ORANJESTAD (September 9, 2018) – Once a week, on Sundays I write about the most relevant and interesting happenings on the island in my weekly newsletter.
This weeks edition features the top news headlines in Aruba.
Subscribing to my newsletter is an ideal way to stay up to date with what’s going on in Aruba – whether you’re living on the island, miles away or your first visit!
If this is your first time reading my newsletter – welcome!
Aruba Island Take Over Festival
Aruba will host a four day consecutive festival named “Island Takeover” in November.
It’s going to be filled with what Aruba knows best – beach, sun and fun!
Artist that will be headlining the concert are:
- Jeon (local artist)
- J.Balvin
- Bad Bunny
- Alex Sensation
Island takeover will take place November 1 – 4, 2018 at the Harbour Arena, which is close to Oranjestad & Cruise Port.
Here’s the schedule for festival dates:
- November 1 – Welcome Party
- November 2 – Aruba Island Take Over Concert
- November 3 – Partai Pool Party & Electric Festival Beach Party
- November 4 – Aruba Island Take Over Closing Event
Tickets are available online for $60.00 (general pass) – more info on ticket sales in upcoming newsletters.
Hotel & Tourism Association Applauds Ban on Single Use Plastics
AHATA (Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association) applauds the government for prohibiting the use of plastic straws, cups and styrofoam products.
According to the hotel & tourism association, most hotels are already limiting the usage or completely removed “single use plastics” from their operations.
Not only hotels are ending their ties with plastic, but so are other companies in the tourism sector – snorkeling tour operator, beach bars restaurants and other popular tourism establishments.
For example, a popular beach shack on Palm beach that used to serve acai fruit bowls in a plastic cup and spoon, is now serving their fruits in a coconut shell and reusable bamboo straws.
By the end of October (2018) most hotels won’t be using plastic straws anymore.
Plastic straws will be replaced with eco-friendly alternatives – biodegradable paper, reusable or edible straws.
Hotels and other tourism establishments will no longer use plastic cups, straws or styrofoam products by 2019.
Sunscreen With Oxybenzone Also Prohibited – What Should You Use Now?
Last week the government announced that sunscreens containing oxybenzone will be banned on the island as of 2019.
They are prohibiting the use of sunscreens that contain oxybenzone, because it is dangerous for corals, marine life and the human skin (penetrates the skin and be absorbed by the body).
Oxybenzone is a chemical found in sunscreens that provides UV coverage.
Recent studies confirmed that chemicals in many popular sunscreens can bleach corals which prevents them from reproducing and surviving.
Every year between 6000 and 14000 tons of sunscreen gets washed off into the ocean, which accelerates coral bleaching process.
Most sunscreens that contain this dangerous chemical will most likely be taken off the shelves and replaced with natural and organic sunscreens.
How the government is going to regulate or control travelers for sunscreens that contain harmful chemical products has yet to be released.
So which sunscreen should you use as of now?
Any sunscreen as long as it doesn’t have any dangerous chemicals like oxybenzone.
I also recommend the natural sunscreen made on the island by Aruba Life Organics.
They make reef safe organic sunscreens.
It’s made out of – organic coconut oil, organic jojoba oil, organic shea butter, organic unfiltered beeswax, non – nano & uncoated zinc- oxide (will not penetrate your skin and will not harm corals).
Aruba life organic sunscreens is safe for your skin and harmless to corals.
You can buy it at:
- Local pharmacy at Eagle or Palm beach
- Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort
Are you going to make the change to a more natural and organic sunscreen yo preserve Aruba’s marine life?
The Hottest Month in Aruba
According to the meteorological department, September is traditionally the hottest month during the year in Aruba, because of the hurricane season.
Hurricane season starts from June and ends in November.
Visitors come to Aruba for the good weather, but staying too long in the sun has side effects:
- Dehydration
- Sunburn
- High blood pressure
- Tiredness
- Headaches
The department of meteorology advised locals and visitors of the following tips:
- Don’t stay in the sun too long, but seek shade if needed
- Wear light material clothes and avoid dark colors that make you feel warm
- Use healthy sunscreen
- Wear hats and sunglasses
- Drink plenty of water
You don’t need to worry about buying bottled water, because water in Aruba is safe to drink!
Refinery Project Moves Forward
The project to refurbish the refinery is slowly progressing as the second phase of renovation recently started.
Phase 2 of the project is inspection and can take up to 8 – 10 months to complete (deadline April 2019).
Engineers will inspect which machinery is still in good condition and and report all the equipments that needs to be replaced before operations start.
At the moment there’s already 150 local workers, and another 150 extra locals will get a job in the refinery.
15% Discount On UTV Island Tours
One of the best ways to drive through Aruba’s country side and see the top sites around the island is by UTV.
Don’t know what a UTV is?
UTV means utility task vehicles – these machines are powerful 4×4 built for driving on the rocky countryside of Aruba.
You can drive on of these UTV’s
Fofoti Transfer & Tours has two awesome UTV tours available for adventure seekers that are definitely worth checking out!
I have a special discount code you can use to get 15% off anytime!
Read more details about this deal – UTV Adventure Around Aruba With Fofoti Tours.
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