15 hours ago
Discover the perfect haven for wellness on Aruba
With its clear blue skies, breathtaking beaches (think azure waters tumbling onto pure white sand) and palm- and cactus-studded scenery, there's no wonder that the Caribbean island of Aruba is considered one of the world's safest and most spectacular spots for a wellness holiday. From breezy beachside yoga and head-clearing swims in natural pools, to luxurious spa treatments with all-natural ingredients and sumptuous stays, it's a warm and welcoming place to reset and reconnect for families, friends, LGBT travellers and all couples.
The benefits of vitamin D are no secret, and the cloudless skies in Aruba, combined with the effects of ocean therapy, mean that holidaying here offers a welcome chance to recharge and an exciting escape from the day-to-day routine of home. Pack your favourite SPF 50 and snooze in the shade listening to the hypnotic sound of the water lapping on the shore before a cooling swim, embracing the goodness of the ocean.
If your idea of wellness is about physical activities then you're in the right spot. You may choose to summit Hooiberg mountain or seek out the blissful seclusion of Mangel Halto beach and bask among its mangroves before gliding into its tranquil waters. Aruba is a welcoming place for responsible travellers who wish to help preserve this idyll for future generations. If you love being on and in the water you may want to spend long afternoons kayaking along the coast, snorkelling in crystal clear water, swimming from cove edge to cove edge or even savouring the experience of trying new watersports – something the whole family can enjoy if you're with loved ones.
Perhaps you prefer your wellness activities to have more of a gentle pace? If that's the case, you can stand-up paddleboard off the coast, enjoying a moment's peace as the gentle waves roll beneath you. Or you may prefer honing your core in Pilates classes at any number of resorts, or yoga classes that range from energising morning vinyasa to restorative late-afternoon yin.
If that's what you're looking for then a stay at Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa may be for you. The boutique resort is home to 79 rooms built no taller than the surrounding coconut trees. You could opt for an ocean view or garden view room, all decorated in soothing blues and greys, but the main reason you're here may just be the twice-daily yoga classes in a breezy, beachfront open-air pavilion which are free for guests (and non guests are also welcome to book a session) plus the healthy vegan cuisine and sushi restaurant, two of the most delicious dining spots on the island. Throw in a freshwater swimming pool and location just steps from the ocean and sugar-soft sands of Eagle Beach and you may find yourself struggling to leave.
While you're there, make sure to get out and explore: this is an island to appreciate, and the commitment to responsible tourism can be seen everywhere, from the clean sea and pristine beaches to the consideration of rubbish, plastic and water use.
One of the prettiest spots would have to be the Butterfly Farm, the tranquil home to thousands of multicoloured butterflies. Take a restorative stroll through the peaceful setting on your own time or opt to take one of their Mindfulness Walks, soaking up every sound, smell and sight as you go. Alternatively, try your hand at meditation – whether it's your first time or 500th, it's one of the most memorable spots for it. Across the island you may pick up a souvenir to take back home, such as a freshly made aloe vera scrub using local ingredients – some hotels even let you try your hand at making it.
Sometimes it's simply a really good massage that helps you feel well, and in Aruba you will be spoiled for choice. The St Regis Aruba Resort is one of them: within the luxury hotel is a spa sanctuary with muscle-melting massages and facials that will boost and brighten. For a longer spa retreat, the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort 's wellness packages are incredible for regenerating your mental and physical health. The Relaxation & Recovery break includes stress-relieving massages, reiki and sound-healing sessions, while the Better Together programme encourages relaxing time to reconnect with your partner with couples massages and meditation. For a truly holistic experience, the Recovery & Rejuvenation programme is the ultimate wellness escape, with yoga, Pilates, tai chi and qigong energy healing, mindfulness beach walks and meditations, as well as lymphatic-drainage treatments. Contemporary rooms and suites and a picture-perfect beach promise to make a stay here even more memorable.
Whatever wellness looks like to you, from outdoorsy and active to calm and quiet, the paradisiacal setting of Aruba lends itself to the ultimate feel-good getaway.
