09/30/2026
Hey Travel Friends! Did you miss me? 😝 I just got back from Aruba, here’s the scoop! 👀 Read to the end if you’re interested in experiencing this beautiful island paradise — for less. 💵
This was a really different trip, I’m an All-Inclusive Queen 👑 EVERY SINGLE Caribbean trip that I’ve ever done — I’ve always been at an AI. This time, I was at an Airbnb. It was also the first time that I rented a car.
SPOILER ALERT: I had an epic adventure! 🤩
Driving Disclaimers 🚙
👉🏼 I love to drive and navigation comes naturally to me, Google Maps was easy to use here
👉🏼 Aruba is safe to explore and a great island to drive on, it has good roadways and highways (heads up: all roundabouts)
👉🏼 Canadian license is good, no special permits required
👉🏼 Drive on the right side, everything is pretty much the same as here road-wise
The minute I arrived, I was reminded why we (my partner and I) fell in love with Aruba. We were married on the island 15 years ago, what a special feeling — coming back. 🥰
Aruba All-Inclusive’s are pricey. Worth every penny for the One Happy Island… I loved the RIU PALACE last trip to Aruba but by bundling a package including flights, an Airbnb and car rental —it was far more economical. Overall, I saved at least $3,000 doing it this way! (Remember, I went in September — a slower time of year and a more affordable time to travel the Caribbean)
I stayed at Happy Memories in Noord. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Here’s why I loved it so much:
✔️ Newly opened, LT 1 year old
✔️ Centrally located
✔️ Quiet and peaceful
✔️ Fully enclosed compound
✔️ Pool w/ loungers area
✔️ Stunning murals
✔️ Parking spot
✔️ Private backyard
✔️ Semi-private front patio
✔️ Full, beautiful kitchen
✔️ Well equipped apartment
✔️ Lovely, beachy decor (new)
✔️ Beach chairs included
✔️ Beach towels included
✔️ Cooler (for beach) included
✔️ Great AC
✔️ Comfortable bed
✔️ A place to put luggage
✔️ Ice machine
✔️ BBQ area
✔️ Outdoor shower
✔️ Laundry facilities
✔️ Responsive/helpful hosts
✔️ Easy check in
✔️ Accommodated late check out
✔️ Price point
This place is literally close to everything. 6 minutes to Palm Beach and Palm Beach Strip, 5 minutes to Eagle Beach, 8 minutes to Arashi Beach, 2 minutes to nice grocery store, 7 minutes to the Manchebo Beach, 7 minutes to the golf course, 9 minutes to Oranjestad and Surfside Beach, 20 minutes to Halto Magel and the donkey farm, 32 minutes to Baby Beach. Aside from its excellent location and close proximity to the places you’ll want to be, Happy Memories is a beautiful spot! 🥰
My stay was very enjoyable and memorable, Happy Memories lived up to their name! 🤣
I rented a car with Alamo and it was an excellent experience! Seamless and easy. I got an upgraded Compact SUV and ended up with a brand new (less than 5500 km) Kia Sonet, it was awesome! I got the best insurance package you can get and paid under $300 for the week. I toured 60% of the island, driving to all the beaches and seeing as much as I could — gas cost $74 total for the week! 🥳
🏝️ Beaches are exceptional. Clean, big and each one has a different vibe. The water is clear, turquoise and warm. Perfection. Don’t ask me which one was my favourite either… I did 6 beaches and loved all of them for different reasons.
Beach info👇🏼
Eagle Beach 🦅
Long, wide, deep powdery sand. Beautiful clear, turquoise water for miles. Family Beach but still pretty chill. Great, close, free parking, excursion huts and beach bars and restaurants are plentiful. Farthest to the right there are some beautiful divi trees that provide natural, beautiful shelter.
Palm Beach 🌴
Long, wide at parts, white powdery sand. More boats, docks, where catamarans pick up and drop off, many beach bars lots of music, lights hanging from the palm trees, it’s busier but still super relaxing. Palm Beach strip is across the road from Palm Beach and is lively and fun. Lots of stingrays and fish here! Parking can be challenging if you’re a late riser but there are always spots somewhere. Moomba Beach Restaurant/Bar has free parking and a fabulous menu and beach service options.
Side note: many beach bars offer beach service including sun beds, umbrella and full menu. Some also offer paddle boats!
Arashi Beach 🌵
Where the desert meets the sea! Very unique seeing cactus and the Caribbean Sea together. Soft, white sand. Clear, turquoise water. Quieter here, patches of coral reef here make for excellent snorkelling. I saw lots of marine life here. Multiple yachts anchored in the distance. Great, free parking.
Baby Beach 🍼
A large circular lagoon at the most southern tip of the island with calm, clear, turquoise water. Excellent for floating and swimming. Coral reef barrier half way out, lots of good snorkelling. I saw lots of small lizards here and big crabs in the early morning. Rum Reef is on the right side, beautiful beach restaurant with an adults only patio with infinity pool overlooking Baby Beach. Excellent free, parking.
Manchebo Beach 👌🏼
This beach is massive! Such a wide beach there’s so much room to spread out, I loved how quiet and chill this beach was. Sand is white and powdery, water is clear and turquoise with stronger waves but super fun in a floatie or bobbing along the shore. Hotels on this beach are high end and wellness focused. Parking is available, totally free.
Surfside Beach ✈️
The beach where people come to watch the planes come in! What a sight! Awesome vibe! Very calm, clear and turquoise water. Sand is soft and white with a bit more shells and coral pieces around. Docks, a fishing spot, lots of boats coming and going. (Marina close by) Two amazing beach bars/restaurants here, a few more just up the parking lot. So many options, so much fun!
👉🏼All beaches are public with many, free to use Palapas and parking.
☀️ The weather is perfect too. Lowest temperature was 28 feels like 33 (over night) and the highest temperature was 38 feels like 46. Dry heat though. It was sunny everyday, Aruba is known for its impeccable weather being sunny 365 days a year. (also off the hurricane belt so there’s that) It’s all true. There was one ever so light sun shower for 72 seconds once during my week-long stay. I counted. 😆 Aside from that, it was mostly sunny, clouds were fast moving and are welcomed offering a moments break from the strong sun. It’s comfortable though, constant trade winds keep the heat enjoyable.
🍽️🍹Restaurants & Bars are fantastic here! From fine dining to beach bars where being barefoot is an option — Aruba has something for everyone! Even fast food, if that’s your thing. Many of the American fast food brands we know and love have multiple locations across the island. Sports bars, night clubs, shopping — Aruba has it all!
There is so much to do and see in Aruba, I’d definitely recommend at least 10 days. Beyond the exceptional beaches, food, beverage and shopping options there’s movie theatres, go-karts, waterpark, Flamingo island, comedy club, golf course, day excursions, jet ski rentals, parasailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, paddle boats, fishing, boating, hiking… the list goes on.
Ask me anything about Aruba but don’t ask me to choose a favourite beach! 😝 But seriously, if this sounds like something you’d like to do — get in touch, I’m happy to tell you everything I know and get you the best price for this dream destination! 💓
