When
summer’s balmy days are just a faded memory and you’re trapped indoors with the
winter blues, chase them away with a trip to Aruba, one of the Caribbean’s most
exciting islands. You’ll not only find perfect weather, sparkling beaches, and
luxurious hotels, but also an atmosphere so unique that Aruba might just become
one of your favorite tropical getaways.
Planning: Since Aruba is located far outside
the hurricane belt, there’s no need to avoid the months when nasty weather hits
the other islands in the region. Temperatures remain in the mid-80s year-round
and even though the period between October and January constitutes the rainy
season, showers tend to come and go in the blink of an eye.
December
through April are the months when tourists are most plentiful and prices are at
their highest. If avoiding the crowds and saving a few dollars on your hotel
rank high on your priority list, try to visit Aruba in the late fall when the
warm temperatures will still feel like heaven but space on the beach is
plentiful.
Arriving: Queen Beatrix International Airport
is located just south of Oranjestad, Aruba’s capital. From here the ritzy
hotels lining Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are only a few miles away and a taxi to
either location should cost no more than $20. If you plan to explore the island
extensively, consider renting a car from one of the agencies at the airport. If
lounging on the beach and spending time in the casinos is more your cup of tea,
it’s more practical to rely on taxis and buses for any short trips you might
need to take.
Sleeping: For a small island, Aruba has a
surprising array of accommodations to choose from. From the tiniest boutique
hotel to the largest resort, most lodgings are clean, comfortable and offer
outstanding service. Choosing a place to stay is only a matter of deciding
which attractions you’re most interested in.
Oranjestad
isn’t a large town but it does offer a nice variety of restaurants, bars,
casinos and shops, all within easy walking distance. If dancing the night away
and shopping till you drop are important to you, then Oranjestad is definitely
the place to be. If close proximity to Aruba’s famous beaches is your primary
concern, choose one of the fancy high-rise hotels off of Palm Beach or Eagle
Beach instead. A decent selection of restaurants and casinos will still be
close at hand and those wide strips of powder-soft sand that beckon tourists to
Aruba from postcards and travel brochures are literally right outside your
door.
No matter
where you choose to stay, you can still enjoy the attractions on other parts of
the island without much trouble. In non-peak traffic hours the drive from
Oranjestad to the beach district only takes ten minutes.
Dining: Just 15 miles off the coast of
Venezuela, Aruba’s cuisine has been greatly influenced by the spicy and
spectacular dishes of South America. Combined with the exotic flair of the
Caribbean and the African and European roots of many of its citizens, this
makes Aruba’s restaurants some of the most creative in the region. Fresh
seafood is plentiful but all meat and produce must be imported, so menu prices
may seem a little higher than those on the neighboring islands.
Aruba’s
high-rise hotels contain dozens of restaurants serving top-notch cuisine at
top-notch prices. Many offer views of the ocean and it’s even possible to dine
on a private table set up in the sand just a few yards away from the water. While
the food in these ritzy establishments is consistently fabulous, casual spots
with equally good food, lower prices and more local ambience are no more than
five minutes walking distance from the high-rise district. A perfect example is
Salt & Pepper, a tiny restaurant directly across from the massive Hyatt
Regency. Salt & Pepper serves up Spanish-style tapas for just a few dollars
a plate, and with its eclectic menu its possible to sample a small taste of
nearly everything Aruba has to offer.
Exploring: If you’re staying on the island for
several days and want to see more than just beaches, casinos and shops, leave
civilization behind and explore one of the most unusual landscapes in the
Caribbean. More desert than lush, Aruba is sprinkled with several types of
cacti while iguanas and other lizards scuttle beside the streets and bask near
hotel swimming pools. Nature lovers will enjoy visiting the Butterfly Farm or
the Bubali Bird Sanctuary, home to dozens of species of local and migratory
birds. More daring souls can hike through Arikok National Park where birds and
animals rule the terrain and abandoned gold mines and limestone caves provide
plenty of opportunities for adventure. To see the island’s highlights from the
comfort of an air-conditioned van, book a tour from one of Aruba’s numerous
tour operators.
Aruba is
just as exciting from the water as it is from the land. Boating, deep-sea
fishing and parasailing are all popular activities while snorkelers and scuba
divers can spend days exploring the island’s numerous coral reefs. Thrill-seekers
will enjoy the chance to dive among several wrecked ships and even a sunken
airplane while those who want an up-close look at Aruba’s plentiful marine life
can enjoy the calm, shallow waters around Malmok Beach and Boca Catalina.
At the end of the
day, sports enthusiasts and laid-back vacationers alike can all share a common pastime as they sit beneath shady palapas
and toast the sunset with cools drinks in hand, raising a glass to one of
the most unique islands in the Caribbean.
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