Aruba Travel Guide

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Cuisine

Not much food is grown locally, but the variety in the local cuisine is extensive. There is a very wide range of international cuisine and several of the more famous fast-food chains have premises on the island.

National specialties:
• Keshi yena (Gouda cheese packed with a spicy meat mixture of either chicken or beef and then baked).
• Stobà (lamb or goat stew).
• Cala (bean fritters).
• Pastechi (meat- or cheese-stuffed turnovers).
• Ayacas (leaf-wrapped meat rolls).

National drinks:
• As ever in the Caribbean, all alcoholic punches and cocktails will usually be given a ‘kick’ with a liberal dose of rum.

Legal drinking age: 18.

Tipping: Hotels add a 15% service charge to any food or beverage bill. Restaurants may add 15% service to the bill; if not, 10 to 15% is normal.

Nightlife

There is one drive-in and one indoor cinema screening the latest blockbusters. The highlight of Aruba’s nightlife, however, is the casinos; most open from 1100 until the early morning, with a few opening 24 hours. Hotel bars usually offer live entertainment and most hotels run theme nights. Alternatively, there are several cocktail bars and nightclubs in Oranjestad; join one of the party buses for a lively pub tour. Another option is one of the party cruises, usually offering dinner, drinks and entertainment.