lifestyle that makes Aruba completely unique.

UNEXPECTED ARUBA

Discover four unique experiences that only Aruba can offer.

The natural pool // The best experiences are always a little hard won, and making your way down the steep steps and rocks to reach this natural pool is well worth the effort. Protected from the powerful waves that wash over the whole of the east coast by a rock formation; the natural pool is a surreal experience where you can sit in calm water filled with fish whilst waves crash off the surrounding rocks.

A Caribbean desert // White beaches and sparkling seas may be Aruba’s calling card, but head inland and you’ll find sun-soaked and cactus-peppered landscapes that wouldn’t feel a-miss in a western film. This is Aruba’s wild side, where jeep safaris and horserides offer the chance to spy Aruban cat-eye snakes, blue whiptail lizards and colourful parakeets.

Rich history // Few Caribbean islands have such a storied history as Aruba.

You can marvel at Indian cave paintings,

fragments from the island’s Arawak ancestors, pick up some Papiamento (the local Afro-Portuguese Creole language) and delight in the Dutch colonial architecture in downtown Oranjestad.

Everywhere you wander, you’ll find this island is full of cultural surprises.

CO LO U R M E H A P PY

Dazzling white sands, bright blue ocean, candy-hued houses—if colours can invoke happiness, then Aruba’s colour palette is as bright and uplifting as they come.

Enjoy life in full colour on this happy isle.

Brilliant blue // Sparkling azure seas are the scenes we all dream of from a Caribbean getaway, but Aruba’s waters range from deep blue to the most brilliant shade of turquoise. Gazing out over these waves, it’s nothing short of nourishing for the soul.

Alabaster white // Another of Aruba’s requisite good looks is its pure white beaches. Walk along Palm Beach and you’ll find yourself standing on the most dazzling grains. It’s eye-wateringly paradisiacal and postcard stuff.

Candy bright // Venture into downtown Oranjestad and everywhere you look you’ll find bright happy colours. The candypink, powder blue and sherbet orange of the colonial houses pop sunnily from the streets. It’s impossible to do anything but smile at such cheery architecture.

Emerald swirls // Perhaps one of the island’s most iconic scenes is the windswept Divi Divi trees that hug the coast. Blown into shape by the winds that

ripple through the island, these trees are Aruba’s natural compass (they’re always pointing South West) and their emerald leaves make them an Insta-worthy photo.

the chic White Modern Cuisine on Palm Beach or intimate 16-seat Kitchen Table

by White on Eagle Beach for a taste of Urvin’s deconstructed Caribbean fare.

Pink sunsets // There are some sunsets that stay with you forever, and Aruba boasts one of the Caribbean’s most vibrant displays. Each evening the sky transforms into rosy hues of everything from bubblegum pink to deep blush and coral tones. Watching this magic mood swing in the sky with a perfectly mixed rum cocktail in hand—there’s no happier a memory made.

The local delight // For a true taste of Aruban cuisine, beeline to the family-run Papiamento tucked away in a 126-yearold manor to try their ‘keshi yena’—a decadent local speciality of baked cheese stuffed with spiced meat. The romantic space is reason to go, but the ‘keshi yena’ here are hands down some of the best on the island.

E P I C U R E A N E X P LO R I N G

The secret to the best dining experiences is all about the setting, and from the simple to the sophisticated, Aruba has enough to satisfy the tastes of any wandering epicurean.

The beach hotspot // Make the most of Aruba’s natural beauty (and those incredible sunsets) with a dinner spent with your toes in the sand. There are many dining spots to choose from, but Moomba Beach Bar is an institution with to-die-for seafood, a classic beach-bar atmosphere and gorgeous sea views.

The stylish lunch // If you’re looking for a chic meal to share then dining on your own private yacht with a 360 degree panorama of Aruba’s bright blue waters is a glorious and unforgettable way to luncheon. Just let us know what you’d like to order and we can arrange a bespoke meal tailored to your tastes.

The tasting menu // When no less than six courses will do, dedicated epicureans can head to one of Chef Urvin’s experimental eateries. Choose between

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ARUBA IN STYLE

B A R E F O O T

L U X U R Y

Aruba’s charm lies in its laidback island life, but one that is wellversed in luxurious pampering. It is one of those rare Caribbean isles that manages to strike that perfect balance of barefoot luxury. Whether it’s five star service, luxe spas or yachting across the open blue, there’s more than one way to treat yourself in Aruba.

LUXURIOUS ARUBA

Our favourite ways to enjoy a luxurious castaway life in Aruba.

Charter a yacht // There’s surely no better way to spend a pampered day adrift in the Caribbean waters then sunning yourself on your own private yacht. You’ll have Aruba’s crystal-clear sea with its impeccable diving and snorkelling literally at your fingertips, and will have the freedom to explore hidden bays at your leisure.

Suite dreams // When it comes to luxurious abodes, there are a number of impressive suites to choose from where you can rest your head. The Renaissance Presidential comes complete with whirlpools and rain showers, the RitzCarlton Suite a wraparound balcony with hammocks and stunning views, or try four-poster beds and clawfoot tubs at the Bucuti.

Hit the spa // Everyone needs a little R&R from time to time, and in Aruba you’ll have the biggest spa in the entire Caribbean to soak, steam and indulge in.

The Ritz-Carlton’s 15,000-square-foot oasis of relaxation boasts herbal-inspired treatments, like Aruba honey massages and organic coconut salt scrubs, plus a state-of-the-art fitness center and daily yoga.

Stay on a private island // Looking for the ultimate stay? Nothing spells luxury better than moonlighting in the Caribbean on your own private island.

Accessible only by water taxi, the exclusive Renaissance Island is the only place in Aruba where you’ll have private beaches all to yourself, plus a restaurant, spa, beach tennis court and bar.

Create your ultimate dinner // Imagine the most romantic evening you could dream of. A blushing sunset or moonlit sky, your own candlelit table standing in vanilla-sands, a live violist serenading you with your favourite tunes—dinner on the beach is an absolute must in Aruba, but at the Ritz-Carlton you can create your own bespoke dining experience, with a say in every detail from the menu to the music.

THERE A N D BAC K W H E N TO G O

Aruba’s high season runs between December and April and brings with it some of the best weather and social events of the year. Between May and November there’s a feeling of calm around the island as less tourists appear, yet temperatures remain consistent all year round. Ultimately, there’s no bad time to go to Aruba. As one of the only islands in the Caribbean that lacks a true rainy season, you’re virtually guaranteed sun, sand and serenity whichever month you go.

GETTING THERE

From the UK it’s an easy flight with KLM via Amsterdam. Direct flights from the US are available with a variety of carriers, including American Airlines. From New York, flight time is approximately four and a half hours.

GETTING AROUND

Cycling // Due to Aruba’s small size and flat terrain it’s relatively easy to get around and there’s much joy to be had in renting a bicycle, motorcycle or moped and seeing the island up-close-andpersonal.

By car // Taxis are a popular mode of transport but remember that fares are at a fixed rate. For the more independent traveller, cars are available to rent. We’d recommend getting your hands on a 4X4 vehicle as the terrain can become quite rugged in the more secluded areas of the island.

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