There’s just something magical about celebrating another year around the sun with the ocean breeze in your hair and the sand between your toes. For my 2025 birthday trip, Aruba was calling and I definitely answered. This 5-day, 4-night escape to the beautiful island of Aruba was filled with great food, breathtaking beaches, and adventure.
Here’s my full itinerary, essential spots you shouldn’t miss, and tips for planning your own unforgettable trip to the “One Happy Island.”
📍Trip Basics
- Location: Noord, Aruba
- Dates: July 23rd – July 27th, 2025
- Where We Stayed: Turibana 27 Noord Airbnb
- Check-in / Check-out: 4:00 PM / 10:00 AM
🧳 Day-by-Day Itinerary
🗓 July 23rd — Arrival & Settle In
- 2:00 PM: Arrived + grocery shopping
- 4:30 PM: Explored Oranjestad (Royal Plaza Mall)
- 8:00 PM: Dinner at Drunken Fish
- 10:30 PM: Drinks at Kalibra Bar
🗓 July 24th — Sunsets & Sailboats
- 8:00 AM: Beach day at Palm Beach
- 12:30 PM: Lunch at Linda’s Dutch Pancakes
- 5:00–7:00 PM: Sunset Sail Cruise
- 8:00 PM: Dinner at Lazy Turtle
- 12:00 AM: Kalibra Bar (again—you’ll see why!)
🗓 July 25th — Beach Hopping & Nightlife
- 7:00 AM: Beaches: Eagle, Druif, and Surfside
- 11:00 AM–1:00 PM: Ostrich Farm Tour + Lunch
- 2:00 PM: Visit to Butterfly Farm
- 8:30 PM: Dinner at Gianni’s Restaurant
- 10:30 PM: Gelatissimo Bus
- 11:30 PM: Kalibra & South Beach Bar
🗓 July 26th — ATV & Oceanfront Dinner
- 9:00 AM–1:00 PM: ATV Desert + Beach Tour
- 6:00 PM: Birthday dinner at Barefoot Restaurant (yes, it’s literally on the beach!)
- 9:30 PM: Dessert at Pofferdorie
- Late-night stop: Fat Tuesday
🗓 July 27th — Departure Day
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at Les Cappuchinas
- 10:00 AM: Check-out
Aruba Essentials to Pack
- Reef-safe sunscreen (Aruba protects its coral reefs!)
- Water shoes (great for rocky beaches and ATV tours)
- Flowy beach fits + a few dressy pieces for dinner
- A portable fan and charger (Aruba heat is real)
💡 Quick Tips for Booking Your Aruba Trip:
- Book your sail cruise, ATV tour, and restaurants in advance (especially Barefoot!)
- Consider staying in Noord—close to the beaches and nightlife
- U.S. dollars are widely accepted
🎉 Final Thoughts:
This trip was everything I needed to reset, reflect, and really enjoy turning another year older. Aruba showed out for my birthday, and I can’t recommend this itinerary enough for your next celebration or group getaway.
Let me know if you want a downloadable version of the itinerary or links to book the places I visited! 👇🏾
Comment below or DM me @biggirltxme or @_kiminca_ on Instagram!
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