Notes from my trips to Aruba — on Eagle Beach, rest, food allergies, and why this island keeps drawing me back.

We just had the wildest snowstorm this week, and I’ve been feeling a deep sense of saudade, that quiet, aching longing for a place, a time, a different version of yourself. These Aruba travel reflections have been returning to me often in the depths of winter, pulling me back to one of my favourite places in the world.

It was the end of 2021, and the world was just beginning to exhale after COVID restrictions. I had endured a terrible year. A breakup with someone I learned, waay too late, wasn’t who I thought he was. I was exhausted from a year of hard therapy lessons and was severely burned out, absolutely frayed at the edges.

At the time, I didn’t think of it as travel planning. It was simply a search for warmth, safety, and quiet, a Caribbean island I’d never visited before. As I always do when I feel like that, I opened Google Flights and searched for a beach. Somewhere close. Somewhere sunny. Somewhere that could hold me gently, because I was travelling solo and very tender.

Enter Aruba.

December 2021 was my first visit, and it has been one of my favourite places ever since. I remember landing, stepping through the airport doors, and feeling the heat blast my face. I remember how beat up I felt, and how, almost immediately, something in me softened. Like, yeah… everything is going to be okay.

I was struck by how kind everyone was. Locals helped me figure out a SIM card at the airport, flagged a taxi, and pointed me in the right direction. Aruba’s tourism slogan is One Happy Island, and honestly…I felt that in my spirit.

Aruba is my happy place because when I’m there, I get to be the most feral version of myself, in the best way. It has been one of the most healing places for me when I feel broken or lost.

I arrive stripped down to my essentials. I wear no makeup. I let my hair do whatever it wants. I stay up late and sleep in without guilt. In the mornings, I make a small pilgrimage to my favourite café, put on weepy 90s R&B, devour gluten-free arepas, and wash it all down with a smoothie.

Here’s a picture of me in my post-smoothie glow.

I always stay close to Eagle Beach. After breakfast, I wander there slowly. I nap on the sand. I spend hours floating in the water. I nap again. I read something delightfully trashy. As the sun sets, I journal, watching the sky change colours, letting my thoughts land gently.

After beach time, I waddle to the nearest convenience store for pistachio ice cream, then make my way back to my Airbnb. Evenings are unstructured. Sometimes I go out for dinner; sometimes I cook. Afterward, there’s often a quiet night swim in the pool with a gin and juice or a glass of wine.

I always get sunburned. I always get the worst heat rash. And I am always, somehow, deliciously delighted.

I think I love Aruba so much because it lets me feel untethered from regular life. There are no emails. No long meetings. I try, really try, to stay off social media and WhatsApp. The nights are calm and quiet. No traffic. No sirens. You can see the stars for miles. It feels like an endless summer. It feels like rest.

Recently, a friend of a friend mentioned they’re heading to Aruba and asked for a few recommendations. It reminded me how gently that island has held me over the years and how naturally it lends itself to a slower, more intentional way of travelling. For anyone feeling called there, especially solo travellers, those craving rest, or those navigating food allergies, Aruba offers a rare combination of ease and care. Known for its safety, warm hospitality, reliable infrastructure, and calm beaches, it’s an especially supportive place to land.

Where to Stay in Aruba

When I travel to Aruba, I always stay near Eagle Beach, an area known for its calm water, expansive shoreline, and quieter pace.

There are a few high-tourism areas, but I prefer an Airbnb near Eagle Beach. I like having a kitchen because of my food allergies, and I enjoy moving at my own pace. Eagle Beach is also one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. It has warm, calm water; impossibly soft sand; and plenty of palapas for shade in the early afternoon. It’s family-friendly, peaceful, and very safe, while still being close to restaurants, groceries, and some of the island’s most swimmable waters.

Picture: Me, feral, just out of the water, drying off with Coco, my travel bear. Palapas in the background.

Groceries in Aruba

Having access to groceries matters to me when I travel, especially because of food allergies and a preference for cooking some meals at home.

Superfood Plaza is my one and only grocery stop; it has everything. It’s perfect for travellers with dietary restrictions, including gluten-free needs. When I visit, I have a rule I never break: I always buy the crab salad and the Dutch milk chocolate with hazelnuts. The crab salad at Superfood is unreal. I eat a tub a day when I’m there. I pile it between two slices of gluten-free bread or tortillas and inhale it. No regrets.

Where to Eat in Aruba

Aruba has a wide range of restaurants, from casual local spots to higher-end dining, and I’ve found it easier than expected to eat gluten-free when I’m there.

That said, my only beef with Aruba, and it’s a serious one, is the plantain situation. Everywhere you order plantain, they give you three pieces. Three. Who is satisfied with three pieces of plantain? My heart breaks every time.

That aside, here are my favourites:

• Clover Coffee and Marketplace – One of my absolute favourites. Incredible smoothies, snacks, and a sweet little gift shop.

• Zeerovers – A must. Located in the fishing town of Savaneta, serving fresh fried fish and shrimp with sides like plantain, fries, pan bati (a local cornbread), and onions in vinegar. Order by the pound, eat by the water, the wait is always worth it.

• PF Chang’s – A nostalgic pick. I go purely for the fried rice.
• Gianni’s Aruba – Fantastic cocktails and the best gluten-free pizza I’ve had on the island. A bit pricey, but worth it. I celebrated my last birthday here and had an unforgettable gluten-free chocolate cake. I still think about it.

• Dutch Pancake House – Handmade pancakes, lots of variety, and gluten-free options.
• Screaming Eagle – Romantic, intimate, and serves some great seafood dishes.
• BBQ Express Aruba – Well-seasoned, generous portions, and very affordable.

Things to Do in Aruba

I tend to balance rest with a small amount of exploration, especially on longer stays. These experiences offer a gentle mix of adventure and ease.

• ATV or Jeep Island Tour – Do this early in your trip. It’s a great way to see the island, scout spots you want to revisit, and take in some stunning views.

• Aruba Aloe Factory Museum & Store – One of the largest aloe factories in the world. The tour is genuinely interesting, and the products are excellent. I’m currently using their aloe to help heal from recent laser therapy.

• Boat Trip – Especially at sunset. Always beautiful. Always romantic.

Practical Travel Notes for Aruba

• Aruba requires an ED (Embarkation–Disembarkation) card, which must be completed and approved before travel. Every passenger needs one, including children. No ED card, no boarding.
• Renting a car makes getting around the island much easier. We’ve had great experiences with Top Drive. They had excellent service and well-maintained vehicles.
• For connectivity, I used an Airalo eSIM on my last trip (2025), and it worked flawlessly.

If you’re planning a trip to Aruba and wondering what it feels like to spend time there, not just what to see, I hope these notes offer a sense of the rhythm of the place.

If you need additional tips, drop a comment or message me here.

Happy travels. 🤍