Superman, Aquaman, Batman, the Avengers, Captain Marvel, Fantastic Four, Guardians of the Galaxy-the names of superheroes we have been hearing ever since we can remember. But the true heroes are the doctors and nurses, the superheroes who did not rest for a minute and charged straight ahead at the ongoing pandemic. The Coronavirus or the Covid-19 halted everything when it suddenly appeared; countries went in complete lockdown, traveling was banned, people were hoarding everything, but the ones who did not falter, did not even bat an eye were the heroic doctors and nurses. As a nurse, you are definitely exhausted and depressed because of the current situation, but you know that this is the time for you to be strong; you are probably reading this while sitting on-call, hoping that the virus diminishes soon, and you can take the break that you deserve. We agree; once this pandemic finishes, the very first ones who deserve and need to take a relaxing getaway are nurses.

A small but dreamy island of the Kingdom of the Netherlands located in the Caribbean Sea, only a few kilometers from the Paraguana Peninsula of Venezuela, Aruba is a hot spot for tourists. With beaches, parks, and forts, Aruba offers multiple ways for you to soak in the sun and drink refreshing margaritas and pina coladas.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN ARUBA?

Play Among Sea Turtles in Eagle Beach

One of the most famous beaches of Aruba, Eagle Beach is a white sandy heaven, where you can play among sea turtles and witness exotic birds. Among the various activities which you can do in Eagle Beach, wave running and sailing are the most popular. If you feel exhausted and want to treat yourself, Eagle Beach is home to beautiful luxury resorts and spas, making sure your mellow day ends on an even wondrous note.

Awaken Your Explorer with Arikok National Park

On the east coast of Aruba lies the Arikok National Park, home to Conchi Pool, limestone caves, and a lava formation. Arikok National Park attracts hundreds of tourists; its offers of hiking, horseback riding, safaris, and private sightseeing tours give visitors the chance to connect with nature and enjoy their day. With the Arikok National Park, exploration of caves is a must. The Guadirikiri Caves are a goldmine for visitors; the dark and gloomy interiors awaken the spirit of Indiana Jones, and while you play a role in your own adventure series, the numerous bats make it as close to the Batcave as possible. That is not all; the numerous stalactites and stalagmites formation account for a pretty sight, and if you have been a fan of the movie series The Mummy or are fascinated by ancient carvings, then the carved petroglyphs on the Guadirikiri Caves are bound to mesmerize you. Even then, this is not all that Arikok National Park has to offer; the park includes the Andicuri beach, the Boca Ketu, Gold Mine Ranch, and Stonehenge of Aruba, the best places to dive into the water and swim under the sparkling sun.

Enjoy a Romantic Dinner After Snorkeling All Day in Malmok

Malmok is a small neighborhood in Aruba, and it is famous for its cool and calm waters where tourists can snorkel all day. Spending an entire day just snorkeling and emerging out of the cool water to soak in the heat from the sun sounds magical already, but if you want to take it up a notch and sweep your loved ones off their feet, Malmok is the perfect place to go! The neighborhood hosts a beautiful seaside dinner where you can court your lover or partner to delicious seafood from a sizzling grill and watch the sunset.

Dance Away at the Bon Bini Festival in Fort Zoutman

Fort Zoutman is an important historical monument for Aruba; it was built in 1796 and witnessed military skirmishes with the British firsthand. Now a record of history, the fort is a magnificent host of the Bon Bini Festival, a weekly held festival celebrating folklore, music, and dance. The Bon Bini Festival takes you on a trip down Aruba’s memory lane, showing tourists the important culture and history and treating them to its sensational, mouthwatering cuisine.

Fort Zoutman is also the place where you can witness history; the Fort Zoutman Historical Museum is a window to Aruba's culture and historical traditions, where visitors can enjoy unique artifacts and art.

Exhibit True Happiness and Hit the Local Casinos

Almost all of the destinations in Aruba have casinos; The Casino at the Ritz-Carlton, the Eagle Beach Casino, and the Stellaris Casino are just some of the local entertainment dens. Join these casinos and enjoy marvelous nights of dealing, playing table games, slots, and even immerse in the rich experience of the local theatres, bars, and restaurants.

WHERE TO STAY?

Aruba has numerous hotels where you can stay:

Ritz-Carlton (starting 840 USD)

The Ritz-Carlton has four restaurants, two outdoor pools, spas, and a casino and is the ultimate choice for most tourists.

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort (starting 570 USD)

The Hyatt Regency Resort has a spa, casino, gymnasium, an outdoor pool, four bars, and five restaurants and is a famous resort for its hospitality.

Aruba Marriott Resort (starting 560 USD)

The Aruba Marriott Resort has wide, spacious modern rooms, two pools, a spa, and a gym to cater to all your needs.

Budget Hotels in Aruba offer a money-friendly stay; the Costa Esmeralda Village (starting 130 USD), Jade’s Oasis (starting 80 USD), and Sandcastle Beach Apartments (starting 60 USD) are among the top budget hotels of Aruba.

WHAT TO EAT?

Exotic and sensual, tempting Aruba’s Caribbean cuisine is a must-try. There, you can enjoy:

Stobas

Stobas is a mouthwatering hot stew based in beef or goat.

Pastechi

Imagine a savory pastry filled with all kinds of meat and cheese and a creamy base, deep-fried. That’s pastechi, one of the most popular comfort foods in Aruba.

Keri Keri

Keri Keri is originally made from shark, but if you feel like eating something more homely, then any whitefish mixed with aromatic spices and herbs will satisfy your food cravings.

GETTING AROUND IN ARUBA

Generally, Aruba offers bus tours and local transport, and you can even book a private tour, which costs somewhere starting from 30 USD to 300 USD.

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STAY?

When the pandemic is over, there is no limit to the amount of time you want to spend in Aruba. However, most vacation plans range from two to three weeks, depending on the cost and comfort.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

The overall trip can cost somewhere between 1200 USD to 15,000 USD, lowest to highest, depending on how long you stay and where you stay.

That’s all, folks! Hopefully, the pandemic clears soon, and you can take a load off, change out of your scrubs into comfortable beach clothes and hop on the next train to relax-ville in Aruba!