Let’s be honest: nobody comes to Aruba to stare at a watch or stress over a tight schedule. Yet, it’s incredibly easy to fall into the trap of booking every single hour of your vacation until you’re running on autopilot.
If you want to experience the island the way locals do, you need to learn to take it poco poco (little by little). It’s about trading the crowded tour buses for total independence, turning down random roads just to see where they lead, and allowing your day to simply happen.
If you’re ready to hit the reset button and let the clock take a back seat, here is how to design a perfectly unhurried, independent day on the island.
The Key to “Poco Poco”: Your Own Wheels
You can’t set your own pace if you’re operating on someone else’s transit schedule. To truly take it poco poco, you need the freedom to wander.
- The Freedom to Linger: Securing a vehicle with trusted local providers like Amigo Car Rental, Econo Car Rental, or Aruba Top Drive gives you the ultimate vacation luxury: time. If you spot a hidden beach cove, a colorful neighborhood, or a roadside coconut stand, you don’t have to check a schedule. You have the freedom to park, turn off the engine, and stay as long as you like.
The Morning: Open-Air Paces and Shady Steps
A poco poco morning requires a complete absence of rushing. Instead of jumping straight into high-energy activities, choose a scenic, quiet spot to watch the island wake up.
- Slow Oceanfront Mornings: Skip the hectic resort breakfast lines. Instead, drive over to a quiet table right by the sea at Elements Restaurant to enjoy a peaceful morning coffee alongside the calm sound of the early surf.
- Downtown at a Stroll: Head into Oranjestad, park the car, and just walk. You can hop on the free, slow-moving eco-trolley to admire the classic Dutch-Caribbean architecture, then explore the outdoor paths of the Renaissance Marketplace to browse local boutiques and unique outdoor stalls at your own relaxed pace.
The Afternoon: The Art of the Three-Hour Lunch
On a hot afternoon, the ultimate poco poco move is to find a breezy wooden deck right by the water, sit down, and refuse to leave for a few hours.
- Pier-Side Relaxation: Walk right out over the turquoise water and grab a shaded table at The Pelican Nest Seafood & Grill Bar. Order a cold local Balashi beer, a plate of freshly caught fish, and just watch the pelicans dive under the wooden planks. There is no pressure to clear the table; here, lingering over a long conversation is highly encouraged.
- A Quiet Ocean Float: When you finally get up from lunch, skip the motorized water sports. Walk down to a calm, shallow stretch of Palm Beach or Eagle Beach. Don’t swim for exercise—just float.
The Evening: Slow Sunsets and Elegant Evenings
As the sun dips low, the island shifts into its best, most relaxed rhythm. This is the time to sit back and experience a leisurely, multi-course meal where dinner is treated as an experience rather than a rushed transaction.
- Classic Island Ambiente: To cap off the night, drive to an elegant, open-air setting to enjoy the effortless, unhurried pace of an Aruban evening. Take in the top-tier hospitality and stunning views at Sunset Grille Restaurant, or treat yourself to an incredible tableside dining journey at L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chop House. Savor a great glass of wine and let the night unfold seamlessly.
The Golden Rule: If you look at your watch and realize you’ve spent three hours doing absolutely nothing but watching the tide or chatting with a local bartender, congratulations—you are officially taking it poco poco.
