The Best Grocery Stores and Supermarkets in Aruba
Aruba is known for its beautiful beaches and delicious restaurants, but sometimes you just want a home cooked meal or to save money instead of eating out. You’re in luck. There’s a wide variety of grocery stores in Aruba that cater to both locals and tourists.
Whether you’re staying in a resort, a vacation rental, or simply exploring the island, knowing where to shop for groceries in Aruba can help you keep both your bellies and your wallets full. From large supermarkets to smaller specialty stores, here’s everything you need to know about grocery shopping in Aruba.
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Map of Aruba’s Grocery Stores
Admittedly, I tend to stick to Super Food Plaza for my grocery shopping in Aruba, partially bcause of its location, but there are other options. Depending where you’re staying on the island, you may do better going elsewhere.
Take a look at the map and see what store is closest to you. Then read on to learn about the major supermarkets in Aruba and some helpful tips to make it a seamless process to get you to the beach faster!
What to Expect When Food Shopping in Aruba
Aruba grocery stores and their products can be both familiar and unique. The island offers a mix of international and local products with a strong Dutch influence in most of the stores.
While you’ll find plenty of American brands, be prepared to discover new items from the Netherlands and the Caribbean. After all, American brands tend to be more expensive as they are imported, so give the local items a try!
Additionally, Aruba’s grocery stores are well-stocked, and the friendly staff are usually fluent in English if you have questions. They also cater to a variety of dietary needs, including organic, gluten-free, and vegetarian, so if you face challenges eating out – stop in and find what you need. You won’t go hungry in Aruba!
If you’re not sold on going to the grocery on vacation, I get it. I’d rather be at the beach too, but I have good news for you. Many of the stores offer free delivery services! This means you can get snacks, drinks, and even dinner all delivered while you lounge by the pool. Amazing.
Pro Tip: If you’re going to the store, the young men who bag your groceries and carry them to your car are not paid a salary. They rely solely on tips. This is true across all Aruba grocery stores so make sure to carry some cash for tipping!
The Major Grocery Stores in Aruba
There are a number of grocery stores in Aruba, but the most popular ones are Super Foods, Ling & Sons, and CMART. This is largely because they have a larger selection, better prices, and more convenient locations than the alternate options. That being said, we’ll take a look at more than just these top three so you have more options in front of you.
1. Super Food Plaza
Location: Bubali 141-A, Oranjestad
Super Food Plaza is one of the largest and most popular supermarkets in Aruba, especially among tourists. This Dutch owned grocery located near Eagle Beach is a convenient option for those staying in the high-rise area or northern part of the island.
It offers an extensive selection of fresh produce, meats, dairy, and an impressive range of international and Dutch products. With clean, well-organized aisles, a bakery, a deli, and a separate liquor store, Super Food grocery provides a one-stop shopping experience.
Highlights of Super Food in Aruba
- Wide Product Range: From fresh fruits and vegetables to Dutch specialties, you’ll find everything you need here. One stop and you’re done!
- Bakery and Deli: Enjoy fresh bread, pastries, and a variety of cheeses and meats – perfect for sandwiches or charcuterie boards!
- Free Grocery Delivery: Super Food offers free island-wide delivery from Monday to Saturday. You can also opt for curbside pickup. Order online or in their Super Foods app!
- Alcohol: Good news! You can find alcohol at Super Food. Head to the middle aisle to find cases of beer (not chilled) or head over to Cheers wines and liquors for cold beer, liquor, and wine. This part of the store is separate and requires you to check out and pay for your alcohol at their counter.
- Special Features: The store has an upstairs section for home items and beach gear. Plus, there’s a restaurant inside (Jack’s Cafe) with delicious, large servings. Right outside the main entrance you’ll also find a pharmacy (BENU Pharmacy), a seafood shop (Daily Fish), a drug store (Bliss beauty and health) for sunscreen, and so many more shops that complete “the plaza”.
Tips for Super Foods
You might be thinking, tips for grocery shopping in Aruba – who needs that?? But trust me, you’ll find value in these tips.
- Bring a quarter for your cart at Super Food. You can try a Euro or a Florin, but it may not work in some of the newest carts. Another option, if you don’t have a quarter on you, is to stop by the Customer Service Desk and get a token.
- Bring your own bags! Super Foods does not provide bags for free (nor do other grocery stores as Aruba banned single-use plastic bags). They are very Dutch in that way. If you forget your own bags, you can purchase reusable bags in the checkout lines for under $5. Best of all, these bags say Aruba on them and make a great souvenir.
- If you’re thinking of going to Super Foods on the weekend, you may want to reconsider. It is super busy Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings due to the influx of flights that arrive on the weekend. If you have flexibility, try to go during the week in the morning. It will be a much more peaceful shopping experience!
2. Ling & Sons Food Market
Location: Schotlandstraat 41, Oranjestad
Ling & Sons Food Market is another favorite among both locals and tourists. Situated near the hotel area and Druif Beach, it’s easily accessible and known for its wide variety of high-quality products. The store carries fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, and a vast selection of gourmet and international foods – including cold and hot bars of meal ready food!
Ling & Sons in Aruba is also known for having the most American products on the island. If you’re looking for an American grocery store in Aruba, give Ling & Sons a try. It’s the closest thing you’ll find!
Highlights of Ling & Sons
- Quality Products: Fresh produce, premium meats, and gourmet items make Ling & Sons stand out. Choose from tons of ready made and pre-marinated items to make eating in easy!
- Convenience: Its location makes it a go-to for tourists staying in Oranjestad, Eagle Beach, and even Palm Beach, and you can purchase food and basic items like shampoo and conditioner here!
- Alcohol: Ling & Sons also has a large selection of alcohol, some say the largest selection of liquor on the island! If you’re a picky drinker – check it out!
- Special Discounts: Take advantage of 20% off vegetables on Tuesdays, 20% off meat on Thursdays, and a 5% senior (60+) discount on Wednesdays.
- Grocery Delivery: Ling & Sons does offer both curbside pick-up and delivery. Minimum order for either is 100.00 Florin and delivery is an additional 10.00 Florin. Both are available Monday – Saturday. Find full details here.
Tips for Ling & Sons
- Get their Fun Miles Loyalty card at the customer service desk. This card allows you to earn points that can be redeemed across Aruba!
- Don’t miss their hot and cold bars of ready made food. They have a huge selection and it’s well-priced making it a good place for a quick grab and go meal. You can take it to go or eat there in their seating area.
3. CMart
Location: Watty Vos Blvd 38, Oranjestad, Aruba
CMart is one of the newer food stores in Aruba which offers a beautiful shopping experience with a focus on fresh produce, meats, and deli items. It is located a bit further south closer to the airport and Oranjestad, and tends to be much quieter than Super Food Plaza or Ling & Sons. However, prices do tend to be a bit higher than the other options.
Highlights of CMart
- Excellent Produce and Meat: Offers a wide selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, and deli options – along with pre-marinated meats perfect for grilling.
- Alcohol: Beer, wine, and liquor are available within the store – no special checkout area!
- Café Upstairs: Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner at reasonable prices.
- Part Department Store: Offers everything you need for your home, including clothing, electronics, and furniture – Don’t miss the upstairs!
Tips for CMart
- CMart is the newest grocery store in Oranjestad and is a bit quieter than other groceries. It tends to pick up around 5pm. To avoid the crowds, go during the day!
4. PriceSmart Aruba
Location: Avenida Milio Croes 103, Oranjestad, Aruba
PriceSmart is Aruba’s answer to Costco or Sam’s, operating as a membership-based warehouse club with bulk items available. (No, there is not a Costco in Aruba.) It’s located near the airport, making it convenient for picking up supplies as soon as you arrive.
Due to its bulk shopping nature, PriceSmart is ideal for those staying on the island for an extended period of time or those with large families. This also helps PriceSmart offer competitive prices on groceries, electronics, and household items. However, it does require a membership, with an annual fee of 78 Florin.
Highlights for PriceSmart
- Bulk Shopping & Membership Required: The annual fee is 78 Florin, which can be worthwhile for extended stays and large groups.
- Wide Variety: You can find almost anything at PriceSmart! Go for the groceries and stop in for household items, electronics, apparel, and more.
- Additional Services: Includes a food court and a section for alcohol purchases, just like Costco. It’s really part museum it seems!
Tips for PriceSmart
- Being a bulk warehouse store with a membership fee, you’ll find prices are typically lower than at the local groceries in Aruba. This can save you money in the long run – if you’re visiting frequently, staying a long time, or feeding an army!
- Remember to keep your receipt handy. It’s needed to exit the store, similar to other warehouse clubs.
5. Kong Hing Supermarket
Location: Havenstraat 16, Oranjestad, Aruba
Kong Hing is a family-owned supermarket located in the heart of Oranjestad. Known for its personalized service, Kong Hing offers a diverse selection of local and international products, with a focus on Asian and Latin American foods.
If you’re looking to do a big grocery run, I would not recommend Kong Hing as it does have a more limited selection and is a bit more expensive. However, if you’re stopping in Aruba via cruise or staying in downtown Oranjestad, you’ll find the basics you need here such as fresh produce, cold drinks, snacks, etc. It’s worth just walking in versus driving to a larger store then.
Pro Tips for Grocery Shopping in Aruba
Hopefully you’v learned a lot about groceries in Aruba, but there are just a few more “fun facts” and tips you’ll want to know to make the most of your food shopping in Aruba.
- Check the Hours: Aruba does not run on an around-the-clock schedule with things open 24/7. Most stores close at 8 or 9pm with shorter hours on Sundays. You may also face days of closure during national holidays. Always check the official hours before shopping!
- Bring Your Own Bags: Aruba promotes sustainability and actually banned single-use plastic bags, so bringing reusable bags is important. Alternatively, you can buy sturdy Aruba-branded bags at the checkouts, which make great souvenirs.
- Verify the Prices: While US dollars are widely accepted in Aruba, prices are often labeled in the local currency, Florins. The exchange rate may change, but it usually sits around 1.75 Florin to $1 USD. You can pay in cash – Florins or US dollars – or by credit card.
- Look for Local Products: Don’t miss out on trying local spices, sauces, and snacks that give you a taste of Aruba. They are delicious and better priced than imported goods from the US.
- Consider Delivery Services: If you’d rather spend more time enjoying the beach, consider using grocery delivery services offered by stores like Super Food Plaza, Ling & Sons, and PriceSmart. For free grocery delivery in Aruba go with Super Foods. They deliver anywhere on the island for free!
- Shop on Thursdays: Being an island, most goods are shipped via container ships. These ships usually arrive to the island on Tuesdays, get unloaded and delivered on Wednesday, and are first available on Thursdays! If you want the freshest food – shop on Thursdays.
Have additional questions about grocery stores in Aruba?
Let us know in the comments!
