2006 Aruba Vacations -
Aruba has one of the highest visitor repeat rates in the Caribbean
because it mixes an upscale ambiance with family-friendly hotels and
activities. The island is exceptionally clean, modern and easy to
navigate, while the beaches are among the best in the ABC islands.
The island itself is a study in contrasts, where silky white beaches
line placid aquamarine seas along the south and west coasts, while
an expansive desert skirts the jagged coast along the north and east
corridors. In addition to that, the capital city of Oranjestad is a
bustling cosmopolitan urban center with Las Vegas-style
entertainment, packed casinos and boutique shopping. Variety is a
key selling point, and all of the various activities are easily
accessible on this small Dutch Caribbean paradise.
Most of Aruba’s hotels and restaurants are situated in three regions. The
hi-rise resorts with the major brand names are centered around Palm Beach;
the low-rise properties skirt neighboring Manchebo and Eagle Beach; and a
few hotels occupy the waterfront in Oranjestad.
Barefoot at the Beach
About 20 minutes west of the airport, Aruba’s long and wide-open,
white-sand beaches run along the western shore where most of the hotels
reside. Every imaginable watersport is available, and tourists should try to
visit one of the windsurfing shops because Palm Beach hosts a variety of
international pro windsurfing competitions throughout the year. Aruba’s
weather is known for its consistent tradewinds and 82 degree temperature, so
hop on a board after taking a lesson with one of the many friendly
instructors.
Diving and snorkeling are big business a little to the north, and a whole
slew of watersport outfitters offer daily excursions to visit some of the
island’s nearby sites. In WWII, German subs patrolled these waters looking
to sink Allied ships steaming out of Venezuela loaded with crude. Close-in
wrecks from the era include the 400-ft. German supply ship Antilla
and the Pedernales oil tanker.
Somewhat new to Aruba’s underwater scene are snuba and sea trekking.
Snuba is a combination of scuba and snorkeling where participants don
regulators used in traditional diving, except the mouthpieces are attached
via long air hoses to air tanks on the water’s surface. This is a fun way to
get up close and personal to sea life without having to go up for air.
Likewise, sea trekking is an exciting and unique adventure using space-age
helmets with air hoses connected to surface air tanks. Trekkers can walk
along the ocean floor while breathing normally, without ever getting their
face or hair wet. Both sports are safe and exhilarating opportunities for
families to discover the mysteries of the depths together.
On Safari
Along Aruba’s eastern shores, the landscape couldn’t be more opposite
than the aforementioned beach scene. Here, the island is mostly desert with
abundant cacti covering the sloping hills and narrow ravines. Adding to the
drama, the coastline is inundated with rocky outcroppings carved through the
millennia by constantly crashing surf.
One of the most popular daytime activities in Aruba is touring the
"island outback" aboard rugged 4x4 vehicles. Visitors can do this one of two
ways. They can join up with an organized convoy of six or seven off-road
vehicles and follow a tour guide along the twisting roads and desert trails.
Members of the group decide who drives their respective vehicles and they
can always switch driving duties during frequent breaks. The other method is
for the individual couple, family or group of friends to rent a Jeep or two
just for themselves. Going solo like this has its benefits. Just grab a map
and let your sense of adventure determine your day while stopping at a few
clearly marked attractions. Make sure to lather up with sunscreen, though.
With no tops on the Jeeps and the cooling breeze from the sea air, many
visitors forget the sun’s tanning rays are still as strong as they are on
the beach.
Tourists can end their tour of the island in the small town of San
Nicolas. The storied Charley’s watering hole is a landmark tourism
attraction, and some of Aruba’s best shore diving can be found off Baby
Beach. After Charley’s and a dip, it’s about a 45-minute drive back to the
hotels to prepare for Aruba’s stellar nightlife and dining scene.
Oranjestad
The capital city of Oranjestad is interesting from a sociological
standpoint because it’s one of the few large cities in the Caribbean where
North Americans, Antilleans, South Americans and Europeans all mingle
together in the numerous open-air bars, restaurants and nightclubs dotting
the harbor front. At night, the town kicks into high gear as everyone comes
out to play. The discos crank out the upbeat dance tunes while 24-hour
casinos lure in the big spenders flush with disposable greenbacks. During
the day, the city’s Dutch Colonial buildings with their whimsical curlicues
and ice-cream colors embellishing Wilhelminastraat (Wilhelmina Street) are
fun to explore. Inside, myriad shops sell some of the world’s top fashion
and jewelry designers, along with casual local clothing to wear to the
beach.
Oranjestad is also a hotbed for an abundant array of carnivals and street
fairs. Every Tuesday evening, venture over to the oldest building on the
island at Fort Zoutman. This historical museum hosts a weekly Bonbini
Festival under an open sky (bonbini means "welcome" in local
Papiamento). Dancers, singers and actors perform shows based on Aruban
folklore, while vendors display a colorful and not too commercialized
selection of Aruban arts and crafts. Local food and drink are served, and
people from all over the world come together in the warm night air thanks to
the Arubans’ typical peaceful and breezy manner.
General Sales Information
Marriage requirements: Documents must be submitted one month prior to
wedding: proof of marital status, copies of birth certificates with raised
seal, proof of divorce or death certificate, copies of passports for wedding
participants and witnesses; no fee.
Gaming: 11 casinos
Destination Information
Official language: Dutch, with Papiamento, English and Spanish spoken
widely
Government: Parliamentary democracy
Temperature: Averages 82ºF
Rainfall: Less than 20 inches annually
Official currency: Aruban florin, but the dollar is widely accepted
and preferred
Entry requirements: Valid passport or an original birth certificate
with valid I.D.
Departure tax: $37
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Contact: One of our Vacation Specialist at 1-888-898-3628.
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