The beautiful island of Aruba is an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is part of the Lesser Antilles islands, located just 17 miles north of Venezuela in the Southern Caribbean Sea. You may have heard the phrase “ABC islands. “ The “A” in this phrase stands for Aruba and while it is the smallest of the three ABC islands, there is so much to enjoy and experience on this happy island. Join us as we explore the top 5 reasons why Aruba has earned its moniker of “One Happy Island.”
#1 Warm Weather Year-Round and Low Rainfall Averages
While all Caribbean islands boast tropical weather and warm sunshine, Aruba is a bit unique when it comes to weather and climate. The weather in Aruba is tropical, but not extreme and the island temperature is practically the same year-round with a median temperature of about 82 degrees.
The island of Aruba sits just south of the hurricane belt, so it usually only experiences the fringes of tropical weather – unlike some of the other Caribbean islands that lie in the direct path of hurricanes. The climate is more desert-like than tropical with low annual rainfalls. When it does rain, it is usually in quick heavy bursts. With warm sunshine on your face, temperatures in the 80s, a low chance of rain, and a breezy trade wind to cool you off on the beach – that’s enough to make you smile right there!!
Tip: Bring towel clips for your beach towel so it stays put on your chair in the breezy tradewinds.
#2 Happy Island or Delicious Island?
Food = Happy for most of us, right? If you consider yourself a foodie or are just one who enjoys trying different types of cuisines, then you will especially enjoy dining in Aruba. Aruban food has been heavily influenced by the diversity of different cultures that have inhabited the island throughout its history.
There are heavy culinary influences from the Netherlands, Spain, Latin America, Africa, and even Indonesia (another historically dutch colony) and the island’s original inhabitants, the Arawaks. Local restaurants offer bountiful opportunities to enjoy Aruban Cuisine such as Pastechi, fried pies similar to empanadas that come filled with meats and/or cheese; Stobas, stews that are a very popular island dish even though it’s hot and Keshi Yena, a casserole dish with a cheese crust and considered the national dish of Aruba.
Tip: Whether you decide to stay at an all-inclusive resort or a traditional hotel, be sure to make reservations for local restaurants well in advance so you can experience authentic Aruban cuisine.
#3 Natural Island Beauty
Aruba is known for its beautiful white-sand beaches with crystal clear turquoise water. Many of the high-rise resorts are located in Palm Beach, which is also where you can find bountiful watersport opportunities. Eagle Beach is the second most popular tourist beach with its coconut tree-lined shore and iconic Fofoti trees like the ones pictured above.
Both Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are perfect places to enjoy beautiful Aruban sunsets. If you are looking for a quieter beach, there a many to choose from throughout the island which are easily accessible by car.
If you enjoy hiking, Arkok National Park offers an opportunity to explore the island’s rugged desert terrain with interesting rock formations and natural pools along the coast.
Tip: If a beachfront resort is important to you, be sure to let your travel advisor know as some of the high-rise resorts in Palm Beach are set back from the beach. They may offer ocean views, but won’t necessarily have easy beach access.
#4 Unique Experiences and Adventures
Aruba is a very drivable island and its size makes it perfect to explore on your own by car. You can rent a jeep for the day to discover all the island has to offer. If you are looking for a more adventurous experience, consider a UTV tour to explore the island’s more rugged coast near Arikok Park and maybe even find a natural pool to cool off in.
Ready to enjoy that stunning turquoise water? You can charter a private boat to explore the island’s more secluded areas or join a shared excursion to go snorkeling and see the Antilla shipwreck from World War II.
Windsurfing and kite-surfing are popular water sports due to the constant trade wind and beginners can find classes available at Palm Beach. Have you ever dreamed about going horseback riding on the beach? You can make that happen in Aruba as the island has several ranches offering tours.
While Aruba may be a smaller island, there is no shortage of things to do, and you will certainly find something for everyone in your family to enjoy.
Tip: Be sure to book your excursions right after you book your trip. Many activities fill up quickly, especially during the summer months and around the winter holidays.
#5 Happy People
The cheerful people of Aruba pride themselves on being happy, friendly and welcoming to all who visit their beautiful island. With more than 90 different nationalities present in Aruba, diversity and inclusion are intrinsic characteristics of the island. The two official languages are Dutch and Papiamento; however, many people in Aruba also speak Portuguese, Spanish, and English. The people of Aruba are waiting to welcome you, so they can share all that this small, but mighty Caribbean island has to offer.
Ready to discover Aruba, One Happy Island? Pick out your favorite Palpa (straw beach umbrellas shown above) and allow your Kingdom Destinations agent to do the rest!
For more information, reach out to your favorite Kingdom Destinations Travel Advisor or contact us at info@kingdomdestinations.com.
Comments
I can’t wait to see all of this
Have a wonderful time!