latest news in Aruba

Reopening Aruba’s Live Audience Events

As the island moves toward full reopening, the Government wants to organize its first live audience event with live entertainment.

The test event is a couples dance party, better known as Bailable on the island.

Only 250 couples (500 attendees) will be allowed to enter the party.

The event was set to take place on November 13, but has been rescheduled on November 27, 2021.

If you want to join the party you need to be vaccinated, or present a negative test result taken 72 hours before the party.

According to the Health Minister, the decision to organize a “test event” is approved, because of low amount of new virus infections and hospitalizations begin to decline.

The plan is to organize a series of 5 carnival themed events, to celebrate carnival since it has been officially cancelled for 2022.

This live audience event is not going to be the usual, because the Government has added new health protocols that means a change of party experience to guarantee a safe party for all attendees.

New protocols that will be in effect are staying at least 6 feet away or two arms length away from other couples. And also maintaining the best possible hygiene protocols and safety precautions. 

The second live audience event is planned on January 8, 2022.



New Art Gallery “ArtisA” Open in San Nicolas

A new art gallery – ArtisA – opened in San Nicolas and they presented the inaugural exhibition by Elvis Tromp: Discover the World of Elvis Tromp Through a Culinary & Arts Experience”.

ArtisA stands for Art is Aruba.

The goal of this new art gallery is to create and display local and international art project for the viewing public.

ArtisA is owned and managed by – Tito Bolivar – a local art curator who also manages Aruba’s art fair. Which is an art project that gives local and international artists the freedom to create wall art in the main streets of San Nicolas.

Take a visit to the new ArtisA Gallery in the main streets of San Nicolas located at: Bernard van de veen Zeppenfeldstraat #6.



New Gelatissimo Ice Cream Bus on Palm Beach

Gianni’s Ristorante Italiano hosted a celebratory event last week to introduce its new ice cream bus on Palm Beach.

The new ice cream bus is called Gelatissimo bus – a real Italian Gelateria – right in the middle of the Caribbean.

Gelatissimo bus offers Italian delicacies including, but not limited to gelato, popsicles, bon bon’s, pizza’s,  and cool beverages.

The bus is a double-decker with indoor and outdoor seating.

Gelatissimo bus is the newest place to visit if you have a sweet spot for dessert after dinner.

The bus is located on the Plaza next to Gianni’s restaurant and is open daily from 5:00 pm – 11:30 pm.


Gelatissimo Sweets



Late Night Eaters Guide For Aruba Food Trucks

You will be on the island soon, and you’re looking forward to trying the food trucks in Aruba that you’ve been reading everyone rave about online.

There’s so many food trucks in Aruba, making a decision of which one to try can be harder than you think. 

Being a local on the island, I can recommend a few food trucks you can check out when you get the late night craving.

This article is a list of food trucks in Aruba that will be updated frequently with additional food trucks on the island.

Find Out More – A Late Night Eaters Guide To The Best Food Trucks in Aruba


Beach Buoy Maintenance

The Tourism Minister announced that the maintenance of floating beach buoys at several beaches around the island started as of this week.

A field of buoys will be strategically installed on several beaches around the island including Malmok, Arashi, Tres Trapi, Palm Beach and Costa Linda.

These buoys are like floating barriers used on the island’s open beaches to segregate and protect swimming areas. They also restrict entry of passing boats and jet skis. 

Works to install the new buoy fields have already begun. The buoys will be brightly colored for visibility, made up of a combination of small floats and larger marker buoys, connected by high tension floating ropes.

Local contractors are leading the installations of the new buoys with help of spotters on the beach.

According to the Tourism Minister, the project will be completed late 2021.



Stairs Towards Rodger’s Beach Soon Restored

Tourism Minister announced a new renovation project to restore the concrete staircase that leads to Rodger’s Beach. 

The renovation project is part of the masterplan to revamp the entire Baby beach area.

A pier that extends over the water at Rodger’s will also be restored to its original glory.

Here’s a view of the staircase right now, before renovation works start….



Major effort is being gathered to renovate the beach area’s in San Nicolas.

At the end of the revamping project, the infrastructure at Baby & Rodger’s beach will be completely renovated. 

This includes additional huts for shade, beautiful landscaping, new public restrooms, new parking areas, food & beverage spots, and new courts for beach sports.



More About San Nicolas Developments

Everyone knows that a new exclusive hotel is being constructed in San Nicolas (Baby Beach) – Secrets Resorts.

Constructions works have slowed down because of the pandemic, but developments are still taking place at the moment, but at a slower pace.

San Nicolas Has The Potential To Become Aruba’s Tourism Capital

According to the Tourism Minister, the renovation at Rodger’s beach is the start of a bright future for the district of San Nicolas. 

He also said that San Nicolas has the potential to become the tourism capital of Aruba, after the renovations are completed.

Construction of the staircase at Rodger’s beach will start within one month, and it should be ready at the end of 2021.


Beaches are shining like diamonds…


Self Test Kits Now Available in Aruba

The local pharmacy brand “Botica di Servicio” now offers self test kits to the public.

Aruba’s Department of Public Health approved self test kits after the demand for alternative test solutions by the private and commercial sector.

Self test kits are perfect for locals and visitors to test for coronavirus at home, if they have mild symptoms or light symptoms.

The test kits are not a substitute for the current policy of the Department of Public Health, but another method to help aid the primary strategy to test suspicious corona cases on the island.

An important factor to consider when using self test kits – the result of the test kits are not the official diagnosis, unless verified at an accredited lab – if you are using it to test before flying.

The 4 brands of self test kits available on the island are:

  • Panbio COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device
  • Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test
  • SARS CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test
  • Standard Q COVID-19 Test

These four self test kit brands are only available to locals. 

Visitors are able to purchase the BinaxNOW Covid19 AG Card Home Test.



Join Vacations By Aruba Private Facebook Group

Join our Facebook group “Vacations By Aruba” to get inside information & advice from travelers who also know Aruba.

Click here to gain access to our private Facebook Group.


Sign Up For Our Free Weekly Newsletter

Join our email list if you want to stay up to date with everything that is happening in Aruba.

I will email you once a week, every Sunday, with the recent tourism updates in Aruba, for free!

Type your email in the opt-in form below to register.