If you are visiting Aruba in February then you wont fail to get in to the carnival spirit as the island comes alive with vibrant parades and contests throughout the streets.

Aruba’s carnival season attracts thousands of visitors each year who line the streets to marvel at the dramatic displays and parades. Excitement builds throughout the whole island with events in Oranjestad, San Nicolas and Noord, brought to a close on the eve of Ash Wednesday with the symbolic burning of ‘King Momo’.

February 1st 2012                Pre-Final Calypso & Roadmarch Contest
Where – JoeLaveist Sport Park
When – 7:30 pm

The islands most talented locals come together to compete to become King or Queen of Aruba’s Calypso & Roadmarch.

February 3^rd 2012                  37^th Children & 48^th Youth Carnival Queen Election
Where – Aruba Entertainment Centre
When – 7:00pm

The young hopefuls exude true carnival spirit giving speeches, dance performances and carnival shows, in an effort to be elected Queen of the season. The children’s age group is 6-9 years and 13-17 for the youth group.

February 4^th 2012                Grand Final Calypso & Roadmarch Contest
Where – Joe Laveist Ballpark
When - 7:00pm

This is one of the most popular events in the calendar and attracts up to 10,000 spectators. Get a flavour of calypso music performed with original lyrics and compositions by the people ofAruba. Feel the rhythm of Roadmarch which is what truly defines carnival season. The most popular songs will feature in the forthcoming jump-ups and parades.

February 5th 2012                Children’s Carnival Parade
Where – San Nicolas
When – 2:00pm

The streets of San Nicolas will come alive withAruba’s youngest carnival enthusiasts parading through the streets in their colourful costumes.

February 10^th 2012                58^th Carnival Queen Election
Where – Aruba Entertainment Centre
When – 7:00pm

Finally time to elect one of the most important individuals in the carnival season, the Aruba Carnival Queen. Many young representatives aged 17-25 from various districts, schools and social clubs, compete for the honour of leading the Grand Parade.

February 11^th 2012                Children’s Carnival Parade
Where – Noord
When – 1:00pm

Noord plays its part in the carnival festivities by hosting its own children’s parade. Children representing different elementary schools and social clubs put on vibrant displays of various themes.

 February 11^th 2012                Aruba’s Tivoli Lighting Parade
Where – Downtown Oranjestad
When – 8:00pm

Watch the streets of downtown Oranjestad become lit up by thousands of tiny lights incorporated in to costumes, floats and road pieces. Experience a spectacular visual display whilst listening to live bands accompanying the participating carnival groups.

February 12^th 2012                Children’s Grand Carnival Parade
Where – Downtown Oranjestad
When – 1:00pm

Bringing together carnival groups from Aruba’s 32^nd Grand Children Carnival Parade, giving them opportunity to exhibit their dancing skills and flamboyant costumes.

February 16^th 2012                Lighting Parade
Where – San Nicolas
When – 8:00pm

Following on from Oranjestad’s lighting parade, San Nicolas also hosts a parade with music, dancing and carnival spirit.

February 18^th 2012                Jouvert Morning
Where – San Nicolas
When – 4:00am

Locally referred to as ‘pyjama party’ this event is the islands largest ‘jump up’, thousands of enthusiasts from all over the island head to San Nicolas for this early morning party. Follow the parade through the streets with live music and party on until sunrise.

February 18^th 2012                Grand Carnival Parade
Where – San Nicolas
When – 1:00pm

The festivities continue in San Nicolas with a prelude to the Grand Carnival Parade. Local musicians are there to play out their latest carnival hits while others are dressed in their carnival costumes. Themed floats and dancers parade through the streets until sunset.

February 19^th 2012                Aruba’s 58^th Carnival Parade
Where – Oranjestad
When – 12:00 noon

By far the largest and most exuberant parade is the Grand Carnival Parade through Oranjestad. Held on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, the parade is a unique display of the best the carnival has to offer. Lavish costumes and luxuriously decorated floats fill the streets with the main event starting at 12:00 noon, continuing in to the evening hours.

February 20^th 2012                Carnival Monday
Where – Oranjestad
When – 4:00pm

After all that celebrating the Aruban’s need some time to recuperate; Carnival Monday is a public holiday on the island. A traditional horse parade through downtown Oranjestad starts at 4:00pm.

February 20^th 2012                Old Mask Parade & Burning of King Momito
Where – San Nicolas
When – 4:00pm

The end of carnival season is marked by the symbolic burning of ‘King Momito’ in San Nicolas.

February 21st 2012                Old Mask Parade & Burning of King Momo
Where – Oranjestad
When – 8:00pm

The eve of Ash Wednesday sees the end of Carnival 57 with the burning of’ ‘King Momo’. Preceded with a parade through the streets of Oranjestad starting at 8pm.

Aruba’s first casino opened in 1959 and gambling became a major tourist attraction (second to its beaches of course). Today the island boasts 11 casinos, some open from 10am daily for slot machine play; others such as the sophisticated Crystal Casino in Oranjestad are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Typically gaming runs from noon to just before dawn and the legal age to enter is 18 years.

Aruba’s casinos have it all no matter what your preference, be it blackjack, roulette, poker or craps. Caribbean Stud Poker was born in here in 1988 and is now being played all over the world; the excitement of the game is the progressive jackpot which can total hundreds of thousands of US dollars!

One of the most popular entertainment centres is the Alhambra Casino & Aladdin Theatre located along Manchebo beach in the low-rise area near the Divi and Casa Del Mar.
At the door you will be greeted at by the genie who will welcome you in and inside you will find 300 slot machines, various gaming tables such as three card poker, craps and let it ride with wagering minimums. There’s also a restaurant, several bars and theatre presenting singers, dancers and impersonators.

Perhaps the largest casino on the island is Royal Cabana at La Cabana Beach Resort, again in the low-rise area. With 300+ slot machines and 30+ gaming tables, this casino is huge. The Tropicana Showroom hosts a popular female impersonator show to audiences of up to 600 and there are also cigar, souvenir and jewellery shops for you to browse.

All of the big resorts in the high-rise area have their own in-house casinos and showrooms; the Wyndham’s Casablanca features Havana in the Cabaret Royal Showroom and the Hyatt has Copacabana. Even if you’re not a seasoned gambler then it’s worth sticking a few coins in the slot machines or just taking a wander around to soak up the buzzing atmosphere.

Aruba Casino Directory

Copacabana Casino
J.E. Irasquin Blvd. Located in the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino
(297) 861234
A truly tropical setting with a 7 piece house band rattling out Latin dance music.
Dress: Informal
Games: Baccarat: 2 tables, Blackjack: 12 tables, Craps: 3 tables, Roulette: 4 tables, Slots: 200 machines
Hours: Open from noon till 4am

Crystal Casino & Desires Nightclub
L.G. Smith Blvd. Located in the Sonesta Hotel Beach Club and Casino
(297) 836000
Sophisticated and exclusive with round the clock entertainment
Dress: Smart
Games: Baccarat: 3 tables, Blackjack: 11 tables, Caribbean Stud Poker: 3 tables, Craps: 2 tables, Mini-Baccarat: 1 table, Roulette :4 tables, Slots: 270 machines
Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Royal Cabana Casino & Tropicana Showroom
J.E. Irasquin Blvd. Located adjacent to La Cabana All-Suite Beach Resort
(297) 879000
Home of the Tropicana Showroom, featuring Las Vegas and Broadway style reviews.
Dress: Informal
Games: Baccarat: 2 tables, Blackjack: 14 tables, Caribbean Stud Poker: 4 tables, Horse Racing Machines: 2, Poker: 2 tables, Mini-Baccarat: 2 tables, Roulette: 5 tables, Slots: 225 machines
Hours: Open from noon

Grand Holiday Casino & Players Club/Lounge
J.E. Irasquin Blvd. Located in the Aruba Holiday Inn – (297) 863600
A favourite for serious poker players and high rollers, chance to win a massive bonus jackpot of $100,000.
Dress: Informal
Games: Blackjack: 6-7 tables, plus Superbucks 21, progressive blackjack invented in this casino, Caribbean Stud Poker: 9 tables, Craps: 1 table with double odds, Roulette: 4-5 tables, Slots: 269 machines. This casino also offers a Poker Room & Sports Book with horse racing
Hours: Slots 10am – 5am, Tables 1pm – 5am

Casablanca Casino
J.E. Irasquin Blvd. Located in the Hilton Hotel – (297) 864466
Think Morrocan glamour with plenty of action!
Dress: Informal
Games: Baccarat: 2 tables, Blackjack: 12 tables, Caribbean Stud Poker: 4 tables, Mini-Baccarat: 2 tables, Roulette: 6 tables, Slots: 240 machines
Hours: Open from noon

Arias and Flory (the American owners of Club Arias) pride themselves on this personal touch and this is why they have been so successful in getting such high numbers of repeat visitors. They like you to think of this place as your home from home and they do all they can to make sure your stay is a memorable one.

They have 10 spacious guest suites dotted around the lagoon shaped pool and they all come with a kitchenette and air conditioning. Each room has a different theme with lovely hand painted details and unique artwork.
We stayed in Room 2 which is a double occupancy suite however they do have other suites which can sleep a maximum of 6. Rooms are supplied with bath robes and beach towels, which brings me to another point actually; no more getting up at 5am to reserve loungers! You will have no issue with this at Club Arias as there is more than enough for everyone.

For a B&B they actually have really good facilities such as a pool table, table tennis and foosball table, there’s free Wi-Fi and DVD’s, books and games for you to use during your stay. There’s also free tea, coffee, water, lemonade and ice available during the day and Gabriel serves up complementary pastries each afternoon. Breakfast is prepared to order by Gabriel each morning so it is always fresh and hot, the omelettes are great.

You must do the Rhino tour if you stay here, this is a 5 hour tour of the island via 4 wheel ATV and they even supply snorkelling equipment for you to use. From memory I think this cost around $150 each and includes entrance fee to the national park, a visit to baby beach and snorkelling at the natural pool.

Located in Savanta between San Nicolas and Oranjestad you will appreciate this place is slightly off the beaten track, for this reason we recommend you hire a car. The reward is a much more authentic experience than you will get at any of the resorts and less of a dent in your wallet!

Overall this is a lovely little intimate resort and you will definitely experience more of the ‘real’ Aruba away from the bustle of the large hotels.

 
Aruba has 35 dive sites in total, some best appreciated by snorkelling and others that are best explored by scuba diving. Amongst other species, expect to encounter butterfly fish, wrasses, damsel fish, parrot fish, grunts, snappers, rays, sharks and trunk fish.
Here is a snapshot of the stunning dive sites on the island:

Antilla Wreck (60′)
In 1945 a brand new German freighter called the Antilla was scuttled by the Germans and is now lying in the seabed covered by giant tube sponges and coral formations. Known locally as the ghost ship, the Antilla wreck is the largest in the Caribbean at 400’ long. Here you will find a plethora of tropical fish such as yellow tails and angel fish; the Antilla is a great spot for night diving.

Cudaredo Rocks
When not being battered by huge waves, the Cudaredo rocks at the islands northernmost point provides a great experience for snorkelers and divers.

Tugboat Wreck (40′-90′)
Notably one of the most abundant dive sites in Aruba with magnificent star, brain and sheet coral. This site is home to the wreck of an old tugboat and is now inhabited by a pair of green moray eels. If you are lucky you may also see sting rays and eagle rays gliding peacefully through the clear waters close by.

Kantil Reef (40′-110′)
A truly magnificent dive site with vibrant coral formations and abundant marine life, an underwater camera is a must. The site is dotted with huge boulders of brain and star coral, breathtaking sheet corals, leaf corals and massive sea fans. You can expect a bounty of marine life from yellow tails, morays and groupers; manta rays and eagle rays have also been spotted here.

Skalahein (15′-20′)
Skalahein is well known for its large population of barracudas and provides the perfect environment for drift-diving. Manta rays have also been known to frequent the site.

Porto Chiquito (20′-80′)
Hire a car and get yourself out to Porto Chiquito, this dive site is not to be missed. A particularly diverse diving experience with spectacular varieties of coral such as giant star coral castles, brain, flower, finger-leaf and pillar; also the chance to see large mantas and turtles.

Baby Beach Reef (20′-60′)
You can enter this dive site directly from the calm waters of baby beach. You will see large formations of sheet coral and elkhorn coral which make it a haven for lobsters, octopus and crabs.

Dive Operator Directory

Are you a diving novice or even thinking about experiencing the magical underwater world for the first time? This video will give you a feel for what to expect…

 
The months of January and February are known as party season on the island; Aruban’s and tourists alike come together to celebrate the excitement of this Caribbean Carnival with infectious music and dances throughout the streets on the island. Expect displays of grandeur with huge costumes, colourful floats and plenty of steel drum music.

Take a look at our events calendar to find out more.

January 2012

January-March                      Aruba 58th Carnival Celebration

Aruban’s love to party and carnival season is always the biggest celebration of the year; there are street parties known as ‘jump up’s’ and flamboyant parades spread across a whole month. Spectators will appreciate wonderfully vibrant and over the top costumes and music at the Grand Parades which wind through the streets of San Nicolas and Oranjestad. The Grand Parade in Oranjestad on 6th March 2012.

January 21st 2012                Children Calypso & Road March Contest
Where – Aruba Entertainment Centre
When – 6:30pm

Bringing together the islands most talented children aged 8-15, singing to compete for the honour of King or Queen of Calypso or Roadmarch. The lucky winner will have their song played out at the upcoming jump-ups and children’s parades.

January 25th 2012              Betico Croes Memorial 10K Run & 5K Walk
Where – Santa Cruz
When – 5:30pm

Santa Cruz plays host to the event in memory of Betico Croe and what better place to sponsor this than his hometown. When the sun has retreated, the starting pistol will sound and runners/walkers will begin the circular route around the hilly terrain and back to the main intersection of Santa Cruz.

Open registration through IDEFRE Tel. (297)-582-4987 or Fax: (297)-583-6478
E-mail: idefre@aruba.gov.aw for additional information or registration

January 27th 2012                18th Mrs Carnival Election
Where – Aruba Entertainment Centre
When – 7:30pm

Carnivals most experienced participants compete with costumes and dance to win the satin sash of Mrs Carnival.

January 28th 2012                42nd Grand Final Tumba Contest
Where – Aruba Entertainment Centre
When – 7:30pm

The signature carnival tumba music originated from Africa however maintains a Caribbean influence. This event sees local bands and singers adding their own unique edge to the tumba rhythm, competing for the title of Tumba King or Queen.

January 30th, 31st                Pre-Final Calypso & Roadmarch Contest
and 1st February 2012
Where – JoeLaveist Sport Park
When – 7:30pm

Hundreds of talented locals come together to compete for the title of King or Queen of Aruba’s Calypso & Roadmarch.

For our first trip to Aruba, many years ago, we stayed at Palm Beach; it was far less developed than it is now, much less lively with a wide expanse of pristine beach. In recent years many high rise hotels such as the Riu have been erected and take prominent positions along this stretch of sand. The beach in front of these hotels has now become very crowded and packed with sun loungers, almost to the waters edge.

Having said that, the high rise area does have to be appreciated for its other selling points such as the watersports, shopping, bars and restaurants, all within easy reach. With calm shallow waters this makes it the ideal base for families with children.

Home to glamorous resorts such as the  Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino, Aruba Marriott Resort, Occidental Grand Aruba and Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa; Palm Beach has a lot of choice for those looking for luxurious accommodation with several 5 star hotels.

Further development of this area has seen the construction of a new shopping district called Palm Beach Plaza which was completed in 2009; which houses shops such as Mont Blanc, a food court and a cinema.

For beach lovers seeking a tranquil and uncrowded beach experience then why not consider Eagle Beach where you will find purely low rise accommodation including Amsterdam Manor, Bucuti Beach Resort, Manchebo Beach and the Divi & Tamarijn sister hotels.

Eagle Beach has the widest stretch of beach in Aruba and has been voted as the number one Caribbean beach in a USA Today survey of travel writers, travel agents and frequent travellers. There are no motorised watersports on offer here and the government will not allow any properties to be built exceeding 4 storeys, therefore the effect of Aruba’s booming tourism, and subsequent development, should have a minimal impact on the area.

The resorts here may not offer all of the high class trappings of Palm Beach’s 5 star hotels however there are some excellent boutique hotels which are popular with honeymooners and couples. Situated between Oranjestad and Palm Beach it also provides an excellent base for exploring and public transport is both frequent and inexpensive.

Our preference is now for this end of the island, having fallen in love with Palm Beach all those years ago we were somewhat disappointed when we returned following its development and we are hoping Eagle Beach maintains its charm.

There are great all inclusive only resorts in Aruba such as Riu, Tamarijn and Divi Resorts, other hotels like Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa, Marriott Aruba Resort & Stellaris Casino, Westin and Divi Dutch Village also have an AI option. Many of these hotels aren’t limited to buffet meals day and night in their main restaurant; the Tamarijn and Divi Resorts for example, have a number of a la carte restaurants within the hotel complex serving the likes of Italian and Asian cuisine.

It does however, have to be said, that the array of excellent restaurants on the island would rival most other islands in the Caribbean. If you enjoy eating somewhere different each night then you will have a plethora of restaurants to choose from, to suit all tastes and budgets. Even if these aren’t within close proximity to your chosen resort it is both cheap and safe to travel around at night; there are many taxis and buses running regularly.

If you are looking for something in between then you could consider a breakfast only package, resorts such as Manchebo Beach, Bucuti and Radisson all offer this.

Still confused? Then we have summed up the pros and cons below to help you decide:

Pros of All Inclusive

• Budgeting – Great if you are on a budget as you will know before you go, pretty much, what your holiday is going to cost you.
• Hassle free – you can eat and drink what you want, when you want, in some instances 24 hours a day.
• Big drinkers – for those of you who have a large appetite for alcohol then this option is ideal as drinks can be expensive and really bump up the cost of your holiday. Drinks, alcoholic and non alcoholic are unlimited and available all day, usually from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. The RIU and Occidental have alcohol on tap 24 hours a day with limited alcohol supplied in your room. RIU has a 24 hour Sports Bar.
• No Shopping, Cooking or Washing Up – Let’s face it, who wants to do any of these when on holiday!
• Trying Different Dishes – with no limit to what you can eat and how much it’s going to cost, why not try everything.
• Cocktails – Usually available in abundance on AI packages, also no need bring a cooler to keep drinks chilled on the beach.
• Family Friendly – Can be more cost effective if you have children.

Cons of All Inclusive

• Limited To Resort Dining Options – Unless you choose to eat out from time to time, can be annoying to shell out money twice.
• Not Experiencing The Real Aruba – Easy not to venture out and explore what the island has to offer.
• Not Big Eater Or Drinker – Then AI can prove expensive, drinks at restaurants, hotels, and bars range between $5.00 – $10.00 a piece.
• Restrictive – If you don’t like the food/drinks then you have to make the most of it or dine out for the duration of your holiday.
• Quality Of Food & Drinks – Research this before you go to avoid disappointment, some resorts don’t offer gourmet dining or internationally branded drinks.

Considerations Before Booking An All Inclusive Vacation

• Does the resort have good reviews of the food/drink they serve?
• Do they serve internationally branded drinks?
• Is there a surcharge for any of the al a carte dining options?
• Is 24 hour room service available
• Are there any limitations such as a la carte dining twice a week or anything you would be irritated by?
• Is there an in-room mini bar?

Overall, make sure you know your budget and do your research, booking a vacation is all about managing your expectations. For example, the perfect AI resort for the less seasoned traveller may be fantastic whereas the more discerning traveller may find it lacking.

Wimdu

As soon as you enter this place you will notice the calm, tranquil atmosphere and lighting set to create the most magical ambience.

Dine under the stars on their small beach and you can expect a quiet, tropical setting with sand between your toes, tables dressed with white linen, candles and flowers.

Purposely not overcrowded, the tables are set far enough apart to create a private dining experience, rather unlike the bustling Flying Fishbone just two doors up.

Truly private dining is also available for an extra charge, either on your very own dock or in a hut on the water. Reservation of a gazebo decked out with chandeliers will set you back a rather steep $100.00 however for such a special occasion it would be money well spent. Consider reserving a table from around 6pm to enjoy dinner and appreciate another beautiful Aruban sunset.

To get in touch with the staff at this establishment to inform them of your plans to propose, or simply to reserve a table for dinner, find their details below:

Open every day

Kitchen Hours

5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Reservations

+297 584 3434 | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

e-mail

info@theoldmanandthesearestaurant.com

Address

Savaneta 356-A

Aruba, Dutch Caribbean

The Marriott are hosting their ‘Blue Moon New Years Eve’ party at Tradewinds beach and tickets are still available. There will be fireworks at midnight and live entertainment from the well known Aruban band Tsunami.

There will be a fantastic light show on the beach courtesy of Elite Productions and a cash bar serving premium liquors and champagne.

Tickets are priced at $20.00 and are available from 27th December in the lobby of the Aruba Marriott Resort, Ocean and Surf Club daily from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Doors to the party open at 9pm with festivities beginning at 10pm until 1am.

The owners Mike & Tina take great pride in serving large portions of slow cooked, southern barbecue to tourists and locals alike. Originally from Aruba, Mike spent 30+ years living in New York before coming back to Aruba and taking on the diner previously run by his Granddad. They are still serving dishes to the secret family recipe to this day. 

Yes, this is a rustic little place and the area is a bit undesirable (located in Aruba’s equivalent of a red light district) but the reward is really really good smoked food at great prices. Lunch came in at under $15 for two for everything. 

As a brownie addict I always save space for desert when it’s on the menu and it was DELICIOUS, not to be missed!

If you want smoked and BBQ food to rival the best you have had before then try this place – you won’t be disappointed!