New York & Aruba: a golden combination for your holiday (+ tips!)
To have something Aruba en New York mean? Maybe not much at first; the inhabitants speak a completely different language, New York is a heaven for it burguês en frieze (basically any food you can think of), while in Aruba fresh fish rolls out of the sea. Of course it's in The City That Never Sleeps go, go, go, while on One Happy Island you move more under the motto go with the flow.
But we turn it around, because man oh man, the combination is wonderful, and they fit together perfectly. From the Little Caribbean neighborhood in Brooklyn to Aruba's second city, Sint Nicolaas. And from wave surfing on the waves of Rockaway Beach in Queens to windsurfing on Eagle Beach. Accelerate in New York (so much to see and do) and then relax in Aruba (so many beaches to test out). Best of both worlds, and you fly from New York to Aruba in less than five hours.
From rush to peace and quiet, this is how you approach a combination trip from New York and Aruba:
First things first, and that is the itinerary you take. We recommend that you start in New York and end in Aruba. Busy first, relax later. Then your feet can rest on the island from the distances you traveled in NYC. The other way around is also possible, it just depends on how you like it.
A visa and credit card are a must, and it is good to know (and handy) that New York is in the same time zone as the Caribbean, which means that the combination of jet lag p is.
From Amsterdam you can get to New York in no time and you will most likely fly into JFK airport.
If you arrive late, your flight to Aruba will be early again. Or if you simply want to acclimatize, there is a 'worthwhile' hotel at the airport. The iconic T.W.A. Hotel is breathing new life into the historic TWA Flight Center with a renovation and conversion into a hotel. You also get beautiful views of the JFK runways, good food at The Paris Café, The Sunken Lounge Food Hall, a rooftop pool overlooking the runway, an airplane converted into a cocktail lounge and a Twister Room.
There you go, straight into The Concrete Jungle. Smart to arrange transport in advance. You can take the subway, but if you are not yet familiar with NYC or you do not feel like carrying around, it is advisable to arrange transportation. Airlink NYC is reliable and budget-proof, because you share your ride from the airport to Manhattan with other travelers.
Of course, you first need to know where Airlink NYC should drop you off. And Barts Boekje wouldn't be Barts Boekje if we didn't have a number of lists ready for you. This list is for those who want to dig deep into their pockets, or don't have to look so closely, so it's wishlist material. This list is the budget-proof version. A good option is for example Wyndham Garden Brooklyn Sunset Park, around the corner from Sunset Park. Clean, good breakfast and a great location. And oh man, book one of the rooms with fantastic views of Manhattan. Gift to yourself.
What do we do When in New York? Of course, check off all the sights first. With the CityPASS® highly recommended. With this pass you have access to the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock observation deck, you can take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, 9/11 Monument & Museum and much more. You can choose from three different passes (depending on how much you want and can see) and that will save you a lot of money. The pass is much cheaper than buying individual tickets for all the attractions, and with the pass you also get discounts for popular Broadway musicals and plays.
Overwhelming, those highlights of the city are guaranteed to make you hungry. Then we go:
- This is a list of the nicest restaurants for a dinner in New York,
- This one is for lunch
- This list is great for when you're craving pizza (they know that trick here in town).
- Take outstyle, visit one of the many parks in the city and enjoy the tastiest lunch there, outside, among the New Yorkers. We say do it! You must have these parks.
- And of course we also have to wash away that hunger, we do that with one drink in one of these bars.
- Bring ID/passport (21+ is a black), wear appropriate clothing, provide a good base and let's go to one of these clubs in New York for dancing.
Eating and drinking is a must in this cosmopolitan city. But so much to do and see, besides the tourist attractions. We wrote a list of tips for a second, third or fourth visit to the city. Also a top list if you want to get away from the crowds and avoid the sights.
Aruba is of course next on the agenda, but before that you can warm up in New York. What better place to do this than in Little Caribbean, a neighborhood in Brooklyn with dozens of restaurants, shops, cultural centers and religious institutions. Let your stomach get used to the Caribbean snacks during a food tour, where you will learn all about Brooklyn's Caribbean community combined with jerk chicken, patties, curries, salted fish cakes with spicy tamarind sauce, sweet pastries, fresh juices and authentic Caribbean rum. Being well prepared on your way to the next destination is half the battle.
Also get used to the sea breeze, salt water and the go with the flow vibe? At first glance you don't immediately think of the beach when you think of New York, but they do have it. And you can surf legally there too. Rockaway Beach is a remote part of New York with chill vibes and full of inspiration. This is how Lou Harris put the Black Surfing Association to teach black youth in Rockaway how to surf.
The best way to chill out in New York for a day is with a smoothie in your hand (you must have the one from The Cradle NYC) or a long drink/lunch (Rockaway Hotel is your answer).
We leave the big city full of (new) stimuli and a Caribbean atmosphere. We are going to seek some peace and quiet, in Aruba. About five hours later you are at the airport of Aruba with your suitcase with walking shoes and slippers (tactical packing is a must for such a combination trip), and the first yoga session has already been scheduled. What better way to become zen than with one Downward Facing Dog of Happy Baby?
And Aruba wouldn't be Aruba if it didn't combine the water element with yoga, and Sup Yoga is hot. A Sup Yoga Class from Vela Aruba is a challenge, but accessible to everyone on a soft inflatable board. Would you rather keep both feet on the ground? Maria Pucci gives yoga sessions at Tres Papi. The sun setting in the background, and you forget that you were in New York a few hours earlier.
De-stimulated? New York is a lot, so to be guaranteed to get into zen mode, check in at the nicest spot on the island. Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba is your address for an ultimate relaxing holiday. A bit like being in the jungle, but in your own colored casita. Add a sparkling white beach, tranquility, two swimming pools, a fitness room, yoga options, massage service and a lobby and you're there. All day You can get island specialties at the renovated Coco Café (with a Belgian twist, so you immediately know where the two twin sisters at the helm come from).
To return to those casitas: they are wonderfully large, light, fresh holiday apartments and the spacious garden with colored seating areas and hammocks.
Of course, just do nothing at all, but that will probably be fine once you see the snow-white beaches. But if, if you still want to do something because you are there, say, for a week or two and perhaps don't want to spend part of the day eating, drinking, sleeping, reading a book, eating, drinking, sleeping, then Aruba also has great things to do. in store.
Aruba's national park called Arikok is truly beautiful with hiking trails, gigantic cacti, ancient wall drawings and more. Royal Aruba Aloe is a bit (very) touristy, but one must visit when at One Happy Island. You can immediately stock up on all the products for when you accidentally get a little sunburn.
You will find all the fun things to do in Aruba in this list.
Aruba. One Happy Island. This also means that fish comes straight from the sea here. This in turn means that you have good restaurants there. We like to visit The Coco Café, Azar and Westdeck. You can't just get fish on the island, you can get everything tasty and healthy you can think of at one of the Eduardo's locations on the island. And at Azar, for example, they know how to handle grilled dishes.
And so: a list of personal restaurant favorites. Aka Aruba, the restaurants. Don't mention it.
You don't have to look long to bring back the memories of New York in Aruba. There are similarities hidden in every corner of the street; from food trucks and surfers to the Americans who love to come to Aruba (and you hear them everywhere).
But the greatest similarity can be found in San Nicolas (or Saint Nicholas). Brooklyn in New York is a true street art mecca, and so is San Nicolas. Let us first give you a little history lesson: San Nicolas is the second city of Aruba (Oranjestad the first). For a long period, the city was mainly known for its oil refinery. This created employment, but also led to an increase in prostitution, alcohol consumption and drug use. When the oil refinery closed, San Nicolas turned into a ghost town. Until mid-2016, when graffiti artists gave the city color again. And voilà, just like Brooklyn you will find colorful walls everywhere, although here they often have a tropical touch.
You will also find some nice local restaurants/bars in San Nicolas: Charlie's Bar, Kulture Cafe, Kamini's Kitchen and O'Niel Caribbean Kitchen.
Trip planned or on the bucket list? You can find more tips on the website New York City Tourism en Aruba Tourism.
