Here are a few more Aruba Tips to round out a travel experience on this island. Stay at the incredible Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club in Noord. We were treated to jaw-dropping sunsets every single night!
You can rent some fun water gear from Frank's Place Water Sports. We rented a water trampoline and we had such a fun time on it.
Plus - you get a living area and a kitchen - which helps save money on lots of extra meals. We always plan on at least breakfast in our unit everyday and then stock lots of snacks for our kids as well.
Pro tip: Renting a car in Aruba can be pricey, but More for Less was a game-changer—5-star service all the way! Skip the airport rentals for a smoother experience.
🛒 We love exploring local grocery stores abroad, and Super Food Plaza did not disappoint! This Dutch gem had a mix of American items and unique finds—like, who knew there were so many ketchup varieties?
The fresh, in-store stroopwaffles were a total highlight—melt-in-your-mouth delicious! It’s such a fun way to soak up local culture and snag some Dutch & European treats.
🍽️ Aruba’s dining scene is next-level! Beachside restaurants literally sit in the sand, creating the coolest vibe. We loved the Mexican food, and Passions on the Beach was unforgettable—backlit menus in the dark? So cool!
Don’t miss the local Dutch pancakes in Oranjestad...
...or the tasty pinchos (think skewer kebabs) at Moomba Beach Bar, where we dined twice because it was that good.
Plus, you’ll spot familiar fast-food spots like Domino’s and KFC.
Here are some other restaurants we loved:
Another great one close to the Marriott on the beach.
The beach this restaurant we on had the BEST sand and is beautiful at sunset!
Super fun restaurant in town among some fun tourist shops. Check out all of their unique collection of salt and pepper shakers throughout the restaurant!
✈️ Heads-up: Leaving Aruba takes patience—arrive at the airport 3+ hours early for multiple lines. It took a solid 2 hours to go through everything. They say on super busy days to plan for 4 hours! Even our hotel sent us a letter telling us to get to the airport early and plan for a long wait. Also - if you register for the free Mobile Passport Control - you can get you and your family through one of the lines quicker. I did this the night before and then you complete your trip sign in at the airport.
You can also grab some food - we got some Sbarro pizza while we were waiting in lines, (yep - they are that long!) and then after we were through to the gates, we got some food from Mia Cafe.
We also flew on American Airlines - they were the best deal to fly our family of 6. Watch for airfare EARLY and if you use the Capital One Venture X card - you can erase some of the costs of your tickets which also helps on the cost!
It's a lot - but trust us, this island paradise is worth every second! 🏝️
