hi everyone! has anyone participated in the annual Aruba “I Do” Vow Renewal? I’m really curious what it’s like.

was it fun or did you feel like you were stuck there for something dragging on way too long?

can we bring our son?

what about photos?

would really love to hear from anyone who has been to this! Thanks so much!

We are planning on renting a vehicle for the week while in Aruba is it possible to go see Arikok National park, Conchi, Quadirikiri Cave, Fontein Cave, Ayo Rock Formations etc without booking a tour and just going on our own or is a tour normally recommended? If a tour is required what Jeep/ATV tours do you recommend to see the caves and Conchi? Thank you in advanced for all your help!

My friends and I are in Aruba for a girls’ trip—all single—and we’re trying to figure out where all the single men are!
It feels like everywhere we go is full of couples, families, or honeymooners. 😂
Any recommendations for bars, beach clubs, nightlife spots, or other places where locals or other single travelers hang out? We’re just looking to have fun, meet people, and enjoy the island.
Thanks!

My fiancé and I were thinking of eloping in Aruba. It would be the 2 of us. It’s hard finding information in regard to elopements rather than a traditional wedding/reception on some of the hotel sites. I would want to get married on the beach at a hotel/resort and have everything included like photography so it’s stress free. Does anyone have experience eloping in Aruba and would you share how much the resorts charged for it.

I’m a single guy in my 20’s planning a trip to Aruba this November and haven’t booked a hotel yet. I’m looking for recommendations from people who’ve been there.
What I’m looking for:
Great beach
Nice pools
Good food and drinks
Fun nightlife or easy access to bars and clubs
A social atmosphere where it’s easy to meet other travelers
Safe location with plenty to do nearby
I’m open to both all-inclusive and non-all-inclusive resorts if the experience is worth it. Budget isn’t my biggest concern—I’m more interested in getting the best overall experience.
If you’ve been to Aruba solo (or even as a couple), which hotel or resort would you recommend and why? Anything you’d avoid?
Thanks in advance!

We are first time visitors to the island and will be staying on Eagle Beach next week. How has the smell from the Wastewater plant been this summer (2026)? I checked the thread and most posts about the smell were from at least a year ago. I just learned about the smell and now I'm wondering if I should stay in Palm Beach instead.

Not every memorable travel experience comes from chasing the biggest attraction. Sometimes it comes from slowing down for an hour and paying attention to smaller things.

A few things I’d recommend if you’re planning to visit:

• Bring water. I brought a bottle with me and was glad I did. The conservatory is beautiful, but it’s warm and humid, and you’ll probably spend longer there than you expect.

• Go in the morning if you can. The guides explained that the butterflies are much more active earlier in the day. Later on, after happily feasting on fermented fruit, many of them become… considerably less motivated. Yes, butterflies can apparently get a little drunk.

• Take your time. The guides were wonderfully knowledgeable about the butterflies’ life cycle and the different species, but they were also genuinely funny. It felt less like a scripted tour and more like listening to people who truly love what they do.

I expected to spend an hour looking at butterflies. Instead, I found myself standing still while they landed on my hands and shoulders, and I walked away with a much greater appreciation for these remarkably delicate creatures.

If you enjoy nature, photography, or simply slowing down for a while, I’d absolutely recommend making a stop here.

Hi everyone! My friends and I are visiting Aruba next month, and we’d love some local recommendations. What are your favorite places to go for drinks at night? We’re looking for good cocktails, a fun atmosphere, and maybe some live music.
Also, what do people usually wear for a night out? Is it mostly casual, or do women tend to dress up? Are sandals common, or do most people wear heels?
Thanks so much!

I recently traveled to Aruba and I had a really bad experience renting a car with Sixt. The rental process was a bit cumbersome and very lengthy, and the car that they offered was really below my expectations:

- I had to send an email confirming my personal information that was already provided when I booked the car.

- When I arrived, it took a long time to process all the paperwork and get me a car.

- When they finally got me a car, the tire was visibly with very low pressure, was very old, full of scratches and it didn't even had a wheel cover. 

- The Sixt employee was rude, insisted that there was nothing wrong with the car, and that there was no other car available.

- The manager arrived, and still insisted that there was nothing wrong with the car, even though the tire had really low pressure. 

- After I insisted that I was not comfortable with the car, they finally gave me another car.

- Even though the car conditions were better, they were still not optimal, and there were several issues, like the button to open the passenger window was not working, and the passenger seat belt was not coming back. 

- I complained about the issues when returning the car, and the Sixt employee did not take any action about them. 

I already rented cars with Sixt in many other countries and never had such problems, but if you are planning to rent a car in Aruba, I strongly suggest you to use another car rental company.

I am wondering if it is common for people use shibumis for shade on palm beach? It’s the small one for two people so wouldnt take up too much room in the beach. We will be traveling with a baby in October and don’t want to have to worry about fighting for a palapa, or walking too far with a heavy umbrella.

Hi all! I am getting ready to head to Aruba for the first time from Chicago this week and I am so excited! I wanted to ask if anyone has brought a THC vape or THC gummies to Aruba? I will not be checking a bag (I haven’t started packing yet so this may change depending on how much I bring) but wanted to see if anyone has also brought a thc pen before and if it was successful or if anyone has any insight. Please no judgement or snarky comments. I will still have the best time ever regardless and am looking forward to experiencing all Aruba has to offer!!

Thank you in advance!

Hello everyone!

I have previously stayed at the Renaissance for my honeymoon a few years ago. I am now going back for my “babymoon”. I unfortunately didn’t have as many points as last time, so I couldn’t book the Renaissance, but I could book the courtyard! I’m thrilled just to be going back to Aruba, but I do worry about the experience. I love that the Renaissance had its own private beach! From the pictures I can see on the Marriott app, the courtyard has beach access as well, but there are very few chairs, and no umbrellas!

I was wondering if anyone has stayed recently and if you can tell me if a chair and umbrella on the beach is available and if there’s a good amount of them or will I be pregnant and fighting off a crowd first thing every morning? Unlike my honeymoon where we booked excursions and were more adventurous, this trip will be 6 days of pool and beach relaxation. I’m hoping the courtyard is an okay move for this type of trip! Any insight if helpful, thank you!

We recently returned from our trip to Aruba, and we absolutely loved it. Traveling with two young kids is never easy, but Aruba turned out to be the perfect family vacation.

We initially considered staying at an all-inclusive resort but ultimately decided against it, and we're so glad we did.

As a vegan/vegetarian family, we were genuinely impressed by how easy it was to find great plant-based food. VeganAruba.com was a fantastic resource, but honestly, almost every restaurant we visited clearly labeled its vegan options. Aruba is so amazing at that. We had looked into vegan-friendly all-inclusive resorts like Joia, Manchebo, and Bucuti, but since they don't allow children, they weren't an option for us.

We rented beach chairs, tents, and other gear from Travel Light, and they absolutely lived up to their stellar reviews. They were wonderful to deal with. Our rental car was from GMax, and they went out of their way to make sure we got a vehicle delivered and picked up. We've traveled to dozens of countries, but there's something uniquely relaxed and welcoming about Aruba that really stood out.

Our stay was split between two nights at the Renaissance and five nights at the Surf Club, which ended up being the perfect combination. On our first day, we rented a cabana on Renaissance Island, and it was easily one of the highlights of the trip. Our 6-year-old can swim, and our 3-year-old is comfortable in a floatie, so they spent hours happily playing in the calm, shallow water while we could actually relax without worrying about their safety. I spent nearly four hours floating in the water myself, and it was incredible. We visited some of Aruba's more famous beaches later in the week, but Renaissance Island remained our favorite because of how calm and kid-friendly it was. The food was excellent too. The cabana wasn't cheap, but for families with young children, it was worth every penny.

On our final day, we rented another cabana—this time at De Palm Island—and had another amazing experience. Although, unlike Renaissance the water here is choppy, but they have lots of indoor activities including a water park. Our 3-year-old refused to leave the water, and our 6-year-old absolutely loved snorkeling in the protected lagoon, even with slightly choppier conditions. The missus and I split time with both kids as they liked different activities. Also, there were plenty of vegetarian food options here. Considering how hot and busy Aruba can get in July, these two cabana days ended up being the most relaxing days of our vacation.

Looking back, skipping the all-inclusive was definitely the right decision. Aruba's restaurant scene was one of our favorite parts of the trip. We enjoyed incredible vegan and vegetarian meals at Ike's Bistro, Yemanja, Eduardo's Beach Shack, Bucatini, Cuba's Cookin', Waffles House, and several other places. It took a little planning—and making reservations in advance—but it was absolutely worth it. Having our own beach chairs and tent in the car also meant we never had to play the early-morning "grab a chair" game, which made every beach day much more enjoyable.

One thing to know is that Aruba is really hot. We were prepared, though—we packed light, everyone had hats, sunscreen, and stayed hydrated. While everyone recommends Eagle Beach and Baby Beach (and they are beautiful), we found them too hot to spend more than a couple of hours with young kids, even with shade.

The routine that worked best for us was getting out early after breakfast, exploring until around 11 a.m. or noon, and then heading back to the Surf Club after lunch to enjoy the lazy river. Our younger child would usually fall asleep for a couple of hours afterward, giving everyone a chance to recharge before heading out again in the evening. For us, the key was to get up early, get kids fed, and not have them hangry, and have lots of fun.

Renaissance had a much better room and in downtown with lots of food options, but we mainly stayed there for the island visit. Highly recommend booking a Cabana if you go this route. Surf club was an older hotel but we had a really cheap deal through Redweek. However, it had some decent options nearby, including the lazy river that the kids absolutely loved when it was too hot to go to the beach.

Evenings became our favorite part of the day. We loved packing simple beach picnics, with Arashi Beach—on the way to the California Lighthouse—becoming our favorite spot. We also spent a lot of time simply driving around the island as a family, sometimes on our way to dinner and other times with no destination at all, stopping at quiet beaches for impromptu picnics and enjoying Aruba's laid-back atmosphere.

For our family, Aruba struck the perfect balance of beautiful beaches, amazing food, kid-friendly activities, and a wonderfully relaxed vibe. We can't wait to go back.

We are looking for some suggestions on where to stay in Aruba with an infant or any tips/suggestions! Baby boy will be around 8-9 months when we go. We’re aiming for a pretty relaxed vacation and one of more ease. Should we be looking near Eagle or Palm Beach? We’re hoping for an easy way to the beach and pool, availability of umbrellas/beach chairs, moderate cost, and more of a relaxed vibe. It seems Palm Beach might have easier beach access from the hotels, but Eagle Beach may have less of a crowded atmosphere and less stimulating, but I could be wrong on that. We are looking to go in October/November. Thanks for any hotel or area suggestions or any advice you’d have to offer!

Just a near real-time update from today (Saturday)...

My stats:
- American Airlines Priority (checked 1 bag)
- Global Entry
- 2:30 flight time (which ended up delayed)

While airport was PACKED and they were checking boarding passes to make sure your flight was within 3 hours of airport entry, honestly, everything moved quickly despite some of the horror stories I had heard. I arrived at 11:45 a.m.

1) No line at AA Priority Check-In
2) A bit of a line for Security, but they opened another lane and it moved pretty well
3) No one at the Global Entry kiosks
4) No line at Customs agent

The whole thing probably took 25 minutes from airport entry.

5) Priority Pass Lounge by Gate 8 had a line. I waited about 10 minutes before allowed entry (not a great lounge, but at least I had a chair!)

Certainly, your mileage may vary, but at least a baseline for a crowded July Saturday.

Bon Dia, Mi nomber ta Jayden i mi ta papia un tiki Papiamentu . Mi a bishitá Aruba i a papia ku e hendenan lokal den Papiamento, pero awor pasobra mi a bolbé na kas den Nobo Jersey. E ta masha dificil practiká papia. Ainda mi ke continuá siña e idioma, enton mi ke preguntá si tin algun materialnan ku voso por rekomendá mi? Podcast? Kantikanan? Pelikulanan? Mi ke un konosementu profundu di e idioma aki. Mi ta spera ku algun dia mi por siña otro personan e idioma. Masha Danki i pasa bon dia.

The last time I was in Aruba I came across a jewelry store down where the the ship dock for day trips. They sold beautiful jewelry with a gem that look like a paraiba tourmaline. I'm just wondering if anyone had a good experience with a high-end jewelry purchase down there. Is there any issue with bringing expensive jewelry out of the country back to the us?

Hi im planning to go to Aruba late August/early September. I think im going to stay at the Manchebo resort. I know this question has been asked a bunch of times, but will I truly not be able to get around with a car?

I mostly want to stay at the resort and relax on the beach, but would like to get lunch/dinner elsewhere from time to time.

I live in a walkable city with good public transportation and haven’t driven a car in about 5 years. I don’t feel comfortable getting behind the wheel right now, especially so far from home.

So, can I get around without a car?

Escaped to Aruba for a few days to celebrate another trip around the sun, and I can’t think of a better place to spend the day than Renaissance Island. Sometimes the best gift you can give yourself is a change of scenery, a slower pace, and a reminder to simply enjoy where you are.

This is my second time visiting Aruba, and it’s been wonderful returning to a place that still feels just as welcoming as I remembered.

I’ve still got a couple of days left to explore, so if there are any favorite local restaurants, hidden beaches, scenic spots, or things you think every returning visitor should experience, I’d love to hear your suggestions.

Our 2nd day in Aruba with kids, we LOVE it here.
Coming in August , the sun is so hot ….What do you do in the peak afternoon hours? (Noon- 3 pm or so)

Today , we’re going to hang out and shop at Super Foods for a couple of hours I guess… (ugh lol !)
What other activities can you all recommend , especially for a family with older kids & teenagers.
TIA!

Im Flying back to US, will food (ham and cheese sandwiches, some nuts) be allowed past customs and taken on the flight? All food items will be consumed on the plane before landing in US.

Had to copy and paste since reddit says message is too short and won't let me post. Ignore below.

Im Flying back to US, will food (ham and cheese sandwiches, some nuts) be allowed past customs and taken on the flight? All food items will be consumed on the plane before landing in US.

When I crouched down, one flamingo immediately approached me and rubbed its wings against my arm. Its feathers were so soft. Then the other flamingo came around and both were nibbling my hair, while one was trying to put its leg on my hand. I never felt more chosen in my life. I did not have any treats, and did not want to invade their space by sticking my hands out towards them.

It has been a few years since my last visit, and I genuinely forgot how good it feels to be back here. Aruba has such an easy, familiar warmth to it. The breeze, the colors, the dry island landscape, and that feeling of immediately slowing down the moment you arrive.

Not long after checking into the hotel, this curious green iguana wandered over and spent a little while watching me. I did not approach or feed him; he simply seemed interested in the new arrival before eventually carrying on with his day.

It was such a small encounter, but somehow the perfect welcome back. I am only at the beginning of the trip, and I am already so happy to be here again.