They call Aruba One Happy Island, and from the moment you step onto its sun-kissed shores, you begin to understand why.
This little gem, just off the coast of Venezuela and well out of hurricane reach, greets you with powdery white sand and clear-as-glass turquoise seas.
But it’s the warmth of the people that helps to set that Aruban barometer of happiness on high.
We soon discover its abundant beauty. Aruba’s beaches are the kind you dream about—Baby Beach, Mangel Halto, Eagle Beach… each more sigh-worthy than the last. But look beyond the postcard-perfect coastline and you’ll find wild beauty too. The Arikok National Park, rugged and untamed, is a burst of contrasts with its wide open spaces, cacti, caves, desert-like terrain and even more unspoiled beaches.
There’s also adventure at every turn: snorkelling vibrant reefs, jeeping through hills on bone-jangling rides, or meditating in the ethereal calm of the Aruba Butterfly Farm. The cultural mix here is as rich as a rum cake—Dutch roots laced with Latin flair, African soul, and Caribbean rhythm. And it all comes alive in the island’s art, food, music, and year-round festivals that fill the streets with colour and joy.
We kicked off our Aruban escape in the high-rise hum of the Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, right on dazzling Palm Beach. It’s luxe yet laid-back, with shimmering pools, lively bars, and a prime spot for island hopping.
We love San Nicolas – a soulful little town with technicolour murals around every corner and locals who welcome you like old friends. We stock up on soothing aloe from Royal Aruba Aloe, and of course, beach-hop to our hearts’ content. The water? Like stepping into a sapphire daydream with the softest of powdery sand underfoot.
Midway through our stay, we change gears downwards. The second half of our stay unfolds at the serene Divi & Tamarijn, where the vibe is barefoot luxury with a twist of island charm. Our room is a stone’s throw from the beach, with divi trees dancing lazily in the breeze and waves singing us to sleep.
Here, it’s all about slow mornings, sea-dipped afternoons, and golden-hour cocktails. The ocean is warm, like silk around your ankles, with the pelicans diving overhead. Nature’s very own floor show.
There are five fine dining restaurants, plus laid-back beach grills and our personal favourite—Club Margot, where sunset tapas meet sweeping sea views. And then there’s The Pelican Bar—wooden, whimsical, and perched over the water. We sip chilled wine with our feet still sandy from the beach. Bliss.
A week of dreamy days later, we leave Aruba sun-drenched, satisfied and super-relaxed. Aruba isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling we will carry with us long after our footprints in the sand have faded. One Happy Island indeed.
ARUBA FACT BOX
Where to Stay
Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/auaar-aruba-marriott-resort-and-stellaris-casino/overview/
Divi & Tamarijn
https://www.diviandtamarijnaruba.com/
What to do
Monforte Luxury Cruises
https://www.monfortecruise.com/
ABC Tours
https://abc-aruba.com/
Picnic Aruba
https://www.picnicaruba.com/
Royal Aruba Aloe
https://arubaaloe.com/pages/lookbook-factory-museum-tour
Where to Eat
Bohemian
https://bohemianaruba.com/
Zeerovers
https://www.facebook.com/zeerovers/
Lima Bistro
https://limabistro.com/
West Deck
http://thewestdeck.com/
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