Looking to start the new year with excitement and adventure? There’s no better way than planning a sunny getaway to recharge, explore, and embrace new experiences. If Aruba is on your travel wish list, it’s time to turn your dream into reality! Discover the top activities and tips to make your Aruba vacation unforgettable.
Relax and recharge on the beach
Spend the day (or every day for that matter) lounging on the beach with no agenda, just pure relaxation. Grab your towel, pack a cooler, and head to the nearest beach, there’s truly nothing better! Check out our list of some of our favorite beaches to visit, or, if you’re feeling a bit daring, check out these wild and beautiful beaches found on the East Coast for a day of island adventure.
For those who love to stay active and have fun out on the water, discover fun watersports and activities to add to your list.
Beach bum tip: later in the afternoon, head to the nearest beach bar for a refreshing drink and soak up the island’s breathtaking sunset glow!
Join in on Carnival fun
Experiencing Aruba’s Carnival season is a must, if you can’t make it for this year’s festivities, be sure to mark your calendars for next year. ‘Carnaval’ is our favorite time of year and this year our island is celebrating 71 years of Carnival! It’s not just a one-day, one-week or even one-month event. During January and February the entire island lives and breathes Carnival. The Carnival schedule is jam-packed with weekly events, leaving little excuse to miss out. It continues with Jump-ins, King and Queen Elections, Calypso, festivals, contests, live music, celebrations for children, parties, and of course the most popular, parades.
View the full schedule here and make sure to check out our Carnival guide for everything you need to know about Aruba’s biggest celebration.
Indulge in diverse culinary finds across the island
The culinary scene in Aruba is incredibly impressive for such a small island in the Caribbean. There are plenty of exceptional restaurants nearby the resort and downtown areas. In addition, it is also worth seeking out the more under-the-radar casual dining spots located throughout different areas of the island. Craving some fresh seafood and laid back vibes? Head South towards Savaneta and try Zeerovers or Marina Pirata. There are a number of restaurants without all the thrills and frills and food trucks galore that are sure to impress all of your foodie senses and cravings.
Good food, flowing drinks, and great company make for the perfect start to the new year! Here’s a little taste of the dining options to be found in Aruba:
Fine Dining: Aqua Grill, Sunset Grille, L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chop House, Faro Blanco
Beach Dining: Barefoot, Hilton Aruba’s Sunset Concierge Dining Experience, Element’s Restaurant, Water’s Edge Restaurant, Pelican’s Nest Seafood & Grill.
Downtown and/or Garden Dining: Quinta del Carmen, El Gaucho, Driftwood, Renaissance Marketplace, Lucy’s Aruba
There are plenty more mouth-watering restaurants we recommend trying while on the island, browse them here!
Get some R&R at the spa
Prioritizing self-care in the new year is the way to go! Escape the noise and chaos of daily life with a soothing massage. It’s the perfect way to relax, and don’t forget the benefits of a rejuvenating facial or a refreshing manicure and pedicure—your well-being deserves it!
Try Hilton Aruba’s eforea Spa or Renaissance Aruba‘s Okeanos Spa.
Skincare tip: don’t leave the island without our local Aloe skincare products, your skin will thank you later! Visit the Aruba Aloe Factory or one of the Aruba Aloe stores.
Explore the island
While we encourage our visitors to enjoy as many relaxing beach days as possible (how could one resist our soft, white-sand beaches and endless sunshine?), we also hope travelers take the time to veer off the beaten path and experience some true island adventure.
Our island’s national park covers about 20% of the island and is the perfect place to explore the diverse natural beauty that Aruba has to offer. Simply purchase a day pass at the park’s visitors center and be on your way! You can do so by jeep or opt for a more active and environmentally-friendly way and go hiking. There are plenty of natural sites and attractions (caves, gold ruins, wild beaches, hiking trails, natural pools, and more) on the wild east coast of the island. It is sure to leave you fascinated by just how different it is from the other side of the island, which is home to the majority of our island’s resorts and calmer beaches.
Be sure to check out the following sights. Some of our favorite places include the Natural Pool (Conchi), Small Cave Pool, Fontein Cave and Freshwater Pond, Hooiberg, Alto Vista Chapel, Spanish Lagoon, and the street art, museums and restaurants in San Nicolas.
Browse guided tours and activities to join.
Experience Aruba’s culture, art and traditions
In addition to Carnival, Aruba has plenty of vibrant traditions and lively festivals to celebrate its diverse heritage. Experience traditions such as Dera Gai, Dande music, and celebrated holidays such as our island’s treasured National Anthem & Flag Day, filled with pride, fun celebrations, and good local food.
If you want to get local and immerse yourself in the island’s culture and traditions we recommend attending the following events:
Island Festival
Island Festival brings vibrant shows and activities to the beautiful streets of San Nicolas! Island Fest takes place the last Wednesday of every month and is a unique event that also allows for visitors to mingle with the locals and experience a taste of the island life.
The festival includes plenty of delicious local bites, refreshing drinks, live bands, historical dance shows, and more. It’s offers a charming and entertaining atmosphere with performances that delve into Aruba’s history and heritage. Get more event details here.
Dushi Aruba This Way
Dushi Aruba This Way is held every Thursday on the beach of Renaissance Ocean Suites. You will be able to experience Aruba’s culture and indulge in a delicious all-you-can-eat BBQ with a local twist, enjoy a mixology bar ready to show off the latest trends in handcrafted cocktails, local artists with some lovely souvenirs to take back home, a Carnival show with an interactive local brass band, making for plenty of perfect memorable photo ops! Get more event details here.
Bon Bini Festival
Come and experience our year-round folkloric celebration, the Bon Bini Festival. Held every Tuesday night, it showcases the Aruban culture at Fort Zoutman.
At this historic site, you can experience the Aruban dancers in resplendent costumes, enjoy the typical Aruban bands, learn a little bit about our language, and get a taste of the Carnaval extravaganza. You can also browse the stands displaying local art works and get a glimpse of Aruba’s heritage inside the museum. Be sure to have a taste of our local cuisine which will complete your Bon Bini experience!
Vibrant art scene
Our island is also home to a vibrant art scene, with a great display of street art including large wall murals and mosaic art, as well as art galleries that showcase local talent and creativity. Come witness for yourself why San Nicolas has quickly transformed into the street art capital of the Caribbean. San Nicolas is truly its own little melting pot of Aruba, filled with history, diversity, and a pleasant laid-back atmosphere.
Thanks to the vision of ArtisA, a local foundation and art gallery, along with the contributions of numerous local and international artists, art influencers, and cultural activists, Aruba is now more colorful and vibrant than ever. It’s the perfect destination for anyone seeking artistic beauty. Make sure to have a fully charged camera or phone on hand, as there is an abundance of vibrant murals that make perfect backdrops for all your vacation snapshots.
