Dominical Costa Rica Travel Guide

Today we are fortunate enough to have a guest post from bloggers Natalia & Hernando of 

travelinglikelocals.com

Read about Natalia & Hernando's travels as they use the world as their playground: 

Blog - http://www.travelinglikelocals.com/

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About Natalia & Hernando...

Hi! We are Natalia and Hernando and currently live in San Jose, Costa Rica with our sweet dog Lola. Food and travel was definitely one of the first things we had in common when we met, and 5 years later we are still very passionate about experiencing different cultures and always having a good meal. Our blog Traveling Like Locals started as a way to share with people our past experiences, and new adventures around Costa Rica and wherever we go during our vacations and times off our jobs, so we hope you join us in our crazy adventures and get inspired to travel more! 

Hi Travelers!

We recently had the opportunity to take a few days off and decided to travel as good locals to a place we had never been. 

Dominical Beach in the South Pacific of Costa Rica was our destination.

This beach is about 210 kilometers from the capital, San Jose, the drive takes approximately 3 hours.

We had so much fun in this trip, that we want to share with you our recommendations to help you out If you wish to visit this beautiful area of ​​Costa Rica.

How to get there

The easiest way, without a doubt, is driving there.

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For our foreign friends we recommend these options:

Rent a Car: There are many companies available anywhere in the country with rates from USD $ 30 a day for compact cars, such as Avis and Budget Rent a Car.

Bus: Companies like Tracopa offer the trip from San José from Monday to Sunday, the prices range around USD $10 per person.

Click here to get the complete route in Google Maps from San Jose.

Whatever the way you choose to arrive there, we recommend you travel with comfortable and light clothing because the heat will definitely rise as you come closer to your destination. Do not forget to bring bottles of water to hydrate on the way, some snacks and good music to enjoy the trip.

The Weather

Temperatures in the area of Dominical, ranges between 30C in the morning and 27C by night, which ultimately tells us that comfortable clothing will be really necessary, and don’t forget to wear a cap, hat or similar.

Applying sun block is a must if you don’t want to get sunburn, and we also think mosquito repellent is a good idea to bring too.

Lodging

As for accommodation, there are options for all tastes and budgets.

You can find from perfect beachfront backpackers Hostels with very affordable prices, to more elegant hotels up in the mountains with spectacular views.

We decided to stay at Hotel Cuna del Angel, which is located between Dominical and Uvita, which offers a great family environment but at the same time is very tranquil and relaxing. 

This hotel has all the amenities you would expect from its 4 stars. The hotel is very small, offers an in house restaurant, breakfast is included on the price, and the pool is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy some Piñas Coladas!

The price per night is around USD $200, which is a little high, but well worth it.

Food

The area offers different food options, you will find from small restaurants with typical Costa Rican food, to more upscale places offering world-class cuisine.

From our trip we recommend these 3 places:

Café Mono Congo in Dominical Beach: we really liked this place because they offer a very varied menu with vegan options and fresh smoothies, is located right at the mouth of the river, so it offers nice views and a peaceful and relaxing vibe.

Tortilla Flats in Dominical Beach: this place is located right across from the beach, is perfect for eating a quick bite and admire the beautiful beach views, offers a lively and busy atmosphere. They serve a variety food and drinks, we ordered a couple of delicious cheese and bacon sandwiches, we totally recommend it!

The Restaurant at Hotel Cuna del Angel: this is undoubtedly a place of gourmet food, the menu offers a variety of dishes including seafood, meat and pasta. We decided to eat here one night to try their dishes and also because it was just a few steps from our room. The food was delicious, it had great flavors and the quantities were generous. Although the restaurant is kind of pricey, we believe it’s worth to treat yourself once and have lunch or dinner at this place. The service is amazing and the ocean view is definitely spectacular.

We recommend making a reservation because the restaurant is very small and fills up easily.

Activities

There are many activities to enjoy in this area, here are a few recommendations on what you can do during your trip:

Marino Ballena National Park: The famous beach shaped like a whale's tail is one of the places to visit if you are in the area. It’s located about 20 km from Dominical. The Admission is 1,000 colones (around USD$2) per person (resident or foreign) for the whole day, be advise that you cannot enter with alcoholic beverages. If you want to enjoy walking on the whale’s tail visit the beach when it’s low tide. We recommend bringing some water, snacks and a blanket to sit back and relax on the sand.

Crafts and Souvenirs: if like us you love to go and roam through the craft and souvenir shops, Dominical is definitely a great place to do that, you can find a whole street beside the beach with various stalls selling handcrafts, clothes, jewelry, ornaments, souvenirs, etc.

Surf: Dominical Beach is famous for its awesome waves, so if that is your sport, this is the ideal place to practice and have some fun. If you would like to learn, there are several surf schools, which provide general or custom lessons to start riding the waves in no time.

Nauyaca Waterfall: Located about 7 km from Dominical, once in the entrance you would have to go through the forest to reach the beautiful waterfall, this tour can be done on foot or horseback riding (we recommend horseback riding, as the walking distance is about 6km each way). For both tours you must pay an entrance fee, take into account that only the horseback riding tour offers in their fee a guide and food.

Whale Watching and Dolphin Tour: There are several companies that offer this type of tour in the area, we recommend searching for the one you like first, make a reservation and arrive on time. Prices vary slightly depending on the company but they are usually around USD $75 per person, they usually include a guided tour of 3-4 hours, water, fruit and snorkeling equipment.

Additional Information

There are several ATMs on the area in case you need some extra cash, the one we used and recommend is the one on the Bank of Costa Rica which is located at the entrance of Uvita, right besides BM supermarket.

However, most places accept credit cards, debit cards and US dollars.

Supermarkets and convenience stores are easy to find, so you will not have problem getting hygiene products or snacks to take to the beach.

We hope you get a chance to visit Playa Dominical, for us the area is extremely beautiful, plus you truly feel immerse in the jungle, this is one of the areas that hasn't been so over developed by man making it a paradise with lots of vegetation and animals.

Would You Rather a Language Barrier Make You Order a Horrendous Meal or Get You Lost an Hour Away From Your Hotel?

Would You Rather Wednesday!

Getting Lost 

Language barriers are expected when travelling to new countries. I have mentioned before that Richard and I like to take the time to learn common phrases, introductions, and pleasantries in the languages that we will be immersed in for a trip. We have also been lucky enough to manage to navigate, communicate, and ask questions with minimal language skills. The only time we have had an issue with language is when we visited Morocco. Many citizens do not cater to the tourists, speaking English and French interchangeably. This meant that we did get lost in streets that are not labelled, and had great difficulty finding help. We got very frustrated in the heat and with a little arguing and effort we finally made it back to our hotel. 

Ordering Meals

Richard and I are not picky eaters. If we happened to pick food off of a menu by accident, we would likely eat it and enjoy it anyway. When we were visiting Hong Kong last summer our server spoke no English. The menu was of course not in English, so we were forced to point and with the nod of the servers heard ordered four main mystery dishes. Three out of four were delicious, so we couldn't complain. However, for someone with allergies or for those that are picky eaters you could end up with a pricey meal that you do not enjoy. 

The Three Best Excursions to Try in Alaska

Today we are fortunate enough to have a guest post from blogger Jenn of

By Land and Sea

Read about all the travel adventures of By Land and Sea here:

Blog - https://bylandandsea.me

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Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bylandandseatravelblog/
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In addition to my wonderful husband/partner in crime, our dogs, and traveling, my other loves include… art (especially European art history), dance (especially ballet), tea, animals, fitness, music, and shopping. I feel most at home when I’m surrounded by the beauty of the ocean,  I crave the hustle and bustle of cities, but I live in a remote western town… A place nestled between mountain foothills and wide open spaces – where distance is measured in the time it will take you to get there instead of in miles…

The travel bug bit me at a young age and I was hooked. Then, college came, followed by many things that come with early adulthood. I had new responsibilities to face, and travel moved to the bottom page on my list of “to-do’s”. The urge never went away, and I spent all of my twenties staring at maps, dreaming of far away places, and new adventures.  Then, two weeks before my thirtieth birthday, tragedy struck and my world was forever changed. I’ve moved forward with a new appreciation for life, living each day like it might be my last; and following through with a promise made to myself that I will no longer let the things I’m passionate about remain undone, sitting at the bottom of my list.  Now, my husband and I are seeing the world without quitting our normal 9-to-5 jobs. It is possible to travel big without quitting your job or breaking the bank!

My blog shares our experiences, tips, photos, inspirations, and 

more as we explore the world  and will include some educational travel information too as I've just started my Master’s in Sustainable Tourism!

Our Experience

There are so many things to try when visiting Alaska that its hard to narrow them down to make sure you have a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the last frontier.  While it’s important to weigh your options and activity levels carefully, it’s also important to determine what experiences you would not want to miss out on.  For us, there were a few things offered in Alaska that we have experienced elsewhere (such as dogsledding) and other things we knew were “must-do’s”.  Based on our experiences, here’s our top three excursions to try in Alaska!

Floatplane! Many of us fly regularly, but how fun is it to have the runway be a body of water!?!  When going in a floatplane, you get to experience takeoff like you are jetting down a lake in a high-speed boat. 

  

 

The ride is incredibly smooth and the whole idea of a floatplane is really charming!  If luck is in your favor during your flight from Ketchikan, you might even be able to land on a pristine lake mid-flight and get out of the plane to stand on the pontoons for a bit!!

These flights are a great way to see the rugged mountains, bodies of water, and views of town and the harbor.  As an extra bonus, I got to sit in the cockpit and help “co-pilot” our flight!  So much fun!

Whale Watching!  This just can’t be beat!  Whale watching brings a variety of feelings including suspense, excitement, awe, and respect.  

The locals really love whales and they make sure you learn about them as a species, their environment, and things you can do to help protect them.  As they are a protected species, you always have to stay a certain distance from them.  But, in Juneau, they are abundant so spotting them isn't difficult.  We saw a dozen or more whales in just a few hours.  There are other wildlife spotting opportunities such as the super cute harbor seals, with their soulful, puppy-dog eyes!

The surrounding scenery is spectacular too.  You can see everything from distance mountains to glaciers, including the Mendenhall Glacier. 


 

Maybe I like things like this so much because I’m from a completely landlocked area, or maybe its just the siren call of the ocean and all it encompasses.  

Ocean Rafting! If the thought of climbing onto a pommel horse style seat on an open, high-speed raft and jetting down the freezing waters of the fjord outside Skagway doesn't sound fun to you, you’re really missing the boat!  Pardon the pun!

Seriously, this was incredibly fun!!  You will get suited up in a floating, orange jumpsuit that makes you feel like the Pillsbury doughboy, and will get you a few good laughs, but it serves its purpose by keeping you warm and dry.

As you speed around the fjord, you’ll be impressed by the countless cascading waterfalls, soaring eagles, and will also learn so much about the local area.

 

 You will have a blast practicing your rodeo skills as the raft skims the shoreline, bounces over the waves, and throws you around during the 360 donut turns.  Don’t plan on looking pretty when you’re done with this wild ride. Yeehaw!!

Other things we tried that should receive honorable mention were the Mt. Roberts Tram in Juneau and the White Pass/Yukon Route Railroad Tour in Skagway.  If you are looking for low activity level experiences, try these.

We must admit, we overlooked an excursion opportunity and we are kicking ourselves for it… Getting off the boat in the Tracy Arm Fjord and going to the Sawyer Glacier.  Other than poor advertising, we aren’t sure how we missed this option, but were really bummed when we found out it was a possibility.  I guess that means we will have to return to Alaska at some point. 

Would You Rather Dine Al Fresco With a Glass of White or Red Wine?

Would You Rather Wednesday!

I have mentioned many a times that Richard and I enjoy "beverages" on vacation. Years ago neither of us liked wine at all. Over the years we have warmed up to it, especially white. We have not yet developed the palette for red wine...but we are told it will happen with time.

White

My wine exposure started with white. There were (in order of introduction to my palette) the sparkling fruit wines, the Rieslings, the Pinot Grigio's and the Chardonnays. I am still not a fan of Chardonnay, but I do enjoy many Pinot Grigio's. Heck we even enjoy champagne. We have visited several wine countries: Napa Valley, Niagara on the Lake, Traverse City, Tuscany, etc. We have usually planned our tours so that we get to sample mostly whites. Below are some of our favorites and recommendations:

Napa Valley: Mumm Napa (sparkling white wine)

Niagara Falls, Canada: Between the Lines  (the Gewuerztraminer is amazing!)

Traverse City: Bonobo Winery (Pinot Gris was our fave). Beautiful seating area and patio to enjoy                            small plates as well. 

Bonobo Winery, Traverse City
Photo: @conciergecouple

Red

Red is a little to rich and deep for me. I have had some I have liked don't get me wrong, but nothing good enough to make me crave or order a glass. There was a few times in Spain that we managed to enjoy a glass of red. Well I should be more clear, a glass of red topped with...gasp...sparkling lemonade. Call it a spritzer, a crime to red wine, or a poor persons sangria. All I know is, it was delicious with our tapas as we enjoyed a delicious summer time meal in Madrid. The restaurant had a great ambiance and barrels as tables, along with an extensive wine menu. But when the waiter suggested "tinto de verano" we were sold! Don't knock it till you try it. 

Madrid, Spain
Photo: @conciergecouple

Our choice: 

White

We enjoy a chilled glass of white wine before or with dinner. It's light and easygoing...it embodies vacation!

Our Thailand Experience

Today we are fortunate enough to have a guest post from bloggers , of 

gameoftimezones.com

Check out all Britt & Marks inspirational thoughts and pics at: 

Blog - www.gameoftimezones.com

Instagram - www.instagram.com/gameoftimezones/

About Britt & Mark...

Photo: @gameoftimezones

We are just another couple with untamed wanderlust on a journey to see as much of the world as we can. We are currently based out of Toronto but do our best to get out and about as often as possible. We met one another back in 2014 and have been exploring locally as well as venturing internationally. 

Traditional Thai boats
Photo: @gameoftimezones

Our flight departed at 1:45AM Toronto time, which worked in our favour because I’m pretty sure we passed out after the first meal and I remember checking the elapsed time since take off and seeing I had been asleep for 9 HOURS!! (SCORE, only 5 more hours to landing) We flew with EVA Air (will be posting a full review of the airline soon) which we were pleasantly surprised with. Although there was a language barrier at times, we never had an issue with cabin crew and were quite comfortable throughout the entirety of the flight, aside from getting a bit restless and stiff. We first landed in Taipei, Taiwan and continued from there to Bangkok.

Bangkok Airport was a zoo. Total, utter chaos. We eventually made our way through customs and retrieved our luggage and made our way to the train. We made the decision that our travels would start in the islands and rather than pre-booking a flight we decided we would grab a last minute deal upon arrival. Clearly we didn’t do enough research prior to making this decision. We thought we would have to transfer to the smaller Bangkok Airport and fly Air Asia and while we were aware we landed on the celebration of the Thai New Year’s Songkran we though the best course of action to get us there would be the train. Fast forward another thirty minutes, four escalators and one elevator later and we were back in Departures, scurrying from one end of the airport to the other in typical Canadian April showers gear while dragging luggage to the nearest Departures board to book our flight. I’m still not sure where we read we would ever need to transfer but for all you planning on hitting Phuket, YOU CAN FLY FROM SUVARNAHBHUMI! We got lucky and landed two seats with Thai Airways (will post a full review soon)……..leaving in 20 minutes. And Yes, we managed to book our tickets, check our baggage, pass customs and board the plan all in time for take off. Mission Accomplished!

View of Patong from Room
Photo: @gameoftimezones

Getting a taxi didn’t prove to be difficult to our hotel, it was the traffic that really put a damper on things. With the celebration of Songkran taking over the Thai streets and the typical Thai road conditions and day to day to congestion, a half hour taxi turned into a 2 hour trek to Patong. I know I took a wee nap so I can’t tell you if it was a nice scenic drive or what. Finally reaching our hotel after a very long 26 hours of travel felt like a dream. We stayed with The Senses Resort, Patong Beach and decided we needed to get food ASAP. A quick hop, skip and jump landed us at our nearby 7/11 which introduced us to the wonderful, wonderfuuuuul Thai Toastie. We had read several travel blogs about travellers raving about these cute sandwiches and MY GOODNESS!! If there is one thing North American 7/11’s need, it’s Toasties. What better snack than a ham and cheese toasted panini. I know, questionable coming from a pre-packaged corner store but trust me, they are cheesy, heavenly goodness.

Overall, we were tired and didn’t do a whole bunch our first day in the beautiful islands. By the time we arrived to our hotel and showered it was after 6PM Thai time and close to 6AM Toronto time. We were exhausted and running on pure adrenaline. Stay tuned for more of our Thai adventures coming soon!

View at Lebua State Tower, Bangkok
Photo: @gameoftimezones

Check out all Britt and Marks adventures in Thailand on their blog.

Would You Rather Sky Dive or Bungee Jump?

Would You Rather Sky Dive or Bungee Jump?

The Experience

Richard and I are both wimps. We have not yet tried either of these adrenaline raising activities, and I am not sure we ever will. We are interested in para-sailing though :) We have many friends who have traveled to new destinations and with the excitement and sense of adventure around them; decided to bungee jump or sky dive. Some people say it's a unique way to see the scenery below, others just want to make their trips even more memorable. It could possibly be that when others are doing it, they may have just gave into the pressure to feel the "rush". One thing each of our friends has in common, is that they loved the experience and would likely do it again.


So which would you prefer to try on your next trip or weekend away? If you have done both, which do you prefer? If you are like us, and have tried neither....which will be the first?

Our Choice:

If we HAD to pick, we would choose skydiving.

Our Obsession With Airport Lounges

Our Obsession With Airport Lounges

Richard and I look forward to our summer travels all year long. We spend January to June planning and September to December reminiscing. Like many of you, we can't sleep the night before we are set to go away. We are like little kids at Christmas, excited beyond belief. When we do travel, we do it well. We strike a good balance between splurging and budgeting when necessary. Our very first year we travelled to Europe, we decided to get lounge passes at the airport. We headed to the Plaza Premium Lounge at the Toronto Aiport. We got to choose a 2, 3, or 4 hour package. We went with the 2 hour package for $40. 

The following year we had the BMO World Elite Mastercard, which gave us free access to the Plaza Premium Lounges with up to four visits a year. 

When you enter the lounge, the space is filled with lounge chairs, couches, workstations, and more. The furniture is modern, simple, and chic. The environment is fairly quiet, with businessman following up on emails or other travellers reading or chatting with their travelling partners. 

There are large washrooms with basic toiletries and showers if you wish to freshen up before (or after) your flight. You can find numerous magazines and international newspapers to read while you pass the time in an area much more relaxing than the traditional airplane terminal. Don't be afraid you will miss your flight, because the departures are live on the lounge screens and the receptionist will remind you if they do not see you checkout in time. 

There are outlets to charge your electronics and computers to use if you wish to confirm hotel reservations, read reviews, or just email your family before boarding the plane. 

You will notice a wide variety of food choices available. This variety aims to please travellers from all over the world. There are soups, salads, sandwiches, meats, rices, pastas, deserts and more. When you are visiting a Plaza Premium Lounge in other countries, you will notice that the foods available will strongly but not solely reflect that specific culture. There are often small snacks or pieces of fruit you can take with you onto the plane to ease any hunger as you wait for your in flight meals. 

Pearson International Lounge
Photo: @conciergecouple

The lounges also serve a variety of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Many lounges have a bar and bartender on sight or a self serve bar area. Cocktails, tea, coffee, wine, beer, juice, etc. are all available to you in unlimited quantities. Richard and I like to have a few drinks before we board the plane to celebrate a new journey ahead, and for Richard to calm his flying nerves. 

Top 3 reasons to visit a lounge on your next trip:

1. Drinks

2. Healthy and nutritious food choices

3. Comfort

If you tend to buy a drink and a meal at the airport you will likely spend close to $15. Yes, you could budget here, but for us the extra money is so worth it and it sets the tone for the glamorous and special trip ahead. When it comes to lounges, we splurge. 

Interview With Arianne

Today we are fortunate enough to have a guest interview from blogger & model Arianne. 

Follow Arianne's travels as she uses the world as her playground: 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ariannestraveljournal
For collaborations email: ariannestraveljournal@gmail.com

About Arianne...

A global citizen! Born in Newport Beach CA and lived in over 8 countries and visited 52 and counting. I have a passion for researching the best possible options a place has to offer. I am sharing my adventures along side with tips and ideas for unparalleled experiences. Focus on delightful food & incomparable stays.

What has been your favourite hotel?

Answer: This is a hard question. Overall, I would have to say my favourite hotel has to be Six Senses Resort Zighy Bay in Oman. If a hotel was to represent me as a person this could be it. It has an ecological mindset of recycling and really low carbon footprint, while at the same time providing luxury and comfort. The sounds of waves crashing when you wake up is amazing. You are truly 4 steps from your room to the water. It's magical!

Six Senses Resort Zighy Bay
Photo: @ ariannestraveljournal

What is your most memorable meal?

Answer: Maybe in St. Petersburg at the Grand Hotel Europe. I was eating incredible food while watching ballet and opera in a stunning ballroom from the Tsars Era. 

What 3 items MUST you travel with?

Answer; 3 items, hmm. My iPhone for quick photos on the go and perhaps a charger. That's it. Most is replaceable in life!

What is next on your bucket list? 

I really want to visit the Maldives and Bora Bora. I feel like I need some island relaxation. However, Madagascar and Japan are simply calling my name. I want to see a spring under the cherry blossoms.  

Would You Rather Have Hot Dogs and Champagne or Hot Dogs and Soda?

Would You Rather Have Hot Dogs and Champagne or Hot Dogs and Soda?

I love hot dogs. I wish I didn't. I know what they are made of, I know they are not the healthiest choice for someone who tries to "eat clean" most days, but I can't help what my mind and mouth wants. The hot dog is often associated with North American culture and they are often found at campsites, BBQ's, picnics, kids birthdays, and sporting events. 

Hot Dogs and Soda

When Richard and I were in Toronto, we went for a long bike ride by the Harbourfront. On our walk back to the hotel we realize just how hungry we are after the long ride. There is a Toronto Blue Jays game scheduled for that day, so as we weave our way through the crowds of blue and white we see hundreds of people with a ballpark hot dog in one hand and a giant cold soda in the other. Yum! If we didn't have plans to visit the St. Lawrence market for something more "sophisticated", we would have caved right there. 

Hot Dogs and Champagne

We, I mean I, spend a lot of time researching restaurants before we travel to a new city or destination. I make reservations where necessary and hope for the best at others. We often do not gravitate to fancy restaurants, unless the scenery is incredible or we are looking to celebrate. When we were planning to visit London, England there were so many restaurants to choose from. It's a "foodie" city for sure. I came across a little restaurant called: Bubbledogs. It is exactly what it sounds like, a restaurant that serves hot dogs and champagne. In fashion they call it mixing high and low, in food culture its just a fun yet surprising combination that works.

Photo: @conciergecouple

There are five champagnes to choose from if buying by the glass. If you are in the mood for a bottle, there are more than 58 types to choose from. We each ordered a glass of Rose and began to view the hot dog menu. Again, there are 17 different choices and then some sides to choose from. Each hot dog is about £8.  Between us we sampled 4 hot dogs with a side of togarashi tots and coleslaw. Overall a great and unique casual dinner. 

Photo: @conciergecouple

Our choice?

Hot dogs and champagne. 

Aruba Highlights

Today we are fortunate enough to have a guest post from blogger Patrick of 

https://www.flyingdutchmanpat.com

Read about Patrick's travels as he uses the world as his playground: 

Blog - https://www.flyingdutchmanpat.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/flyingdutchmanpat/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/flyingdutchmanpat/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/FlyingDutchPat
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXLPEOh2dRIGeWB7VxipdoQ

About Patrick...

Photo:@flyingdutchmanpat

Photo:@flyingdutchmanpat

                                 

I’m Patrick, a travelling Dutch guy in my early thirties. I grew up in a small city in the Netherlands. I graduated with a bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering and worked for 7 years in the oil & gas industry. I always dreamt of seeing the beauty of the world through my own eyes and right after I graduated it was time for my first solo trip. This was 2007 and I traveled around the USA. This first solo trip changed my life forever; it fed the inner explorer in me and I wanted more and more. The following 9 years were spent with working and traveling the world intensively. Now we are here; 80+ countries / unique destinations later I decided to write about my experiences, travels and adventures from the road.

Aruba – Where Paradise Becomes Reality

Photo:@flyingdutchmanpat

Aruba is paradise with a big letter P! I have visited tons of beaches all across the world, so with heaps of material to compare with I can say that the beaches of Aruba are marked high in my personal top 10!

The stunning island of Aruba is part of the ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. They are located north of Venezuela and are formally known as the Netherlands Antilles. Aruba is a great mix of Venezuelan, Caribbean, American and Dutch influences. This island is a favorite on the itinerary of cruise ships, so it can feel a bit crowded in the capital Oranjestad during the day. Aruba has a dry climate and a landscape dotted with cactus. It’s located outside of the hurricane belt and it has more sunny days than any other Caribbean island.

Oranjestad

For me as a Flying Dutchman I was always fascinated about the Dutch Caribbean islands. So far away from home and still part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Wow!

After arriving in Aruba you feel directly the laid back and friendly vibe of this Caribbean island. There are 4 languages (Spanish, English, Dutch, Papiamento) widely spoken on Aruba, so there won’t be a language barrier at all! The official currency of Aruba is the Aruban Florin, but US dollars are accepted everywhere as well. The capital Oranjestad is a great place to start your Aruban adventure, the colorful architecture is stunning!

Photo:@flyingdutchmanpat

Aruba is not cheap, not cheap at all! I stayed at the only hostel on the island; Aruba Harmony. The hostel has a family-like feeling and the host Barbara is super friendly and will help you with anything you want to do on the island! And besides that; the hostel has a killer swimming pool as well! If you want to embrace paradise on a budget, meet fellow like-minded travelers and have a blast, stay at Barbara’s place!

Oranjestad is great for shopping, dinning and a drink. If you want a great night out, join the KuKoo KuNuKu bus! This bus with loud music drives around Aruba and hops from bar to bar. A fun environment to meet people! But the biggest charm of Aruba are off course the beaches!

Photo:@flyingdutchmanpat

Beaches

The beaches of Aruba are amazing and are one of the best you will ever see! The sand is so white and the water is so blue that it hurts your eyes, but it hurts with a big smile on your face! Aruba is exactly how I would describe paradise. I stayed here 3 days, but all I wanted was to stay longer. The days are perfect and you will forget all your problems and work back home.

I teamed up with an awesome group of newly made friends from the hostel to explore the beaches of Aruba! And there are heaps of beaches to choose from; the entire west coast of the island is dotted with fabulous beaches, the one more picture perfect than the other! The majority of the resorts are situated around Palm and Eagle beach and is therefor also the most crowded stretch of beach. Eagle beach is listed on many websites as one of the best beach destinations around the world and it definitely fulfills its reputation, it’s a beach that steps right out of your imagination!

Photo:@flyingdutchmanpat

The west coast is easily explored by bus as the public transport on Aruba is pretty good and cheap. Hadicurari beach (Fisherman’s hut) is a perfect spot for windsurfing and you will find here plenty of schools who will help you in the water and catch some wind under your screen! Great fun!

There are plenty of water activities to do on Aruba and you will definitely not get bored here! But besides the activities, Aruba is all about…..relax

The far north of the island, Arashi beach, has a perfect stretch of beach which feels more laid back than Palm or Eagle beach.

If you want to see more than beaches then you should definitly visit Arikok National Park. This part of the island is rugged and undeveloped.

Wait no longer and buy your ticket to paradise! Bon Bini!