I turned 30 recently, and I obviously am continuing the tradition of turning 30 in warm weather. This year’s honoree was ARUBA! So here is my itinerary for Aruba!

*Note: Things I researched but didn’t end up doing are denoted with a `` (asterisk)**

General advice

• Visa guidelines:
  • You don’t need a visa if you are:
    • A US/German citizen – source, source
    • A US/German permanent resident – source, source
  • Visa application guidelines are here otherwise.

• COVID guidelines when entering Aruba
  • Type of test needed:
    • PCR / RT-PCR / ddPCR / Rapid PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
    • NAA / NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification)
    • AMP PRB (Amplified Probe)
    • LAMP (Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification)
    • TMA (Transcription-mediated Amplification)
  • NOTE: ANTIGEN TESTS AREN’T ACCEPTED
  • Date I should take test: 48 hours before arrival
  • Form to fill in: Aruba Online ED 

Accommodation

My friends and I stayed in an AirBnB and at the Renaissance Wind Creek. I would highly recommend the Renaissance due to it’s proximity to the city center and private access to Renaissance Island!

Activities

• Catch the flamingos at Renaissance Island
  • Access is free for guests at Renaissance Wind Creek
  • For visitors passes are available here.
• Kite surfing*
• Windsurfing*
• Jet skis*
• Snorkeling:
  • Go on a cruise with Pelican Aruba
  • See the Antilla shipwreck
  • Snorkel in the Boca Catalina cove
• Scuba diving*
• Parasailing at Delphi Watersports
• Ride ATVs at the California San Dunes*
• Swim/chill at the following beaches
  • Baby Beach
  • Eagle Beach (I turned 30 on this beach!)
  • Any other beach that catches your fancy
• Sight seeing:
  • Palm beach
  • Mangel Halto Beach – wouldn’t recommend swimming here – instead bring a picnic to hide from the heat!
  • Natural pools*
  • Natural Bridge*
  • Quadirikiri Caves*
  • Boca Grandi Beach*

Food

Disclaimer: Aruba like many other Caribbean islands has a seafood heavy diet. The country isn’t very vegetarian friendly. Also the food is above average not great unless listed here!

• Breakfast
  • Eduardo’s Beach shack
  • Dutch Pancake house
• Lunch
  • Coco Plum
• Dinner
  • Old Man and the Sea
• Miscellaneous note: Yes we did go to American chains in the Caribbean and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly!

Drinks

• Moomba beach bar* (though we heard the music next door and it sounded great!)