By Scott Bateman

Caribeez.com

Palm Beach in Aruba is often ranked as one of the best Caribbean beaches – both for the beach itself and for the hotels and restaurants that line it.

This resort area lies about 15 minutes northwest of Aruba’s capital city of Oranjestad and about 20 minutes by taxi from the Queen Beatrix airport. The closeness to the capital makes it easy for vacationers to spend the afternoon shopping, visiting entertainment spots or just touring the island. Inexpensive public buses travel between Palm Beach and Oranjestad throughout the day.

Palm Beach is long, broad and covered with the finest white powdery sand that defines the best beaches in the Caribbean. Anyone who favors a little less sun also will find plenty of palm tress that whisper in the steady trade winds.

The ocean water is comfortable year-round and offers numerous opportunities for water sports including sailing, kayaking, fishing, jet skis, snorkeling and scuba diving. Hotels lining the beach provide equipment and excursions for anyone interested in more than spending time on the sand.

What also makes Palm Beach attractive is the strip of shops and especially the restaurants that line Irausquin Boulevard on the other side of the hotels.

Vacationers walk up and down the strip throughout the evening to eat dinner at the numerous outdoor patios, enjoy something to drink or spend time people watching. Cars slowly drive along the street and add to a casual and festive atmosphere.

Anyone considering a vacation at Palm Beach should be aware that it consists of a large block of hotels along Irausquin Boulevard until the boulevard ends at L.G. Smith Boulevard. A smaller group of hotels lie just beyond the end of Irausquin. Anyone wanting a quieter location should consider the northern end of Palm Beach, while the center offers the most activity and people.