Although Aruba is part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, it’s in the Caribbean, a 10-hour flight from Amsterdam. Aruba is not that well-known among Dutch people or Europeans. We would like to change that.
The following 8 ‘facts’ are totally free on Aruba! These things may seem self-explanatory, but they aren’t!
If you decide to come over, you should know that our guests from all over the world enjoyed these typical Aruban things.
1. Drinkable tap water
In a lot of countries the first thing you do is: buy bottled water in a supermarket. On Aruba you can just drink the water from the tap.
It tastes great and is soft on your skin and hair when showering. No limescale in the waterboiler and no white residue in the bathroom. Teacups stay clear and clothes don’t need to be ironed.
Aruba is the only country in the Caribbean where seawater is filtered to become delicious drinking water. Really unique! This water is also used to brew the local beers Chill, Balashi, Hopi Bon and Hopi Stout. Soft and refreshing!
2. Free parking at the beach
We all know that Aruba has beautiful beaches. But an attractive eye-opener for a lot of tourists is: parking is possible almost anywhere along the beaches, plus: it’s totally free! Barriers preventing you from getting to a beach? Not on Aruba, isn’t that great?
No hassle with expensive parking costs that ruin your mood at the end of your day. You just park your car, and just like that your toes are in the sand. Grab your beach supplies from the car and you’re in for a great day at the beach.
What about traffic jams? Nope, not at all! The beaches are long and wide, so there’s more than enough space for everyone!
3. The beach is for everybody
Another great thing about Aruba. Whether you go to Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, Baby Beach or Arachi Beach, you can put your towel anywhere and just sit down. Even the beaches at 5-star hotels, although you may choose not to because of the amount of people there.
There are palapas or beach huts with roofs made from Palmleaves to shelter you from the sun. Is one available? Make yourself comfortable, you don’t have to pay for them.
You do have to pay for a beach lounger, if these are offered. This usually costs 10 USD per day.
We offer our clients beach chairs for rent for only 4 USD a day.
4. You can speak English to (almost) everyone
Many Arubans speak 4 languages: Papiamento (has been the official language for 15 years), Dutch, English and Spanish. Children learn these 4 languages at school.
Smart, because Aruba realises all too well, that because of her location and history, these 4 languages literally open the (tourism) world.
The same obviously doesn’t go for people from Colombia, Venezuela, China and America, that live and work in Aruba. You can speak to them in English, or Spanish if you speak it.
5. Politeness all over
When we take our guests out, they always mention how polite the Aruban people are. It’s a rare thing these days: cars stopping for pedestrians crossing the road, even without a zebra crossing. Or cars allowing you to get into their lane, very normal on Aruba!
The same goes for people in shops here. Is it in the locals’ DNA? Or is it the fact that locals realise how important friendliness is for tourism? (80% of Aruba’s income is generated through tourism). Whatever the reason may be: Politeness is still very real here!
6. It’s (relatively) clean here
Let’s be honest: in cunucu’s you will find empty beer bottles, car wrecks and other garbage that does not belong there. And the “Parkietenbos” (parakeet forest) doesn’t refer to a tropical forest with trees and birds, but to the garbage-dump.
Within several years the goal is to have garbage processing that is more eco-friendly and sustainable. Luckily!
But the beaches or the beautiful rough north-coast, Oranjestad or the bustling high-rise near Palm Beach, are clean (save for washed-up plastic at some Boca’s on the North-coast).
A lot of effort is put into keeping it all clean, because “cleanliness” is very important to holiday-goers and makes for a better and more positive Aruba-experience.
Although waste separation is not yet common on Aruba, we ask our guests to collect paper / cardboard, glass and plastic separately. Elements of Aruba wants to support sustainability on Aruba.
7. All food items are available
There’s no need to pack your usual food items in your suitcase. Aside from the many, many Chinese supermarkets (there are more than 200 of them on the island) there are two main supermarkets: Ling & Sons and Super Food.
The first has mainly American products. Super Food sells Dutch JUMBO-products and this shop also looks like a Dutch JUMBO supermarket!
Of course you can also buy local and regional products here (Venezuela, Colombia, America). More than enough choice. Whether you want to eat like you do at home or want to try local dishes, it’s all available in the supermarkets.
8. Open atmosphere
Driving around Aruba, you will only see the occasional ‘gated community’. Most of the island is free to access and easy to reach.
For example, our guests find it very special (and typical Aruba) that you’re free to walk around the beautiful hotels at the High-rise. You enter through the front, walk around the beautifully designed lobbies, pass through the lush green gardens with pools to the backside, where you can walk out onto the white beaches.
At the next hotel you go back inside the back entrance and just like that you can easily have a nice walk around the area.
Yes, there’s security, but with a smile on their face. Aruba is promoted as ‘one happy island’. But ‘Aruba, one open island’ would be equally fitting.
These 8 facts are a good basis for a wonderful, relaxing holiday here. Totally ‘free’ for an unforgettable stay on Aruba.
BON BINI!
January 2020
