Aruba

Flaminigo Beach Aruba is one of the most photographed spots in the Caribbean. If you’ve been inspired to visit due to all the fun and pretty photos of pink flamingos, you’re not alone.

Flamingo Beach, otherwise kown as Renaissance Island, is actually a private island owned by the Renaissance Hotel near Aruba’s capital, Oranjestad. This is also the only place on the island where you’ll find the Aruba flamingos.

If you’re hoping to have a photo opp with these beautiful pink flamingos during your trip to Aruba, these 10 Tips for Visiting Flamingo Beach Aruba will help you plan your visit.

How to visit Flamingo Beach Aruba

There are two ways for travelers to visit the Renaissance Private Island.

Those electing to go with the Day Pass option should plan to purchase their day pass online the day before. Tickets go on sale at 7:00 a.m. and can sell out quickly.

The quantity of available tickets is dependent on the day’s capacity at the hotel. In the event the hotel is at 80 percent capacity on any given day, no Day Passes will be sold to visit Renaissance Private Island.

If seeing the flamingos in Aruba is high on your list of must have Aruba experiences, you should book at least one night at Renaissance Aruba Resort.

1. Book two nights at Renaissance Aruba Resort

My biggest tip for visiting Flamingo Beach Aruba is to book your first two nights in Aruba at the Renaissance Aruba Resort. This way, you can visit Renaissance Private Island on your first morning in Aruba.

The boat to the island leave’s right from the lobby of the hotel, so you can wake up early, grab breakfast, and head down to the lobby early before it gets busy.

I recommend two nights at this resort because it’s close to Oranjestad and gives you the opportunity to explore the city a bit in the evening either on the day you arrive or after your day at the island.

Honestly, Renaissance Resort happens to be a really nice hotel, so you won’t regret staying there an extra night.

After two nights at the Renaissance Aruba Resort, I would switch over to one of the hotels by Palm Beach. There you’ll find some of the islands best beaches, restaurants, and entertainment.

There are also lots of tours that depart from that side of the island. Be sure not to miss your chance to visit Arikok National Park and the Natural Pool, both of which were my favorites.

2. Plan to be on the first boat in the morning

The boats that take you to Flamingo Beach depart from the lobby of the Rennaisance Aruba Resort on the first floor. The first boat departs around 7:00 a.m.

I strongly advise that you try to be on the first boat. This will get you to the island first before all the crowds arrive later in the morning.

There’s a coffee shot right next to where to boats depart, so arrive around 6:40 a.m. or so, get yourself a coffee, and then have a seat at the dock while you wait for the boat.

Tip: Be sure to bring your room key with you. You will need your room key to get on the boat.

3. Head to Flamingo Beach first

As soon as you step foot off the boat, look for the pathway to the right. This is the path that will lead you to the flamingos.

Since you’re on the first boat you’ll get to enjoy Flamingo Beach to yourself for a bit.

4. Get your pictures right away

If you’re serious about your photos, get your pictures first. Once people start to arrive, it will become very difficult to get shots without people in them.

So get acquainted the birds for a few minutes, then get to posing for your pictures. You’ll have to work around the birds of course, so get creative if you have to.

Do give the birds their space as well. You should not touch them or try to influence where they move around to. Be respectful.

5. Don’t forget to feed the flamingos

Be sure to experience feeding the flamingos as well. There are a few vending machines filled with bird seed placed near the beach. They take quarters (USD), so bring some change with you too.

The flamingos will eat right out of your hand, which is a great way to get their attention if they’re being a bit aloof. Have your camera ready, they’re pretty quick.

6. Enjoy Flamingo Beach

After you’ve gotten your photos and fed the birds, put your camera down and just enjoy the view.

The beaches in Aruba are picture perfect, this one included. Be sure to leave some time to just take it all in. If you’re in the mood, head to the Mangrove Beach Bar to grab a fruity cocktail to enjoy while you sit and watch the flamingos.

7. Grab a spot at Iguana Beach

Iguana Beach is the larger of the two beaches on Renaissance Island. Iguana Beach does not have flamingos but is less crowded, especially in the earlier part of the day.

So after you’ve enjoyed the flamingos, head over to Iguana Beach and secure your spot. You’ll find chairs and palapas spread all around. Try to pick the spot with the best view of the ocean and palm trees. Since you’re arriving early, you’ll likely have the chance to get the best spot.

8. Take advantage of the amenities

After you’ve picked out your spot for the day, make your way over to the equipment cabana. Here you can get beach towels and floating loungers to take into the water with you.

They also have kayaks and stand up paddleboards if you’d like a bit more action in your day.

There are snorkel masks and fins too, but honestly there’s not that many fish here. I recommend saving your snorkeling for another day.

9. Consider reserving a cabana

You can see some of the Renaissance Private Island cabanas behind me in the photo above. There are those pictured there on Iguana Beach, and several more over on Flamingo Beach.

The cabanas go for $370 per day and come with two bottles of Voss still water, two bottles of Voss sparkling water, a bottle of sparkling wine, food, and personalized cabana butler service.

This is probably not a bad deal if you’ve got a small group of people to share it with. Plus, it would be really nice to have your space away from the crowds if you’re visitng during the high tourist season.

10. You only need one day at Flamingo Beach

One day at Renaissance Aruba private island is all you need. As stated above, I recommend arriving on the first boat of the day at 7:00 a.m. and just staying until you’ve had enough beach for the day.

The remainder of your time in Aruba should be spent exploring this beautiful island and enjoying the many other amazing beaches.

I hope you have as much fun at Flamingo Beach as I did. It’s such a fun and unique experience and is the perfect way to spend your first full day in Aruba.

I’m including the answers to some commonly asked questions below. If you have more questions, feel free to reach out to me via my Contact page. I’m always happy to provide recommendations.

Is Flamingo Beach Aruba worth it?

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Eden Fite

Part-time Traveler | Dog Lover | Avoider of Crowds

I help busy people find creative ways to travel more.

In case you weren’t sure you wanted to visit Aruba, here are 15 photos to inspire you to book your trip right now.

There are so many things to experience and enjoy in Aruba, I hope you love these 15 photos to inspire you to visit Aruba.

Even more, I hope to inspire you to use all your vacation days this year, every last one of them.

15 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Aruba

Just a quick note here, while I think the 15 spots I list below are fantastic places to get pictures of your time in Aruba, be sure to venture out around the island.

There’s not a bad looking place on the island, so photo opportunities are everywhere.

Get out there, be creative, and have fun.

1. The I love Aruba sign

You can find the I Love Aruba sign right outside the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino near downtown Oranjestad. In many other cities around the world with signs like these, there is a line or crowd of people wanting to get a picture with the sign.

In Aruba, there was nobody else around and this was taken in the middle of the day. Another reason I loved Aruba so much. There weren’t any crowds.

2. Flamingo Beach

Flamingo Beach on the private Renaissance Island is one of the most popular destinations in Aruba, or at least Instagram led me to believe that.

My friend and I arrived early, around 7:00 a.m., and were able to get pictures of these little cuties before the crowds arrived.

3. The Palm Trees

This is what you see when you look up as you’re walking on Palm Beach. This is where the high-rise hotels and resorts are along the beach.

There’s a nice path you can walk on down the beach to get from hotel to hotel or to any of the cafes along the sand.

To be honest, the beaches were not that busy this time of year. I was not bothered by crowds a single time during my visit.

Plus, there is no one to hassle you to buy things when you walk around in Aruba. Waitstaff might offer you a cocktail, but who is going to complain about that?

4. Renaissance Aruba Resort

This was the view from my room at the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino. I reserved a partial ocean view room, but I guess this had to do.

This hotel was really nice and had a super fun lobby bar with fantastic drinks. They have a happy hour in the evenings too along with some pretty good snacks.

This hotel is located near downtown Oranjestad, so it’s a perfect place to stay if you want to explore the city a bit. Also, staying at this hotel gives you access to the hotel’s private Renaissance Island, which is where the flamingos live.

5. Moomba’s on Palm Beach

Moomba’s is a really fun cafe and bar right on the beach. This is the place to be on Sunday nights. They have live music and dancing right in the sand.

The drinks are really good here and it’s an all-around fun place. I’m not much of a dancer but had a fantastic time nonetheless.

6. Sunsets on Palm Beach

Me and my travel buddy on our last night in Aruba. The sunsets here are just gorgeous, so when you visit, make sure you don’t miss them.

7. Arikok National Park

This photo was taken near the rocky beaches in Arikok National Park. The Natural Pool is right next to here (though I somehow forgot to get a picture of that).

You can’t go swimming right here, but the Natural Pool is a natural swimming hole along the rocky shore. Once inside, the water is calm and there are tons of fish swimming around. It’s perfect for snorkeling.

The Natural Pool is incredibly popular, so you’ll want to make sure you get here first thing in the morning to beat the crowds.

8. Alto Vista Chapel

This is Alto Vista Chapel located near Arikok National Park. We were taken to this as part of an island jeep tour we signed up for.

The chapel has a lot of history for the island and services and special events are still held here.

9. Iguana Beach on Renaissance Island

This was the view from my hammock on Renaissance Island. I did not use a filter on this photograph, those colors are all real.

10. From a hammock

That’s me attempting to look graceful on a hammock. I’m terrible at posing for pictures, which I’m sure many have noticed by now, but I try to make light of it.

There were hammocks placed all around the island and very few people were using them. So if you really want to spend your day in a hammock, this is the perfect place to do so.

11. From the dock at Iguana Beach

This photo is also taken on Renaissance Island. The main swimming area is behind me.

Again, be sure to arrive early and you’ll be the only one around. In fact, get here early to get the beach chairs you want, then head to the restaurant and grab a nice breakfast. The breakfast here was really good and it wasn’t overpriced.

12. From a boat in the Caribbean

This is a photo I snapped from the deck of the boat on a snorkeling cruise. As I stated earlier, the sunsets in Aruba are spectacular, so don’t miss them.

Also, do the evening snorkeling cruise if you can. It doubles as a sunset sail and you also get to enjoy the open bar.

13. With flamingos

Me and the famous flamingos at Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island. Get here before 9:00 a.m. if you want pictures without crowds of people in them.

14. Palm Beach Pier

This is the pier on Palm Beach where most of the snorkeling tours leave from. This is also right in front of Moomba’s which I mentioned above.

All of these things were a short 5 to 10-minute walk along the beach from our hotel.

15. The Aruba sign

So I actually asked the taxi driver to take us here on the way to the airport on the morning we left. This sign is a bit out of the way, but it’s by the airport, so it was a convenient stop along the way.

I don’t know why, but I love these signs and always want to get a picture with them.

I truly hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found these 15 photos to inspire you to visit Aruba have done just that. If you’re in the process of planning your trip, be sure not to miss these Aruba experiences during your visit.

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Eden Fite

Part-time Traveler | Dog Lover | Avoider of Crowds

I help busy people find creative ways to travel more.

I just returned from 5 incredible days on the island of Aruba. This was the first island vacation I have taken in many years, and the only island I’ve been to besides Hawaii.

In fact, I had such a great experience in Aruba that I’m hoping to visit the remaining ABC islands (Bonaire and Curacao) next year.

So, after spending several days exploring Aruba, including the desert region and many of its beaches, I put together these 15 Travel Tips for Aruba to help you get better prepared for your trip.

I hope you find these travel tips for Aruba helpful, and that you have as good of a time as I did.

If I happen to have missed anything or you have questions about planning a trip to Aruba, send me a message. I’d be happy to help you find what you’re looking for.

15 Travel Tips for Aruba

1. Book one night at Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

If you’re a guest at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, you get access to Renaissance Island at no additional cost. For non-hotel guests wishing to visit Renaissance Island, the cost is about $125.

Renaissance Island is where you’ll find Flamingo Beach. This is a popular destination in Aruba thanks to Instagram, but honestly, the island was not at all crowded when I visited.

Flamingo Beach is in its own area, but the rest of the island is worth a half or full-day visit as well.

There are plenty of beach chairs and hammocks, a very calm and swimmable beach, plus a restaurant with great food and cocktails.

Guests of the island also have access to free rentals of towels, snorkel gear, floaties, paddleboards, and kayaks.

2. Get to Flamingo Beach early

If you want to see the flamingos at Flamingo Beach and get pictures, plan to arrive early.

The first boat leaving from Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino leaves at 7:00 a.m. You will need your room key to get access to the boat, so make sure each guest has a room key.

When you arrive at Renaissance Island, head to the right to get to Flamingo Beach.

Spend 10 minutes or so getting your pictures and feeding the flamingos, then head to the main beach to the left of the dock.

If you plan to arrive at Renaissance Island late in the day, you will have a difficult time getting photos without strangers in them. Plus, all the beach chairs will be taken.

3. Ask the price before getting in a taxi

The taxis in Aruba do not have meters, at least not any that I took. But they do have set prices for travel between the different areas of the island.

Like most places in the world, it will be a bit more expensive going to and from the airport. The 10-minute taxi ride I took from the airport to the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino was $21.

However, I was also charged $21 to go from the Renaissance Aruba to the high-rise section of the island near Palm Beach, which is also about a 10-minute ride.

I overheard others on a tour I took that they took the same trip for about half that price. So I suggest asking before you enter the taxi to make sure you’re getting a fair price.

Also, finding a taxi in Aruba is incredibly easy. There are taxis waiting outside all the major hotels and there are taxi stands everywhere.

4. Pack for hot and humid weather

Aruba is beautiful, but it’s also hot and very humid. As such, this is one of the most important travel tips for Aruba.

You will want shorts, rompers, dresses, tank tops, a sun hat, at least two swimsuits, sunglasses, and sandals.

Now I am totally a jeans and sneakers kind of girl, but I found exactly zero opportunities to wear either of these things.

Also, you’ll likely be taking a ton of pictures while you’re in Aruba, so try to pack outfits that will look nice on camera.

Now I am honestly the last person who should be giving fashion advice, but I packed four different rompers so that I had a full outfit without putting any effort into it and was happy with how I looked on camera (for the most part).

5. Reapply your sunscreen

The sun is brutal in Aruba and you’ll be very close to the equator. I suggest using at least an SPF 50 on your face and body and reapply every hour if possible.

I also recommend using reef-safe sunscreen to protect the beautiful marine life you traveled so far to see. I used the Sun Bum brand during my trip and it worked perfectly.

6. Wear a sunhat

To protect your face, you should wear a sunhat or visor whenever you’re laying out on the beach or walking around.

I did this to make sure I didn’t get burned and also to protect my eyes as they are very light-sensitive.

7. Try the snorkeling

There are many great places to see fish and other marine life around the island. There are even several shipwrecks near the shore which make great spots to snorkel.

There are several tour companies offering snorkel tours around the island. I did the Sailaway evening tour and loved it. It even came with an open bar.

If you don’t want to get on a boat or do a tour, you can also just rent snorkel gear and head out to some of the great snorkel spots on your own.

However you choose to do it, don’t miss the chance while you’re here.

8. Consider staying at more than one resort

If you’re going to be visiting Aruba for several days and you don’t mind switching hotels, stay at two different resorts during your visit.

During my trip, I spent two nights at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino and two nights at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.

The Renaissance Aruba gave me access to Renaissance Island for free, but also placed me near downtown Oranjestad and the marina.

I enjoyed being able to explore these areas on foot in the evenings.

My second two nights at Stellaris were right on beautiful Palm Beach and near the other high-rise hotels. This was a super fun area and I loved this beach resort.

The property was incredible, the staff were friendly, and it was close to everything. Plus, I got to wake up every morning to a view of the Caribbean right outside my window.

Most of all, I enjoyed getting to experience two different parts of the island.

Also, if you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member, these are both Marriott properties so you can collect your points and get credit for these stays.

If you’re not loyal to just Marriott properties, here is a shortlist of other Aruba hotels to consider while visiting the island:

• Hotel Riu Palace Aruba
• Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino
• Ritz Carlton Aruba

Of all my travel tips for Aruba, this is the one I really appreciated the most during my own trip.

Getting to experience different areas of the island made the trip more interesting and fun for me. I honestly think you’ll feel the same way.

9. Visit Arikok National Park

Make sure to plan to visit Arikok National Park during your visit to Aruba.

Arikok National Park is in the desert region of the island and is a major contrast to the beachy areas near the resorts.

One of the most popular activities in the park is to visit the Natural Pool.

This is a natural swimming hole created along the rocky shore of the park. The setting is gorgeous and it’s a great place to snorkel. Just be sure to get here early to beat the crowds.

To reach the natural pool and to explore the park, you will need either a UTV or a jeep if you want to explore on your own.

The easiest way to go about this is to take either a jeep tour or UTV tour. These are half-day tours that will take you to the natural pool in the morning, and to several other areas of interest in and around Arikok National Park.

Full disclosure, I did a four-hour jeep tour in the morning. I enjoyed the tour, but in hindsight think the UTV tour would have been more fun.

That being said, just make sure to plan a visit at some point during your trip. It’s worth it to see such a different side of the island.

10. Visit multiple beaches

There are many great beaches in Aruba, all with their own unique characteristics. Plan to visit more than one, and as many as you can during your visit.

My personal favorite Aruba beach was Palm Beach. I loved how calm the water was and that there was so much to do nearby.

Palm Beach is where the high-rise section of the island is, so you’ll likely get the opportunity to visit here.

Here are some other beaches you should make time to visit as well:

• Flamingo Beach: This beach is on Renaissance Island and where you will see the popular flamingos.
• Eagle Beach: This beach is found just south of Palm Beach near the low-rise section of the island. It has been rated as one of the best beaches in the world.
• Baby Beach: This beach is found on the southern tip of the island and is a man-made lagoon with incredibly calm waters. It’s perfect for babies and small children.

11. Talk with the locals

Aruba’s motto is One Happy Island, and it’s an accurate one. The locals in Aruba are wonderful and very friendly.

They love to tell you all about the island, it’s history, and give you tips on what to see during your visit.

So if given the opportunity, strike up a conversation with your bartender or tour guide, or whomever else you come into contact with.

Most will be happy to talk with you and you’ll get to know the people and the island in a more intimate way.

12. Visit Aruba in the offseason or shoulder season

Aruba can be an expensive destination to visit, especially if you’re visiting during the high season from January to March.

For me, I like to travel when there will be lighter crowds and lower prices, so I tend to travel in the fall.

My visit this year was in September, and there were enough people on the island to keep things exciting and meet fellow travelers, but I didn’t experience overcrowding anywhere during my trip.

What I also loved about Aruba this time of year were the great prices I got on airfare and hotels.

If you’re going to plan a trip to Aruba, start planning early and make reservations outside of the high season.

Of all my travel tips for Aruba, this one will easily save you the most money. Always travel in the should season or off-season whenever possible. You’ll save so much money and get to travel more often.

13. Take advantage of the activities and tours

There are dozens of activities and tours available once you arrive in Aruba. Take advantage of your time here and take part in the ones you’re interested in.

I found the prices for tours and activities to be quite fair. You’ll have some unique opportunities for diving and snorkeling, along with several other adventurous activities.

Kite surfing is quite popular since Aruba is such a windy island. You can also go parasailing and rent jet skis too.

The Aruba Caribbean waters are calm on most sides of the island, so you’ll have the perfect opportunity to try new water activities here if you’re a bit nervous in the ocean.

I recommend trying at least one new thing while you’re here, it’ll make your trip that much more memorable.

14. Try the local cuisine

Aruba is known for its fresh fish and seafood. You’ll find local dishes with Spanish, Caribbean, American and Dutch influences.

At most of the restaurants around the island, you’ll be able to order local dishes along with whatever the primary menu consists of.

I encourage you to try out some local spots away from the tourist areas if you can.

You’ll find plenty of spots in downtown Oranjestad. Here are some popular local dishes to try during your visit:

• Fresh fish and seafood: From fried fish to ceviches, you’ll find fresh seafood options anywhere you go.
• Pastechi: This is a fried pastry filled with gouda cheese. It remained me of an empanada.
• Hot papaya sauce: This is a sauce made with sweet papayas and spicy peppers. It is served alongside many meals.
• Fried plantains: Banana-like fruit served fried as a side dish with rice and meat or fish.
• Ayaca: This dish consists of steamed meat in a banana leaf with cashews and dried fruit.
• Pan Bati: This is a slightly sweet and fluffy flatbread that is served with stews or soup.

15. Enjoy the sunsets

The sunsets in Aruba are incredible. Make sure you’re outside as the sun is going down so you don’t miss them.

Take advantage by signing up for one of my own favorite Aruba experiences, the evening snorkel tour with Sailaway.

Watching the sunset from a boat on the water was one of my favorite memories from the trip.

If snorkeling is not your thing, you can always do a regular sunset cruise, or just grab dinner or drinks at one of the many cafes along the beach.

Either way, don’t miss those sunsets.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these 15 Travel Tips for Aruba and that you’ve found them helpful in planning your own trip.

I had such a good time on the island that I’ve already been considering returning next year.

Whether you’re coming from the west coast, New York City, or even South America, Aruba is an easy island to visit.

Once you’re here, wherever you came from will seem very far away. It’s the perfect destination to get away from your every day and just enjoy being in a beautiful and peaceful place.

If you have additional questions or think I missed something important in my travel tips for Aruba, please send me a message. I’d love to hear from you.

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Eden Fite

Part-time Traveler | Dog Lover | Avoider of Crowds

I help busy people find creative ways to travel more.