The southern Caribbean island of Aruba, with its sweeping desert landscapes and arid climate, is known for its white, sandy beaches and abundance of sunny days. It also features an interesting Dutch influence. Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba proudly shows off its Dutch heritage in its traditions, language and architecture. It’s the smallest of the Dutch Caribbean ABC islands, which also include Bonaire and Curacao.
An Aruba vacation includes the opportunity to sample many fine beaches facing crystal-blue waters. A few include Arashi Beach, known for it snorkeling; Palm Beach, in front of the major resorts and known for calm waters; Rodgers Beach, with a slightly rough surf; and Baby Beach, shallow with a tranquil swimming cove. Deep-sea fishing, diving, wind-surfing and sailing are all popular aquatic activities for those who travel to Aruba. Visitors can even explore the underwater world from the dry comfort of a submarine. On land, Aruba’s interesting natural features include the distinctively shaped divi-divi trees, caves, rock formations and sand dunes. And a vacation in Aruba wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Oranjestad, the capital, known for its picturesque, pastel-colored buildings.
To travel to Aruba, U.S. citizens must have a valid passport. A valid reservation for accommodations and a return ticket is also required. No visa is required for tourist visits of up to 180 days. Dutch and Papiamento (which is unique to the ABC islands) are the official languages of Aruba, but many locals speak English and Spanish (the island is just 15 miles from the South America coastline). Nonstop and direct air service to Aruba is offered from many U.S. gateways. Rental cars are available. Driving is on the right, and the minimum age for renting a car varies from 21-25. It’s easy to drive around the island in a day. Those who will be traveling off the main roads should rent a four-wheel drive as they’ll be driving through rugged terrain. Aruba’s average temperature is 82°F, with little seasonal variation, and the island lies outside the hurricane belt. The Aruban florin is the official currency, though U.S. dollars are widely accepted. For more information on Aruba travel, log on to www.aruba.com, the Aruba Tourism Authority’s website.