I visited Aruba recently in Aug 2021, and it was nothing short of amazing. Of course, one would expect crystal-clear blue waters, sumptuous cuisine, and weather, but what about the things that nobody tells you?
Weather:
Aruba’s weather is similar to that of Vegas, dry heat. Every time I stepped outside, I instantly started to sweat. They do not have Uber; however, their taxi services work the same way our American uber does (without the convenience of an app). There is no app, so you will have to get the taxi company’s direct number to request one or have your resort do it for you. For the most part, taxis can range anywhere from $13-$30, and the price increases up to $3.00 on Sunday.
Food:
Don’t even get me started on the food prices! Maybe I am just spoiled to reasonable ole Arkansas food prices, but every dish, no matter how small, is priced around $15. Food pairings are rare; therefore, if you get a cheeseburger, fries are separate, and so is the drink. Liquor, even on happy hour, starts around $10-$15. Now, is it worth it? I would say yes because you are on vacation, but do not expect some magical edible glitter coming out of your steak.
Travel:
I traveled during Covid, so my experience was probably different compared to others. Getting back home from Aruba requires a Covid test, and they range from $50-$125 (depending on the type). I only needed the $50 Antigen test for Arkansas; however, New Yorkers had to get the PCR ($125). Be sure to get to the airport at least 3 hours early because there are many lines to stand in that will take up at least 2-3 hours to bypass.