Living It Up in Aruba

By: Aleah Shell

Day 1 – Local Market Runs & First Night Out

We landed and dropped our bags at a beautiful Airbnb located at Bushiri 168, which included a pool, a stunning game room, three bedrooms, and four bathrooms. Shortly after settling in, we headed to the local market—just a four-minute drive away.

Because Aruba is only about 20 miles long, everything felt super close. We never spent more than 10 minutes in a taxi. Important tip: there are no rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft on the island, so be sure to carry cash for taxis—or better yet, rent a car for convenience. Also, don’t expect traffic lights—they’re virtually nonexistent here!

Groceries that would’ve cost $100 in the U.S. were Just $66 in Aruba (taxes included!).

For dinner, we dined at L.G. Steak & Chop House, located inside the Renaissance Hotel—and honestly, we could’ve taken the whole menu home. From salmon to lamb chops, every dish was rated a solid 10/10 by the group. I was so deep into my plate and completely forgot to take a photo!

Day 2 – Eagle Beach, Food Fusion Tour & Fat Tuesday’s

We started the day at Eagle Beach, soaking in the peace and sunshine.

Quick note: food and drinks are available on-site, but prepare for a wait. Due to a large crowd, we waited over an hour. Thankfully, prices were reasonable and the waitress generously offered us extra drinks on the house to make up for the delay.

Later, we headed back to the Airbnb to freshen up for the Aruba Food Fusion Tour with our guide, Wendel. The tour ran from 5:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. and was nothing short of adventurous, educational, and absolutely delicious. Wendel was amazing—super friendly and full of fun facts about Aruba, local architecture, and food culture.

We had three meals, two cocktails, and a glass of champagne (with water in between, of course). Every single item was a hit. Guest Tiffany Ashwood shared,

“My favorites were the barracuda fish fritters and the fried polenta with a spicy sauce (not for the weak!). And the key lime pie for dessert? I melted! Drinks were flowing and I left full, happy, and a little tipsy.”

My personal favorite, you ask? The spicy chicken patties. Worth noting: each tour offers a different food lineup, so no two experiences are exactly alike.

Later that night, we hit up Fat Tuesday’s Nightclub, where we were greeted with amazing hospitality, a fun crowd, and music from all genres. It was easy to get lost in the vibes. Drinks started at $14 for a small glass.

Day 3 – Brunch on the Water & Chogogo Party Bus

We kicked off the day with a catamaran brunch cruise ($92) featuring unlimited mimosas and champagne, plus breakfast and lunch. The vibe was chill, the music set the mood, and the boat even welcomed families—babies included!

Tiffany Ashwood described it as:

“Soothing for the most part. We did snorkeling, had unlimited drinks, and a dope view of a shipwreck. I even got in the water (without messing up my hair) and swam with the fish! The crew was sweet and kind—shoutout to Jermaine for making me the best rum punch of my life.”

After a much-needed power nap, we got dressed for the iconic Chogogo Party Bus—$89 for unlimited drinks, four nightclub stops, and a live DJ who actually played all our song requests.

Victoria McQueen, who’s done the party bus twice and recommended it to us, said:

“The party bus is More lit than a night in Brooklyn! The music was fire, though the playlist could’ve been a bit stronger. I danced my stress away and drank like there was no tomorrow. Met new people, hit up a bunch of bars, and my girls and I even recreated the dance battle from the movie White Chicks. The hosts kept the energy up all night and made sure everyone had fun.”

Day 4 – Relaxation & Final Night Out

We spent our last full day relaxing at Palm Beach, catching some sun and recharging. Beach chairs were available for rent at just $10 per person, which made things super convenient. We stayed to watch the sunset—it was the perfect way to slow down.

Later that evening, we attempted to fire up the grill for a BBQ at our Airbnb (they provided the grill, charcoal, and lighter fluid), but four girls vs. one grill proved to be a challenge.

We ended the night trying out Hidden Nightclub, which had good vibes but was a bit too packed for our liking. So we made our way to Kai Libra, where they played Latin music and the energy was absolutely amazing. It was the perfect final celebration to wrap up our Aruba adventure.

From sunrise swims to late-night dance floors, Aruba showed out—and we showed up for every moment. These four days reminded us that paradise isn’t just a place—it’s a whole vibe. Here’s to finding inspiration as you plan your own unforgettable trip to Aruba!