A Paradise for Romance

Whether exploring a new relationship while on holiday or celebrating a lifelong love affair. This island has enchanting experiences guaranteed to bring you even closer together than you were before. Aruba is custom-made for couples, A Paradise for Romance if you will.

Chase the Sun

The “Peace Labyrinth” is a meditation circle walk behind Alto Vista Chapel. It is an ideal spot for some sunrise yoga together to start the day off on the right foot. Or head to the beaches around San Nicolas. They don’t call it ‘Sunrise City’ for nothing! Seek out secret Rodger’s Beach and you might have it all to yourself. Or book a private sunrise outing in a classic car with Aruba Cine Tours to watch the early morning glory in that region.

Finding private spots for daytime sun lounging away from the tourist fray is easier in off-radar reaches like Mangel Halto. Dos Playa or Boka Keto are other secluded hideaways for romantic afternoon picnics in the sun.

Near dusk, sunset rituals abound around Palm Beach. The Ritz-Carlton’s Divi Sushi Bar and Lounge terrace has specialty sunset cocktails. As does the Mira Solo Bar at the Hilton, and their Sunset Grille is aptly named for its stellar views.

But, Hilton also has a dedicated “Sunset Concierge” who can arrange all kinds of intimate experiences for two. Like customized private dining and bubbly on the beach, sunset kayak tours, and beachfront sunset meditation.

Or head for wild windswept sand dunes near the California Lighthouse for an intoxicating sunset stroll by the sea. And did you know you can even enjoy a catered private sunset dinner at the very top of the California Lighthouse with Experitours? It’s one of only two such experiences in the world! And sunset sails are always romantic. But for an extra special adult-only outing, book a table for two with Monforte Luxury Cruises. Their exclusive gourmet dinner sail begins with a sunset and continues under the starry tropical night skies.

Go ‘Au Naturelle’

We’re not talking strolling the beaches with nothing on but a smile on your faces. Aruba is not a clothing-optional escape. But you can appreciate this island’s naked nature as a couple doing many special things in eco-friendly ways. Hiking together throughout Arikok National Park is one of them. And be sure to seek out the incredible ancient caves there for mesmerizing scenes and tales of star-crossed lovers. (Ask the ranger on site about that love story). The lovely nature preserves around Spanish Lagoon are also worth hiking. And that region now also falls under the protection of the national park. Sea kayaking is also a popular natural pastime around there.

If you are ardent marine life lovers, there are many couple’s dives to take and enchanting shipwrecks to explore together. If you’re not yet certified, take an introduction diving course with JADS Aruba that will see you exploring a shipwreck at Mangel Halto the very same day. They also offer a “Honeymoon Package” that documents your dive with excellent underwater photography.

Discover Creature Comforts

If you share a passion for all creatures great and small, you will both be enamored with the splendor of the winged wonders at Butterfly Farm Aruba. Or you can take a private bird watching tour at the Bubali wetlands with a professional photographer. And there are first-rate private horseback riding tours in paradisiacal settings offered by The Gold Mine Ranch.

But if you really want to get close to some friendly critters, book a donkey hugging session as a couple at Donkey Sanctuary Aruba. Or you can simply visit the friendly donkeys and they’ll love you even more if you bring some treats of carrots and apples!

Let’s Get Physical!

There’s nothing like a fast sprint up the 500-some stone steps carved into Mt. Hooiberg (also known as ‘The Haystack’), to get your blood rushing and your hearts beating ensemble. And adrenaline rush junkie couples will thrill with private ATV and UTV tours in the rugged outback. Cycle-loving couples can enjoy challenging mountain bike trails or easy-going pedaling along the smooth paved linear park paths by the sea. The route from downtown to the airport also has complimentary physical fitness equipment stops along the way. Or book a private deep-sea fishing charter to get physical trying to reel those really big ones into the boat.

And dancing up a storm either on the beach or in a glitzy club is also an ideal way to energize your romantic mood. You can also get your hearts to skip a beat together trying to seduce Lady Luck at the island’s world-class casinos. And if you happen to overdo it on the physical front. There’s always Aruba’s first-rate spas offering couple’s massages, and even a Clinical Massage Spa for more seriously overworked muscles.

Table For Two?

Lovers of fine food will rejoice on this island. Sharing your foodie fantasies is a breeze with so many culinary experiences to choose from. Grab a cozy corner table for two at spots like Brutto for trendy dining to share small plates, or head to Catch Aruba for seafood lovers, (they have hanging hammock chairs for two as well). Embrace ‘amore’ Mediterranean style at Zucchini with a cheese wheel for two, or at Casa Nonna’s alfresco fine Italian dining oasis with firepits, soft live music and traveling cocktail carts.

Hot live Latin music and old Havana fare light up the steamy nights at Cuba’s Cookin’, while alfresco Las Ramblas has soft live music and Argentinean specialities guaranteed to feed any couple’s classic cuisine cravings. You can also feed each other tidbits of heaven at Pinchos over a sparkling lit pier, or in a tropical garden or courtyard under twinkling lights at Quinta del Carmen’s estate mansion. Another historic estate home for romantic dining is Papiamento Restaurant with poolside tables looking out over a lush garden under sparkling lights and tropical stars. And BLT Steak takes your carnivore dreams up a notch at New York grill style at The Ritz- Carlton Aruba, too. Of course, there are few things as romantic as feeling the warm tropical trade winds caress your cheeks while you play footsies under tiki torch-lit tables with toes in the sand while enjoying a fine feast. Barefoot, Passions on the Beach, and The Old Man and the Sea dining escapes all promise that experience beyond your wildest dreams.

Create Cherished Memories..

Wherever you decide to become closer together, you’ll find this island is simply in love with love. There are few better tropical destinations for proposals, destination weddings, anniversaries, or vow renewals. In fact, Aruba holds the largest vow renewal in the Caribbean annually each summer hosting hundreds of couples in a free ceremony of celebratory splendor. •

For details see:

www.aruba.com/us/renew-your-vows-in-aruba

Aruba Unveils Romance

by Susan Campbell