Just three months after opening, Terra by Jeremy Ford at the award-winning Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort has been recognized by Forbes as one of the best places to eat in Aruba, praised as a culinary destination so exceptional it is worth planning an entire trip around. The recognition by renowned global dining journalist Lanee Lee for the prestigious international media outlet places Terra at the forefront of Aruba’s evolving culinary scene and further cements Bucuti & Tara’s role in elevating the island onto the global stage.

A dining experience worth planning a trip around

Forbes declares Terra “the island’s most talked-about dining room,” hailing it as the new benchmark in Caribbean fine dining. According to the outlet, Terra distinguishes itself through its refined approach to modern cuisine and its ability to translate Aruba’s flavors into a globally relevant fine dining experience. Helmed by Chef Jeremy Ford, of Michelin Star and Michelin Green Star fame with his restaurant Stuboorn Seed in Miami, together with local culinary forces Jeanclaude Werleman and Moises Ramirez and their talented Aruban team, Terra delivers a modern culinary journey where seasonal ingredients sourced from land and sea and bold flavor combinations showcase precision, creativity, and a deep respect for and collaboration with Aruba’s farmers, fishermen, and chefs.

Guests are invited to choose between a thoughtfully composed tasting journey or an inventive à la carte experience, each designed to deliver a sense of discovery and anticipation that contributes to Terra’s reputation as a reservation worth pursuing.

A fusion of intimacy, exclusivity and craftsmanship

Terra’s deeply immersive setting and carefully paced service are central to its appeal, where diners easily slip away from the outside world. The intimate dining room basks diners in Aruba’s cherished golden hour lighting. Handcrafted interiors and natural textures create a setting that feels personal, immersive and rare. Staff are exceptionally knowledgeable and extend their family feel as they invite diners on a culinary journey that transcends from meal to life-long memory. Every detail from menu composition to presentation is intentional, reinforcing why Forbes describes Terra as a coveted experience rather than simply a place to dine.

This balance of artistry and soul has quickly elevated Terra into one of the most talked-about restaurants in Aruba.

Shared stewardship

Forbes notes that Terra “sits inside the ultra-eco-conscious Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort,” a placement that is both deliberate and deeply aligned. Terra by Jeremy Ford was selected as the ideal culinary counterpart to the Caribbean’s most eco-certified resort, whose uncompromising commitment to sustainability, world-class luxury, and award-winning service has earned it the distinction of being ranked the #1 hotel in the Caribbean and #5 in the world on TripAdvisor. From responsible sourcing to meticulous execution, Terra mirrors Bucuti & Tara’s action-driven stewardship ethos — a philosophy that has also made the resort the only hotel globally to receive the United Nations’ most prestigious Global UN Climate Action Award.

Together, the resort and restaurant exemplify how environmental leadership, impeccable service, and elevated experiences can coexist at the highest level of luxury hospitality.

“Aruba is quietly turning into the Caribbean’s culinary overachiever”

This Forbes recognition underscores Aruba’s growing reputation as a serious food destination while further solidifying Bucuti & Tara’s global leadership in shaping elevated travel experiences. Terra stands as a defining moment for the island’s dining scene and a benchmark for culinary excellence in the Caribbean.

To experience the adults-only Terra by Jeremy Ford, reservations can be made online. Read the full Forbes Article. Learn more about Terra by visiting terraaruba.com and the resort by visiting Bucuti.com.

Stimami Sterilisami marked another year of significant impact, continuing its unwavering mission to reduce animal suffering in Aruba through sterilization. In 2025 alone, the foundation successfully funded the spaying and neutering of 6,405 dogs and cats, a powerful achievement that brings the organization’s total number of sterilizations since 2016 to 46,352.

The 2025 milestone was reached through a collective effort, resulting in the following breakdown of surgeries:

These are not just numbers; they represent lives changed, suffering prevented, and a safer, healthier future for animals, our community, and public health.

Gratitude to Our Donors and Partners That Make This Possible Our heartfelt thank you goes out to our donors and volunteers who support our mission, including Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Tourism Product Enhancement Fund (TPEF), Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA), One Love Foundation Inc., Setar N.V., Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association (AHATA), and every organization and private donor who has supported this mission in 2025 and the years before. Your belief in prevention, compassion, and responsibility makes this meaningful work possible.

We are also profoundly grateful to the partners who made this impact possible, including our dedicated veterinary clinics, VSH Veterinary Specialty Hospital and

Caduary Veterinary Clinic, whose collaboration with Luna Foundation has been instrumental, as well as the Animal Welfare Alliance Aruba (AWAA), a no-cost spay

and neuter clinic dedicated to helping cats and dogs of low-income families. We further thank the rescue organizations that worked tirelessly to bring animals to the clinics, and the Aruban community and pet owners who chose to spay and neuter their pets, protecting their health and preventing unwanted litters.

We are also grateful to partner with and support the Snoop Doggy Foundation, whose educational books on responsible pet ownership help inspire the next

generation to care for animals with compassion, responsibility, and respect.

A Proven, Humane Program Aruba Cannot Afford to Stop The impact of sterilization is cumulative, and the risk of overpopulation grows rapidly if the work stops. In Aruba’s year-round breeding climate, even one unsterilized animal can lead to exponential population growth. In just six years, one unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce over 11 million kittens, while a single unsterilized dog can result in more than 67,000 offspring. These figures clearly show how quickly overpopulation can spiral out of control without timely and widespread

intervention.

Without sustained sterilization efforts, thousands of new litters would be born each year, overwhelming shelters and rescue organizations, increasing animal suffering, and negatively impacting our community and Aruba’s tourism-driven economy.

While stronger laws, enforcement, and responsible pet ownership are essential, animal overpopulation is largely a prevention challenge. Sterilization remains the most effective, compassionate, and sustainable solution within our control to reduce suffering, protect public health and the environment, and safeguard the well-being of our community.

Keeping Sterilization Free and Accessible in 2026 In 2026, Stimami Sterilisami is proud to confirm that sterilization procedures within its national program will remain 100% free, ensuring that sterilization remains accessible in every corner of the community. As always, our subsidy at qualifying vets VSH Veterinary Specialty Hospital and Caduary Veterinary Clinic include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, anesthesia, and a complimentary microchip with professional installation.

To register your pet for our subsidy, please visit www.stimamisterilisami.com and follow the instructions.

With your continued support, we are committed to making 2026 another groundbreaking year in our efforts to promote animal welfare in Aruba. Join us in this noble cause.

For more information or to contribute, visit www.stimamisterilisami.com.

About Stimami Sterilisami Foundation

Stimami Sterilisami is a non-profit organization dedicated to humanely and effectively reducing the number of abandoned dogs and cats in Aruba through its national spay and neuter program. Every donation is used to cover the costs of spaying and neutering of dogs and cats for individual pet owners and rescue organizations, including Luna Foundation, AWAA, Nine Lives Foundation, and many others. Our books are audited and open to the public. To contribute to this important cause, you can make a direct contribution to Stimami Sterilisami Foundation via bank transfer:

Bank: Aruba Bank

Account Number: 6012630190

Account Name: FUNDASHON STIMAMI STERILISAMI

Swift Code: ARUBAWAX

Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner on February 14 and “Day After Valentine’s” Brunch on February 15, Reservations Recommended

EAGLE BEACH, Aruba – Feb. 2, 2026 — On the most romantic day of the year, couples are invited to celebrate love in one of the Caribbean’s most iconic settings: Elements Restaurant, the award-winning, adults-only dining destination at Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, overlooking Eagle Beach. In 2025, Tripadvisor ranked Elements as the #1 Fine Dining Restaurant in the Caribbean and the #7 Best Spot for Date Night in the World and named it, placing it among the most celebrated restaurants worldwide.

To mark the occasion, Elements will host a romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner on Saturday, February 14, 2026, followed by an extended celebration with a special “Day After Valentine’s” Brunch on Sunday, February 15. Both experiences feature the same curated Couples’ Valentine’s menu, offering guests the opportunity to celebrate either under the evening sky or in the warm glow of a relaxed seaside brunch.

A Prime Eagle Beach Location with Panoramic Views

Elements is perched above Eagle Beach — Tripadvisor’s #3 Best Beach in the World and #1 Best Beach in the Caribbean — and offers a dining experience defined as much by its setting as by its cuisine. From its elevated position, the restaurant commands panoramic views across the white sands and turquoise sea, creating a cinematic atmosphere that feels effortlessly romantic from the very first course to the last.

Guests may choose to dine on the shaded Elements Deck, where ocean breezes and sweeping views set the tone for an open-air celebration, or inside in the elegant, air-conditioned indoor dining space, where expansive panoramic windows keep Eagle Beach fully in view while offering cool comfort and refined intimacy. Whether couples choose the deck or the indoor setting, the ambience remains the same: elevated, serene, and designed for connection.

A Special Couples’ Valentine’s Menu Served for Both Dinner and Brunch

The Couples’ Valentine’s menu, served on both February 14 and February 15, begins with a celebratory welcome toast and unfolds through a series of thoughtfully crafted courses designed for sharing. The experience includes refined soups and elegant starters such as locally produced burrata paired with roasted grapes, as well as sesame-seared tuna with tropical ponzu. Guests are then invited to choose from a selection of mains, including filet mignon, seared chicken, or fresh mahi mahi, complemented by warm seasonal accompaniments and rich finishing touches. The menu concludes with a refreshing rosé sorbet and a decadent dessert-sharing platter, offering a sweet finale to an evening—or afternoon—of romance. For couples looking to elevate the celebration even further, optional premium Champagne upgrades are available.

Reserve Early, Seating Is Limited

With its award-winning culinary reputation, adults-only atmosphere, and extraordinary location overlooking one of the world’s most celebrated beaches, Valentine’s weekend seating at Elements is already filling up quickly. Guests are encouraged to reserve early to secure their preferred dining time.

As Aruba enters 2026, the United Farmers Association of Aruba (UFA) expresses cautious optimism for the year ahead and reaffirms its commitment to strengthening local food production as a pillar of national resilience.

The disruptions felt in Aruba following the events of January 3rd in Venezuela, which led to widespread flight cancellations and logistical uncertainty, served as a clear reminder, much like during the COVID-19 pandemic, of how quickly external events can affect the island’s supply chains. These moments underscore the urgency of treating food sovereignty and security as a strategic priority. Aruba cannot afford to lose sight of the lessons learned during times of crisis, when access to imported goods is suddenly constrained and local capacity becomes essential.

The UFA has consistently stressed the importance of incentivizing and protecting Aruba’s farming community. Local farmers are not merely producers; they are a critical safeguard for the island, maintaining the capacity, knowledge, and infrastructure needed to ensure continuity of food supply when international systems are disrupted.

As regional conditions stabilize and markets normalize, the UFA cautions policymakers against reverting to an over-dependence on cheap imported produce. Short-term affordability must not undermine long-term resilience. Sustained policy support, including access to land, water, electrical utilities, financing, technology, and the extension and improvement of existing tax incentives that enable local farmers to remain competitive and to reinvest in modern, efficient, and sustainable production systems is essential to ensure that local agriculture remains viable and competitive.

The United Farmers Association of Aruba looks to 2026 with good hopes, confident that with clear priorities and consistent commitment, Aruba can continue building a stronger, more self-reliant, and resilient food system that serves both farmers and the wider community.

About the United Farmers Association of Aruba

The United Farmers Association of Aruba represents and supports local farmers, advocating for a resilient, sustainable, and competitive agricultural sector that contributes to long-term food security for Aruba.

The Common Good Conference was an amazing idea, says a supporter, very hopeful to be working with the government for the good of the community, because we, all island residents, the supporter adds, must decide together what kind of home we would like to build then live in.

This is what the supporter reported: The conference audience was not there, with limited marketing, and limited private sector participation, the attendance was low and it was not sold out.

Many private sector companies stayed away because the conference was colored green, and thus it ended up talking to itself, and not to a wide audience. We saw government employees and some invitees from education, but the public did not make it.

One of the biggest advantages was getting 50 NGOs together in one room for the expo. This provided a networking opportunity. The proximity facilitated one more time the realization that they can all achieve more if they improve collaboration and work together.

Because of physical constraints, the expo had room for just 50 NGOs, but Aruba has many more NGOs active, doing a fantastic job, in the social, cultural, health, sports, education and social fields. Historically, our civic society is continually active and responsive.

We are blessed.

As for the conference program, it set out to plant a seed, but the agenda filled with philosophical speakers — it was an overload. The audience’s capacity to follow was stretched to the max and many left early. The speeches went on with little to no breaks and zero energizing stops, thus the second half of the day was sleepy, it could have been used to create a more interactive session, a dialogue, between the government, the NGOs and the private sector, instead of frontal lectures.

Obviously, the goal of creating a common vision is a good one, but how will this vision be created? Who will oversee executing the plan if and when we get one formulated?? And will the NGOs and the private sector have a seat at the table? They are already doing so much and investing so much, with local and international community sponsors, will their voice be heard? How will they be part of this big bright future, and how are we moving forward, once the vision is agreed upon.

Our overburdened and underfunded civic society often feels neglected, left out, struggling to fulfill its mission with minimal support. It wants to have a say in formulating what the common good is, and how we go about bringing it to life.

Lastly, In Aruba, there is always the danger that once a plan is worked out and the pieces start moving, the next election results in fresh players who toss everything the previous government did, out, and starts anew. This is a reoccurring phenomenon.

How can we guarantee that the apolitical plan survives political shakeups and leadership changes?

Speaker Tico Croes suggested that tourism provides the fuel for social development. Tourism is our main economic pillar, but we cannot rely on the ATA bank to pay for everything. All government budgets must be revisited, all government revenue streams examined and redistributed in a more equal way. The reform in government spending and the involvement of private sector and NGOs must take place across the board, so that we all get behind the vision of what is good for our community.

More about the Common Good Conference, from a conference critic

The AVP Carnaval show of “intellect” some days ago, was a smoke screen.

While our economy produces 4 million dollars in public collected funds each day (!) our governmental apparat cannot provide regular asset management services to our island. Let alone services to those less fortunate and elderly. Control normalized drunk driving? Real labor abuse protection? Real preventive healthcare? Proper equipping and staffing of mental healthcare organization? Equipping the justice chain from crime prevention through real integration of former offenders back into society? We have amazing people who work hard daily in frustrating situations because a few so-called politicians are so inept and self-seeking… it should be made a crime to steal from us all like this.

Money, budgets, sure, limits must be dealt with. But we need basic understanding of expenses versus investments, private investments and earnings and public funds. Public funds are the result of the economy. Despite extremely poor governmental services, our economic operation delivers results. Imagine how we would do with proper accountable and professional government services? Piss on capitalists? While those who piss make their monthly income and future pensions from those they piss on? Do your jobs, government.