Most of Aruba’s hotels and restaurants are situated in three regions. The
hi-rise resorts with the major brand names are centered around Palm Beach;
the low-rise properties skirt neighboring Manchebo and Eagle Beach; and a
few hotels occupy the waterfront in Oranjestad.
BAREFOOT AT THE BEACH
About 20 minutes west of the airport, Aruba’s long and wide-open, white-sand
beaches run along the western shore where most of the hotels reside. Every
imaginable watersport is available, and tourists should try to visit one of
the windsurfing shops because Palm Beach hosts a variety of international
pro windsurfing competitions throughout the year. Aruba’s weather is known
for its consistent tradewinds and 82 degree temperature, so hop on a board
after taking a lesson with one of the many friendly instructors.
Diving and snorkeling are big business a little to the north, and a whole
slew of watersport outfitters offer daily excursions to visit some of the
island’s nearby sites. In WWII, German subs patrolled these waters looking
to sink Allied ships steaming out of Venezuela loaded with crude. Close-in
wrecks from the era include the 400-ft. German supply ship Antilla
and the Pedernales oil tanker.
Somewhat new to Aruba’s underwater scene are snuba and sea trekking. Snuba
is a combination of scuba and snorkeling where participants don regulators
used in traditional diving, except the mouthpieces are attached via long air
hoses to air tanks on the water’s surface. This is a fun way to get up close
and personal to sea life without having to go up for air. Likewise, sea
trekking is an exciting and unique adventure using space-age helmets with
air hoses connected to surface air tanks. Trekkers can walk along the ocean
floor while breathing normally, without ever getting their face or hair wet.
Both sports are safe and exhilarating opportunities for families to discover
the mysteries of the depths together.
ON SAFARI
Along Aruba’s eastern shores, the landscape couldn’t be more opposite than
the aforementioned beach scene. Here, the island is mostly desert with
abundant cacti covering the sloping hills and narrow ravines. Adding to the
drama, the coastline is inundated with rocky outcroppings carved through the
millennia by constantly crashing surf.
One of the most popular daytime activities in Aruba is touring the "island
outback" aboard rugged 4x4 vehicles. Visitors can do this one of two ways.
They can join up with an organized convoy of six or seven off-road vehicles
and follow a tour guide along the twisting roads and desert trails. Members
of the group decide who drives their respective vehicles and they can always
switch driving duties during frequent breaks. The other method is for the
individual couple, family or group of friends to rent a Jeep or two just for
themselves. Going solo like this has its benefits. Just grab a map and let
your sense of adventure determine your day while stopping at a few clearly
marked attractions. Make sure to lather up with sunscreen, though. With no
tops on the Jeeps and the cooling breeze from the sea air, many visitors
forget the sun’s tanning rays are still as strong as they are on the beach.
Tourists can end their tour of the island in the small town of San Nicolas.
The storied Charley’s watering hole is a landmark tourism attraction, and
some of Aruba’s best shore diving can be found off Baby Beach. After
Charley’s and a dip, it’s about a 45-minute drive back to the hotels to
prepare for Aruba’s stellar nightlife and dining scene.
ORANJESTAD
The
capital city of Oranjestad is interesting from a sociological standpoint
because it’s one of the few large cities in the Caribbean where North
Americans, Antilleans, South Americans and Europeans all mingle together in
the numerous open-air bars, restaurants and nightclubs dotting the harbor
front. At night, the town kicks into high gear as everyone comes out to
play. The discos crank out the upbeat dance tunes while 24-hour casinos lure
in the big spenders flush with disposable greenbacks. During the day, the
city’s Dutch Colonial buildings with their whimsical curlicues and ice-cream
colors embellishing Wilhelminastraat (Wilhelmina Street) are fun to explore.
Inside, myriad shops sell some of the world’s top fashion and jewelry
designers, along with casual local clothing to wear to the beach.
Oranjestad is also a hotbed for an abundant array of carnivals and street
fairs. Every Tuesday evening, venture over to the oldest building on the
island at Fort Zoutman. This historical museum hosts a weekly Bonbini
Festival under an open sky (bonbini means "welcome" in local
Papiamento). Dancers, singers and actors perform shows based on Aruban
folklore, while vendors display a colorful and not too commercialized
selection of Aruban arts and crafts. Local food and drink are served, and
people from all over the world come together in the warm night air thanks to
the Arubans’ typical peaceful and breezy manner.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Marriage requirements:
Documents must be submitted one month prior to wedding: proof of marital
status, copies of birth certificates with raised seal, proof of divorce or
death certificate, copies of passports for wedding participants and
witnesses; no fee
Gaming:
11 casinos
DESTINATION INFORMATION
Official language:
Dutch, with Papiamento, English and Spanish spoken widely
Government:
Parliamentary democracy
Temperature:
Averages 82ºF
Rainfall:
Less than 20 inches annually
Official Currency:
Aruban florin, but the dollar is widely accepted and preferred
Entry Requirements:
Valid passport or an original birth certificate with valid I.D.
Departure Tax:
$37
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Contact: One of our
Dream Excursions Vacation Specialist at 1-888-898-3628 or email
us at request@dreamexcursions.com
for fast, friendly assistance.
