All the perks of a Caribbean vacation without the crowds

Especially after the pandemic, people have more appreciation for those little moments of peace between all the chaos. Private experiences are services and activities offered in the comfort of your accommodation or other private settings. These include private chefs, masseuses, workshops, private picnics, and more! See below for some private experience options Aruba has to offer.

Professional Chef in the comfort of your home away from home

Sure, you can go to a local restaurant, and the food will be excellent, but it will never top the experience of having a chef whip up a fresh local dish for you right in your vacation rental. The intimacy and romantic vibes of a private chef experience are hard to beat. Aruba has an array of skilled chefs, including Chef Pelligrini and Chef Makaveli. Both can be hired to prepare indulgent authentic local dishes right at home.

Chef Pelligrini

Born and raised in Brazil, Chef Pelligrini has always been passionate about cooking. As the youngest sibling, he was in charge of cooking for the entire household. His cooking skills improved as time passed, and the completely self-taught chef decided to take his gift to the next level. He studied Culinary Arts at a university in São Paulo. Today he is an international sensation and is dedicated to providing excellent meals and experiences to clients all over the world.

Chef Makaveli

Born in Haiti and raised in Aruba, Chef Makaveli grew up surrounded by food. His love of cooking continued at 18 when he enrolled to study Hospitality at EPI in Aruba. After his internship at the Radisson and jobs at Sunset Grill, Yemanja (as Chef de Partie), and Wilhelmina, he then became Sous Chef at Elements Restaurant at Bucuti and Tara. When the pandemic hit, he couldn’t stand not doing what he loved. Then one day he got a brilliant idea! "If people are not going to restaurants, what if I bring the restaurant to them?" He was such a hit that he ended up quitting his job to pursue this new challenge full-time. Chef Makaveli says, “believe in yourself and what you want. Consistency is key.”

Romantic ocean-front private dining

Ocean-front dining is already a top-tier experience, but imagine how much better it would be if the setting were prepared just for you and your love. It is the ultimate romantic Caribbean experience. 4-course dinner, white sand, pink sunset on Palm Beach? Yes, please! You can try Hilton Aruba’s Sunset Concierge or The Ritz-Carlton Aruba’s dining experience.

Learn how to make Aruba’s favorite snack

What’s better than a cooking class? A private one-on-one cooking class with Chef Ever de Peña to learn how to make PASTECHIS! Ready to roll up your sleeves at the Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino? The delicious crescent-shaped dough is stuffed with a variety of fillings. Participants will receive a take-home apron and be able to feast on a variety of different pastechis. It’s what dreams are made of.

The ultimate romantic surprise

Picture this, you take your significant other to see Surfside Beach, but little do they know, you’ve set up the ultimate picnic experience for them. This is not your grandma’s picnic setup! Picnic Aruba creates the most lavish private picnic experiences on the island. Perfect for those special occasions, proposals, anniversaries, or even date-night. The pop-up picnic concept offers chic ocean-front setups where couples or groups can enjoy breakfast bites in the morning or even a charcuterie platter for pre-dinner appetizers.

Private fishing charter

Do you love fishing? Then I bet you’ll love fishing in the Caribbean! The waters, just about 5 to 7 miles offshore, are rich in trophy-sized species and game fish. These include Mahi-Mahi, Yellowfin Tuna, Barracudas, and Blue Marlins. You have probably noticed all the fresh fish and seafood items on the menus of our local restaurants. These were very likely caught by the fishermen offering these fishing charters. One such example is Driftwood Charters. You can join a team of skilled fishermen for a unique adventure in the waters of Aruba. Fish and seafood caught on the charter are served in the Driftwood restaurant later that night.

Explore on your own with complimentary e-bike and snorkeling gear

You can, of course, explore Aruba by foot or car, but some resorts offer complimentary e-bikes and snorkeling gear at your disposal. This ups the adventure levels a bit, no? One such resort is Divi & Tamarijn All Inclusive Resort. Take your e-bikes down the strip to Boca Catalina for some snorkeling. The resort also offers guests and their small groups a 12-mile roundtrip, with their own guide, to discover the island and one of its best beaches.

The convenience of a resort with a private twist

Staying at your own private rental may be too private for some. The next best thing is having your own private pool outside your bungalow. You can have that at Boardwalk Boutique Hotel by booking the only Casita they have on the property. Indulge in floating breakfasts and brunch staples at your private pool. Casita also includes a secluded patio complete with a hammock and grill. Another option is the very romantic private overwater bungalows at Aruba Ocean Villas. The 21+ resort is the ideal location for couples looking for a romantic escape and an authentic Aruban experience. The largest of the villas includes its own lounge deck, private palapa, overwater hammock, outdoor tub, and tanning beds.