We went there for the first time in May 2021 and loved it! Great beaches, food, people, weather, activities. It was also the first trip/vacation that we took without any other family members or friends so it's a special place for us.
We stayed there when we visited and had such a relaxing experience. We loved the natural aesthetic and intimate ambiance. The resort is right on the beach and has many palapas to stay cool under. The food and drinks at the three on-site restaurants were very good as well. Having a spa on-site didn't hurt either.
There is one international airport, Queen Beatrix International airport, in Oranjestad. It is a smaller airport with only 8-10 gates total serving many different countries, so give yourself plenty of extra time to get to your gate. Fun fact, we arrived 3 hours prior to our flight, but after the multitude of checkpoints we had to go through, at least 4 were counted, we got to our gate 30 minutes after the plane was meant to depart. Thankfully it waited for us; at least that's what we like to think. The airport is only a 15-20 minute drive from Manchebo depending on traffic.
Yes! Grab your Yeti or Hydroflask and refill early and often. Aruba prides itself on its water. Prior to the 90s when Saudi Arabia built one, Aruba had the largest desalination plant in the world. It continues to export its water to other countries as well. Be confident knowing you're drinking some of the purest water in the world!
Native Arubans speak a multitude of languages including English, Dutch, Spanish, and their local language, Papiamento.
The official Aruban currency is called the Aruban Florin. However, most if not all establishments accept the U.S. Dollar as a form of payment and will list their prices in both Florin and USD, so no need to convert any currency!
The great thing about Aruba is that the temperature rarely changes. Each day expect a range of mid 70s to mid 80s with partly cloudy, breezy weather. It rarely rains, and when it does, it ends and evaporates away very quickly.
Aruba thankfully falls underneath the "Hurricane Belt" in the Caribbean. According to locals, they may get a small drizzle here or there from a passing hurricane to the north, east, or west, but they will never be hit by one.
No, and I'm looking at you Jake. There have been no recorded instances in decades of a shark attack in Aruba. Enjoy that turquoise water to your heart's content!