Aruba Babymoon Travel Guide: An Honest Review
In September 2024, we traveled to Aruba to celebrate my birthday and enjoy a babymoon before welcoming our second baby. I was pregnant, craving rest, sunshine, and easy beach days so Aruba felt like a safe, relaxing choice.
This post is my completely honest Aruba travel review: where we stayed, what we loved, what disappointed us, and what I’d do very differently if I went back.
Where We Stayed in Aruba (And Why I Wouldn’t Stay There Again)
Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort
The Renaissance is famous for one thing: Flamingo Beach. You get free boat access to the private island with flamingos, which is honestly the only real perk. Here’s the truth though:
- The hotel is located in Oranjestad, right where cruise ships dock
- No oceanfront beach—just a man-made lagoon
- The “private” flamingo island is another lagoon, not An actual beach.
- No peaceful sunrise or sunset beach walks
- Busy, loud, and not relaxing at all
We immediately regretted staying here. Oranjestad is not the vibe if you’re looking for rest, romance, or a babymoon atmosphere. It felt commercial, crowded, and visually underwhelming.
Where I Wish We Stayed
The Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino or anywhere along Palm Beach or Eagle Beach would have been a better choice given the R&R kind of trip we were craving. Palm Beach instantly felt more relaxed, scenic, and vacation-appropriate. We went there one day and knew we’d chosen wrong.
The Best Beaches in Aruba
Eagle Beach. Hands down the best beach we visited. It was wide, calm, and stunning. Less crowded and more peaceful and natural.
Flamingo Beach. Fun for photos, yes—but very overhyped. It was extremely crowded (had to get there early to get a beach chair or cabana, at an extra charge), wasn’t a true beach experience, and to be honest, once you get your pictures, you’re ready to leave. Skip staying at the Renaissance just for Flamingo Beach. You’re better off visiting Eagle Beach repeatedly.
Baby Beach. Unfortunately, we didn’t to visit Baby Beach because it was on the other side of the island (south) and the Ubers were so expensive. It would’ve been $120 round trip from Oranjestad. Not to mention we would’ve needed to get there early enough to reserve a beach lounge chair (first come, first served basis). The hassle, especially while pregnant, just wasn’t worth it to us.
Honest Thoughts on Aruba Overall
Before I get critical, let me say this clearly: Aruba is gorgeous. The water is unreal, the beaches are beautiful, and many people were friendly. That said… here’s the real tea.
Aruba Is Expensive
- $60 round-trip taxis were normal
- A trip to the south side of the island? ~$120 round trip
- We skipped exploring entirely because transportation costs were wild
- Rent a car. This was our biggest mistake.
Food Was Disappointing (and Pricey)
We ate at highly recommended restaurants and were consistently underwhelmed. Meals ranged from $70–$100+ per person (no alcohol). Tourist restaurants lacked flavor and soul. The best food we had came from small Cuban and Dominican spots.
The Vibe
If I’m being 100% honest, Aruba felt like retiree heaven. It was very Americanized and there was minimal local culture showing through. It honestly felt like America 2.0—resorts, chain restaurants, cruise crowds. I didn’t feel immersed in Aruban culture at all, which was disappointing.
Restaurants & Nightlife
Tourist Hype (Skip These):
- Flying Fishbone Restaurant – Reservation required, food was extremely underwhelming
- Elements Restaurant – Gorgeous beachfront setting, average food
Actually Good Restaurants
- Cuba’s Cooking – Flavorful, comforting, memorable
- Silla Bar & Restaurant – Dominican cuisine, hands-down our favorite meal
Nightlife
The nightlife was the only time we saw people closer to our age. Checkout the Palm Beach Area for bar hopping. Kalibra Night Club is an honorable mention with solid music and energy.
Would I Recommend Aruba for a Babymoon?
Yes—but with caveats. Aruba gave me exactly what I needed physically during pregnancy—rest and warmth—but not what I crave when I typically travel: food, culture, and authenticity. It’s beautiful, but very curated. Aruba is for you if you want beautiful beaches, safety, easy relaxation, and a slow, low-energy trip. It’s not for you if you want culture, great food, adventure and affordability. If you’re planning an Aruba trip, hopefully this helps you make better choices than we did.
