By Scott Bateman
© Caribeez.com
Summary
Don't be fooled by the arid interior landscape of Aruba as you descend for a landing at the Aruba International Airport. The relaxing warmth of the island extends beyond the weather into its people, beaches and festive air. 
Aruba, which lies 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela, is distinguished for its heavy influence of Dutch culture, its relative protection from Caribbean hurricanes and its lengthy powder-white beaches. On the first night of our Aruba vacation, we sat in the outside space of a restaurant, listened to a live band in the park next to us and were soothed by the relaxing breeze that washed over us. Attractions
Besides the beautiful beaches, Aruba has 42 major scuba-diving spots and the usual array of other water-based recreational activities including deep-sea fishing, parasailing, boating, snorkeling and windsurfing. It also offers numerous resorts, casinos and nightclubs. Tourism / When to Go
Passports are required of U.S. and Canadian citizens. Cruise visitors simply need to have their ship IDs available when leaving the ship and returning. The island ranks 11th among the 31 major islands in total tourism visitors, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization. The peak months for visitors are April and December. The low months are May and September. The official language is Dutch, but English and Spanish are widely spoken and understood. The currency is Aruban florin, but U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Weather
Tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation. The average daily temperature is 82 degrees.The trade winds are wonderfully cooling and just as consistent as the temperatures. The island is part of the southern Caribbean ABC islands -- Aruba, Bonair and Curacao -- and generally escapes the worst of the hurricane season, so there are many good times to go. Currency / Tipping / Taxes
The local currency is the Arubab Florin. But we never faced a situation where dollars weren't accepted. A service charge of 10-15 percent is usually added to a bill. A 6 percent accommodation tax is added to hotel bills. Culture / Geography
Although English is widely spoke, the dominant language is Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect). Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. Geography is flat, riverless and renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean. Don't visit Aruba to see lush vegetation like Jamaica. The island is flat with a few hills and scant vegetation. This is an island for enjoying the white beaches, the active nightlife and the appealing Dutch influences. Sources / More Information
U.S. Dept. of Travel: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1153.html
CIA Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/aa.html
Caribbean Tourism Organization: http://www.onecaribbean.org
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: http://www.noaa.gov |
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