In the midst of the Israel-Iran conflict, the University of Wyoming’s study abroad trip to Jordan was cancelled. Having already taken time off from work, I needed an alternative. I had not yet received most of the refunds for the trip, nor could I refund a majority of my flight money. That said, I was not about to let my month off go to waste. I needed a trip that was cheap, relaxing, and easily accessible. Not wanting to go to Europe amid the national conflict, I settled on the Caribbean island of Aruba.
I paid only $600 for a round-trip ticket, investing $400 into 10 days in an Airbnb. With warm beaches, local food, and plenty of culture, Aruba is a good choice for tourists. Baby Beach features a bar right next door and a growing tourist culture due to the recent construction of a hotel nearby. This side of the island is not the touristy end and most people rent a car to drive the half hour from Aruba’s main city to visit these gorgeous beaches. With a variety of options shared by tourists and the locals alike, the coast on the southern side of Aruba has a nice authentic feel and plenty of space to be away from the oversaturated and polluted beaches near the more consumeristic areas.
Most tourists stay in hotels in Oranjestad, a city featuring a variety of shops and opportunities, almost all of which take Visa credit and debit cards, or American cash. Despite USD being worth 1.75 times the local currency, the city of Oranjestad has developed in a way that charges Americans typical rates for goods and services. With a casino, many bars and restaurants, and plenty of resorts and activities, Oranjestad is the ideal place to stay for families and couples coming to the island. For those wanting a bit more privacy, Secrets Resort on Baby Beach trades the accessibility and amenities of the city of Oranjestad for an all-inclusive hotel right on the beach on the southern tip of the island.
I am not a typical tourist, and these things are not what I was looking for. For those readers who want a genuine Aruban experience, filled with local culture, cheap food, bus rides, and alone time, I recommend finding a cheap Airbnb on the south side: somewhere in Sint Nicolas or the Seroe Colorado neighborhood. I hunkered down in a small studio in this neighborhood only a 15-minute walk from the bus stop. I could take buses up to Oranjestad if need be but also got to see many of these beaches after dark when the tourists go home. I spent my time trying local Caribbean food, meeting genuine locals, and exploring the island’s real culture beyond the Americanized tourism of the main city.
I had time to work, read, hike, and relax as I spent my time on this island with no cell service. I highly recommend getting a SIM card upon arrival as most phone plans do not work at all. I welcomed this isolation from technology and appreciated my stay here. The island is dry in plants, featuring primarily cacti and shrubbery, but also has large expanses of greenery and gorgeous rock formations along the shores. Overall, the food and clothing I found were cheap in real local shops, the climate is beautiful, and I recommend Aruba to students on a budget.
