on April 23, 2021
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The Sands of Time in Aruba

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You’ll enjoy walking in the sands of time in Aruba with its world-class beaches and always-perfect weather making this a top destination for tourist. Aruba is constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Located in the mid-south of the Caribbean Sea. Combined with the warm and inviting culture makes it all the more irresistible. One thing you may find hard to believe is that Aruba is one of the safest vacation spots in the Caribbean which is definitely top priority. There are four languages spoken here on the island, Papiamento, Dutch, English and Spanish. You won’t have any trouble getting around! 🙂

Bon Bini! (Welcome!)

Nothing beats walking in the sands of time and creating memories. The people of Aruba truly make it all that it is. The warm culture meets the warmth of the bluest sea that surrounds you. Falling in love with the island was simple and has filled my heart with so much joy ever since.

Sitting about 29 kilometres north of the Venezuela peninsula of Paraguaná and 80 kilometres northwest of Curaçao is Aruba the happy island.

1. Best time to Walk the Sands of Time in Aruba

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT ARUBA

Although Aruba has amazing weather all year round, the best time to visit is between April and August the island’s high prices take a holiday and rainfall is at its lowest. January to March features very pleasant weather. Keep in mind anytime of the year is a perfect time to visit the island. Most of the rain falls from late October through early January.

Where to stay

Fly into Oranjestad, Aruba (Queen Beatrix International airport) which is the capital city of Aruba. There are plenty of hotels and resorts to choose from and most are even located on private beachfronts! Below I’ve listed a few favorites.

  1. Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino –
    • 4.5-star luxury resort
    • Located on the beach.
    • About 17-minute drive to AUA airport
    • 4-minute walk to Palm Beach
  2. Barceló Aruba –
    • All-inclusive property (meaning all meals/beverages are included in the price)
    • Beachfront property
    • Bubali Bird Sanctuary – 10-minute walk
    • Paseo Herencia Shopping Mall and Palm Beach Plaza
    • About 17-minute drive to AUA airport
  3. Renaissance Aruba Resort – My personal favorite!
    • All-inclusive option available
    • Sea view property
    • Access to the private island with flamingos
    • Within walking distance to restaurants, gift shops and more!

SUNSET VIEW FROM MY BALCONY❤

HOW TO GET TO ARUBA

Like many islands, many travel by air if so, you’ll land at Queen Beatrix International Airport located in Oranjestad, Aruba. However, if you’re looking for a short stay then a cruise may be more your speed.

Things to Do in Aruba

Despite Aruba being a small island, there are plenty of activities to do here and must-see sightseeing tours too. Let’s get into it! 😉 Below are some amazing activities and tours you wouldn’t want to miss!

  1. Some of my personal favorites:
    • Fort Zoutman Historical Museum – a military fortification at Oranjestad, Aruba that was originally built in 1798 by African slaves. You can learn a lot about the history here on the island and definitely worth it!
    • Bushiribana Ruins– Historic Gold Mines a 19th century gold mill
    • Aruba Aloe Factory Museum – Aruba was once the largest exporter of aloe vera.
    • Balashi Brewery & Beer Garden – Balashi is Aruba’s local island brew.
    • Aruba Mural Tours – Take a grand tour through San Nicolaas to see amazing murals throughout the city.
    • Renaissance Private Island – Nothing beats the flamingos! Here are a few things I wish I knew the day pass is $125 per person and this price includes one meal and one drink. If you book your stay at the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort, you will have access to this private island at no additional cost! Be sure to carry quarters with you to buy food for the flamingos. A quarter will get you a large handful! This way you’ll attract them for photos and videos!
    • Snorkeling – You can never go wrong with this great experience in turquoise blue water 🙂

1. VISIT THE NATURAL BRIDGE

Located in the Arikok National Park is this natural formation made out of coral limestone and remnant of an ancient cave. Unfortunately, it collapsed in 2005 and this is what remains. The natural arch measures approximately 25 feet high and 100 feet long, So you guessed right! I definitely did not walk on it. however, I still very much enjoyed my tour here! 🙂 This tour is about $56USD pp and with so many stops around the island, it’ll definitely be worth it!

The Natural Bridge is one of Aruba’s tourist sights, bringing in hundreds of visitors every single year!

2. Bushiribana Ruins

The Bushiribana Gold Smelter Ruins was once a gold production facility built in 1872 by the Aruba island Gold Mining Company. It was founded to mine the gold that was discovered in the Seroe Plat region of Aruba.

This is a remnant of the 19th century that now has been quite the tourist sightseeing spot. This former gold mill is a historic fragment of the island of Aruba when there was a gold rush. This gold smelting era is reflected in Aruba’s historical name which when roughly translated means: “There was Gold“.

There isn’t much to do here other than admire what’s left of this historical site, take photos and learn about it’s history. It’s fascinating how the windswept stone ruins stand in the middle of the untouched land even after all this time. You’ll get a chance to see so much more on this trip around Oranjestad, for a total of $47! You won’t regret it!!

3. THE ALOE FACTORY MUSEUM

The Royal Aruba Aloe is a company in Aruba that cultivates and produces aloe-derived products. This was one of my favorite tours here because I gained so much knowledge of the history of aloe vera on this island. This company was founded by  Cornelis Eman in 1890.

This Aloe is considered one of the finest in the world. Aruba was one of the world’s largest exporters of aloe vera for quite some time.  With Aruba’s hot, arid climate, the aloe vera plant thrived, and continues to this very day! In fact, it thrived so well here that two-thirds of the island was covered in aloe vera fields.

Today, the Aloe Factory Museum and store are flourishing as it still grows and processes the aloe plant. With that being said, here you will gain insight on the history of aloe vera and how it became a prominent part of the island and its riches, the production and processing of the plant and even get a chance to purchase some natural goods made from the product here onsite! 🙂

4. THE RENAISSANCE PRIVATE ISLAND

This island of 40-acre tropical paradise, is home to Aruba’s one and only private beach, which just so happens to be covered with gorgeous pink flamingos! 🙂

This exclusive retreat is available to guests of Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba from sunrise to sunset free of charge. I took a 10 minute scenic boat ride that picked me up directly from my resort at the Renaissance. Such a convenient means of transportation that departs every 15 minutes. And when you’re ready to come back to the resort, you just make your way to the dock and wait for the next boat to arrive.

If you’re not staying at the Renaissance, don’t worry, you can purchase a day pass for $125USD. This price typically gives one-time access to the private island and includes a lunch as well. Not that bad if you ask me! Anyway, I was fortunate to have been staying at this resort and this private island was a huge factor as to why I did.

The flamingos are so beautiful and definitely worth seeing. Be sure to bring plenty of quarters to purchase foods from a dispenser, this allows you to take great shot with the flamingos as it will attract them. Once you have the food in the palms of your hands, a flamingo or two will slowly make their way to you.

Although they’re cute and gentle-looking, they tend to snap at you as well. However, they don’t have teeth and their beaks don’t hurt, but it can be startling!

WHAT DOES IT COST TO TRAVEL AROUND ARUBA

Firstly, round trip flights can cost between $250-$400 depending on the time of year. I love to shop around for the best deals. Lastly, hotel/resorts cost were about $1,200USD. I stayed at the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort. Undoubtedly, the best decision. The cost of $1,200 included 5 nights/6 days stay with a gorgeous sea front view and free access and boat ride to the Renaissance Private Island! Additionally, I booked an hour and a half full body massage in a private cabana at the Renaissance Private Island. Experience the pinnacle of pampering at Okeanos Spa where they offer facials, full-body wraps, massages and so much more. In conclusion, this is the place for ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation.

Pictured above you can see various views of Aruba. Definitely worth it!

Aruba, it truly is the happy island! ❤

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on December 12, 2019
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The Best of Holiday’s In Nicaragua

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Holidays in Nicaragua, the waves and beaches will bring me back to this very place every single time. thriving adventure tourism, colorful sun-drenched colonial cities.

After several decades of civil war, political strife and disastrous American interventions. As a result, this country is slowly but surely repairing itself. In comparison to neighboring Costa Rica, Nicaragua is cheaper and much more ‘off-the-beaten track, making it ideal for a backpacking trip of at least a month. Known as the “Land of Lakes and Volcanoes,” Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America. And definitely a stunning destination with so much beauty to offer.

In fact, I decided to visit Nicaragua during my trip to Costa Rica. This was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! If you’re looking for cost-effective ways to travel, this is a great way to do it.

In addition, this experience a full day tour that includes transportation to and from your accommodation, breakfast and lunch, guides and so much more! This is all the information you’ll need > BOOK HERE

The Central American Hidden Gem, an overlooked place which must be explored. To completely understand how it feels is to experience this extraordinary country!

1. MANAGUA

Managua is Nicaragua’s capital city and the landing pad for anyone flying into Nicaragua. In addition, this country as a whole is up and coming for tourism. This means there are plenty lively eateries, cafes, museums.

You can also view the Tiscapa Crater Lake, a lagoon of volcanic origin that was formed over 10,000 years ago. I highly recommend making a stop at the Roberto Huembes Market, a colorful market where you can by anything from souvenir to delicious fruits.

Managua is a quiet city that one should visit even for just a day or two. Nonetheless, I adore large cities. Especially capital cities, because this is where you can always find signs of a country’s history. Not to mention, I only spent a day traveling through Nicaragua, and I still got to immerse myself in a bit of all that it has to offer.

2. GRANADA

One of Central America’s most beautiful colonial cities is Granada, Nicaragua. With colorfully painted walls, palm trees as the back splash and cobblestone streets, this is a tropical-Latin vibe you don’t want to miss. A place that exudes an air of well-worn sneakers or ripped jeans, bringing warmth to your soul with every turn.

I discovered that Granada is fairly easy to get to. It’s located just one hour away from the capital Managua. This gorgeous city is lively with people playing musical instruments as you rome around, street foods being sold at every turn and horse and carriages clopping hooves around.

Albeit, Granada will make you feel as though you’ve stepped into the most picturesque postcard with architecture reminiscent of the colonial era from which it was built.

Significantly, when visiting this phenomenal city be sure to stop by the Cathedral of Granada, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. This is a landmark that dominates the city’s central plaza with its vibrant yellow façade and towering bell towers. 

Inside, there is beautiful simple white interior, accentuated by high arches and soft natural light. I visited in December of 2019, which is slow season in Nicaragua.

This time of year makes for a perfect time to visit because this square can be very crowded during the high season, not to mention the weather cools down during these months. .

While in Granada, I had a lovely carriage ride through the city. This option allowed me to get around more freely since I was able to take my time, take photos and videos and also make random stops along the way!

Afterwards, we stopped at The Choco Museo, where I learned the process behind making different products from the cacao fruit. I still have some natural body creams that I bought there and I cannot wait to replenish!

The Best of Holiday’s in Nicaragua

3. Lake Nicaragua

Firstly, the city is located on Lake Nicaragua. In fact, Lake Nicaragua is one of the largest lakes in Central America (ranking as the 19th largest). It is also considered one of the largest in the world with an area of just over 3000 square miles and an elevation just over 100 feet above sea level, it reaches depths of over eighty feet! It also has many names however, it’s native name is Lake Cocibolca.

Consequently, after an eruption that occurred about 20,000 years ago, it left behind many volcanic islands within the lake. If you have jungle fever, this might be a great place to vacation. There are many private islands to check out along the lake. 🙂

It is also the largest tropical fresh water lake in America. The lake actually has a river which drains it on the southeastern end known as the San Juan River. The river flows slowly, but steadily towards the Caribbean Sea.

As I mentioned before, there are many islands within it’s realm. The largest of all is Ometepe. Notably, Ometepe is a volcanic island with two different volcanoes: Maderas and Concepcion. The first is extinct and has a crater lake on the top; the second is an active volcano that towers over a mile over the lake, creating a unique landmark that is visible from around the lake!

Additionally, Lake Nicaragua is the only freshwater body in the world with saltwater animals! Some examples include, bull sharks, tarpon, and sawfish. Now if this isn’t cool, I don’t know what is! 🙂

4. Trip to the Volcán Masaya

Volcán Masaya is a caldera located in Masaya, Nicaragua. Can’t tell you how much of a thrill it was when Claudio pretended to pick me up and throw me into the pit of this massive volcano! You can just see the smoke emanating from it’s pit in the photos, as the lava continued to bubble below.

This full-day trip from Tamarindo, Costa Rica was one for the books! For a great price, I was blessed to see this amazing country with great company along the way and so much more!

Finding the hidden gems in life is the best part. Nicaragua is one of them! ❤

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on October 21, 2019
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The Ultimate Belizean Island Escape

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You’ve landed in the right place for the ultimate Belizean island escape! One can’t go wrong with Belize for a tropical getaway. For a little background, this was the very first country I traveled solo and it was a great place to start for many reasons! 🙂 To start, Belize is inexpensive, which made traveling here a no-brainer. Furthermore, I usually strategize major parts of my travels and one of them is having a clear sign of direction. Belize was an excellent choice to start island hopping!

Belize is the 48th smallest country in the world so it’s easily explored in a short period of time. Even more, this country is home to hundreds of ancient ruins, including around 33 Mayan archaeological sites in various states of excavation and disrepair. This place is truly a hidden paradise. When I reminisce on my time in Belize, I think of solitude and warmth.

Exploring Belize filled my cup with happiness as I started my solo travel adventure here! A dreamy island perfect for anytime you want to just get away!

THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF BELIZE

The official language spoken here is English however, many Belizeans are multilingual. And most of the population speaks a Creole patois.

CURRENCY

The Belize dollar is the official currency in Belize. With that being said, the U.S. dollar is also widely accepted here. The 2 are used interchangeably so you don’t have to worry about foreign exchange fees when withdrawing from your bank.

1. Belize City

Belize City, the largest urban center in the country, serves as its vibrant hub of commerce and trade. While it was once the capital of Belize, the seat of government was moved to Belmopan in 1970. Despite no longer being the political capital, Belize City remains a key cultural and economic cornerstone of the nation.

Belize City is also home to the largest population of Belizeans. And remains as the gateway in the Cayes, Atolls and Belize’s mainland. The only international airport in Belize is the Philip Goldson International which makes it the first point of contact for tourists.

When traveling to Belize, you’ll land in Belize City, then you’ll take an hour and 15 minute ferry ride to San Pedro or 45 minutes to Caye Caulker. Belize City is full of color, sunshine and smiles. Upon my arrival at Philip Goldson International airport, I was greeted with my friendly driver who drove me to the Belize City Ferry Terminal. For as low as $27USD you can enjoy a scenic ride and make friends along the way!

A few things to note about this stunning city is that there is plenty to do here! You can spend the day exploring the old capital which is full of historical sights such as the House of Cultures and Belize’s Supreme Court. One can also tour the Museum of Belize that was once a prison! The list goes on, but you wouldn’t want to miss visiting one of Belize’s Mayan sites, Altun Ha.

I’ve mentioned just a few options on things to do as far as sightseeing however, Belize City has so much more to offer. The Belize Zoo is another one you might save for your bucket list. Especially if you’re an animal lover like me!

This is the oldest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility in Belize. And the best part is that the animals here are rescues! They’ve either been confiscated from illegal wildlife trade by law enforcement or transferred from other rehab and zoological facilities.

In addition to all the adventurous things to do, this city also has a plethora of restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and more which makes it a perfect getaway for everyone.

2. San Pedro

A picturesque town on the southern part of the island of Ambergris Caye just off the coast of Belize in Central America. With an estimated population of 16,117, this sleepy fishing town makes a for a gorgeous place to unwind and rejuvenate.  😉

A key to making your vacay in San Pedro more enjoyable is to rent a golf cart. You heard that right! It’s pretty common to see many golf carts driving around. Ambergris Caye is a pretty small, due to this are rarely any full-sized cars, trucks, or other vehicles.

This means the primary mode of transportation on the island is golf carts. Another reason to rent one is because most hotels, resorts and condos aren’t located in the center of town. The cost for renting a golf cart is about $45USD for a 24HR rental however, you can rent them by the hour as well.

This stunning island is 25 miles long making golf carts a great way to feel the gentle breeze blowing in your hair as you explore it from tip to tip! It was such a blessing meeting a couple lovely ladies who had invited me to spend the day with them because it was my birthday and we had a ball! Meeting lovely travelers and locals along the way through this journey called life is one of my favorite things to do, even though I’m mostly introverted! 🙂

My 27th Birthday at SECRET BEACH ❤

This stunning beach with crystal clear waters sits on the northwest side of the island. There are many bars and restaurants along the shores playing music and creating a lovely atmosphere.

HOW TO GET HERE

Secret Beach is on the west side of the island – the opposite side of Ambergris Caye.

To get there from San Pedro town, you will need a golf cart!  It’s at least a 40 minute ride from the San Pedro town center. At approximately 4.5 miles north Ambergris Caye take the big left turn. This is where you’ll see all the signs – referred to as “the Secret Beach Junction”.

Continue down the unpaved road… (hopefully it’s better now.) And from the Junction to Secret Beach is about 15-20 minute drive with your golf cart.

Besides all the restaurants and bars serving food and beverages, you can also find souvenirs, hair braiding services and more! But most importantly you can swim, drink, eat, rejuvenate and repeat until the sun fades! 🙂

Photography is a hobby of mine which aides in creating memories throughout all my travels. And this photo below is one of my favorites that I’ve ever taken. Secret Beach exudes peace and tranquility, one can truly feel it just by looking at it. 🙂

3. My Accommodation

I decided to stay at X’Tan Ha a secluded beachfront resort that was so peaceful and picturesque. This place lives up to it’s name which means the waterfront in Mayan dialect.

I woke up to the sound of the ocean every single morning and coffee on my patio.. who wouldn’t want to wake up here? 🙂

The cost for the seafront villa is currently $234 per night and is worth every penny. This stunning resort offers private beach, 2 outdoor pools, a restaurant and bar and shuttle service to the airport for $80BZD.

All in all, Belize has so much more to offer, we’re barely scratching the surface. There’s so much to explore here such as Caye Caulker, Hopkins village, Belmopan (the capital) and more!! We’ll save these for my next trip to Belize.

The Caye (key) to happiness is to never stop exploring. Belize is truly sensational! ❤

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