Raymond's Guidebook
Food Scene
These places offer a variety of restaurants all in one place! Gotta love that.
Good variety of casual restaurants, nearest Starbucks, 5 min drive from the premises, cool island bar in the middle and to top it off, movie theater and casino.
36 residents recomanen
Renaissance Marketplace
9 Lloyd G. Smith BlvdGood variety of casual restaurants, nearest Starbucks, 5 min drive from the premises, cool island bar in the middle and to top it off, movie theater and casino.
Supermarkets
There are many smaller supermarkets and convenience stores all across the island, but these are the large scale supermarkets which offer a larger variety of goods, often at a lower price.
Hands down one of the best supermarkets on the island! Huge variety of items, traditionally has more US centric products than Superfood...so much less busier than Superfood with easier/ample parking. My personal favorite supermarket and it's 4-5 min away!
168 residents recomanen
Ling & Sons IGA Supercenter
Hands down one of the best supermarkets on the island! Huge variety of items, traditionally has more US centric products than Superfood...so much less busier than Superfood with easier/ample parking. My personal favorite supermarket and it's 4-5 min away!
Supermarket is amazing! What makes it special it has a cafetaria style cafe called Jack's Cafe, that has awesome cheap eats. They have also other stores as well inside and outside. By far the busiest supermarket on the island and their fresh daily baked breads are amazing!
407 residents recomanen
Super Food Plaza
141 A BubaliSupermarket is amazing! What makes it special it has a cafetaria style cafe called Jack's Cafe, that has awesome cheap eats. They have also other stores as well inside and outside. By far the busiest supermarket on the island and their fresh daily baked breads are amazing!
Animal Attractions
Nice variety of local animals, as well as imports. Ideally located near other tourists attractions as well. Opportunity to feed and pet some of the animals. Has a cafe offering beverages and light snacks.
57 residents recomanen
Jardí d'animals de Philip
116 Alto VistaNice variety of local animals, as well as imports. Ideally located near other tourists attractions as well. Opportunity to feed and pet some of the animals. Has a cafe offering beverages and light snacks.
Walk in a small jungle surrounded by beatiful butterflies...pretty cool!
132 residents recomanen
La Granja de Papallones Aruba N.V.
J.E. Irausquin BoulevardWalk in a small jungle surrounded by beatiful butterflies...pretty cool!
You get to pet nice donkies and it's completely free...and get to learn a bit about the conservation efforts of the sanctuary.
34 residents recomanen
Santuari dels Ase de Aruba
You get to pet nice donkies and it's completely free...and get to learn a bit about the conservation efforts of the sanctuary.
Our Favorite Restaurants
So many restaurants to choose from from a variety of cuisines, the options are almost endless. Aruba has an awesome culinary scene, so feel free to ask us advice on particular type of food you are craving. These are our personal favorites.
By far one of our favorite restaurants on the island. Has a nice assortment of vegan, vegetarian and glutten-free dishes. A hidden gem located in Downtown.
66 residents recomanen
Yemanja Woodfire Grill
2 WilhelminastraatBy far one of our favorite restaurants on the island. Has a nice assortment of vegan, vegetarian and glutten-free dishes. A hidden gem located in Downtown.
The ambience is truly amazing...you feel like you are in an almost different part of the world. Food is pretty good too. Good tip to note: You can park in the Hilton if you visit the restaurant.
33 residents recomanen
Bohemian Bar & Restaurant
83 Unit 1 J.E. Irausquin BlvdThe ambience is truly amazing...you feel like you are in an almost different part of the world. Food is pretty good too. Good tip to note: You can park in the Hilton if you visit the restaurant.
The only true rooftop dining experience on the island....just an amazing view of the strip of the high rise hotel area.
10 residents recomanen
The Vue Rooftop Aruba
384-A J.E. Irausquin BoulevardThe only true rooftop dining experience on the island....just an amazing view of the strip of the high rise hotel area.
There are plenty of Italian restaurants, but this is our personal favorite. We love sitting in the Italian inspired garden having a nice dinner.
41 residents recomanen
Hostaria da Vittorio
380 L.G. Smith BlvdThere are plenty of Italian restaurants, but this is our personal favorite. We love sitting in the Italian inspired garden having a nice dinner.
A truly local experience! Fresh offering of seafood catched daily, while sitting in a very casual setting viewing the sea. And by casual we mean veryyyy casual and laid back.
265 residents recomanen
Zeerovers
270 SavanetaA truly local experience! Fresh offering of seafood catched daily, while sitting in a very casual setting viewing the sea. And by casual we mean veryyyy casual and laid back.
One of the best cheap eats on the island, for both breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yes you read correctly, for all 3! At night, go early and get one of the front row tables for the daily live music. It is the of the most happening places to also watch the Netherlands soccer team play.
8 residents recomanen
Café the Plaza
9 Lloyd G. Smith BlvdOne of the best cheap eats on the island, for both breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yes you read correctly, for all 3! At night, go early and get one of the front row tables for the daily live music. It is the of the most happening places to also watch the Netherlands soccer team play.
Places Off The Beaten Path
So you have visited Eagle and Palm Beach by now, California Lighthouse, Natural Pool and the other attractions on a Northern coast jeep or ATV tour, visited San Nicolas to go to Baby Beach and street art murals and maybe even visited Renaissance Island or Palm Island...so the question is now: what else is there to do. Here are a few suggestions for some slightly lesser known places, but definitely worth a visit.
Located next to the only water inlet of the island, this place offers some great views of the island. Many also miss the great nature trail which can be reached by walking further down from the ruins.
18 residents recomanen
Balashi Gold Mills
BalashiLocated next to the only water inlet of the island, this place offers some great views of the island. Many also miss the great nature trail which can be reached by walking further down from the ruins.
Not quite as known as perhaps Eagle, Palm or Baby Beach, this beach is truly a hidden gem. A long strip of pristine and unspoiled beach, this beach is great especially for those that want to be away from the crowds, jet ski's, boats etc. The only activity/place you will find along this beach is a kite surfing school.
8 residents recomanen
Grapefield Beach
Not quite as known as perhaps Eagle, Palm or Baby Beach, this beach is truly a hidden gem. A long strip of pristine and unspoiled beach, this beach is great especially for those that want to be away from the crowds, jet ski's, boats etc. The only activity/place you will find along this beach is a kite surfing school.
Best places nearby up to 20 minutes walk
So no rental car, no problem! There are a lot of places nearby where you can get everything you need. Here is our recommendations for places up to 20 minutes walk, with most located within 1 Km / 0.6 mile.
Three Color
2 Rudolf ArendsstraatLargest of the minimarkets/convenience stores in the direct area.
Harmony Supermarket
Santa HelenastraatNearest convenience store on same street.
New coffee place with breakfast offerings. Please note the early closing time of 4.30pm.
Les Cappuchinas Cafe & Eaterie
12 Rudolf ArendsstraatNew coffee place with breakfast offerings. Please note the early closing time of 4.30pm.
Grap a quick sub and if you need some cosmetics, there is a pharmacy in the same strip mall.
Subway Ponton
74 Caya Ernesto PetroniaGrap a quick sub and if you need some cosmetics, there is a pharmacy in the same strip mall.
Nice quiet coffee place with good coffee and limited quick bites.
6 residents recomanen
Tradewinds Coffee Spot Ponton
3 KatunastraatNice quiet coffee place with good coffee and limited quick bites.
Nice selection of (Latin) bakery items, they also have pizza and other quick bites. We love their pan con queso blanco.
La Espiga de Oro Aruba
86A Caya Ernesto PetroniaNice selection of (Latin) bakery items, they also have pizza and other quick bites. We love their pan con queso blanco.
Nearest ice cream parlor...and its very hot in Aruba so ice cream is always refreshing.
Joyful Ice Cream
Nearest ice cream parlor...and its very hot in Aruba so ice cream is always refreshing.
Nearest bar & restaurant, with better food compared to Ban Ban Cafe and Watergate and ice cold beers.
Tai Hung Yun Chinese Restaurant
22 Caya Frere BernardinusNearest bar & restaurant, with better food compared to Ban Ban Cafe and Watergate and ice cold beers.
KFC Oranjestad
23 de la SallestraatOne of the fast foods nearby, right next to a Burger King.
Burger King
Fast food nearby, next to KFC.
Welcome Back Snack
Quick local bites such as pastechi are available.
Nearest pharmacy, it moved last year to a new strip mall that also has a Subway in it and is actually closer to the unit.
BENU Pharmacy Trupiaal
74 Caya Ernesto O Netto PetroniaNearest pharmacy, it moved last year to a new strip mall that also has a Subway in it and is actually closer to the unit.
Café Marily
72 Caya Ernesto O. PetroniaNice place for local food at lunch time.
Awesome Colombian food at very good prices. My personal favorites are Carne a la Parilla and Bandeja Paisa.
28 residents recomanen
Don Jacinto
26 de la SallestraatAwesome Colombian food at very good prices. My personal favorites are Carne a la Parilla and Bandeja Paisa.
cafe 112
112 SolitoNice place for coffee and quick bites.
Largest full fledged supermarket within the 20 min walk. The walk is about 15 minutes but uphill and it is hot, so if you really want a full fledged supermarket, we would still recommend a taxi to either Ling & Sons or Superfood. But if you don't mind it, this would be your best bet in the area.
Hua Run Supercenter
Largest full fledged supermarket within the 20 min walk. The walk is about 15 minutes but uphill and it is hot, so if you really want a full fledged supermarket, we would still recommend a taxi to either Ling & Sons or Superfood. But if you don't mind it, this would be your best bet in the area.
Cool Canadian Bar with good food and live bands in the weekend often. The burgers are awesome!
11 residents recomanen
Alfie's In Aruba
10 DominicanessenstraatCool Canadian Bar with good food and live bands in the weekend often. The burgers are awesome!
Another nearby fast food. Taco Bell has a unique item in Aruba called Fiesta Fries. It's awesome, try it.
Taco Bell Kini Kini
Another nearby fast food. Taco Bell has a unique item in Aruba called Fiesta Fries. It's awesome, try it.
Really unique concept offering breakfast and lunch in a fully remodeled Old Aruban House. A bit pricy, but we do think worth checking out.
20 residents recomanen
Aruba Experience Cafe - Patisserie
37 John G. EmanstraatReally unique concept offering breakfast and lunch in a fully remodeled Old Aruban House. A bit pricy, but we do think worth checking out.
There are a variety of chinese owned bar & restaurants nearby, our other recommendation would be this one. They actually have a restaurant and bar, with the restaurant closing earlier and the bar staying open later. Bar is very lively during the weekends.
Wing Hung Bar & Restaurant
65 A PontonThere are a variety of chinese owned bar & restaurants nearby, our other recommendation would be this one. They actually have a restaurant and bar, with the restaurant closing earlier and the bar staying open later. Bar is very lively during the weekends.
A bit of a walk, but only place nearby you get a local favorite "Saco", literally translated means bag. This place has one of the best "Saco" on the island.
The Grill Boss (Saco & Snacks)
A bit of a walk, but only place nearby you get a local favorite "Saco", literally translated means bag. This place has one of the best "Saco" on the island.
One of best empanadas places in Aruba. We recommend getting a portion of the green sauce, which is a bit spicy but totally awesome and trying their Pabellon empanada if it is available (all are awesome, so no worries). This is a breakfast place and they close by 12-1pm already.
Happy Snack
39 BelgiestraatOne of best empanadas places in Aruba. We recommend getting a portion of the green sauce, which is a bit spicy but totally awesome and trying their Pabellon empanada if it is available (all are awesome, so no worries). This is a breakfast place and they close by 12-1pm already.