What To Do

Enjoy the Beautiful Beaches

There are so many gorgeous beaches on Aruba, you may not even have time to visit them all! All of the beaches on the island are public, and they have the most incredible soft white sand and turquoise waters. Some spots to definitely check out are Palm Beach and Eagle Beach on the West side of the island, Arashi Beach and Catalina Beach further North, Divi Beach, Drulf Beach, and Surfside Beach near Oranjestad, and Baby Beach, Rodger’s Beach, and Boca Grandi on the East side. Enjoy!

Explore the Desert

Aruba’s desert landscape makes it an incredibly unique island. It’s definitely worth taking a break from the beaches to head to the centre of the island to explore some of it’s interesting desert terrain. We recommend visiting the Ayo Rock Formation, as well as the Casibari Rock Formations, which are huge rock clusters in the middle of Aruba. There are trails going through the formations as well as beautiful viewpoints, and they are definitely worth a visit. In the same area there is Hooiberg, a dormant volcanic formation that sits 165 metres high. You can hike up to the top and enjoy the stunning 360 degree view of the island.

Visit the Capital City of Oranjestad

The capital of Aruba is called Oranjestad, and sits about halfway down the island on the South coast. It’s a charming town with a beautiful marina and seafront. It also acts as a cruise ship port and has many shops and boutiques, as well as waterfront restaurants and eateries. Be sure to spend some time exploring the area!

Discover the National Park

The Arikok National Park takes up nearly one fifth of the island, and is home to plenty of unique attractions. Plan a visit here if you would like to see caves, cultural heritage sites, a natural pool, secluded bays, and different rock formations. There is a small entrance fee to the park that goes toward conservation and educational programs, but there is definitely plenty to see! Be sure to have a vehicle that is up to the task if you plan to drive yourself. You can also take guided tours of the park, and some areas have very rough terrain and can only be accessed by a 4X4.

See the California Lighthouse

A major attraction on the island of Aruba is the California lighthouse. Sitting at the Northwest tip of the island, the lighthouse was named after a ship that crashed nearby in the late 1800’s. It’s a gorgeous place to watch the sunset, or just take in the incredible views.

Go Snorkelling

Aruba is a great place to go snorkelling and appreciate the sea life in the clear blue waters. There are plenty of snorkelling tours on the island, or if you have your own gear, you can snorkel off of several beaches on your own. Be sure to keep your safety in mind, as the water can be quite rough with strong currents in some places. Some of the best beaches for snorkelling are Arashi Beach, Boca Catalina, and Malmok Beach.

Where to Stay

There are some great options for accommodations on Aruba! If you’re interested in staying in a hotel or resort, most of them are located in the Palm Beach area on the Northern coast of the island. This is an excellent spot to stay if you’re looking to be right on the water, with easy access to some of the most beautiful stretches of beach. There are also some hotels in the capital city of Oranjestad which is close to all of the shopping, as well as many cafes and restaurants. You can expect both of these areas to be pretty lively! They would be great choices if you like to be near all the action. If you’re looking to book hotel accommodations in these areas, our favourite tool is Hotels.com. It’s easy to search within a certain price range, and filter for the amenities that you like. They also have a great reward system – for every ten nights you book, you receive one night free. The other option for accommodations in Aruba is Airbnb. Many of the listings are also in the Palm Beach area as well as Oranjestad, but offer some very affordable alternatives to the big hotels and resorts. If you’re wanting an Airbnb in more of a local neighbourhood, a great spot to look is Noord. It’s close to Palm Beach but much quieter, and easy driving distance to everywhere you will want to go. There are also some Airbnb listings in the more remote areas of the island, if you’re looking to be somewhere more secluded. If you plan to rent a vehicle, Airbnb can be a great option as it allows you to stay outside of the busier tourist areas. We stayed in a beautiful apartment in Noord, because we wanted a local experience. It was a short drive to all of the beaches we wanted to visit, and very central to everywhere that we planned to explore. If you enjoy using Airbnb like we do, it’s definitely worth taking a look to see what’s available! Our one bedroom apartment had a full kitchen, and an adorable backyard patio for only $45US/night in the low season. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, click here to set up a profile and save on your first stay!

Where to Eat & Drink

We were incredibly impressed with Aruba’s food scene! Not only does it have plenty of adorable beach shacks, cafes, and healthy daytime eateries, it also has some truly amazing fine dining. We were especially impressed with how many diverse cuisines were offered, and plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options. If you have any food sensitivities or eat a plant-based diet like we do, Aruba is extremely accommodating! Our favourite spot for breakfast or lunch was Eduardo’s Beach Shack on Palm Beach. Be sure to stop by for beautifully crafted smoothie bowls, as well as plenty of baked goods and healthy lunch options! Another great casual daytime option is One Happy Bowl in Oranjestad. Some other spots that really impressed us were Fishes & More in Palm Beach, and Papillon a French/Caribbean restaurant in the same area. Elements at Eagle Beach does an incredible lunch and dinner, and also offers beautiful beach views. Faro Blanco is an Italian restaurant located next to the California Lighthouse and is a must-do for the best sunset on the island! Hadicurari offers great beachside ambiance, and Ike’s Bistro is a wonderful choice for a romantic meal. We also loved Yemanja and Cuba’s Cookin, both in the capital city. Be sure to try as many cafes and restaurants as you can, as well as have a drink at one of the many beachside bars. There is so much to discover in Aruba, and there is truly something for everyone. Enjoy!

Lesbian Friendly

Aruba has some of the most progressive LGBTQ+ laws in the Caribbean, making it a great travel destination for lesbian women and couples. Same-sex sexual activity is legal, and there have been discrimination protections in place since 2012. The island doesn’t yet recognize same-sex marriage, but same-sex registered partnerships have been legally recognized since 2016 (the Aruban parliament being the first in the Caribbean to legalize same-sex unions). You can check out our full post on how lesbian friendly Aruba is here. The public’s attitude toward the LGBTQ+ community has come a long way, and now the official Aruba tourism website excitedly welcomes LGBTQ+ travellers, claiming that the island celebrates diversity. We had a very positive experience visiting Aruba as a married lesbian couple, and had no issues being open around the locals and other travellers. We held hands, showed affection, and kissed in public without anyone giving us a second glance. We also booked an Airbnb apartment with a local host as an open lesbian couple, and he welcomed us warmly. We really enjoyed our time on the island and would highly recommend it as a lesbian friendly destination in the Caribbean. While there isn’t a lot of gay culture, all hotels, bars, and other establishments call themselves LGBTQ+ friendly. There is a designated gay bar in the capital city of Oranjestad called 7 Club Lounge, and everywhere on the island feels safe and welcoming. When speaking with some locals, we were told that other same-sex couples and members of the community have no issues living on the island and going out with their partners. We got the impression that it’s quite an inclusive culture in Aruba!

How to Get Around

Walk

Different parts of the island are quite walkable, such as the capital city of Oranjestad as well as the Palm Beach area. If you’re staying in one spot during your trip, you won’t have any trouble getting around on foot. If you do plan to do more exploring, you’ll want to look into additional modes of transportation.

Rent a Vehicle

If you want to have the freedom to explore the entire island during your stay, we highly recommend renting a vehicle! We rented a car for our week long stay, and we’re so glad we did. It gave us the opportunity to explore the busier tourist areas, as well as the more remote locations on Aruba. We drove into the desert, along the entire South coast, and all the way to the beaches on the East side of the island. If you plan to stay on the paved roads and just visit the main sights, a regular car is all you’ll need. If you want to drive into the national park and on the dirt roads up on the North part of the island, you’ll need a 4X4 or ATV.

We rented our car from Tropic Car Rental and had an amazing experience. The owner, Hans made the process as easy as possible. He sent over all the paperwork in advance and had someone waiting to bring us to our car when we arrived at the airport. We highly recommend renting a car with Tropic!

Taxi

There is no ride sharing in Aruba, so taxis are your only option if you’re looking for car service on the island. The taxis in Aruba are fairy expensive, with a starting rate of $6 USD, and on Sundays and holidays there is an additional surcharge of $3 USD. The taxis don’t have meters, so be sure to ask for the fixed rate before your journey. Hotels and restaurants in the resort areas and in Oranjestad are always happy to call you a cab, and taxis are easy to hail in the busy areas.

Public Transportation

The public bus, Arubus is a great way to get around if you’re sticking to the resort areas and the capital city. Buses run from 5:45am to 11:30pm daily, and service is every 15 minutes until 6pm and every 40 minutes from 6pm-11:30pm. Rates are affordable at $5 USD for a round trip and day passes are available for $10 USD.

How to Stay Connected

Roaming charges on your cell phone can really add up while travelling. One thing we like to do when we visit a new country, is buy a local SIM card. The pay-as-you-go mobile plans from local service providers are typically much less expensive than roaming plans and travel SIM cards. In Aruba, it’s very simple to get a SIM card and get connected right away. If you fly into the Queen Beatrix International Airport, you will find a kiosk for the national service provider Digicel when you exit the baggage claim area. Bring your passport and phone to the kiosk and select the plan you want. The customer service representative will get you all set up, and you’ll be connected immediately. We got week long unlimited talk, text and data plans for $28 USD.

Has anyone else fallen in love with Aruba? Let us know in the comments!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Aruba appeared first on Lez See the World.

What To Do

Visit the Plaza Independencia

The beautiful Plaza de la Independencia sits in the centre of Montevideo, and is the perfect jumping off point for a day of sight seeing! Separating the city’s downtown from its historic old town, the plaza is a popular attraction with some well known architectural landmarks. Be sure to check out the Gateway of the Citadel, the Artigas Maosoleum, the Palacio Salvo, and the Teatro Solis.

Explore the Ciudad Vieja

Montevideo’s old town is called the Ciudad Vieja, and is a great place to get lost for a day. It has plenty of history and cultural museums if that interests you, as well as a lot of other popular landmarks. Look out for the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Plaza Matriz, as well as some beautiful views of the water from San Juan Gate. There is also a popular historic market called the Mercado del Puerto with plenty of bars and restaurants, as well as a lively nightlife scene with cocktail bars scattered around the area.

Enjoy the Peatonal Sarandi

The historic old town also has an amazing pedestrian zone called the Peatonal Sarandi. It starts at the Ciudadela and runs down to the Rambla. Here you will find plenty of shops, businesses, cafes, and galleries, and it’s a great spot to people watch and enjoy the energy of the city.

Stroll Along the Rambla de Montevideo

This avenue wraps along the coastline of the entire city, and is the longest sidewalk in the world! The promenade is a popular spot for walking, cycling, fishing, and roller skating, and is a beautiful place to enjoy the views of the water. The Rambla is extremely important to Montevideo and has even been proposed as a World Heritage Site. Be sure to spend some time here soaking up the sun.

Explore Downtown Montevideo

Avenida 18 de Julio, is the main commercial street running through the city’s downtown. Named after the date of Uruguay’s first constitution, it’s a very important avenue in Montevideo and a great jumping off point for exploring the city centre.

Check out the City Beaches

If you’re looking to get out and enjoy some of the beautiful beaches Montevideo has to offer, there are plenty of city beaches you can visit! The closest is Playa Ramirez, and a little further out are Pocitos Beach, Playa Verde, Carrasco Beach, Playa del Buceo, and Malvin Beach. A perfect way to escape the city and relax!

Where to Stay

Montevideo is a fairly big city, and deciding where to stay really depends on what you’re looking for. If you decide to go the hotel route, most hotels in Montevideo are located in the downtown area and along the nearby beaches. There are both big chain hotels as well as smaller boutique hotels to fit every price point. If you choose to stay in the downtown area, you’ll be very close to the historic old town and you will definitely find some affordable options. If you want to stay in one of the beautiful areas near the beaches, you’ll be farther away from the city centre but in a really lovely spot by the water. If you’re looking to book hotel accommodations, our favourite tool is Hotels.com. It’s easy to search within a certain price range, and filter for the amenities that you like. They also have a great reward system – for every ten nights you book, you receive one night free. Outside of hotels, there aren’t a lot of accommodation options in Montevideo. We were able to find an Airbnb in the old town for our stay, but there were very few apartments to choose from. If you enjoy using Airbnb like we do, it’s definitely worth taking a look to see what’s available and hopefully you can get lucky like we did! We found a full studio apartment with a kitchen for $36CAD/night. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, click here to set up a profile and save on your first stay!

Where to Eat & Drink

The food scene in Montevideo keeps getting better and better, and is especially geared toward meat eaters. While the culinary offerings are quite diverse, the city is very popular for barbecue and steak. We noticed a small but growing trend in health conscious establishments focused on vegetarian or fully plant-based menus, but not as many as in nearby Buenos Aires. A popular spot for meat eaters is the Mercado del Puerto, a historic port market where you will find plenty of steakhouses. For cozy cafes, try La Farmacia in the old town or Cafe Gourmand and Escaramuza Libros in the city centre. For more upscale dining, Jacinto is a very popular spot for dinner, and Toledo is the place for tapas. If you’re vegan like us, and looking for plant-based options, Natural Food & Market is the perfect spot for lunch, Barra 7 is great for late night eats, and Bambu is a wonderful vegetarian buffet. Montevideo also has a vibrant nightlife scene with plenty of bars and music venues scattered around the city. You really can’t go wrong! Some popular spots include Baar Fun Fun, Patagonia Brewing Co, and the Montevideo Wine Experience. Keep reading for some specifically LGBTQ+ friendly bars and venues.

Lesbian Friendly

Uruguay has some of the most progressive LGBTQ+ laws in South America, and is very LGBTQ+ friendly, even by global standards. Click here for more on how lesbian friendly the country of Uruguay is. Montevideo has been called one of the most gay friendly cities in the world, and is very welcoming of travellers. Uruguay legalized same-sex marriage back in 2013, and they’ve had discrimination protections in place for the community since 2003. We felt very safe travelling to Montevideo as a lesbian couple, and had no issues at all while we were exploring the city. We showed affection in public, held hands in the street, took couple photos togethers, and booked an Airbnb with a local host as a married couple. We never felt the need to hide our relationship to stay safe, and everyone we met was very warm to us. Montevideo is one of the few cities in the world with a monument to recognize our community. In 2004, The Plaza of Sexual Diversity was created, featuring a large granite monolith in the shape of a triangle (referencing the pink triangles worn during Nazi persecution). The monolith reads “Honouring diversity is honouring life: Montevideo for the respect of every gender, identity, and sexual orientation”, which is pretty incredible! In terms of a gay scene or “gaybourhood”, the LGBTQ+ establishments in Montevideo are scattered around the city rather than being concentrated in one area. As usual, the gay nightlife is geared toward men, but establishments are still welcoming of gay women. The most popular and well known gay bar/late night venue is called Chains Pub and is located downtown near Plaza de la Independencia. For late night dancing, the most popular gay club/disco is Cain Club, which is also located downtown. Il Tempo is another gay disco located further out of the city centre, close to Playa Ramirez. Montevideo is definitely a lesbian friendly spot to visit in Uruguay. If you’re looking for a welcoming South American city to check out, be sure to add Montevideo to your travel list!

How to Get Here and How to Get Around

Ferry

To get to Montevideo from Buenos Aires, Argentina, you can take a ferry across the Rio de la Plata. There are a few different companies to choose from, but in our opinion the fastest and best option is Buquebus. You can book your tickets online in advance, and they have several sailings per day, so it’s easy to choose a departure that works with your schedule.  Buquebus offers two options to get to Montevideo – a direct ferry, and a ferry and bus combination through Colonia. The direct ferry is faster, but more expensive, and the combination offers more sailing times, but will take longer. The direct sailing time from Buenos Aires to Colonia is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the ferry and bus option will take roughly 4.5 hours. Be sure to arrive at the Puerto Madero terminal in Buenos Aires at least an hour before departure time (the ticket says to arrive two hours before, but nobody actually does). Once you arrive, you can check in with an agent and check any larger pieces of luggage. After check in, you’ll head upstairs and go through exit immigration for Argentina, as well as entry immigration for Uruguay. There is also a nice waiting area with a cafe before you board.

Bus

Getting to and from Montevideo by bus is also very straight forward. If you’re travelling by bus, most likely you’ll be coming from Colonia or Punta Del Este. There are multiple daily bus departures with Turil, Cot and Copsa. If your schedule is flexible, it’s no problem to buy your ticket at the bus station when you arrive, but we’d recommend purchasing your tickets ahead of time online to ensure you have a seat. Urubus is a great website for booking tickets ahead of time, and has multiple languages to choose from for convenience. If it’s a weekend or holiday, then you should definitely book ahead of time, as buses can get busy! The buses are inexpensive, tend to be on time, and have wifi, so the 3 hour trip from Colonia or 2 hour trip from Punta Del Este will be very comfortable.

Walk

The different areas of Montevideo are very walkable, and great to explore on foot. In the old town, the pedestrian street is perfect to stroll along, and the Rambla is a beautiful walk along the water with incredible views. It’s more difficult to walk between the different neighbourhoods in the city, but each area in itself is quite pedestrian friendly.

Bike

We saw a lot of people riding bikes in Montevideo, and it definitely seems like a good way to get around. Just be mindful of the cars on the road, because the drivers tend to drive very close to cyclists. There is a city bike share called Movete, where you can pick up a docked bike and return it to any designated spot in the city.

E-Scooter

The mode of transportation we were most excited to see in the city is the e-scooter network. Montevideo has both Lime and Grin scooters, and they both work the same way. Once you have the app (the Lime app is the same for all of their scooter networks worldwide), you can unlock any scooter you see and take it for a ride. Once you’re finished, simply park the scooter in a spot that’s out of the way, and lock it using your phone. Riding along the Rambla on a scooter is a great way to see the area, although we’d be hesitant to ride everywhere in the city because the cobblestone streets might make for a bumpy ride!

Taxi/Rideshare

Taxis and Ubers are plentiful in the city. Rates are quite a bit higher than in Argentina because of Uruguay’s high gas prices, but they’re still much lower than what we’re used to in North America. Taxis in Uruguay have an evening/Sunday and daytime pricing scale, so expect your rate to be different depending on the time of day.

Public Transportation

There is no subway system in Montevideo, but the bus network is reliable and inexpensive. Buses don’t run late, but there are more taxis on the road after public transportation hours end, so you’ll never be stuck.

Has anyone else fallen in love with Montevideo? Let us know in the comments!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Montevideo, Uruguay appeared first on Lez See the World.