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Aruba Easter holidays
Being predominately Catholic, it's no surprise that Lent (Cuaresma) and Easter are taken seriously in Aruba. Easter celebrations are marked by two significant events that really add something to your Aruba holiday.
On Palm Sunday, churches give out palm leaves to replicate the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem where the crowds laid them on the ground for him to walk on and waved them as they lined the route. It's tradition to shape the leaves into crosses to decorate and bless homes.
On Good Friday, crosses are placed alongside the road leading to the famous Alto Vista Chapel, (just outside the town of Noord), in preparation for the annual Caminda di Cruz, (The Path of the Cross), procession. If you want to join in with this religious custom then be aware that start times can vary depending on which order of worship is in charge; some begin as early as 4 am on Good Friday!
Easter holiday to Aruba
Easter traditions in Aruba
The main religion on the island of Aruba is Catholicism. This is reflected in many of the traditions that Arubans participate in during Easter. Lent, known locally as ‘cuaresma’, is taken very seriously and it involves varying degrees of fasting. Some people will refrain from eating food for a whole day, while others won’t eat until 3 pm. This lasts for the whole of lent; 40 days. Eating fish on Wednesdays and Fridays is the most frequently practised aspect of Lent and many fast-food restaurants even increase their seafood options during this time.
What’s even more special than Lent to Arubans during Easter is ‘beach camping’. Beach camping, known locally as ‘Campamento’, has been a vital part of Easter tradition for many decades. Family members gather together and set up their tents along with a number of beaches for a weeklong holiday. During Campamento, many activities, such as: volleyball, beach tennis and even live bands are enjoyed by all.
Best places to celebrate Easter in Aruba
Although most businesses and shops are shut on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday there are still plenty of places to enjoy the celebrations.
There is always a mass in English held at 11 am at the St. Anna church in the town of Noord for those of you that want to attend church on Easter Sunday. After Mass has finished, there are loads of fun activities available for the kids at the shopping malls in Oranjestad, such as egg hunts and face painting.
All the facilities at hotels remain open during the whole of Easter so there are plenty of buffets or special gala dinners for you to sink your teeth into – these are very popular so make sure you book well in advance.
Alternatively, head down to Eagle beach or Baby beach and join the friendly locals who are camping!
Best hotels to celebrate Easter in Aruba
If you're a huge fan of Easter and want to go all out, then head to the Ritz Carlton. Lavish buffets are on offer with a selection of seafood, meat and vegetarian options and delicious desserts. There are Easter themed events for the kids, including Easter egg hunts around the hotel grounds and prizes up for grabs. At the Ritz Carlton, everyone is destined to have an Easter to remember!