10 Reasons Aruba is a Wellness Vacation Paradise

For the most part, we all want wellness—the state of being healthy in both mind and body.  Throughout our hectic days—in the moments between lugging the kids to and from school, attending meetings, and grocery shopping—we try to squeeze in time for the activities that help maintain our wellness.  A yoga class.  Eating a healthy salad.  Quietly enjoying a cup of tea until the kids rouse us from our peaceful reverie. 

Now imagine an entire vacation geared towards wellness, moment after moment of activities and experiences that nurture the mind, body, and soul.  This wellness paradise that you are imagining does indeed exist—on the island of Aruba!  For such a tiny island, you may be wondering why Aruba would be the best wellness vacation destination, but the answer is simple: we have a ton to offer in the way of wellness!

If you’re looking to heal your body, find peace and happiness, then there’s no better destination than Aruba.  Sit back, relax, and find out what makes Aruba a wellness paradise, especially during the Aloe Wellness Month Aruba this June.  

1. Relaxing Beaches

Aruba's beaches are downright glorious. Digging your toes into the sugar-white sand, wading into the aquamarine water, listening to the swaying palms, soaking up the Caribbean sun, and enjoying the refreshing trade winds—now this is true wellness!  And don't forget—you're not limited to the stretches of beach found in the resort areas.  Venturing south to Mangel Halto you can feel free to luxuriate in the peace among the tangle of mangrove trees, or journey a bit further to Baby Beach to visit one of the most beautiful seascapes on the entire island.  To really get away from it all, venture to the island's north coast and settle into one of the many secluded little coves.  Just make sure to take plenty of water, and don't forget to pack some Aruba Aloe sunscreen, made right here on the island!

2. Water Wellness

The sea can be so healing, especially when combined with a fun, get-your-body-moving activity, putting you well on your way to wellness.  Featuring flat seas and favorable wind conditions on the leeward side of the island, Aruba is one of the best places in the world to windsurf.  Kitesurfing has become quite popular in more recent years, especially among thrill-seekers.  Those looking for a more relaxed way of playing in the water can choose from other more relaxing water activities like standup paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, and snorkeling. 

^{Couple kayaking at Renaissance Island} 

3. Gentle Exercises for the Mind and Body

If you already practice yoga or meditation, you know how effective they are in cultivating wellness of both mind and body.  And if not, you're in for a real treat!  Aruba features a number of studios and organizations that offer yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, and meditation classes, each of which promises an incredible wellness experience.  The yoga options alone are impressive—from gentle yoga to hot yoga, power yoga, SUP yoga, sunset yoga, you name it!  There are also a growing number of yoga experiences that draw on Aruba's natural beauty as well, offering perfect options for a day-long, or multi-day wellness retreat.  Join a jeep tour that takes you to various breathtaking spots along the island's north coast to practice yoga, or do yoga on the beach under the full moon, followed by a drum circle.  Pure magic.

^{Sup Yoga Class in Aruba}

4. Nature Hikes

Connecting with nature is certainly one of the paths to wellness.  Aruba's nature, in particular, has an almost otherworldly aspect to it—the desert terrain filled with cactuses, huge stacked-up boulders, wild goat herds, and other unexpected curiosities—and perhaps the best way to explore it all is by foot.  One of the best places on the island to do some nature hiking is within Arikok National Park.  This sprawling nature preserve covering almost 20% of the island, is crisscrossed by a number of walking paths that put you up close and personal with Aruba's flora and fauna.  While you're in the park, take the time to explore several caves, a freshwater spring, several beautiful beaches, and the famous Natural Pool.  What better destination could there possibly be for finding a truly relaxing wellness experience?

^{Wild Goats in Aruba}

5. Aruba Spas

Ahhhhhh...now we're talking!  Spas offer the ultimate wellness experience, and Aruba's spas are on par with some of the best in the world.  Whether you’re looking for a luxury spa retreat or a simple day spa, it’s all on the menu in Aruba! Spa-goers can choose from a wide range of treatments, including massages, body wraps, scrubs, hot stone therapy, and aromatherapy treatments.  Vichy showers, saunas, cold plunge pools, and other amenities round out the spa experience, providing a perfect opportunity to experience some serious wellness.  A collection of Aruba's spas is even taking part in Aloe Wellness Month Aruba, offering special spa menus throughout the month of June.  Many of the treatment products will contain raw Aloe vera from Aruba as well as Aruba Aloe's nourishing products containing 100% pure Aloe vera gel.

6. Healthy Caribbean Food

Of course, a huge part of wellness is eating fresh, healthy food. In Aruba’s restaurants, visitors can choose from many healthy food offerings, including locally caught fish, organic fruits and vegetables, vegetarian dishes, and more. Stop at one of the many local “batido” stands for a fresh fruit shake, or ask the hotel bar to whip up something healthy and delicious.  The larger supermarkets also carry gluten-free products and other special health-food products for those requiring restricted diets.  During Aloe Wellness Month Aruba, the chefs at participating hotels will also be giving cooking demos featuring healthy preparations.

^{Coconut Stand at Plaza Daniel Leo in Mainstreet Oranjestad}

7. Dance!

Why not dance yourself to wellness?  Not only is dancing excellent exercise, but it's the perfect way to channel the inner child within who just wants to let loose and be free!  On Aruba, you can get your dance on at one of the island's sizzling nightclubs.  Alternatively, feel free to grab a partner and take a salsa lesson from one of the island's professional salsa dancers.  And don't worry—even if you have two left feet, you're still certainly going to have fun!   

8. The Island of Aloes

It's no surprise that Aruba has earned the nickname “The Island of Aloes,” as Aloe vera grows wild all over the place here.  Unless you've been living in a cave, you probably know that Aloe vera has an incredible number of health benefits.  Aruba Aloe, one of the oldest aloe companies in the world, harnesses the wellness benefits of Aruban-grown Aloe vera by blending it with other fine ingredients to create world-renowned health and beauty products.  Make sure to visit Aruba Aloe's Factory and Museum to see how the company creates wellness in a bottle on a daily basis, and pop into one of Aruba Aloe's 16 retail stores to sample the company's wide variety of awesome products.

^{The Aruba Aloe plantation}

9. Beach Tennis

Sure, a game of classic tennis is a great way to get in some heart-pumping exercise and body wellness, but on Aruba, beach tennis is the way to go!  This sport has become so popular on the island that Aruba now hosts one of the biggest international beach tennis tournaments in the world every year.  Head on over to the Tropicana Beach Tennis Club or Moomba Beach to play a few matches or even take lessons from one of the top-ranked players in the world. 

^{Beach Tennis at Moomba Beach}

10. Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering is an incredibly rewarding experience and certainly cultivates our emotional wellness.  While vacationing on Aruba, you can choose to partake in a wide variety of volunteer activities.  Are you an animal lover?  Lend a hand at the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary or the Aruba Animal Shelter.  Interested in protecting the environment?  Beach cleanups are organized both annually and monthly.  Several other volunteer activities are offered throughout the year at the hotels—just ask your concierge for details. 

^{The Aruba Animal Shelter in Wayaca}

As a paradise offering incredible wellness vacations, Aruba is that perfect place to decompress and find nourishment for your mind, body, and heart, any time of the year.  But for that concentrated dose of wellness, make sure not to miss out on the signature experiences that will be offered during the island's inaugural Aloe Wellness Month Aruba this June. 

This blog post is made in collaboration with our friends at Aruba Aloe, producing the world's finest aloe since 1890.