Guidebook for Beyond 9F
Food Scene
After a long stroll alongside the hotels or a long day at the beach, pass by this spot, Eduardo will help you out with a nice bowl full of goodies, vitamines and proteins. I suggest to take the pitaya bowl, home grown in Aruba.
36 locals recommend
Eduardo's Beach Shack
87 J.E. Irausquin BlvdAfter a long stroll alongside the hotels or a long day at the beach, pass by this spot, Eduardo will help you out with a nice bowl full of goodies, vitamines and proteins. I suggest to take the pitaya bowl, home grown in Aruba.
Quinta del Carmen
It is a fancy restaurant!
This rustic coffee spot is a great place to sip your morning coffee. The home-made cookies are the best.
16 locals recommend
Santos Coffee With Soul
51 J.E. Irausquin BlvdThis rustic coffee spot is a great place to sip your morning coffee. The home-made cookies are the best.
Another local restaurant serving authentic dishes and international cuisine. For the "crioyo" lovers, try the Royal Aruban Combo. A little bit of everything.
11 locals recommend
Gasparito Traditional Aruban Restaurant
3 GasparitoAnother local restaurant serving authentic dishes and international cuisine. For the "crioyo" lovers, try the Royal Aruban Combo. A little bit of everything.
A typical Aruban house is the place to find authentic Aruban food. We call it "crioyo food". Dishes like stewed goat meat served with "funchi" (polenta cake) or "pan bati" (aruban style pancakes) baked liver and onion and beef soup, are typical dishes served at the tables of the local community. You can try these dishes here.
30 locals recommend
The Old Cunucu House Aruba
Palm Beach 150A typical Aruban house is the place to find authentic Aruban food. We call it "crioyo food". Dishes like stewed goat meat served with "funchi" (polenta cake) or "pan bati" (aruban style pancakes) baked liver and onion and beef soup, are typical dishes served at the tables of the local community. You can try these dishes here.
A local delicacy at this food truck is the steak and cheese sandwich. Add some pickled red onions on top, some Papaya pepper sauce and garlic sauce, hmmm delicious. This spot is the place to be for a (very) late night snack. Usually crowded after the nightclubs closes. Another favourite is french fries with peanut sauce.
Candela food trailer
A local delicacy at this food truck is the steak and cheese sandwich. Add some pickled red onions on top, some Papaya pepper sauce and garlic sauce, hmmm delicious. This spot is the place to be for a (very) late night snack. Usually crowded after the nightclubs closes. Another favourite is french fries with peanut sauce.
Authentic Aruba cuisine on a low budget. This is a local snackbar/restaurant that offers Aruban lunch for local workers. If you like to taste real Aruban food, make sure you visit this place. Don't forget to add some "pica di papaya" hot sauce made of Papaya fruit and Madam Janet peppers. You can also buy a jar of this Aruba hot pepper sauce at the Superfood to take home as a souvenir.
36 locals recommend
Pika's Corner Aruban Cuisine
Authentic Aruba cuisine on a low budget. This is a local snackbar/restaurant that offers Aruban lunch for local workers. If you like to taste real Aruban food, make sure you visit this place. Don't forget to add some "pica di papaya" hot sauce made of Papaya fruit and Madam Janet peppers. You can also buy a jar of this Aruba hot pepper sauce at the Superfood to take home as a souvenir.
One of my favourite spots for coffee and easy bites. If you are a coffee lover, you can collect 10 stamps and you will get a free coffee. I love the Cafe Latte Macchiato. Jack's cafe serves breakfast and lunch for a very good price as well. They have free wi-fi too.
13 locals recommend
Jack's Cafe
141-A BubaliOne of my favourite spots for coffee and easy bites. If you are a coffee lover, you can collect 10 stamps and you will get a free coffee. I love the Cafe Latte Macchiato. Jack's cafe serves breakfast and lunch for a very good price as well. They have free wi-fi too.
The local dish "keeshi yena" which is melted Gouda cheese filled with chicken is served at this restaurant. This place is situated in an authentic Aruban house. You will be seated outside, around the pooldeck. Make sure to do a reservation.
144 locals recommend
Papiamento Restaurant
61 WashingtonThe local dish "keeshi yena" which is melted Gouda cheese filled with chicken is served at this restaurant. This place is situated in an authentic Aruban house. You will be seated outside, around the pooldeck. Make sure to do a reservation.
The best local pizza you will find at this place. After visiting the Arikok Park, you make a pit stop at this spot and get yourself a "hamburger" pizza. Baked fresh in the ovens at Urataka, topped with all the good stuff found in a hamburger sandwich.
25 locals recommend
Urataka Center
7The best local pizza you will find at this place. After visiting the Arikok Park, you make a pit stop at this spot and get yourself a "hamburger" pizza. Baked fresh in the ovens at Urataka, topped with all the good stuff found in a hamburger sandwich.
Living on an island is synonymous to eat fresh caught fish. This family own spot gives you the experience of having a fresh fried fish meal and eat this like locals do, with your hands. Served with fried ripe plantains, an Aruban style pancake called "pan bati" and pickled red onion and pepper. Ask for the "pika di Papaya" a classic Aruban hot pepper sauce made with Papaya fruit and Madam Jeanette peppers.
265 locals recommend
Zeerovers
270 SavanetaLiving on an island is synonymous to eat fresh caught fish. This family own spot gives you the experience of having a fresh fried fish meal and eat this like locals do, with your hands. Served with fried ripe plantains, an Aruban style pancake called "pan bati" and pickled red onion and pepper. Ask for the "pika di Papaya" a classic Aruban hot pepper sauce made with Papaya fruit and Madam Jeanette peppers.
The best thin crust Italian style pizza is served at this spot. Nicely located at the Arawak garden. Live entertainment on most nights. This place is sometimes crowded with tourists and local as well. Come early to guaranteed a table and enjoy great pizza.
110 locals recommend
Casa Tua Pizzeria (Arawak Garden)
370 J.E. Irausquin BlvdThe best thin crust Italian style pizza is served at this spot. Nicely located at the Arawak garden. Live entertainment on most nights. This place is sometimes crowded with tourists and local as well. Come early to guaranteed a table and enjoy great pizza.
A restaurant with a history. Fresh catch of the day is served by this family owned restaurant. Sit near an aquarium with small fishes or at the tank and look out for the sharks. It is a hidden gem in the area of Noord.
16 locals recommend
Buccaneer
11C GasparitoA restaurant with a history. Fresh catch of the day is served by this family owned restaurant. Sit near an aquarium with small fishes or at the tank and look out for the sharks. It is a hidden gem in the area of Noord.
Drinks & Nightlife
A small bar on the amazing tourist strip in front of Hilton hotel. Drink good craft beers and cocktails before you head out to the nightclub on the corner.
50 locals recommend
Craft
348A J.E. Irausquin BlvdA small bar on the amazing tourist strip in front of Hilton hotel. Drink good craft beers and cocktails before you head out to the nightclub on the corner.
This modern wine-bar offers the best wines on the island combined with great tapas. The live piano music makes for a romantic scene.
6 locals recommend
Fusion Wine & Piano Bar
J.E. Irausquin BoulevardThis modern wine-bar offers the best wines on the island combined with great tapas. The live piano music makes for a romantic scene.
Local store offers a wide variety of craft beers. It is located in a traditional Aruban house which used to be a well know local bar Caribbean store. Try their "funchi fries" it is a local dish made of polenta. The chicken wings with "Crioyo Sauce" matches well with the craft beers.
124 locals recommend
Local Store Aruba
Local store offers a wide variety of craft beers. It is located in a traditional Aruban house which used to be a well know local bar Caribbean store. Try their "funchi fries" it is a local dish made of polenta. The chicken wings with "Crioyo Sauce" matches well with the craft beers.
Sightseeing
The uniqueness of this chapel makes it an attraction worth visiting. Build a long time ago, the chapel offers a place to connect with yourself, with nature and do a little prayer. Make a donation to help maintain the place. Make sure to get your fresh coconut water from our friendly boy at the parking lot. You can also get your souvenir from the vendor. If you have more time, take a short hiking in the lush dessert starting in front of the chapel or at the right side. The hiking trail is used by mountainbikers, take a good look out. The longest trail is 4km, the shorter one is about 1 km. The scene is beautiful and takes you to places only some people will discover.
133 locals recommend
Alto Vista Chapel
The uniqueness of this chapel makes it an attraction worth visiting. Build a long time ago, the chapel offers a place to connect with yourself, with nature and do a little prayer. Make a donation to help maintain the place. Make sure to get your fresh coconut water from our friendly boy at the parking lot. You can also get your souvenir from the vendor. If you have more time, take a short hiking in the lush dessert starting in front of the chapel or at the right side. The hiking trail is used by mountainbikers, take a good look out. The longest trail is 4km, the shorter one is about 1 km. The scene is beautiful and takes you to places only some people will discover.
An iconic spot featuring the other end of the island in the district of San Nicolas. No vacation is complete without a picture taken of this big red anker at the entrance of Colony, a place were the people that used to work in the refinery lived. The popular beach, The Baby Beach is located in this area.
7 locals recommend
Red Anchor
An iconic spot featuring the other end of the island in the district of San Nicolas. No vacation is complete without a picture taken of this big red anker at the entrance of Colony, a place were the people that used to work in the refinery lived. The popular beach, The Baby Beach is located in this area.
The importance of Aruba as a provider of gold can be seen at the ruins of Bushiribana. Make sure to make a picture from one of the windows.
60 locals recommend
Bushiribana Ruins
The importance of Aruba as a provider of gold can be seen at the ruins of Bushiribana. Make sure to make a picture from one of the windows.
Recently renovated, a must-go spot to get the wind blowing through your hair. The view of the coastline is amazing to see day and night. When visiting this place, make sure you get a fresh coconut juice at the vendor or a lemonade with crushed ice to cool of in the heat. The vending trucks on top of the hill have the best thirst quenchers for you.
249 locals recommend
California Lighthouse
2 HudishibanaRecently renovated, a must-go spot to get the wind blowing through your hair. The view of the coastline is amazing to see day and night. When visiting this place, make sure you get a fresh coconut juice at the vendor or a lemonade with crushed ice to cool of in the heat. The vending trucks on top of the hill have the best thirst quenchers for you.
Parks & Nature
This gem is the only Ramsar wetland on the island. Visit the Spanish Lagoon before the Golden hour (early morning at sunrise) to watch the bird welcome the day. There is a short walking trail which leads you through the Mangroves. Bird lovers will enjoy this secret spot.
8 locals recommend
Spaans Lagoen
This gem is the only Ramsar wetland on the island. Visit the Spanish Lagoon before the Golden hour (early morning at sunrise) to watch the bird welcome the day. There is a short walking trail which leads you through the Mangroves. Bird lovers will enjoy this secret spot.
The untouched nature in Arikok Park reflects the flora and fauna of Aruba. It is part of the 20% of the island that is being conserved. Arikok Park offers nice hiking and biking trails with exclusive views. If you enjoy nature, culture and history, do visit the park early morning of late afternoon.
140 locals recommend
Arikok National Park Visitor Center
70 San FuegoThe untouched nature in Arikok Park reflects the flora and fauna of Aruba. It is part of the 20% of the island that is being conserved. Arikok Park offers nice hiking and biking trails with exclusive views. If you enjoy nature, culture and history, do visit the park early morning of late afternoon.
Arts & Culture
The main street of San Nicolas and surrounding has been the scene for Aruba Art Fair. Many exhibitions can be seen in these streets, street painting make the perfect background for your pictures.
73 locals recommend
San Nicolas
The main street of San Nicolas and surrounding has been the scene for Aruba Art Fair. Many exhibitions can be seen in these streets, street painting make the perfect background for your pictures.
Talented Aruban artists exhibit their craft designs here. You can admire them or buy some to take home as a souvenir of a present for your loved ones.
7 locals recommend
Cosecha Aruban Craft Design & Heritage
1 ZoutmanstraatTalented Aruban artists exhibit their craft designs here. You can admire them or buy some to take home as a souvenir of a present for your loved ones.
Every Tuesday, the museum converts in a venue offering cultural experience. Folkloric music, carnival music, local food and artistic performances are part of a cultural night. Visit this spot to know more about the diverse Aruban culture. You will be welcome to the sound of the carnival brass band.
88 locals recommend
Museo Historico Aruba
ZoutmanstraatEvery Tuesday, the museum converts in a venue offering cultural experience. Folkloric music, carnival music, local food and artistic performances are part of a cultural night. Visit this spot to know more about the diverse Aruban culture. You will be welcome to the sound of the carnival brass band.
Amazing to see how a plant grown here is transformed into many different Aloe Vera products.
42 locals recommend
Aruba Aloe Factory, Museum and Store
115 PitastraatAmazing to see how a plant grown here is transformed into many different Aloe Vera products.
Shopping
Shops, restaurants, cinema and a bowling palace..... I am not a shop-o-holic, so I can not suggest any better than this.
24 locals recommend
Domino's Pizza Palm Beach
186-E 3Shops, restaurants, cinema and a bowling palace..... I am not a shop-o-holic, so I can not suggest any better than this.
A small shopping mall, with great entertainment. At night they have a musical water fountain show and other cultural events.
259 locals recommend
Paseo Herencia Mall
382A J.E. Irausquin BlvdA small shopping mall, with great entertainment. At night they have a musical water fountain show and other cultural events.
Essentials
Superfood is my favourite place to do groceries. It has a variety of Dutch products and popular American brands. What I like about Superfood is the cleanliness of the place and their fresh products. Take notice: Aruba has a ban on single use plastic bags, so you need to take a grocery bag with you for your groceries. I am providing one in the guesthouse which has printed pictures of Aruba's flora and fauna, made by an Aruban nature photographer.
407 locals recommend
Super Food Plaza
141 A BubaliSuperfood is my favourite place to do groceries. It has a variety of Dutch products and popular American brands. What I like about Superfood is the cleanliness of the place and their fresh products. Take notice: Aruba has a ban on single use plastic bags, so you need to take a grocery bag with you for your groceries. I am providing one in the guesthouse which has printed pictures of Aruba's flora and fauna, made by an Aruban nature photographer.