Thanksgiving is a decidedly American holiday but over the years, as tourism grew and locals were introduced to this tasty celebration of giving thanks, Aruba has adopted the culinary traditions that are staples to this day.
While we do not mark Thanksgiving as a legal holiday, we do love occasions to gather with family and friends to feast on great food and drink.
If your vacation in Aruba falls during the Thanksgiving weekend and you want to mark the holiday in your Vacation Aruba rental, here are some suggestions to deliciously enjoy this American holiday, island style!
Thanksgiving Meals on Aruba
Other than spending time with your loved ones, a traditional meal is the most important way to celebrate the day. Luckily for you in Aruba, you have a few options on how to enjoy your feast.
Prepare a meal in your vacation rental
There’s nothing like the smell of a turkey roasting all day at home. Our sense of smell has a direct line to the emotional centers of our brain and nostalgic connections to memories.
If Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without that glorious savory aroma wafting through your vacation home in Aruba, no worries—Aruba’s grocery stores stock up on whole turkeys this time of year, as well as many of the ingredients, like cranberries, cornbread mix, and stuffing mix, to make your meal complete. We checked in with Cmart Aruba, the island’s largest grocery retailer, and they will be stocked up on all your Thanksgiving essentials in time for your trip.
If you don’t want to tend to a turkey for several hours in your vacation rental, CMart will also be roasting their own turkeys and preparing all the fixings, allowing you to enjoy a day of fun on the island and then come home to the privacy of your vacation rental to a traditional Thanksgiving feast, without the added work. Cmart’s in-house buffet will also be featuring Thanksgiving favorites for an easy grab-and-go meal if you want to keep it simple and no-fuss.
Chef-catered gourmet Thanksgiving
If you’d prefer something extra special, our Concierge Team can assist in booking a private chef for the occasion. Expend zero effort to enjoy a fabulous gourmet Thanksgiving experience in your vacation rental. No shopping, no cooking, no cleaning, just a beautiful experience of Thanksgiving in Aruba.
We highly recommend booking this before your arrival.
Dining Out
Many local restaurants have also adopted the traditions of Thanksgiving, offering special Thanksgiving dishes and complete menus for guests to enjoy the holiday. Several hotel restaurants offer grand buffets for those wanting an all-you-can-eat feast. You can find lunch and dinner options. Our Concierge Team can assist with reservations.
How to Spend Your Thanksgiving Weekend in Aruba
November in Aruba is often quiet, without the crowds Christmas and New Years tend to bring. From September to early December, it’s our low season, a surprisingly wonderful time to visit. The temperatures are warm and you’ll be able to find more quiet spots for a day spent outdoors. Although technically our rainy season, our rain clouds tend to come and go quickly.
Other than enjoying a big Thanksgiving meal, these are a few other things we recommend you do during your weekend away:
- Spend ample time on the beach: From Eagle Beach to Baby Beach, our beaches are incredibly welcoming and more quiet during this time of the year.
- Soak up Aruban culture: While we’re sure you’ll want a traditional Thanksgiving meal, for the rest of the weekend, be sure to try our local cuisine. San Nicolas is a great neighborhood to spend the day or evening in, with street art, great food, and a better peak into local culture.
- Treat yourself to a spa day: Especially necessary if you decided to cook your own Thanksgiving meal but, even if you didn’t, enjoy a spa treatment (or two). If traditional spas aren’t your thing, you might enjoy some of the other wellness experiences Aruba offers.
- Go snorkeling: While Aruba offers a wide variety of watersports, snorkeling is one of the best in November. The winds are calmer and you’ll have less people at our favorite snorkeling spots.
You’ll Love Thanksgiving in Aruba
Thanksgiving is a great time of year to book a vacation rental in Aruba. Whether you’re planning a family vacation over the long holiday weekend or a last-minute escape before the rush of the Christmas holiday season, Vacation Aruba has the island’s largest portfolio to choose from to find the perfect vacation rental for your trip to Aruba.
Up to you if want to cook your own feast or prop your feet up on the day and be pampered, either way, you’ll be in for a treat in Aruba.
