In Episode 117 of the Lady Journey Podcast, I kvetch about my vacation comedown from my recent trip to Aruba. It’s the best, and one of my all time favorite winter getaways. I’m fully back into the swing of life, and now it’s time to relive it all with my Amazing Aruba Highlights. Flights to Aruba are the cheapest they have EVER been. Yes, you do need a covid test to get to and from the US, but it’s cheap and easy on either end. IMO worth it!!

Palm Beach

Most of my suggestions are and around the palm beach area, because this is where we stay. I recommend it. Everything is much easier to get to and you won’t have to worry about renting a car, because who wants to drive when you’re drunk.

Aruba Ray’s Comedy Club

As an employee, yes. This place is great. You can see the best NYC comedians (thank you) in the Holiday Inn Ballroom, complete with drink service. It’s the number 1 nightlife event in Aruba for a reason people!!

Eduardo’s Beach Shack

Renown for it’s simple vegan beach fare, this smoothie stand is my go to the literal second I drop my bags. As I’m SURE you know from reading my previous article Best Green Smoothie Recipes, I need smoothies regularly and it can be hard to get health food on vacation. So make this part of your morning vacation #life.

Willem’s Dutch Pancakes

Aruba is a former Dutch colony, so you’ll want to experience the delightful mash up of seeing wooden shoe decor in a tropical setting. Willem’s is the place for this! It’s a great and cheap brunch spot and though I did hear that they ripped off the original Dutch pancake place Diana’s, it is a closer walk from the hotel. Sue me!!

Wacky Wahoo

Widely know as the BEST place for fresh fish in Aruba. Wacky Wahoo is owned by fisherman. My favorites are the yellow fin tuna served with pasta, or the Wahoo, pan fried (Aruban style). This place will seriously knock your socks off. It’s amazing, but it’s also small and understated, and they do not take reservations. They open at 5:30. Get there at 5:30. Do NOT be a big shot!!

The Butterfly Farm

Operated by serious butterfly-heads, this farm will not only wow you with the up close wonder of butterflies, it will also blow your mind with some legit butterfly facts. It’s $16 to get in, and you can go back anytime for free on your trip. They also have booze, because vacation.

Barefoot Aruba

At some point you’ll likely want to venture beyond the safety of Palm Beach. Start with Barefoot. The most amazing place on the island for a sunset dinner. At barefoot – you’re encouraged to dine shoeless. Just an FYI the table is literally on sand, so don’t wear heels. Great International menu and incredible mohito!

Nafanny

An incredible female owned spa in the heart of the Aruba desert. Nafanny offers all types of services, but I go for a sports massage. She even offers complimentary rides to and from hotel. And after the massage you’re encouraged to have a fresh juice at the juice bar and lounge in the incredible zen oasis that she’s created in her yard.

Fred

Located in downtown Organestad, Fred is the best Aruba has to offer. It’s a 12 seat restaurant, which makes for a very interesting “Clue” dinner party feeling. Be prepared to meet vacation characters. On our last trip Mike and I met a couple who would not stop loudly calling Mike stupid for… not proposing to me yet? It was pretty hilarious and the chef later apologized on their behalf. Fred has a unique tasting menu and wine pairing each night. Don’t not mess around with this one people. Get reservations early!

Private Sightseeing with Aruba Taxi Co

You’ll see tons of buses full of tourists heading out on whatever parrot-head excursions they have planned for the day, but save yourself getting trapped next to a drunken couple on the verge of divorce, and order a private taxi for sightseeing. My parents and I got one for $50 an hour and went to The Lighthouse, Alto Vista Chapel and The Natural Bridge. The Natural Bridge collapsed some time ago, but I wanted to take my parents to the east side of Aruba to give them an idea of how it vastly differers from the hotel area. This took under 2 hours and then we had the driver drop us off for lunch – easy!

Honorable mention for restaurants goes to Madame Janette’s, Lima Bistro, and Smokey Joes. What are some or your fav Aruba spots?!

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