Aruba
Aruba is an independent island owned by The Netherlands, and is located just 17 miles north of Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea. Aruba is also part of the ABC islands, together with Bonaire and Curacao. Aruba is warm all year round and outside of the hurricane belt, making vacations possible at any time of the year.
The Port of Aruba is conveniently located in Oranjestad, the capital city of Aruba, within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and Surfside Beach.
Eagle Beach is just a ten-minute drive away from the port and has a beautiful sandy beach, shopping, restaurants and bars, and beautiful water. We would recommend this beach over Surfside.
Palm Beach is located north of Eagle Beach. It is a little farther, but definitely worth a visit as well. Just like Eagle Beach, Palm Beach is full of great restaurants and beach bars.
You can find taxis, which have fixed rates & are cash only. An easier route would be to pre-arrange a guided tour or rental car.
Highlight’s include:
L.G. Smith Boulevard
Renaissance Marketplace
Havenstraat
Schelpstraat
Main Street
Arikok National Park
Black Stone Beach
The Butterfly Farm
Archaeological Museum
Aloe Museum
Historical Museum at Fort Zoutman/Torre Willem Ill
The Donkey Sanctuary
The Antilla Shipwreck
Aruba is home to excellent game fishing with a variety of charter companies which offer half and full day deep sea fishing excursions in well-equipped boats manned by professional crews. Cast your line for kingfish, amberjack, and tuna, sailfish, or blue marlin!
Aruhiba Cigars offers hand-rolled premium cigars and accessories made exclusively from locally farmed Aruhiba Tobacco, similar to Cuban cigars. Their shop in Palm Beach offers daily farm tours and private cigar rolling classes.
Arashi Beach is a secluded and undeveloped spot perfect for snorkeling and swimming. It's a popular spot with locals, thanks to its gentle currents, sandbars, vibrant marine life, and barbecue huts. The winding road also connects to the California lighthouse.
Baby Beach, located away from tourist foot traffic, also has some of the best snorkelling on the island.
Yamanota is the highest point on the island, offering hikers panoramic views of both the northern and southern shores.
De Palm Island is an all-inclusive destination offering exclusive island access to activities such as SNUBA, Sea Trek Underwater Helmet Walks, snorkelling, banana boat rides, and splash zones. The island has a private beach where adults can lounge in chairs or get a massage, while kids can splash around in the water park and enjoy unlimited food and beverage offerings.
In Savaneta, a quiet fishing village, you'll find Zeerover's – a fisherman's wharf with a lively atmosphere. You can purchase freshly caught fish or request the catch of the day.
If you're looking for some casino time, some of the most popular casinos are located at the Aruba Marriott Resort (Stellaris Casino), Holiday Inn Resort Aruba (Excelsior Casino), Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, RIU Palace and the Radisson Aruba Resort.
The official language of Aruba is Dutch, but most Arubans are fluent in several languages, including English and Spanish. You'll also hear the local Papiamento, a language that has evolved over the centuries from an eclectic mixture of Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Arawak Indian, English and French.
The official currency of Aruba is the Aruban florin (Afl). U.S. currency is widely accepted throughout the island. Most establishments also accept major credit and debit cards.
Taxis in Aruba have set rates so they do not have meters. The minimum fare is US$6, and drivers only accept cash. Feel free to ask your driver to see the rate sheet in advance.
As in the United States and Canada, the electrical voltage in Aruba is 110 A. C.
The country code is 297.
