Aruba: travel tips
Aruba, one happy island. This is the motto of the Caribbean island which I will tell you about in this article of mine. A happy island for many reasons … the beauty of its landscape, its perfect climate, the warmth of its people make Aruba one of the most popular Caribbean islands in the world. Here are some tips, fresh from travel, if you decide to let yourself be overwhelmed by the Aruba effect and enjoy the sun in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
Practical information
We are located in the Southern Caribbean, a few miles off the coast of Venezuela. This location makes Aruba a climatic exception in the Caribbean, being outside the hurricane tracks. In Aruba the climate is, in fact, almost perfect. Always high temperatures (around 28°C), little rain and a continuous breeze that makes the heat and the sun bearable. Aruba is a constituent nation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and together with Curaçao and Bonaire is part of the so-called ABC Islands in the formerly known as the Netherlands Antilles. The proximity to the United States makes the island one of the most popular tourist destinations for the Americans as well as the Dutch, for obvious reasons. The air connections to reach the international airport of Oranjestad (the capital of the island) make Aruba easily accessible from the main American cities as well as from Amsterdam with daily connections and, seasonally, other connections with the old continent (such as London).
Aruba is also one of the most popular stops on Caribbean cruises. The official language of the island is Papiamento as well as Dutch, but almost everyone speaks English and Spanish.
Aruba has an area of 70 square meters and its landscape is extremely varied. The west coast is lower and offers sandy beaches with an unmistakable charm. Little rainfall makes Aruba’s landscape drier than other Caribbean islands. The east coast, more often windswept, is rocky and offers unique sceneries. Although small, Aruba has a naturalistic heritage of great value.
Where to sleep
Aruba is an exclusive tourist destination. Compared to other Caribbean islands, the hotel structures are less numerous and more expensive. Despite this, the hotel offer is able to satisfy every type of traveller. For families with children, numerous structures offer services suitable for entertainment for families. For lovers of relaxation, in the absence of children, exclusive adults only hotels will do the trick.
One of the most famous and exclusive establishments on the island is the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino. It is located in Oranjestad a few steps from the Marina and consists of two different structures, one of which is adults only. Staying in this modern, design and exclusive hotel allows access to the iconic Renaissance Island, the private island about 10 minutes by private speedboat from the hotel, where you can admire Aruba’s famous flamingos. Staying at this hotel even for just a few nights is a must on your trip to Aruba. In fact, access to the private island is not possible except for guests of the structure or for the lucky few who manage to purchase day passes for the island. An alternative is to purchase a treatment at the island’s SPA.
To enjoy the private beach just a few steps from your hotel room, choose one of the Divi group facilities. The Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort, for example, offers spacious, modern rooms, immersed in a large resort with numerous swimming pools, golf courses, various restaurants and above all an equipped beach in Divi Beach, a few steps from Druif Beach and Eagle Beach ( the latter won this year the award of best beach in the Caribbean and second in the world on Tripadvisor)
The best beaches in Aruba
In addition to Renaissance Island with the two beaches Flamingo Beach and Iguana Beach, Aruba offers a large number of paradisiacal beaches with free access. One of the most famous and crowded is Eagle Beach. Here you will find in some periods of the year fenced areas where turtles lay their eggs. A few steps away is the magnificent Druif Beach where you can admire unforgettable sunsets.
A few steps from the center of Oranjestad, the delightful capital of the island with its shops, Dutch-style buildings and many colors, we find Surfside Beach.
For snorkelling lovers, the Mangel Halto Beach will be right up your alley.
In San Nicolas, the second center of the island, we find Baby Beach, a crescent-shaped sandy expanse, ideal for children given the shallow waters.
Moving on to the opposite coast, the landscape changes considerably. Here you will find a unique place, Dos Playa, made up of two bays immersed in the most unspoilt nature within walking distance. These beaches are ideal for lovers of surfing or for the shade of the particular coccoloba uvifera plants.
