Planning A Trip To Aruba | The Ritz-Carton, Aruba

View from a sandy beach of a small boat on the water

Planning Your Trip

This Caribbean island is a melting pot of cultures that resonates throughout the island’s rich food, art and architecture. Bright houses, clear blue water, fresh seafood and beautiful vistas make it even more of a traveler’s paradise.

Aruba

What To Pack

The San Nicolas section of the island is home to colorful Caribbean street murals and vibrant mixed-arts boutiques where you can purchase jewelry and homewares created by local artists. Save room in your suitcase to bring back a one-of-a-kind artistic souvenir or gift from Aruba.

Beach Vacation

Aruba, as the locals say, is one happy island, and visitors will see that whether they are on a catamaran or just checking out the local rum bars.

This gorgeous island is blessed with sunshine and windy breezes. Make sure to bring a hat that can block the sun and stay on when the wind picks up.
Water shoes are a good idea if you plan to try wind sailing or kite surfing. Rocky areas might lurk right past the sandy beachheads.
Bring a waterproof bag or pouch for your devices, and a waterproof GoPro camera. Snorkeling and scuba diving are musts here, and a GoPro is the best way to capture your underwater moments.

Resort Essentials

The list of activities in Aruba is endless, from snorkeling to yoga to premier golf. We narrowed down the things you must not miss for a quick checklist of what you need before your flight takes off.

Brush up on your blackjack game — the resort offers a 24-hour vibrant casino. Enjoy delectable refreshments while the dealers shuffle the decks.
Bring your workout gear. The resort’s fitness center has classes throughout the week that include yoga, circuit training and weightlifting.
Golfers should know that just minutes away from the resort, Tierra del Sol has the only 18-hole championship golf course on the island.

Day Trips

In between sunning by the pool and hitting the beach, make time for a few excursions that will make your Aruban adventure even more meaningful.

Check out the caves in Arikok National Park. This beautiful preserve comprises almost 18 percent of the island. Enjoy gorgeous vistas of the island’s rugged terrain in an open-air Jeep and explore the caves whose centuries-old drawings are still being interpreted.
Drive dune buggies along the wild open coast near the island’s Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins. You can mix adrenaline with history as you drive through the sand banks of this historic spot.
Feed baby ostriches at the Aruba Ostrich Farm. This is a must-stop for any Instagramming traveler. The farm is a refuge for birds of all types, from peacocks to full-sized ostriches. But the key photo to post is during feeding time for the baby ostriches.

A setting sun casts a glow over an ocean?s rippling waves

Aruba

What To Reserve

Dining Reservations

Make a reservation for dinner on the beach. What better way to soak in the perfection of this island than dining right on its sandy shores? The chefs and sommeliers at the resort will work with you to craft a perfect menu and make sure your sunset meal is one you will never forget. If you’ve worked up a hearty appetite, reserve dinner at BLT Steak, the island’s premier modern steakhouse highlighting a variety of excellent cuts, Aruban flavors and an expansive wine list.

Spa Appointments

Aloe is one of the island’s biggest exports so make sure to take advantage of this locally grown healing ointment while you are there. Designed as a sanctuary of relaxation, the 15,000-square-foot spa features 13 tranquil treatment rooms where a complete range of treatments are delivered, like the Misterio Di Aloe, which hydrates, rejuvenates and refreshes your skin.

Cabanas

Take in Aruba’s glorious ocean expanse and dreamy sunset from the shade and privacy of your own luxurious cabana. Reserve a private pool or beachside cabana featuring plush lounge chairs, personalized amenities, seasonal fresh fruit selections and refreshments for a perfect day.

Day Trips

Just 10 minutes from the resort is Oranjestad, the colorful and charming city brimming with cultural, shopping and culinary treasures. Don’t miss a trip to the California Lighthouse, on the island’s northern tip, at sunset. Afterward, enjoy a perfect dinner overlooking the ocean at Faro Blanco. This Italian-inspired restaurant has been helmed by a local family for decades and never disappoints. In addition to its culinary feats (the Gamberoni Giulio Cesare has jumbo shrimp wrapped in prosciutto and is quickly sautéed in white wine and olive oil), the dessert menu offers a panna cotta that is finished off with hot chocolate.

Aruba

Itineraries

One of the most picturesque destinations in the Caribbean, the friendly island of Aruba, delivers rich, cultural, outdoors, and culinary experiences. Discover the national park, Arikok, with its variety of different caves, wildlife and ruins. Take dreamy horseback rides through glistening natural pools. Dine on delicious seafood and handcrafted cocktails right on the shores of Palm Beach, while connecting with loved ones. When the beaches are as breathtakingly beautiful as they are on this island, you’ll want to get in as much time on the sand as you can.

Island Adventures

Set along the powder-fine sands of Aruba’s Palm Beach, The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba ideally situates travelers near all sorts of exciting island excursions. Explore the national park full of colorful wildlife, caves and natural pools. Hike up to Hooiberg, a volcanic formation big enough to be seen across the island and surrounded by a sea of green. And after each adventure, unwind with a delectably prepared meal, plush accommodations, and all the other comforts that come with a stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba.

Day 1

Morning

Enjoy a Morning in the Sun. Wake up early, pick up a premium coffee drink from Ritual Coffee Culture located adjacent to The Shops on the lobby level of The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba, and enjoy the breeze and waves crashing from the plush comforts of a luxury cabana on the beach.

Midday

Off the Beaten Path. Ask the concierge to arrange a safari tour. The guides will lead you to a number of gorgeous natural sites, including a charming lighthouse, the scenic countryside and excellent snorkeling locations.

Afternoon

Visit a Beautiful Old Chapel. Among the most picturesque scenes on Aruba, the bright yellow Alto Vista Chapel sits on a hill close to the northern coastline. Explore the bright blue sanctuary, walk through a meditation labyrinth and stop for photos.

Evening

Dinner Under the Stars. Dinner on the beach prepared by one of the chefs at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba is an elegant affair. Revel in world-class cuisine as you dine under the stars with the Caribbean Sea as your backdrop. The chef will customize a delicious menu to suit different tastes.

Day 2

Morning

Wake Up to Some of the Island's Best Pastries. Popular among locals, Bright Bakery makes a variety of pastries, many with Dutch origins. Sample fried dough with ground beef kroket, the famous empanada-like pastechis and Aruban sweets like cashew nut cake.

Midday

Dine on the Shores of the National Park. After a morning of exploring, cool off with a cold drink and simple fare like grilled grouper sandwiches at the open-air Boca Prins restaurant. You can watch and hear the waves crashing while you eat.

Afternoon

Treasure Hunt. In the 1400s, explorers sailed through the Caribbean in search of gold, eventually discovering the bounty that sat on Aruba’s northern coast. Today, visitors to Arikok National Park can walk through the crumbling remains of the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins.

Evening

Little Italy. At Casa Nonna New York, guests can enjoy an evening of Italian fare and handcrafted homemade pasta made with the finest seasonal ingredients.

Day 3

Morning

Dive to a Shipwreck. Once a trade vessel that transported goods between Germany and Aruba, the SS Antilla, now sits off the coast of Aruba. Plan a diving excursion to the shipwreck, the largest in the Caribbean, and spot the coral formations, lobsters and anemones that cover the site.

Explore Spectacular Scenery. About one-fifth of the island is designated national park lands; Arikok National Park, on the craggy easy coast of Aruba is the most majestic. Along with stunning coastal views, you’ll find a variety of natural wonders to explore, in addition to the iconic Alto Vista Chapel and the California Lighthouse.

Midday

Beach Picnic Basket. Whether at the beach or while exploring the island, enjoy a beach picnic lunch infused with your picnic favorites including a cheese and charcuterie board, healthy wraps, fruit and champagne in a Ritz-Carlton picnic basket.

Afternoon

Relax With a Native Remedy. Aloe is grown year-round on the island. Take advantage of its healing properties by booking a ‘Misterio di Aloe’ body treatment at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Aruba. The restorative treatment will renew your skin for another day of exploring in the sun.

Evening

Taste Traditional Cuisine. Aruban cuisine is a mix of Spanish, Dutch and Caribbean influences, which you can experience firsthand at the Old Cunucu House. Try traditional conch stews with garlic, lobster tail with traditional cream sauces, and keshi yena, a local gouda and chicken dish baked with onions, olives and cashews.

Romantic Getaways

The refreshing Caribbean breeze, the finest white sand, water so clear you can see the ocean floor — Aruba is one of the dreamiest islands you could visit, but the destination has much more than peaceful beaches to experience with your partner. Explore colorful and charming neighborhoods. Hike in the national park with caves, ruins and picturesque island scenes. Dine on feasts of the freshest seafood, prepared Dutch-Caribbean style. And after a day in the sun, retire to your luxurious accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba.

Day 1

Morning

Fun Under the Sun. Explore beautiful Palm Beach with your loved one as you enjoy the morning sun and go snorkeling, paddle boarding, pedal boating or kayaking.

Midday

Dine on Fresh Seafood. Oceanfront restaurant Zeerovers is nothing fussy. The menu each day consists of the catches of the day — wahoo, kingfish, giant shrimp and a host of other possibilities — served simply with fried plantains and pan bati, a classic Aruban pancake-like dish.

Evening

Your First $50 on Us. Let The Casino at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba dazzle your night away. Featuring 17 traditional casino table games, including craps, baccarat and poker, stroll by to test your luck.

Day 2

Morning

Book the Ultimate Couple's Retreat. Book a couple’s Deseo pa Dos session at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Aruba for a 110-minute romantic escape. The skilled and intuitive therapists will give you both a body scrub with honey and a soothing aromatherapy massage, followed by a blissful bath for two.

Midday

Lunch With a View. Book a private cabana at the beach and enjoy an ocean-side dining from Madero Latin Grill at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba. Dine on fish tacos made with local mahi-mahi or juicy sliders with bacon while sipping a refreshing island cocktail.

Evening

Have a Romantic Dinner on the Beach. For a one-of-a-kind experience, The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba plans private dinners on the sand to your liking: as the sky sets afire with color, our chefs will customize a delicious 3- course menu to your desires.

Day 3

Morning

Breakfast, Dutch-Style. The namesake flapjacks at Linda’s Dutch Pancakes are famous on the island. Addictively delicious, the generously sized eggy pancakes are pan-fried thin with crispy edges and topped with your choice of bananas, strawberries or chocolate.

Midday

Explore the Deep Blue Sea. Situated in a calm crescent-shaped corner where the bay opens up into the Caribbean Sea, Baby Beach is the perfect location for snorkeling. Spot bright yellow French grunts, polka-dotted filefish and spiny lobster, along with coral.

Afternoon

Wander Aruba’s Most Colorful Neighborhood. In addition to local markets and cafés, San Nicolas is the cultural capital of Aruba, known for its street art. Stroll in the colorful main street and stop by Kulture Café for lunch and learn more about Aruba’s History.

Evening

Revel in the Most Stunning Sunset. To best experience, Aruba’s postcard-ready sunsets, have the concierge book a sunset catamaran experience. Cruise with your partner in the still waters and soak under the bleeding colors of the sky.

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