Before moving to Aruba, we were aware that this sweet island has the most repeat visitors in the Caribbean. This is no surprise after knowing what we know and seeing what we see, but I wanted to give some insight to those who STILL haven’t experienced this amazing place we call home.
Over the next few weeks, I’m going to share what I have learned about getting to Aruba, staying in Aruba, eating in Aruba, and having fun in Aruba. Of course this is all going to be from what I have learned and experienced, but there is always something new or better information if you take the time to do your homework before planning any trip.
I’m a member of a few different Facebook groups that are all about Aruba and people ask questions or share information about things they like or don’t like. Most times people are very helpful and other times people just get downright nasty. Fortunately, there are administrators who shut things down when needed! If you’re thinking about coming to Aruba, you should think about joining these Facebook groups and see what I’m talking about. Just be aware that the information people share is not always correct, but these pages have come to be quite entertaining for those of us who live here and know the truth. Some of the good pages are Aruba! and All Things Aruba.
So how do you get to Aruba? Well, plane or cruise ship are your only choices. I’m going to concentrate on air travel since that seems to be what most people would do. If you are thinking about arriving by cruise ship, try to find an itinerary that stays here for an entire day as some ships don’t spend too much time. For example, last week the Carnival Freedom arrived at 3:00 pm and left at 10:00 pm. Not the best time of day to do a lot as sun sets at 6:30. I mean, anytime in Aruba is a good time, but the ships who are here from 8:00 am until 11:00 pm are the best! 
Back to air travel – I have seen people quote crazy amounts that they spend to fly to Aruba and it seems it all depends on where you are coming from. For example, we are flying to Phoenix in May and found round trip tickets for $390. Keep in mind that Arizona is REALLY far from Aruba so this is a great deal! Basically, coming from the West Coast of the US, anything under $500 is good. People flying from Boston or New York pay double that to get to Aruba. Why? Because it’s a VERY popular destination and the airlines know this. It is all about supply and demand.
To find the best deals, I suggest check the airlines every single day. I heard that you need to “clear your cookies” when you search as well because if the airlines know you are shopping, they inflate the prices. This is very true, and scary! When I was shopping for our latest trip, I found this great price but wanted to keep looking before committing. We are also looking at two different departures as the girls are flying out earlier than Jay and I. So when I wanted to compare flight times, one click and the $390 rate was there and two clicks later, the price increased to $524! I panicked and went onto a different computer and the $390 was back. It’s crazy! Now I know there are also other tricks like the Hopper app and also using miles from credit card points, but I just still do the old fashioned check a million times before purchasing. The key is know what price is good and don’t buy until you get it!
Flying to Aruba from Phoenix is a long day between the times changes and layovers as there are no direct flights. You have to connect through Miami, Charlotte, Atlanta, or New York City and the shortest duration of your flight will be right around 10 hours. For example, when we fly to Phoenix in May, we leave at 9:00 a.m. Aruba time (which is 6:00 a.m. in Arizona) and arrive at 4:00 pm. It’s a long day but so worth it once you get here!
Once you’ve landed, you will have to go through customs in the airport, which is mostly automated now where you simply scan your passport and you’re given the green light to enter into Aruba! Then it’s time for baggage claim and out the door to begin your Aruba adventures. The Aruba Airport is quite small so there’s no need to find a certain terminal and there’s only one baggage claim area and one door out. Helpful hint – if you like alcohol, DO stop at the small duty free shop in baggage claim and purchase your liquor as it’s your cheapest option. You are allowed to purchase only one bottle per person so if you’ve made friends with someone on the plane who doesn’t drink and will carry an extra bottle or two for you, take them up on the offer!
Now let’s fast forward to leaving this magical island of Aruba and going back to the US. (Note – I’m writing based on US destinations and I realize I have readers from other countries and totally apologize for not having great information for you. I’ve never flown from Aruba to anywhere but the US – sorry!) The first time you visit Aruba, you may not be aware that leaving is actually quite the process, so pay attention and please note that it is suggested you arrive THREE HOURS early for your flight and this is no joke…
When you arrive at the airport, there is a separate building for USA Departures and International Departures. Again, concentrating on USA destinations, this is where you’ll want to go. The first building is where the ticket counters are and where you will check in for your flight and leave any checked baggage. Next, you stroll between the buildings and go through Aruba Immigration. They will check your passports to make sure you’re legal to get back to the US. Next step – security. The Aruba security. So you take off your shoes, get out your electronic devices, and put all your carry-on luggage through the scanners and walk through the x-ray machine. Easy, right? Yep, but this is just the first time you’re going to do this. Now you will come to a door that is actually the USA customs and here you will find your checked luggage that you left at the ticket counter and stand in another line to talk to a US customs person so THEY can check to be sure you’re legal to go back to the US. Scan the passport, might ask where you’re going, might ask if you have any fresh fruits, blah, blah, blah, then off you go to put your check bags onto another belt to now be loaded on the plane. Confusing? Yes, the first time you do it, you will think what is going on? But the good thing is, once you arrive back in the US, there is no waiting in the customs lines there as you’ve already been cleared while you were still in Aruba!
So now we are rid of your checked bags, you are all legal to leave Aruba and go back to the US, and then you have to do the next security check – take off the shoes, unload the laptop, x-ray machine. NOW you’re clear and all you need to do is wait in the famous Crying Room. That is what the waiting areas at the gates are called as no one is ever happy about leaving Aruba. The best part of this area for those of us who live here is that there is now a Panda Express! The only one on the island and the best part about having to depart! For those of you who live in the US and can get Panda whenever you want, you can visit One Happy Bar or grab a Nathan’s Hot Dog or Sbarro Pizza before you take off, but Panda is where you will find me!
I hope that everyone reading this has a chance to visit Aruba if you haven’t already. I hope that what I’ve told you here will help you have a good understanding of what you’re into at the airport both when you arrive and when you depart. Remember, Aruba has the most repeat visits of all Caribbean islands so we know you will be back!
Z Island Life 