Located just 18 miles off of the Venezuelan coast, Aruba (also known as “One Happy Island”), is 1/3 of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, & Curaçao) and at around 75 square miles it’s also the smallest of the three islands. But don’t let its small size fool you! This slice of paradise definitely lives up to the hype! From its award-winning beaches to beautiful Dutch architecture to world-class water sports and SO much more, Aruba has something for everyone! We had the pleasure of spending a week exploring this beautiful and unique desert island (yes… That’s right, it’s a desert island!) and we truly enjoyed our time! For that reason, we want to share what we think is the perfect way to spend a day in Aruba! Whether you’re stopping through on a cruise ship or you’re looking for ideas on what to do on your Aruba vacation, then you’ve come to the right place!
Looking for accommodations for your time in Aruba? See some of our suggestions HERE!
Be sure to check out our “One Day in Aruba” vlog for a closer look at our time on the island!
Now, let’s get to why you’re here…
8:00 am: Coffee/Breakfast
The Dutch Pancake House (where we went - Lloyd G. Smith Blvd 9, Oranjestad)
You may be thinking to yourself, “Why DUTCH Pancakes??” and rightfully so! We are in the Caribbean after all aren’t we? Well… Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and while it is a separate self-governing part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and has been since 1986, the Dutch culture is still very much alive here in Aruba. And that includes its pancakes! There are many places around the island where you can experience Dutch Pancakes, but The Dutch Pancake House is one of the most popular. For that reason, you can expect to wait upwards of 1 hour to get a table if you visit during peak breakfast hours (9-10:30 am), so be sure to get here early if you don’t want to waste precious vacation time in a line! That said, the food here is worth the wait! The Dutch Pancakes are thin and packed with flavor offering toppings like bacon, salami, mushrooms, onions, eggs, cheese, and much more! Or if you’re more of a sweet over savory kind of person, you can opt for some of their sweet toppings such as blueberries, pineapple, Nutella, powdered sugar, bananas, whipped cream, and more! Another great option to satisfy your sweet tooth is their Poffertjes (pronounced Pah-fur-jess from what we were told)! These mini, bite-sized pancakes are a popular treat in the Netherlands and have made their place here in the Aruban culinary scene as well! Just like the regular Dutch Pancakes, you can have these topped with a plethora of sweet toppings, but we kept it pretty simple with cinnamon and sugar and Nutella and we were not disappointed! They were light, fluffy, and cooked to perfection! And the cinnamon/sugar and Nutella was a delicious combo!
Other Options:
Eduardo’s Beach Shack (J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87, Noord)
Popular for their acai and pitaya bowls but offer other options as well like fresh mixed fruit bowls, vegetable juices, and smoothies.
Tip: Check out Eduardo’s Hideaway (Saliña Cerca 9N, Noord) for smaller crowds and indoor AND outdoor seating. Sure the views aren’t the same since it’s not located on the beach/ocean, but the menu is the same and lines tend to be shorter.
Island Grind Coffee (Palm Beach 13a, Noord)
Specialty Coffee Roaster serving delicious locally roasted coffee and teas as well as locally made pastries.
Linda’s Dutch Pancakes (Route 3 Palm Beach 6-D, Rte 3 6, Noord)
Another excellent option for Dutch Pancakes that’s located in a less touristy/popular area, so you might not have to wait as long but won’t sacrifice quality and flavor.
