Aruba Solo Travel Diary 🇦🇼 | Days 1 & 2 of 5
Airport Adventures, Taxi Drama, Island Living, Rental Car Rules & Fitness
There’s something about traveling solo that I absolutely love. The freedom to explore, make my own decisions, meet new people, and create experiences on my own terms.
But one thing about traveling? Everything doesn’t always go according to plan! 😂
Welcome to the first two days of my five-day Aruba adventure!
Day 1 — Welcome to Aruba! ✈️🌴
My adventure started with arriving in Aruba, figuring out transportation, and making my way to my accommodations.
And let’s just say the taxi experience gave me something to talk about! 😂
Traveling teaches you to be flexible, but it also reminds you why researching transportation, planning your budget, and knowing your options beforehand are so important.
Once I finally got settled, I was able to enjoy my accommodations at Privada Stays, my welcome drink, the room decorations, and those first moments of being on vacation.
Of course, food was part of the experience! I enjoyed my first dinner, had some coffee, and started settling into island life.
Sometimes, the first day isn’t about doing everything. It’s about arriving safely, getting comfortable, and allowing yourself to enjoy the moment.
Day 2 — Breakfast, Exploring & Renting a Car 🚗
Day 2 started with breakfast and a cappuccino.
One thing I appreciated was receiving recommendations from the property owner. Those local conversations can be incredibly helpful when you’re visiting somewhere unfamiliar.
Then came the rental car experience with Amigo Car Rental.
First, there was the physical driver’s license requirement. Another reminder to verify what documents you’ll need before arriving.
And then there were the rental rules!
The company took what felt like 30 pictures of the car! 😂 They also emailed the inspection documentation so there was a record of the vehicle’s condition.
There were restrictions on driving through the rocky parts of the island, requirements for returning the car clean, and expectations for refilling the gas tank.
Now, the cleaning requirement had me thinking.
How are we on an island surrounded by sand, but getting the car sandy could cost me extra money?! 😂
Apparently, you enjoy the island, then make sure that car is clean before you return it!
If that means visiting a car wash, do what you have to do. I’d rather take a little extra time than deal with an unexpected cleaning charge.
I also photographed the fuel gauge before driving away so I could document the starting fuel level and know what to refill before returning the vehicle.
My biggest rental car lessons?
Photograph the vehicle before leaving.
Review the inspection photos and rental agreement.
Confirm where you’re permitted to drive.
Understand the cleaning requirements.
Document the fuel level and refill accordingly.
Enjoy your vacation, but protect your money!
Driving Around Aruba 🌴
Once I had the car, I could explore more independently.
Driving in an unfamiliar country comes with its own learning curve, especially navigating Aruba’s roundabouts.
But that’s part of what makes traveling exciting. You learn how to adapt, gain confidence, and become more comfortable navigating unfamiliar places.
Having my own transportation also gave me more flexibility with my schedule.
Food, Fitness & Finding My Rhythm 💪🏽
One thing about me: being on vacation doesn’t mean completely abandoning my lifestyle.
I still enjoy finding time for the gym, eating good food, exploring, and having moments to relax.
Between the meals, gym time, and a little reading, I was finding my rhythm in Aruba.
And that’s something I love about solo travel.
You can create a vacation that reflects your own interests instead of following somebody else’s schedule.
What My First Two Days Taught Me 💰
Traveling isn’t just about beautiful destinations and taking pictures.
It’s also about the lessons you collect along the way.
These first two days reminded me to plan for transportation expenses, read rental agreements carefully, document important details, ask questions, and remain flexible when things don’t go as expected.
And most importantly, don’t let small inconveniences ruin the entire experience.
You can laugh about the unexpected moments, learn from them, and keep enjoying your trip.
That’s the beauty of travel.
The Adventure Is Just Beginning! 🇦🇼
My first two days in Aruba were filled with new experiences, little surprises, good food, fitness, and plenty of lessons.
And we still have three more days to go!
Watch my full 16-minute Aruba Travel Diary on YouTube to experience Days 1 and 2 with me.
Fitness • Finance • Freedom ✈️💰💪🏽
Travel intentionally. Explore confidently. Create memories. Protect your peace and your money.