In collaboration with the Aruba Tourism Authority.
I have just returned from the most wonderful trip to the Dutch Caribbean! Blazing sun, white coral sand, warm sea, amazing food and pink flamingos! I can’t wait to tell you all about all the exciting things I got up to on the island and all the gorgeous food I tasted, but first, as the flamingos on Aruba are such a popular tourist bucket-list destination I wanted to tell you all about how you can go and visit them yourself!
WHERE IS ARUBA?
Aruba is a tiny island 20 miles long and 6 miles wide located just 18 miles north of Venezuela. It is one of three small Caribbean islands that belong to the Netherlands. Along with Bonaire and Curacao, they form the Dutch Caribbean and they are a very popular tourist destination with over one million tourists visiting each year.
Aruba is located well below the hurricane belt, which means they don’t get the hurricanes which have recently devasted much of the northern islands in the Caribbean Sea. It has a dry climate which means visitors can expect warm, sunny weather.
HOW TO VISIT FLAMINGO BEACH AT RENAISSANCE ARUBA
But you’re here for the flamingos, aren’t you! The only flamingos in Aruba live on a private island owned by the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, so the easiest way to visit them is to stay the night (or two!) at the hotel. Hotel prices start from $168 USD with exclusive access to the island, or, if you’re a non-guest, you can try to buy a day pass from the reception desk for $99 USD which includes lunch and a drink. Day passes are not always issued as it depends on how full the resort itself is, so I’d recommend staying at the hotel to guarantee access.
Access to the private island is usually from inside the resort along a canal, although this canal was closed while I was visiting.
The private island is only an eight-minute water-taxi ride away, with water taxis leaving every fifteen minutes.
RENAISSANCE ARUBA RESORT & CASINO
The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino is located on the waterfront in Oranjestad, the cosmopolitan capital of the island. There are over 556 rooms divided between their family-friendly Renaissance Ocean Suites and the sophisticated adult-only Renaissance Marina Hotel, where I was hosted during my visit.
Note, when booking, to specify if you want a room with a balcony and a view as the less expensive rooms are situated with indoor views of the reception and bar area. You’ll pay extra for a sea view (prices from $245 per night) or a view of the streets of Oranjestad (prices from $197).
My room was very spacious and comfortable with literally the cosiest king sized bed I have ever slept in. Facilities included coffee and tea making facilities, a mini fridge, iron and ironing board, a lounge area with a table plus an extra chair if needed, wifi, a wide screen television, a safe, bathrobe and slippers and a gorgeous rain-shower and plenty of toiletries.
The resort also boasts an extensive selection of luxury shopping, a spa, a casino and a fitness suite, for those of you who want to keep fit while holidaying.
Just off the reception area, there is a bar and a balcony with an infinity pool and plenty of lounge chairs. A DJ plays music all day (and night!) while you can treat yourself to a cocktail or two and watch the sunset over the horizon.
For dining, you’ve got L.G. Smith’s Steak and Chop House offering a signature fine dining experience (we ate here the first night we stayed) while their contemporary Aquarius restaurant offers buffet style or a la carte dining with a wide range of Caribbean cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There is also the Papagayo Bar & Grill on the Private Island serving food and drink. Their signature cocktails are a must-try!
WHAT ELSE IS THERE ON THE PRIVATE ISLAND BESIDES FLAMINGOS?
The Private Island is divided into two areas – the adult only Flamingo Beach where you can lounge, sip cocktails and feed the flamingos who wander the beach or you can visit the family-friendly Iguana Beach where the wild iguanas roam freely. Keep an eye out for the bright blue Aruban whiptail endemic to Aruba.
You could also hire out one of the exclusive beach huts for the day, or treat yourself to a luxury massage in Spa Cove. Alternatively, just grab a hammock or a lounge chair and wile the hours away soaking up the sun! For pale-skinned folk like me, there are plenty of shaded areas available under the palm trees. Just don’t forget your SPF 50!
If you are wanting a little change of scenery there is a Nature Trail at the south end of the island past Flamingo Beach, but be warned, walking the path through the mangroves will make you a target for mosquitoes. I spotted a few hermit crabs and plenty of iguanas en route too.
HOW TO GET TO ARUBA FROM EUROPE
There are regular trans-Atlantic flights with KLM from Amsterdam to the Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba, just an eight-minute taxi drive from the Renaissance Aruba Hotel & Resort.
My flights with KLM were an absolute pleasure and the ten hour travel time passed away quickly with their onboard entertainment system (with a wide selection of movies and tv shows to choose from) and their excellent hospitality. The food was delicious, for aeroplane food, and we were well fed and wined/watered en route.
The Queen Beatrix Airport boasts a very advanced method of entering/leaving the country, so you don’t have to worry about standing in long queues for ages. Try their HappyFlow checkout and see what I mean!
To find out more visit Aruba.com!
Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary was a guest of the Aruba Tourism Authority and the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, although all thought and opinions expressed are our own.
Mum of three, daydream adventurer, OU Life Sciences graduate, occasional crafter, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly food blogger.
Terri says
Aruba!! The place where dreams come true. That photo of the flamingo is perfection!
Jemma says
Those Flamingoes are simply gorgeous. You captured them so well.
Kavita Favelle | Kavey Eats says
I had noooooo idea that you could see flamingos in this kind of beach setting! Aruba has suddenly made it into my list of places to explore more. The hotel itself looks really comfortable and chilled too.
Dannii says
I have always wanted to go to Aruba, and this post makes me want to go even more. I didn’t know that you could fly via klm from Amsterdam.
Katrina says
My friend got married in Aruba I was heavily pregnant and could not attend but it looked just as stunning as your photos do. Would love to visit one day.
Gail Spink says
We’ve been here four times and always stay at the Renaissance. Definitely my favorite place to vacation!
Sarah Ann says
I can definitely see myself sipping cocktails looking out onto the clear, blue waters – your photos are beautiful. I never imagined Aruba was so accessible, definitely on my list now.
Leo T. Ly says
I heard of the crystal clear water and the prestine beaches in Aruba. Your pictures definitely confirmed it. I would love to visit Aruba one day.
Keri Kavali says
flamingos! cool. great read. very informative on this location
sarah nichols says
Flamingo beach.. wow how amazing does that sound. Aruba looks like paradise.
Lucy | Real Mum Reviews says
Wow it looks just amazing! I always think of Barry and Rachel from friends when I hear of Aruba!!
Nafisah says
It’s really beautiful. I would love to go there someday for holiday. Lovely photos too
Aishwarya Shenolikar says
Aruba really looks amazing! I loved your photos. Bet you had a great time! 🙂
Ophelia T says
I love Aruba and the hotel looks amazing. The flamingos look so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
fashionandstylepolice says
I like the sound of Aruba. I would love to visit it some day. Looks amazing.
Sarah | What The Kids Wore says
My children would love to be able to get that close to the Flamingoes – beautiful place to visit
Farah says
This is definitely a place I want to visit.
laura dove says
Wow how utterly beautiful! That looks like a tropical paradise!! I love flamingo’s, this is my idea of heaven!
Nadia says
This looks amazing! I love Flamingos and this must have been a very special experience.
Janice says
What an incredible place. Your photographs are stunning and those flamingos are just amazing.
Lorna says
Love the flamingos and the hammocks in the sea!
Pati says
Oh my ! Id love to visit there – place looks so dreamy island is just beautiful and those flamingoes ❤️
Sondra Barker says
Such gorgeous photos! It is one of my goals to make it to Aruba!
Sondra xx
Patricia-Ann Que says
now another addition to my travel goals and ur photos are crisp and good!
dawn says
Aruba looks incredible! this is definitely going on my bucket list. The flamingos are absolutely stunning too.
Sarah Bailey says
Oh wow that is absolutely amazing this looks like somewhere I would love to visit myself. Flamingo’s are such majestic creatures.
Ger ( It's Me & Ethan ) says
The flamingos !!! Oh my gosh the are beautiful ! Aruba looks stunning ! I’m very jealous !
Diana says
Aruba sounds incredible! I’ve always wanted to go there to see the flamingos. Might be a good honeymoon destination? 🙂
Emman Damian says
I want to visit this soon. I want to take pictures with the flamingos and have fun in the beach. I can definitely say “I love Aruba”
Amber Myers says
Oh my goodness, this is gorgeous! I hope to stay here one day. I love watching flamingos.
Heather @ Kraus House Mom says
The hotel and beach look amazing. My husband and I keep talking about going to the Islands on vacation, but we’re debating whether we should bring our kids or not.
Claudia Krusch says
Aruba is such a beautiful island. I would love to go back there again. It was one of my favorite vacations.
Akamatra says
The hotel looks amazing but the flamingos are the true sight! I only wish they are treated right and not over-explored.
Ashley says
I’m fo sure putting this on my travel bucket list!
Jen Walker says
Flamingoes are such fascinating birds, and my kids love to see them at the zoo! I didn’t realize Flamingo Beach was such a thing, and it sounds really fun!