Cuaresma is the local name term for the Lent period. Fasting is a customary practice for devout Catholics during Lent. Some will abstain from food for an entire day; others take only one meal each day, while others abstain from all food until 3PM. This practice is carried out for the full Cuaresma (Lent - 40days) period. The most common practice, eating fish for lunch or dinner, takes place on Wednesdays and Fridays. Even fast food restaurants such as: McDonalds, Wendy's, Subway, etc. observe the importance of Cuaresma (Lent) on Aruba by increasing their seafood selections and stock to cater to the fervent devotees.
On the Sunday before Easter, many celebrate Palm Sunday. Recalling the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, the churches distribute palm leaves in remembrance of the people who waved them and carpeted his path with them. One of the things you can do with these palm leaves is to fold them into crosses. It is a great decoration for the home and a way to bring blessings.
Although Lent is observed by many on Aruba, what truly matters for most Arubans during the Holy Week is "beach camping". "Beach camping" has been taking place for decades. Even before the first hotel was built, Arubans celebrated Cuaresma (Lent) by living as one with the peaceful nature of the beach. Considering kids have their Easter vacation as well, most workers ask for a week vacation so they can enjoy the beach with their entire family. You will even see many boaters anchored close to shore camped out on their yachts. There are many activities taking place on the beach during this week such as: beach tennis and soccer competitions, live local band performances and radio stations are all over the beach interviewing and entertaining the happy campers.
Another tradition is a procession called "Caminda di Cruz" (The Path of the Cross). The procession will take place by the crosses placed along the road to the Alto Vista Chapel. Caminda di cruz starts at 4:00 am from Tanki Leendert to the Alto Vista Chapel.
Dakota's church 2 years ago had for the first time a live "way of the cross" performed by young local actors, which had been the talk of the town. This year it is the 3rd time and a must see event. It will take place in front of the church in Dakota on Good Friday at 10:00 AM. Entrance fee is free.
Most stores are closed on Friday April 22nd, Sunday April 24th and on Monday April 25th. Restaurants in the hotel area will remain open and some of the stores in the new malls in Palm Beach will also remain open. It is advisable to get the basic necessities such as: bread, cheese, milk and eggs early, because those always run out of stock during the week thanks to the campers.
Lings & Sons IGA Super Center
Good Friday April 22 Closed
Saturday April 23 Open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Easter Sunday April 24 Closed
Easter Monday April 25 Open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Easter on Aruba has become - for a few decades now - one of the most important holiday seasons. It includes Egg hunting, Mass on Easter Sunday, Easter breakfast, Easter Brunch, Beach Camping and BBQ-ing in the backyard, and much more.
If you are planning to attend church on Easter Sunday there will be a mass given in English at the St. Anna church in Noord at 11:00 am. After mass there are many great activities going on at the malls in Palm Beach and Oranjestad; for the kids mainly egg hunting, face painting, picture taking with favorite cartoon characters and just lots of fun.
Be careful while driving around on Sunday there are 2 big island-wide Egg hunts, hunters/drivers are prone to concentrate on one place at a time and can get traffic jammed for the hunt of an egg. So don't be alarmed if you see a pack of cars rushing suddenly from one place to another. They are in the thrill of a hunt. For more tips on holidays visit our page - What to expect when traveling to Aruba during public holidays.
Top 95 is organizing a super Egg Hunt inviting the people in general - young and adult - to participate for free. Taking place island-wide. Starting time is from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. A mini egg hunt for kids will take place till noon.
Setar the phone company organizes a super egg hunt event on the same day. Taking place island-wide. They will also have a special egg hunt for the little ones at the Renaissance Market place. Kid's activities will include face painting, Wii Games, Dino Jump and arts & crafts. With live music from the local bands like Youth Extreme, Impak and Rincon Boys. Starting time 10:00 am. Entrance is free.
San Nicolas
On Easter Sunday at Teresita Center there will be a bake sale and several other goodies.
For fee of $4 you will receive a box with 2 pieces of cake, pastechi, bitterball or loempia and a cookie. Coffee and tea for free. But that's not all other cookies are available for additional purchases.
Believe me there is a lot going on and you are welcome to mingle with the locals in their celebration.
On a more serious note: On Palm Sunday an unthinkable disgrace happened after precisely 25 years. This being the 25th year we are celebrating his accomplishment; Status Aparte. An antisocial group of people decided knowingly or not to desecrate our liberator's - Betico Croes - tomb by breaking into his grave and taking the coffin out, perhaps with the intention of setting it on fire. As a result, this weekend there will be a special mass and a national funeral procession to bring him back to his place of rest. This will take place on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 PM. The funeral procession will start from the large roundabout by Wendy's on L.G. Smith Blvd and travel to the Airport. At the Airport intersection the procession will travel north to Cumana driving past the house where he used to live then straight to Santa Cruz to the Immaculate church where they will have a special sermon.
Road map of the procession on Saturday:
View funeral procession in a larger map
