Surf Cat

The world is not our oyster right now. American passport holders find themselves in a position they are not used to being in—faced with limited vacation options this summer, many are choosing to stay local, while others are simply pining after their international counterparts who have more options. But while it may seem like there is ‘nowhere Americans can go’ there are in fact over 20 countries open to travelers from the United States. Albeit with some restrictions and requirements, there are some great choices available to travel to immediately. One such destination is Aruba. With strict entry requirements, a low COVID-19 risk profile, freedom from hurricanes, and direct flights from the East Coast, Aruba is defining itself as the safe, reliable place for American tourists this season.

Why Visit Aruba Right Now

Aruba is located much more South than other popular Caribbean destinations. It is only 15 miles off of the coast of Venezuela. This is an important fact because this excludes the island from the hurricane belt the rest of the Caribbean experiences this time of year. This makes Aruba a practical choice for the summer months. The risk of rainy days is quite low and with its famous white sand and turquoise waters, you’ll be hard pressed to find someone not having a good time in the sun. Direct flights from the East Coast on JetBlue, American and Delta are all operating once again so the travel time is only about 3.5-4.5 hours door to door from many major U.S. cities.

Aruba Travel Restrictions and Requirements

Other than fear of COVID-19, the second most significant reason why people aren’t traveling as much right now is all the new travel restrictions and requirement imposed both at home and abroad. And while the requirements can be intimidating, if you do your research, they are not as much of a pain as you would think. Aruba has done a great job of publicizing what they require and the documentation you need to have with you before you board your flight to the island. For most visitors from the United States the simplest way to comply is to get a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of departing for Aruba and to bring proof of a negative/not detected result with you on the trip. This in addition to filling out the Aruba ED card online, qualifies you for entry into the country—as long as you do not exhibit any symptoms upon arrival.

Where to Stay in Aruba

The trick to traveling right now is ease. We all just want an escape from our current reality and however we can do that with as little fuss the better. Especially for families with young children, taking a vacation may seem impossible right now, but trust me, a few days on a beach will do you a whole lot of good. And when you book the DIVI Aruba All Inclusive, you don’t have to think about anything.

All inclusives are there to serve a very specific purpose—providing relaxation with the absence of hassle. Whether you are looking to sit on a beach and sip pina coladas or you want to bring the kids windsurfing, DIVI is for you. And because the property caters to family travelers, expect larger hotels rooms, many with balconies and water views. Also, the layout of the property puts most rooms within just steps of the beach, no trekking a mile just to get to that famous white sand and turquoise water each morning. Just hop out of bed and you are there.

What to Do in Aruba

We are all craving fresh air these days and Aruba has plenty of that. In fact, it is probably one of the places with the best air circulation in the world thanks it to its famous tradewinds. Aruba has a year-round breeze, which alone is probably recharging visitors. But for the family with children, DIVI has lots to offer. With onsite windsurfing, kayaking, and snorkeling available, the kids will never be bored. And with eight bars on site, the parents can treat themselves as well.

All in all, Aruba is an affordable, safe, fun choice right now and most of us could use ‘One Happy Island’ these days.