About Aruba
Explore Caribbean
Overview
Twisted Fofoti trees line the northeast coast where continual trade winds sculpt them into oversized bonsai-like forms.
With its pastel-colored buildings and lively harbor, the charming capital city of Oranjestad is worth a visit. Set on the northern coast of Aruba, the resort town of Palm Beach offers soft sands and calm waters for an idyllic seaside getaway.
Aruba’s official languages are Dutch and Papiamento, a Spanish Creole language with hints of Portuguese. Due to the island’s international heritage, most Arubans speak several additional languages, such as English, Portuguese and Spanish. In fact, the small island of Aruba holds one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world.
In keeping with its multi-cultural heritage, international delicacies such as bami and nasi goreng (stir-fried rice and noodles), lumpia (giant spring rolls), and Dutch treats including bitterballen (croquets) pepper Aruba’s menu.
For the best value, consider booking an Aruba All-Inclusive Package, where your entire trip including food and drink is covered.
What To Do
Observe Aruba’s abundant sea life in the unique, non-submergible Seaworld Explorer, originally developed in Australia to explore the Great Barrier Reef.
Visit the desert-like Arikok National Park at the heart of the island, and discover its variety of indigenous flora, wildlife, and exquisite rock formations.
Learn about the island’s natural splendors and turbulent history on a half-day excursion around the island. Visit the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, Alto Vista Chapel, Casibari Rock Formation, California Lighthouse, and Baby Beach, a shallow man-made lagoon with coral beds and calm seas, a favorite for locals and family-minded vacationers.
For a unique treat, visit the Aruba Ostrich Farm.
Between March and November, you may encounter baby turtles heading toward the sea from their protected turtle nests along Aruba’s gentle shores. Some will swim an astonishing 6,000 miles to their faraway feeding grounds. Fortunately, vacationers and locals only have to walk a few steps to enjoy irresistible island cuisine.
When to Go
Promising bright, sunny skies and cooling trade winds, Aruba is an ideal destination for sun-seekers across the globe. In fact, the island is thought to have the least rainfall in the Caribbean, at around 15 inches per year.
Temperatures remain mostly in the low 80s F. May through October are the warmest months, while December through March is a bit cooler.
Aruba, along with its neighboring islands of Bonaire and Curacao, lies well south of the hurricane belt.
Fast Facts
More than ninety nationalities and ethnic groups, including European, East Indian, Filipino and Chinese call this island home.
The wreck diving capital of the Caribbean, Aruba offers incredible opportunities for exploration for divers of all skill levels.
The island’s powdery white-sand beaches remain pleasantly cool due to their unique crushed coral and shell composition.
The winner indeed takes all in Aruba – there are no taxes on gambling wins.
The island is on the cutting edge of the green energy movement. Over the next decade, all of Aruba’s power is expected to come from renewable sources.
Travel Tips & Tools
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