I went to Aruba with my wife, and you know what? We felt seen. Not stared at. Seen. That matters when you travel as a gay couple. We held hands on the beach. We kissed at sunset. Staff smiled, not side-eyed. I noticed the little things—like “Mrs. and Mrs.” on our check-in slip. Small line. Big feeling.
But let me explain how it really was, day by day, sand in my shoes and all.
First Impressions: Bright, Dry, and So Windy
The island looks like a postcard that never got old. Bright blue water. Soft sand. Cactus and divi-divi trees leaning like they know secrets. The wind never stops. It kept us cool, but it also blew my hat halfway to Venezuela. Bring a clip. Trust me.
If you want an even deeper dive into those first gusty moments, my full, photo-stuffed Aruba travel diary lives over on OutProud’s Gay Aruba review—bookmark it for later planning inspo.
People were warm in that calm way. No fake hype, just “Hey, welcome.” English was easy. Dollars were fine. Tap water tasted clean. I love a place where I don’t have to think too hard about basics.
Where We Stayed: Two Hotels, Two Moods
We split our time, which I recommend so you feel both sides of the island.
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Renaissance in Oranjestad: It’s right in the city. We booked a day at their private island. Yes, the flamingos are real. Yes, they will pose like tiny divas. The boat picks you up inside the hotel. I felt like I was in a movie, short and silly, but still a movie.
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Bucuti & Tara on Eagle Beach: Adults-only, quiet, romance right to the bones. They asked, “One king bed?” with zero pause. The beach here felt wide and calm. At sunset, I cried a little. I’m fine. It was gorgeous.
Staff at both places were respectful. No awkward “Are you sisters?” stuff. I didn’t even have to do the fake laugh I keep for that line.
Beaches: Pick Your Vibe
Aruba has beach moods, and I loved that.
- Eagle Beach: Big, calm, and clean. Great for lazy days. We read, we napped, we snacked. Bliss.
- Palm Beach: Livelier. Water sports. Music. You can grab a smoothie, then swim, then shop.
- Malmok and Boca Catalina: Clear water for snorkel lovers. We saw a green sea turtle. I squealed into my snorkel.
- Baby Beach: Shallow and sweet. Like a giant pool. We floated for hours.
One note: the sun is sneaky here. The breeze tricks you. Use reef-safe sunscreen. Reapply. Then do it again.
Feeling tempted to send your partner a flirty beach selfie while you're still lounging under a palapa? For travelers who rely on private messaging apps like Kik, this quick guide to Kik nudes breaks down how to exchange intimate photos safely and consensually, so you can keep the holiday glow between just the two of you.
Nightlife: Not a Big “Scene,” But It Works
Aruba doesn’t have a huge gay bar row. I won’t pretend it does. But mixed spots felt easy and friendly.
- Gusto in Palm Beach: Good for dancing. Mixed crowd. We had a fun, sweaty hour there.
- Bugaloe on the pier: Sunset drinks and goofy sing-alongs. Think toes tapping, not glitter cannons.
- Apotheek (speakeasy feel): Smart drinks, dim lights, cool date night.
We didn’t feel odd or watched. We were just… part of the night. If you want a big, wild circuit party, this isn’t that. If you want hand-holding and a nice rum punch without a scene, you’ll be happy.
Speaking of nightlife, if your future adventures swing back to the U.S. and you’re curious about where queer-friendly locals mingle in smaller college towns, the Backpage Boone guide gives an insider snapshot of Boone, North Carolina’s late-night hangouts and spontaneous meet-up spots so you can land with confidence and skip the guesswork.
Food That Kept Me Happy
We ate well. Maybe too well. No regrets.
- Eduardo’s Beach Shack: Smoothie bowls with fresh fruit. Light and bright.
- Zeerovers in Savaneta: Fresh fried fish by the water. Cash only. Go hungry. The plantains? A hug in food form.
- Dutch Pancake House: Savory pancake for me, sweet for her. We traded bites, then fought softly over the last one.
- Yemanja Woodfired Grill: Date-night vibes. Good service, tender meat, fire-kissed veggies.
- Barefoot Restaurant: Tables in the sand. Stars above. Watch planes in the distance and make wishes.
Food is a bit pricey across the island. I mean, it’s an island. We mixed it up—one fancy dinner, one simple lunch. That balanced the wallet.
Things We Did That Felt Worth It
- Jolly Pirates Sunset Sail: Rope swing into the sea. Yes, I screamed. Yes, I did it again. Sun slipping down, water like glass. Everyone clapped for strangers. Nice.
- UTV tour with ABC Tours: Dusty and wild out near Arikok. We bumped over rock and salt and felt like explorers. Wear a bandana. You’ll thank me later.
- Snorkel at Arashi: Clear, calm, and fishy in a good way.
- Flamingo Island: Cheesy? A little. Fun? A lot. If a bird with pink legs wants a snack from your hand, go with it.
Safety and Comfort as a Gay Couple
We felt safe. We felt welcome. That won’t be everyone’s story every time, but it was ours. From taxis to tours, no one blinked at “my wife.” Hotel notes came addressed to both of us. Housekeeping left two robes. It sounds small. It isn’t.
If you ever want a quick primer on your rights abroad or just need uplifting stories from fellow queer travelers, check out OutProud before you fly.
For an at-a-glance rundown of the island’s legal landscape, the Wikipedia entry on LGBTQ rights in Aruba is a handy resource. And if you’re mapping out your own rainbow-bright getaway, the tourism board’s curated page for Aruba LGBT vacations is packed with hotel deals and upcoming events.
We used common sense—like anywhere. We walked at night in busy areas. We kept it sweet and easy in public. But we didn’t hide. We didn’t have to.
What I Wish I Knew
- The wind is real. Bring hair ties, hat clips, and a light jacket for sunset.
- Taxis are easy but add up fast. A short ride can cost more than you think. If you plan to explore, rent a car for a day or two.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard. Your skin will thank you.
- Book the private island and tours early. Slots fill.
Quick Picks I’d Repeat
- Stay: Bucuti & Tara for quiet romance; Renaissance for city energy and the flamingo island.
- Eat: Zeerovers for local fish; Yemanja for a nice night out; Eduardo’s for a fresh start.
- Do: Sunset sail for the memory; UTV ride for the rush; Snorkel at Malmok for the turtle chance.
Small Snags and Real Talk
- Food and drinks cost more than I hoped. Island math, I get it, but still.
- Not many “gay bars,” so if you want a big rainbow street scene, you may feel let down.
- Sand gets in everything. I’m still finding it in a beach bag pocket I swear I cleaned.
Who Will Love Aruba
- Couples who want calm, sun, and easy romance.
- First-time queer travelers who want kind smiles and smooth days.
- Beach fans who like clean, safe spots and clear water.
Final Feelings
Aruba felt steady. Gentle. Like being carried by a warm wave that knows where it’s going. I went home rested, which I don’t say often. We laughed a lot. We danced a little. We got sun, we got salt, we got heard.
Would I go back as a gay couple? Yes. Without a second thought. I’d pack the hat clip this time, though. And maybe two extra robes—just because it felt nice to be counted.