Things to do while in Aruba

Just off the coast of South America this beautiful island will have you planning your next trip before you even come home.  Aruba is known as the “A” island of the so called ABC islands (Bonaire and Curacao complete the trio).  Aruba is flat, arid, and wonderfully outside of the hurricane belt.  Aruba is a Dutch island just off the coast of Venezuela where the island inhabitants enjoy low humidity and breezy blue skies year round.  Instead of tropical foliage the lucky visitor will find rocky deserts, silky sand and the trademark divi-divi tree.  This tree is especially unique as it is bent at a 45-degree angle by the strong trade winds. While the sounds of the casinos permeate the air, the sound of Aruba is really known as the infectious steel band music mixed with beach barbecues and fish fries.  This is the island where the official license plates proclaim, “one happy island.”  The annual tourist rate seems to agree!

There are a few things that would be especially helpful to know before you go to Aruba.  Starting December 31, 2006 travelers will need to carry a passport to enter Aruba.  There are several languages spoken in Aruba some of these include: Dutch, English, Spanish and Papiamento.  Both the Aruban florin and U.S. dollars are accepted as currency.  Aruba is fairly close to the U.S. with flight times from New York City being just 4 hours while west coast L.A. travelers will have to fly 11 hours.  Budget minded travelers should know that there is a standard hotel tax and service charge of 17.6%. Best prices on hotels can be had mid-May to mid-December.  There are many ways to get around Aruba based on the budget of the traveler.  Taxi, bus and rental cars are all readily available.

While gambling is a major tourist draw on Aruba there are many other things for the budget minded traveler to do.  Water sports are a huge draw in Aruba.  Due to the temperate climate visitors to Aruba can enjoy a variety of water sports almost year round.  Water in Aruba becomes the ultimate playground.  In fact an entire vacation can be filled with water adventures.  Snorkeling and diving are especially popular in Aruba where the water is surrounded by thriving reefs and marine life.  Many extra adventurous divers take on a night dive where they explore several underwater wrecks.  Sailing is another preferred activity in Aruba whether by banana boat, catamaran or windsurfing in nearly perfect conditions.  Many tourists find that simply a walk through the tranquil lagoons or a solitary paddle with a kayak (another budget friendly solution) suits their water adventure needs.  Kite surfing and charter fishing are two other more moderately priced options to enjoy the waters surrounding Aruba.  For the traveler without budget cares there is also the option of chartering a high powered speed boat or renting jet skis.  Parasailing over the beautiful water also provides a unique view of the surroundings. Many resorts in Aruba offer all inclusive packages that include many of these water options for a more affordable one price fee.

Water is not the only place to enjoy Aruba.  Aruba has a number of sightseeing options that should be considered by all tourists. The government of Aruba has dedicated nearly 18 % of the island to Arikok National Park.  This park was first designated as an area of significant national importance in the early 1980’s. It is an area of unique scenic beauty, flora and fauna, geological formations and cultural resources. Two other sites that should not be missed in Aruba are the Bird Sanctuary and Butterfly Farm.  Another budget friendly option not to be missed in Aruba is a visit to the Natural Pool.  The Natural Pool or “conchi” called “Cura di Tortuga” is a secret, hidden pool on the windward coast surrounded by rocks and is a perfect getaway for a moment of total relaxation.

Whether playing in the water or on land there are an almost countless number of options for any tourist visiting Aruba.  Whether your travel budget is large or small the savvy tourist visiting Aruba can filled their vacation days with fun!