Trip with me and my husband on our adventures together!
A travel guide to help you with tips, places to visit, good global eats and anything else that comes with taking a trip away…. let’s start the trippin’!
Last July, my husband and I went to Mexico to celebrate my 40th and our 8 year wedding anniversary. Part of our package for that trip included a 2 hour tour of the hotel grounds with our personal concierge, with their hopes that we would purchase a timeshare. I know, the only negative thing about these packages is that, honestly. We listened to everything they had to offer knowing at the time we weren’t ready to make such a big commitment. Instead, we decided to put a deposit down on a future trip. Five nights, six days at one of the seven resorts of our choice. And, well, here we are.
Booking Our Trip
Since we went in the summer last year and there was a tremendous amount of sargassum, (‘a brown like seaweed that floats in masses that never attaches to the ocean floor’) we weren’t able to enjoy the beach because it was covered in this stuff. I asked the locals then about it and they said that it is worse in the months of July and August. So, when booking this trip, we decided to go in the Springtime to avoid all that seaweed. We booked our trip for the beginning of May, which happens to be my husband’s birthday month, so we were able to celebrate his big day in the place we love. Our trip was booked and we just counted the days until we were in paradise again.
With the deposit we put down last year, it included our choice of 7 resorts within the Karisma Collection, like I mentioned. We stayed at Seaside Suites in Cancun last year and wanted to try something different for this trip. We knew we wanted an adult only resort which brought our choices down to 5. We also decided to add two more days to our vacation, making it a full week, for a discounted price. Since we were getting a discounted rate, the rooms to choose from at each hotel, were on the basic level. If there is even such a thing in Mexico. Even their ‘standard’ rooms are luxurious IMO. We didn’t mind though. We were going to be right next to the main pool and who spends the majority of their time in the room anyway while on vacation, right?
The Resort
The resort we chose was El Dorado Royale in Playa Del Carmen https://www.eldoradosparesorts.com/royale. It was about a 20 minute ride from the airport which was closer than where we were last year. I also noticed that in July, the airport was packed and it took us about an hour to get our luggage etc. This trip, maybe because we were going at a less busier time, it was much quicker. Maybe 20 minutes tops. Super convenient and super easy. Our package included our own private transportation to & from the hotel with Lomas Travel. Same company we used last year, so we knew upon exiting the airport, we had to look for the employees in teal shirts and white shorts. We made it out of the airport, found our Lomas rep and were on our way to the hotel.
There’s something about driving through the gated resort, heading to the grandiose entrance, palm trees surrounding the grounds, the smell of the warm weather & ocean breeze, that you become entranced and realize that for the next week, this magical place, becomes your home. I was in awe; pictures that I’ve seen online became my reality. I was soaking it all in. We pulled up to the entrance where the bellhops (is that what they are called?) greeted us to help us with our luggage, while we made it up the marble stairs to the lobby. Upon checking in, we were then escorted to our very own personal concierge, a bubbly Italian woman named Marita, who was our go-to all week. We sat down with her to discuss excursions, dinner reservations, and everything else we needed to know during our stay. Bonus, you know you are on vacation when a server comes by, during this informative meeting, to take your drink order. Marita had reserved our dinner reservations prior to us arriving, which was one less thing we had to worry about. Since we were ‘returning customers’ of the Karisma Resorts, Marita told us she upgraded our room from the Luxury Jr. Suite (which came with our pre-paid vacation package) to a Royal Suite, located on the 2nd floor, that featured a king sized bed, and a balcony overlooking the garden and pool https://www.eldoradosparesorts.com/royale-suites. I think this was the resorts way of saying thank you for our repeat business but also, with the hopes that we would buy a Royal Suite timeshare. Either way, we were going to enjoy our luxurious room with a view.
Not only did Marita book our dinner reservations for us, she also booked our 1 & 1/2 hour meeting with a Timeshare Specialist. This was the deal with our package we bought, so we knew we would have to sit with someone in regards to possibly wanting to purchase a suite. We knew all along we weren’t ready to make such a big commitment but had to set aside an hour and a half for this meeting. Ok, back to the resort.
After meeting with Marita, we were on our way to our ‘Royal Suite’. Situated at the end of the beach on the resort’s edge, we loved how private and quiet it was. Nowadays, that’s what my husband and I wish for on vacation especially since our lifestyles are so busy. The Suite was exactly how it was described to us. It was the ‘perfect’ home for our week stay. We were a two minute walk to the beach and pool which was super convenient for us. And right in front of our building, was a shuttle, aka golf carts, that took you all along the three different resorts…..the two adult only ones….El Dorado Royale & El Dorado Casitas as well as the family friendly one, Generations, on the other end of the beach. Best part, as the adult only guests, we could use all three of the resorts’ amenities including pools, restaurants, beach etc. It was like three in one which we loved. That’s why the golf carts….you are covering a lot of grounds and although you could easily walk it, sometimes it was nice to catch a ride in that 90+ degree weather.
The Pools
There were three pools that we used during our stay https://www.eldoradosparesorts.com/royale-amenities. The Spot Pool on the Dorado Royale side, which was a smaller pool with a swim up bar, had a dozen lounge chairs and a dozen cabanas for you to enjoy. Since seating and lounging was limited, you had to go out super early to reserve your cabana or chair. I woke up one morning, like at 630am to go down and put a towel on a cabana and even at that time, the majority of the cabanas were already spoken for. So, if you want a front row seat at a pool, get up really early to reserve it. Note also, that the towels in the towel chests near each pool, are not put out until around 7-730 by the pool staff, so I suggest you bringing one from your room until you can swap it out. We liked this pool a lot because it was quieter and more relaxing. I also didn’t mind waking up at crack of dawn because I was able to take some really nice sunrise pics on the beach. Bonus!
The other pool we went to on the Dorado Royale side, was the Fuentes Pool, which also had a swim up bar, but was very big, which meant more people & more noise. The bonus though, was because it was a bigger pool, it had more chairs & cabanas available. Since, there was way more seating at this pool, you didn’t have to get up super early to reserve a spot unless you wanted prime seating right along the pool’s edge. At 630 am, people were already reserving their chairs, but since there are 13 other pools to choose from at the resort, you prob will be able to find a seat at this one. This pool also had lounge chairs in the water to cool you off which was a nice feature. We went to this pool twice during our stay because we really enjoyed the smaller pools that were quieter and more relaxing for us.
The third pool which I loved, was in the Casitas part, called Colibrí Pool. This also had a swim up bar and a lazy river that you can use. The best part about this pool, is that it is right across from the beach with private, king sized cabanas. It also is right next to the Gaviotas Bar, which was fun at nighttime. I think the cabanas and Colibrí Pool were mainly for guests that were staying in the Casitas but we went two days in a row and nobody bothered us as far as asking if we were part of the Casitas section, so you go at your own discretion. The cabanas on the beach also had butler service that came around with cold hand towels to cool you off as well as serving you refreshing drinks. I felt like I was a Queen, totally being spoiled. The next time we go to this resort, we would book in the Casitas section. Plus this part of the resort is in the middle of everything, so it is equal distance to some of the attractions on the other two resorts.
Apparently, there are 11 other pools sprawled out across the three resorts. One that I would have loved to go in but was to chicken too, was the Agua Salada Pool, the only salt water pool on the grounds. It looked like a cenote to me which you can’t touch the bottom and I get super scared with any body of water that I can’t see or touch the bottom of it, so I opted not to go in. But would have loved to give it a try. Maybe next time 🤷🏻♀️.
We found out that the ‘party pool’, La Isla, was right in front of the room we originally booked. The Luxury Junior Suites lined the perimeter of this pool, which was super convenient for the people staying in those rooms but it was noisy since they are situated, literally, right outside your bedroom door. I am so happy our personal concierge upgraded us to a more quieter area because that main pool was always crowded with people, loud for the pool games and blaring music on repeat. I would have like to be there during spring break 20 something years ago but not when I’m in my 40’s trying to relax. Just make note, that if you want a more tranquil experience, upgrade your room, otherwise you will be amongst the party goers.
Like I mentioned before, last July, we couldn’t go on the beach because of the whole sargassum problem that the Caribbean seemed to be having. This time around, we booked in May, where we heard the sargassum wasn’t as bad as in the summertime. Some parts of the beach still had sargassum sprinkled along the waters edge but there were some parts of the beach you could still use….especially in the family friendly resort, Generations. We opted to stick with the pools though and enjoy the view of the ocean from a roped ledge where the Casita Cabanas were.
The Cuisine
One thing I absolutely love about all inclusive resorts is the exquisite cuisine https://www.eldoradosparesorts.com/royale-restaurants-bars. You would think because it’s included that it wouldn’t be top notch, but that is so not the case. There’s a reason Karisma Resorts strive for that elegant touch of taste. So, let me get right into it.
For the ultimate breakfast buffet, the place to go is Cocotál. Located near the main lobby of the resort, this place has several stations serving everything from eggs & omelettes, to fruit & yogurt, to danishes & croissants, to oatmeal & cereal, to pancakes & french toast to even gluten free options like muffins, bagels and pastries. You name it, they have it. We went there several times for breakfast during our stay. Another place with a smaller breakfast buffet is Spot, literally near the Spot Pool I mentioned above. If you don’t want to deal with the busyness of Cocotál, then Spot is an option to check out. Note though, you won’t get all the options you get at the bigger buffet.
We absolutely loved the breakfast at El Café (aka Ríncon for dinner)….nothing like a good Eggs Benedict with a crispy hash brown to start your morning. Oh, and you can’t forget the ‘marijuana’ juice, what the waitstaff would call it. It does not have weed in it but is a green juice that contains kale, spinach, orange and pineapple juice. The waitstaff would love calling it that and would giggle every time a guest would ask for more ‘marijuana’ juice.
For lunch, Spot has a small lunch buffet with several stations that you can choose from. One thing I love about this restaurant, is that it is under a huge palapa that overlooks the Spot Pool. The food is good to soak up all that morning drinking you’ve been doing. Jo Jo’s is right on the beach and honestly you can’t beat the incredible view while you enjoy a refreshing cold drink and some good eats. I had a sandwich with hummus & veggies and my husband had a delicious burger. After a long morning of suntanning, this was the perfect spot to grab a yummy lunch. You have to try La Cabaña Pizzeria. Located right next to the ‘party pool’ but known for their wood oven pizzas, this will become your fav spot for a quick bite. We hear their burgers are pretty good too!
Palms, located in the family friendly resort Generations, became our favorite lunch spot. With views of the Gulf of Mexico with its open air concept, this place not only has yummy drinks but the tastiest food. For starters, you have to try the ceviche and the calamari. The burrito was really yummy also!
Now for the din din. Like I mentioned before, our personal concierge Marita, booked our dinner reservations at the most popular restaurants, so we were in for a real treat. Kampai, Asian/Pacific Rim inspired cuisine, you won’t be disappointed with this restaurant. We loved it so much we went back a second time! The Pad Thai is a lil different than the Pad Thai I am used to eating back home but with it’s own twist on the American version, it packs a ton of flavor. In my eyes, you can’t go wrong with Sushi either. Plentiful & fresh, you will love every bite. We also split a General Gao’s Beef dish with veggies that were delectable. Save room for dessert too because they are just as delicious!
D’Italia Casitas is another must. Growing up in the restaurant business and being Italian, I can be biased sometimes when it comes to other Italian restaurants but this one was so good! My husband and I both had a Goat Cheese Salad that we shared, then enjoyed a Pesto Pasta dish, and dove right in to our main courses….for me, Filet Mignon with Polenta and my husband had a Chicken dish with Risotto. We each had some tiramisu along with an espresso to finish the enjoyable meal. All in all, we really loved the taste as well as the presentation at this restaurant. Side note, there are two D’Italia Restaurants on the premises….we hear the D’Italia Casitas, the one we went to, is the better of the two.
Santa Fe Grill is another restaurant to check out while staying on the resort. Known for their steaks, which is not included in the all inclusive….you will have to pay extra for it; you won’t be disappointed. My husband enjoyed that damn T Bone steak all the way to the last bite lol. We also had the Octopus, Beet Salad & Beef Carpaccio as starters, for my main meal, I had a Shrimp Dish that had fried onions on top. So lite & yummy. And of course, we indulged on the delicious desserts that they were serving too. We heard that they serve up a mean breakfast spread but we never got the chance to see if that rang true.
One night that we were booked for was the Traditional Mexican Cuisine Dinner & Show which was held at the resort’s outdoor theater. Tex-Mex buffet style with all you can eat papusas, tacos, nachos, enchiladas, quesadillas, taquitos, fajitas, sopa, pernil, rice and beans…..the list goes on and on. There was an endless amount of traditional Mexican dishes that you could choose from. And along with it, came an endless amount of desserts too….my fav! While enjoying your Mexican fare, you enjoyed the show of a mariachi band and the tale of Mexican culture and history. The food was good and the presentation was top notch. Definitely worth checking out.
Two experiences I suggest doing while at the El Dorado Royale Resort are 1. Romantic Candlelight Dinner on the Beach and 2. The Fuentes Culinary Experience https://www.eldoradosparesorts.com/royale-experiences. Please note though, these two experiences are not included in the all inclusive packages. You do have to pay separately for them. When booking this trip, we knew we wanted to do the candlelight dinner since we were celebrating my husband’s birthday but Marita told us about the culinary emulsion experience that we knew we wanted to try and we were so glad we did. It literally is a cooking show being done right in front of you where you get to eat the dishes that you just saw being cooked. And if you want the ultimate experience, pay a little more and you can have drinks paired with each dish that you are trying. Please note though, they don’t let you know this beforehand so let them know if you want to pair the food with their recommended drinks or not upon reserving your spot to the show. The menu for the show changes nightly but the one we went to started off with homemade potato chips with an ice cold cerveza.
Then our appetizer was a Shrimp & Scallop Ceviche paired with some Veuve Clicquot Champagne, then we had Mushroom & Beet Soup paired with a sparkling white wine. Next up, we had a Rolled Chicken Dish with Risotto with a Sauvignon Blanc. Second to last, we dove into a Filet Mignon cooked to perfection with vegetables paired with a nice red wine. And finally, we indulged in a Bananas Foster with bacon and vanilla ice cream paired with a shot of Agavero Tequila. It was definitely an experience worth going to. We loved it especially since my husband’s a restaurant owner so he was excited to bring back things that he learned from the head chef. The food was AMAZING and the pairings of the drinks were just the same!
The candlelight dinner was beyond romantic. Overlooking the water at sunset, with the sounds of a saxophone player in the background & enjoying each other’s company, totally set the tone for the night. The food was delicious….we started off with a mixed salad with berries, french onion soup to follow & the favorable Osso Bucco as our main course. And since we were celebrating my hubby’s birthday, we had dessert that they decorated the plate with as a nice touch to embarrass him a little for his day lol. I must say, not only was the food outstanding but the presentation was out of this world. They really know how to do it up right at this resort.
Nightlife
Every night there was live entertainment at the main theater right next to Guacamayas bar. The shows would start around 8pm so it was important to get there a few minutes early to get a good seat. The shows consisted of an aerodynamics show, a light show, an acrobatics show, a fire show, live music & bands, and even a Michael Jackson Tribute Show. All the shows were unbelievable and I was blown away with some of the stuff that these performers could do either by their amazing voices or them hanging in the air by their hair, it was unreal to watch. There was no show that we saw twice so the variety of entertainment was nice to see. After the shows, everyone would then walk a couple of feet from the theater to Guacamayas which, on some nights, turned into a dance club with live music and dj’s spinning the trendiest music. The one thing I did like about this outdoor night club was that every night there was a lady in the corner selling her famous tacos that were so needed after a couple of drinks in. Nothing like a late night snack to soak up all that drinking.
If you weren’t feeling the dance club vibe, you could always head over to Gaviotas Bar which was on the ocean’s edge but had live music some nights and big swings to catch a breeze on. We would go there for an after dinner drink before the shows started and sometimes made our way back there after if we didn’t feel like dancing. Very chill vibe with even chiller drinks.
Excursions
One thing I wanted to do while on this trip was go to Tulum to see the wooden sculptures on the beach. I was told by our excursion specialist that downtown Tulum was basically a place to go eat and shop and there weren’t many options as far as transportation to go there. My picture perfect sculptures would have to wait for another time we go to Mexico. I am such a blogger lol. We knew we wanted to do at least one excursion considering we didn’t do any last year while in Mexico. So, we opted to go to XCARET https://www.xcaret.com/en/?langRedirect=1, Mexico’s Disney World. It was incredible and I am so glad we decided to go there. Literally, an experience like no other.
The tour bus picked us up around 8am and brought us to XCARET. From our resort, it was about a 30 minute ride or so give and take. We were told that we were able to go about as we pleased around the park and were made aware that there were two buses going back…one at around 430pm and the other one after the night show at around 930pm.
When booking this excursion, we were told that one of the things we had to do at XCARET is the Underground River…..’fresh, crystalline waters that are born from the inside of the Earth that you can swim through a maze of caves and tunnels, lit by natural light from air vents.’ We were all about it and were excited to do it and see some natural beauty amongst Mexico’s jungles. We knew we wanted to do that prior to going, so while on the bus, we purchased water cases for our phones so we were ready when we arrived. And the River was the first thing we did since we knew it was going to take us several hours to do.
Even though the river is only 5 feet deep, a lifejacket must be worn to be used as a floating device so you can literally just cruise along the water. The river is exactly as I mentioned above, the clearest blue water that you can see all the way to the floor. The beauty that you see all around you while going down the river is the real wow factor. Passing thru an actual Mayan Village, thru a cave where bats, yes those things, hung asleep above your head, to a beautiful mosaic glass ceiling in one of the caves to an actual mini waterfall to little spots along the way, where you can take pictures among your surroundings. All your pictures were made available to purchase at the end of the excursion. It was all too beautiful to see. The majority of our time spent at XCARET was in the River.
After the River experience, we walked around the Mayan Village and got to actually see what we passed by while in the water. We also went to the Butterfly Pavilion and the Bird Aviary where the most exotic and rare birds lived. To get around to the different places in the park, you had to go over long wooden bridges to get to the other side. Even though it was s little scary at first, the scenery was out of this world. You literally felt like you were in the trees, so high, like a bird, where your habitat is all around you. Where waterfalls were your backdrop. The scenery was something that you would see out of a National Geographic Magazine. It was beyond breathtaking and an experience like no other.
We also made a stop at the Mexican Cemetery. Not like the American way that I am used to seeing; the coffins are above ground, in different sizes in many colors and shapes….it was so beautiful and welcoming but so forbidding at the same time, if that makes sense. It literally reminded me of the movie COCO. We were able to walk around to see the many coffins along with flowers & trinkets that were left behind for ‘los muertos’ from their loved ones. It was a pretty but a little eerie, if I’m being honest. All in all though, it did give you a sense of peace knowing how honorable and sacred these type of cemeteries were for the the Mexican culture because they not only respect the living but give the same respect to the dead.
With our day pass to XCARET, we also got a complimentary lunch ticket at one of the many restaurants located in the park. We chose an outdoor buffet restaurant called La Cocina. The restaurant’s perimeter was a horse ranch where performers on horses would put on a show while you ate. Nothing like getting a little entertainment to break up your adventurous day while you enjoy flavorful & traditional Mexican food. The food was everything you could possibly want…..the typical Mexican dishes that everyone craved. It was overly abundant and plentiful for the guests of this very busy & popular restaurant. One thing my husband and I liked was that they had refills on Horchata, a mix of white rice, cinnamon & water, that is blended and soaked overnight to make a refreshing & desirable drink. It contains a lot of potassium, iron, calcium, & magnesium and is considered one of the healthiest drinks to consume with tremendous health benefits. It is the perfect drink to cool you off, especially on a really hot day.
There is so much to do within the park. A one day pass is probably not enough time if you want to see and experience everything. Literally, just like Disney. They have a kids section, perfect for families, which we did not check out but I’m sure the little ones would love. They also have a whole water park where you can snorkel in pristine waters, jump in cenotes, swim amongst sea animals and much, much more. Since we did the river excursion, we had enough water activity for the day. Next time, I will definitely want to check out the water park though because the pictures I have seen from it, are one in a million.
Among your walk throughout the park you will come across a ton of animals that you can take pics of like the flock of flamingos (yes, I was able to see flamingos on this trip too!) turtles, iguanas, all types of birds, and jaguars! There is even a Jaguar Island. The Mayan People believe the jaguar is a symbol of power, leadership & war. We were lucky enough to see a Jaguar and were able to take some nice pics of this beautiful creature.
One thing we were told to do when going to XCARET is to see the night show, the XCARET Mexico Spectacular, at the outdoor theater. The show started around 7ish but by 330pm, we were exhausted since it was a long day in the sun and decided to head back to our resort on the earlier bus. Would love to check that out next time we go to Mexico. With over 300 artists performing on stage about the Mayan culture, I am pretty sure it is a bucket list to do. For $45 per person, you also have the choice to eat your dinner while watching the show.
We ended our first time at XCARET with the Scenic Tower Ride, one of the highest attractions in Riviera Maya. The ride overlooks the whole park with 360 degree panoramic views and while it goes up, it spins! Very cool to see all of Cancún from a bird’s eye view. I recommend checking it out!
Ultimate Relaxation
Every time we go away, my husband and I love to get a massage at the resort’s spa. We decided on booking a couples massage at the Naya Spa, https://www.eldoradosparesorts.com/royale-experiences, on the Casitas Side of our resort. Our spa package included Hydro Water Therapy, a Steam Room session and the Ultimate Relaxation Massage. We had the choice of having our massages either on the beach or inside & we opted for indoors, in the same room together. My husband had a female masseuse (I apologize for forgetting her name) and I had a male masseuse named Alejandro. He was AMAZING!!! When I say it was the BEST massage I ever had, it was. One thing I did like that they did, was before they started our session, they had my husband and I look into each other’s eyes as they recanted an old Mayan saying that is supposed to bring peace & joy to each other as a married couple. It was a nice personal touch that made the experience that more memorable & enjoyable.
The Finale
I can’t say enough great things about El Dorado! From the amazing food, people, hospitality, experiences, and memories we made while vacationing there, it makes me appreciate the lengths that the staff go to, to make you really have the vacation of your dreams. We had such a good time and would love to go back & I think if we do, we would def want to stay in the Casitas section because it seemed like you had a little more privileges in that part. All in all, it was another amazing Mexico vacation that we will cherish in our hearts! Nosotros encantamos Mexico!🇲🇽
Hope you enjoyed what I shared with you!! If you are visiting and have questions, don’t hesitate to ask me with either a comment below or send me an email!
Check back for our next trippin’ adventure!
Until the next trip with us!!
Trip with me and my husband on our adventures together!
A travel guide to help you with tips, places to visit, good global eats and anything else that comes with taking a trip away…. let’s start the trippin’! This trip was actually minus a Vega but was packed with just as much fun!
🎶 ARUBA, Jamaica, oooohhhh I wanna take ya……🎶 I know I know, so cliché but you know I had to throw that in there since I was visiting the first place mentioned! Lol…..So, a few weeks ago, literally at the end of March me, my mom, my sister, and our girlfriends, took a girls’ trip to the beautiful island of Aruba. No joke, we have been trying to make this trip happen since 2020 but it kept getting cancelled due to Covid. But FINALLY, our Aruba 2.0 trip was planned & booked and we were on our way for a week of total relaxation, good laughs, eats, drinks and awesome company.
Beforehand…..
There were a lot of ‘what if’ moments since we booked this trip in October 2021 and there were still restrictions and guidelines to follow for traveling because of the pandemic. Thankfully, a few days before our trip, Aruba lifted some of those restrictions and we were able to travel with ease. Our constant thoughts of worry were quickly replaced with thoughts of sipping rum punch while basking all that Vitamin D and Sea. ***I will make note, that if you are traveling to Aruba, please visit https://www.aruba.com/us for the latest news and updates on what is expected of you as a traveler to this ‘happy island’. For instance, when we went, we needed an E&D card (Embarkation and Debarkation) to fill out 3 days prior upon arrival to Aruba and we also needed to get tested for Covid within 24 hours of departure to travel back into the States. The Arubian officials at the airport will check this several times, so make sure you have your negative results ready. The good thing, depending on where you are staying, you can pay to get tested right at your resort or hotel (at a discounted rate since you are a guest) or you can get tested at the airport and pay a little more. The latter option is a little sketchy IMO, just because 1. you want to get your results in time and 2. With the possibility if you are positive, you would need to go back to the hotel to quarantine. So, for a less anxious experience, I suggest you get tested the day before for ease of mind. The E&D card is standard and the process is fairly easy but again, this CANNOT be done until exactly 3 days prior to your trip.
Ok, enough about the logistics of actually getting to ‘paradise’ lol. Let’s get into the trip!
The Resort…
We arrived in Aruba at around noon time but by the time we got our luggage, went to the duty free shop to buy some alcohol (because it was cheaper…..one thing you will find out about Aruba is that it is super expensive, well because they have to import everything in) and had to go thru customs again, it was closer to around 2 pm by the time we actually got to our hotel. One of our friend’s who we were going on this trip with, owns a timeshare at the Marriott Surf Club on Palm Beach https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/auaac-marriotts-aruba-surf-club/overview/and that’s where our home was gonna be for the week that we were there.
The resort was absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Featuring everything you could think of…..a ginormous curvy pool throughout the grounds of the resort with a lazy river for ‘floating’, sandy ‘beach areas’ that were poolside for lounging and suntanning that made you feel like you were at the beach without physically being on the beach, a pump station for your floats which I have never before seen but thought it was the coolest thing since sliced bread, a private kids area with a kiddies pool and some jungle gym equipment to tire those young ones out, a poolside masseuse from the resort’s spa to give you a ten minute massage to really put you into a serenity bliss, and the best part of it all……a beachfront resort with palapas to rent for the hour, the day or the week with a beach bar right at your fingertips and beachside servers to bring you some good eats and that tropical drink to solidify your paradise experience. Yeah, I couldn’t have been more blown away with this place!!
Within what I called the ‘Marriott Strip’, you had several other Marriott hotels neighboring ours that we could enjoy as well, like the Stellaris, which had an amazing singer performing on the Friday night that we were there, an amazing Gelato spot to satisfy that sweet but cold treat & some trendy boutiques to get that island shopping in. Oh, and did I mention the Stellaris also had a casino in it? Yeah, time to get your winnings on!! Nothing like taking a gamble on your trip, but isn’t that what vacation is all about anyway? Living in the moment and making it count? Note: There’s a jewelry store right across from the casino, so if you win big, treat yourself to some bling. The best part of the ‘Strip’ was that everything was within walking distance of each other, so it was easy to get around and check out other spots near our place.
That Yum Yum……
The best part of vacation is the good food, amiright? Well, Aruba’s meat is one of the best around considering they get it from Argentina. Yes, the meat is THAT good…from Steaks, to Burgers, to anything in between…..(sorry vegans and vegetarians) but no BS, everything we ate while in Aruba was delicious. We decided as a group that we would go out to dinner twice and the rest of the days we will order food on the beach or cook on the resort’s several grills. We decided to do this because you had to make a reservation everywhere and for a party of six sometimes it was a little harder since we were a bigger group, plus it was one way to cut down in food costs. For food shopping, Ling’s https://www.lingandsons.com/ is the most reasonably priced place to go. Super Foods is overpriced and commercialized. A little off the beaten path but reasonably priced too is Bon Dia Supermarket. Nothing fancy by all means but if you are looking for the basic essentials along with some wine or beer, this place will do the trick.
Side note: if you are planning to go to Aruba, I suggest booking all your dinner reservations ahead of your trip, that way you’re guaranteed the best times for not only incredible food but amazing sunset views at some of the more popular restaurants like Flying Fish Bone where your feet are literally in the ocean while you eat. Since this was a very chill, relaxing, empowerment girls’ trip, we opted to stay on the beach everyday until the sun went down and ate when we were hungry……the good thing about that was that we weren’t rushed to go anywhere and we could go with the flow of what we wanted to do without any time restrictions. The only con about this, was that we missed out on some cool dinner experiences (especially since it was my first time being there) but that’s what the next trip to Aruba will be for!
For the restaurants we did eat at……Moomba’s at our resort https://www.yummyaruba.com/restaurants/moomba-beach, right on the beach, was like a tiki type restaurant with high top tables where you can eat some good burgers, (first meal I had in Aruba!), suck down some yummy piña coladas and daiquiris and enjoy the waves of the ocean, all while enjoying your meal and the incredible view. They have your typical American fare there with burgers, sandwiches, salads, apps….think beachfront bar type food but top notch….not greasy or too heavy for the warm weather. Moomba’s at night, turns into a nightclub with a dj, so you don’t have to go too far to dance the night away.
We also ordered room service as well as food on the beach from the Captain’s Galley, which was also at our resort. Same type of food as Moomba’s. Side note: the Mahi Mahi Wrap from the Captain’s Galley was delicious, so if you are a seafood person like I am, you will enjoy this light but flavorful sandwich. And if you are looking for a refreshing non alcoholic frozen drink, check out the Smoothie Bar right across from the Pool Bar at the Marriott Surf Club. Nothing like a little cold of paradise without those extra calories to quench your thirst in the hot sun. We were there everyday, for our mid morning pick me up.
For a nice night out and a crowd favorite, check out Gianni’s https://www.giannisristoranteitaliano.com/. Within walking distance from our hotel in what I called ‘lil downtown’ (due to its vicinity and since it wasn’t actually Aruba’s well known, populated downtown, fifteen minutes away by car) is where Gianni’s was; an upscale Italian restaurant with outdoor/indoor dining. There specialty, apparently, was cooking certain pasta dishes tableside in these big cheese wheels. We didn’t order that for the table but that seemed like the popular choice since most tables around us ordered that. Something about watching the waiter spinning, while cooking, your pasta with the melted cheese from the cheese bowl was mesmerizing to watch. Note to self….next time I go to Gianni’s, I WILL be getting a tableside pasta dish. Although, we didn’t indulge in the ‘Pasta Bowl’ dish, we did enjoy Fried Calamari and Burrata with Prosciutto for appetizers, Octopus Salad and a specialty pasta dish…..Shrimp and Lobster Alla Vodka. Our table also enjoyed the Meatballs, Fettucine Alfredo, OssoBucco, and some yummy and delectable desserts like the the ‘Chocolate Salami’, a smooth chocolate ganache with crunchy nuts and vanilla biscuits. Our frothy cappuccinos helped wash down our rich desserts.
To start your morning off right with a delicious meal, check out The Pancake Factory (part of The Pink Panther/YOLO) https://yoloaruba.com/, also in ‘lil downtown’. A savory breakfast place that serves a variety of all your morning favorites from pancakes to french toast to your basic egg dishes with a side of good ole bacon. The Pancake Factory is your fav local breakfast place by day and by night, turns into YOLO, a loungey restaurant serving up tapas and tropical cocktails. The best of both worlds within one place. They even have an outside dining area where you can sit & relax while drinking your Mango Mimosa and people watch.
Driftwood, https://www.driftwoodaruba.com/ in downtown Aruba, is the place to go for that local flare and flavor. A restaurant that makes you feel like you are on a ship eating the catch of the day is what this place is known for…. and the locals love it just as much, so you know it’s worth checking out. We ended up eating some yummy apps like Calamari Fritti & Coconut Shrimp. For our mains, we feasted on Mahi Mahi, Lamb Chops, & some of the yummiest Clam Chowder, to name a few. White wine was paired with our dishes that made our meal more delightful. Finish your palette with some local fav desserts such as the Caramel Flan and the Brownie A La Mode.
If you are in the downtown area, go have a nice lunch at Casa Tua in the Renaissance Marketplace http://www.casatuaaruba.com/. Sit outside and enjoy not only the scenic ocean view but the tasty dishes like the Onion Soup (which we didn’t try but heard it was delicious) and the Greek Salad which not only was plentiful and filling but fresh. The Carpaccio plate was the perfect ‘lite’ meal for the warm weather. Wash it all down with a Balashi, Aruba’s local beer, (the same taste as a Heineken IMO) that will quench your thirst.
Shopping & Scenery…
Downtown Aruba is a haven for all the luxury shops that you would find on Fifth Avenue in NYC. Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, you name it, they have it. Conveniently situated right next to the Renaissance Wind Creek Casino, you can gamble and shop the day away. Having some newer products as well as the ones we see in the States, this is the luxury fashionista’s playground. Best part of the shopping is that it is tax free, which if you are buying a purse or handbag from these luxurious conglomerates, the tax itself can be several hundred dollars. Make note though, anything over $1000 dollars, you will have to declare it at the airport.
Of course we had to check out all these stores and ended up buying a few things at Gucci. That tax free discount was enticing for us to finally cave in and splurge on ourselves lol. Not only does downtown have all these popular luxury shops for you to choose from, but it also has local stores that sell souvenirs and gifts for you to bring back home. One store I absolutely fell in love with was ‘Designs of Color By Dariana’ https://www.instagram.com/designs_by_dariana/. They had the most beautiful & colorful graffiti inspired statues featuring my favorite animals like lions and elephants. They were one of a kind pieces that would compliment any home or office space but it might cost as much to ship it as the price of the item. But, you do have the option to ship it home if you really want a different piece of art.
Heading back near the Marriott Surf Club (a 10 min. cab ride from downtown Aruba and ‘5th Avenue’) on the main street in ‘little downtown’, there are a ton more shopping choices where you can find anything for anybody. There are a variety of stores & pop-ups, and even many vendors that sell knock-off name brand items, where you can negotiate a reasonable & fair price without offending the people selling them. They are willing to work with you to try to make a sale. The majority of our shopping were done at these outside vendors for gifts and souvenirs for our loved ones. There is so many shops to choose from on the main street from jewelry, to clothing, to accessories, to shoes….you name it, you’ll find it.
Since I own a women’s empowerment apparel & lifestyle company….(check it out here!– http://inspiherempire.com), I love supporting other female owned businesses especially when their story is one that is inspiring and uplifting. I say this because I came across a company like this on the same strip as the vendors and stores I just mentioned. The store, named Vadavas Jewelry https://www.vadavas.com/, is located right next to the entrance of the Paseo Herencia Mall….an outside mall featuring something for everyone. Vadavas was started in 2013 by Diana and her four children where the name itself stands for the the first 2 initials of the first name of each of Diana’s children…..VA-leria, DA-niela, VA-lentina & S-ebastian. The brand itself is driven on inspirational & meaningful pieces that are designed by Diana and her children and are handmade by single moms in Aruba & Colombia. The whole focus behind the vision of VADAVAS is ‘to provide work opportunities for leading moms at home so they can have an extra income source without having to sacrifice more time with their children.’ I absolutely LOVE that and you know I needed to support their mission and this female driven empowered company.
Excursions…
One thing that was on my bucket list to do while in Aruba was go to Flamingo Island https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/auabr-renaissance-aruba-resort-and-casino/renaissance-island/. I did some research before our trip to see what the process was on how to actually get there. My findings: If you are staying at the Renaissance in Downtown Aruba, then you can get a day pass to get to the island with no problem. All you would have to do is tell the front desk when you would like to go, reserve your spot and you were on your way. But, we weren’t staying at the Renaissance Downtown or any Renaissance for that matter. We were at the Marriott Surf Club which was a 10 minute cab ride to downtown itself. Being from another hotel, there was no guarantee of a reservation to get to see my pretty pink birds, because we weren’t hotel guests. We were told that the only way to get there was if the hotel was less than 80% full, obvs because they accommodate their guests first before they accommodate the rest of the public. And since there was no guarantee of getting there just by ‘winging it’, I knew I had to find out a way to get there if the hotel was at full capacity. I was determined to get there somehow. A 10 minute boat ride from the main island, with the most clearest of waters, softest of sands, & of course, the most prettiest flamingos. So, the question is, how could we get there?
I am part of an Aruba FB page where all people who travel to Aruba let you know a ton of info as far as anything you want to know about the island. So, I asked away on this platform. A lot of suggestions were that we book a spa day so we were guaranteed a ride over on the ferry. So that’s exactly what we did. We booked a spa day for the three of us at the Okeanos Spa on Flamingo Island http://renaissancearubaspa.com/home.cfm. We made sure when booking our ultimate relaxation, that we were on the island itself, getting pampered. Somehow, there was a mixup to our reservation and they booked us at the spa in the Renaissance Hotel where you catch the ferry. Because of this mixup on their part, we got a discounted rate for our massages at the hotel spa and then were given free day passes to Flamingo Island where normally, (since we weren’t hotel guests) we would have had to pay $120+ per person. They also gave us a complimentary drink ticket per person, 
at the Papagayo Restaurant, on Iguana Island, the other side of Flamingo Island. Both islands are right next to each other and you can enjoy each one with a short walk to each. On Iguana Island you have the main restaurant I just mentioned, lounge chairs, cabanas, hammocks and floats that you can grab at the shack for free as soon as you get off the ferry. Oh, and of course iguanas lol. Although, I saw more of them on the Flamingo side. One thing I did notice on Iguana Island was the sandbar in the middle of the water where people were sunbathing on. The water was crystal clear and knee length so there was no ‘deep’ end. I also noticed that there was a short rock wall enclosure around the beach so you could fall asleep on a float without having the worry of drifting off to sea.
After having a delicious Chicken Salad Sandwich & Piña Colada at the Papagayo Bar & Grill https://www.arubarestaurants.com/restaurant/papagayo-bar-grill/, we made our way over to what I have been waiting for this whole trip! Upon walking on the path that led straight to the beach where the flamingos migrated, I was in awe that they literally were just walking amongst beach goers and sunbathers. I’ve never seen anything like it and I was in heaven. The locals said they way to sway the flamingos to follow you in the water is to buy some of their food at this little coin operated stand (literally like a gumball machine) that was right next to the flamingos ‘home’…… a man made little pond where they can sleep and rest in between attracting and engaging with the public. I ended up buying some food, I believe it was a couple of quarters for a handful of feed, and put it in my hand and made my way to a flamingo on the beach walking around. They followed me in the water and fed off my hand, actually pecked to get the food but it actually startled me where I jumped a little bit. Although, they are very chill birds and won’t bother you unless you are trying to pick them up, aggravate them etc. (which I DON’T suggest doing btw), you still have to be careful. Feeding, & interacting with them is at your own risk.
I was so happy I was able to check off a couple of items on my bucket list…..taking a selfie, feeding and taking several pics with these beautiful creatures, but we also came here to relax and enjoy the rest of island. And that’s exactly what we did. We got floats at the shack as soon as we got off the ferry and laid in the water for several hours just soaking up the sun and enjoying the scenery and more relaxation from our already tranquil day. The water on the flamingo side is obviously the same as Iguana Island but I did notice that on the shoreline, there were a lot more rocks. We had to make our way to the crystal clear water part where there were no rocks but to cross over the rocks barefoot in the water not only can be painful but dangerous to some. The water was chest height, well at least for me…’Im 5’4 btw, but was clean and clear once you get past those bumpy rocks. I suggest bringing water shoes so you can avoid your feet getting jacked up. On the flamingo side, they also have that rock enclosure, so once again, you won’t have to worry about drifting off to sea. That was the best part. We could fall asleep on our floats and take in the sound of the water. It was so relaxing.
The beach on Flamingo Island was small. On one side is where the flamingo’s ‘home’ was and on the other side were these over water cabanas. For $370, you could rent it for the day. They fit 4-6 people and might be a nice way to have your own private area guaranteed, especially when there are limited lounge chairs on the beach. That $370 dollar price tag also gets you sparkling water, a bottle of sparkling wine, food, & personalized cabana butler service. The cabanas had seating inside, a table for drinks/food and a decent size over the water canopy net where you can sunbathe on. The canopy also had stairs that lead you right into the water so you wouldn’t have to get on the sandy beach for water access. We looked into getting a cabana while we were there but they were already sold out. Since there are only like 6-8 of them, prior reservations are a MUST. And again, I believe the Renaissance books there guests first before accommodating other guests from different hotels. Definitely noted for the next time I go.
My mom, sister and I spent the whole day at Flamingo Island and it was everything I wanted to experience and more. I was so happy I was able to see one of my favorite birds in their natural habitat. And also enjoy a gorgeous beach with white sands for the ultimate relaxation. We did notice that while on the beach, we kept hearing planes but couldn’t see them. We found out on the ferry back to the mainland that the airport was right there and the reason we couldn’t see the planes was because they were too low due to them landing. An airplane went right over our heads while we were on the ferry going back to shore. Literally, right over our heads, so just a heads up. The noise wasn’t bothersome to us. We were more curious as to where it was coming from but we got our answer upon our departure.
The rest of our time in Aruba was spent on the beach, just relaxing and hanging out with each other. It was an awesome girls’ trip which is exactly what every one of us needed……with good laughs, great eats, and with amazing company. Something all of us craved to refuel our mind, body and souls. We definitely are planning on doing another girls’ trip in 2023! Stay updated for that vacation with more Aruba tips, dips and day trips!!
Have you been to Aruba? If so, let us know with a comment or suggestion!
Hope you enjoyed what I shared with you!! If you are visiting and have questions, don’t hesitate to ask me with either a comment below or send me an email!
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Until the next trip with us!!
