The first time I visited Aruba was with my husband on our honeymoon in September of 1994. We originally planned to honeymoon in Bermuda but the travel agent advised against it as it would be during their hurricane season. So, on her suggestion, we traveled to Aruba instead and we could not have been more happy. Now, fast forward 23 years and 6 months later to Spring Break 2018…
My daughter is a first-year college student and her break is in March. The winter on the east coast has been unusually long and we all really wanted to enjoy some sun and sand. Since we wanted to be assured of great weather, clean beaches, and good food, Aruba, also known as “One Happy Island,” proved to be the perfect island getaway.
About The Island
Aruba is located 15 miles north of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean. Together with Bonaire and Curaçao, it forms a group referred to as the ABC islands. Aruba’s climate is dry so they rarely have a rainy day. Papiamento and Dutch are the official languages of Aruba, but most Arubans speak a minimum of four languages including English and Spanish. “Bon bini” [Papiamento for welcome] is a greeting you will find throughout the island. We found using taxis for travel around the island very convenient and the US dollar is widely accepted.
If you like beautiful white-sand beaches, friendly people, and average daytime temperatures of 82°F, this is the island for you.
Our Favorite Restaurants
The dining options are endless and will satisfy all tastes and budgets. Ethnic cuisines including Italian, Asian, Brazilian, and Caribbean all reflect the island’s cultural diversity. Here are a few of our favorite places:
Our family vacation to Aruba was truly one of the most relaxing vacations we ever had. The people are lovely, the weather is warm and breezy, and the dining options are plentiful! This “one happy island” made for one happy family indeed.
