Aruba

Unless you have already been or are familiar with the lyrics of the Beach Boys ‘Kokomo’ you may not have heard of Aruba. Part of the Dutch Antilles that also includes Bonaire and Curacao (The ABC Islands), Aruba is a Caribbean island situated off the coast of Venezuela. I travelled to Aruba in September, right in the middle of the hurricane season. However, due to its southerly location it is outside of the hurricane belt making a direct hit an extremely rare event and consequently adding to its year round appeal.

Settled originally by the Arawak people, it was claimed by the Spanish in 1499. The Dutch seized the island in 1636 and though the English were briefly in control between 1806 and 1816, the Dutch returned and in 1986 Aruba became independent from the Netherlands. Gold, aloe and oil were the major exports until tourism took over as the major industry and employer. Having no natural fresh water the island has the world’s second largest saltwater desalination plant, making the island’s tap water perfectly safe to drink.

With so many cultural influences Aruba is ethnically diverse. Though its tourist trade is mainly from the USA it is gaining in popularity with the European market, but what is the draw? This is a desert island in the true sense, with no natural water it is arid and barren. The interior remains a dry and dusty place. But the western coast line has some of the most amazing beaches.

Eagle Beach has been voted among the top beaches in the world with stunning white sand comprising crushed coral and shell, turquoise seawater and caressed gently by the cooling trade winds. Here you will find the trademark divi-divi trees that have become a symbol for Aruba, carved into unique shapes and tilting wildly as they lean in the direction of the breezes. Palm beach is where the high rise hotels and casinos (gambling winnings are not taxed in Aruba) are located with plenty of bars and restaurants – check out Moomba Beach or book a day trip on a pirate ship!

Aruba is known for water-sports, diving for wrecks and snorkelling but when you have had enough of beach pursuits, it is time to check out what else the island has to offer. Discover Aruba’s wild interior and east coast which is eerily quiet, barren and desert like. The interior is sandy and rocky with little vegetation apart from the pale green cacti and divi-divi trees. Here it is easy to imagine a stampede of cattle herded by cowboys on horseback is about to appear over the horizon. Instead you are more likely to find its tourists disturbing the peace, as they arrive amidst clouds of dust on their quad bikes!

We visited the Bushiribana Gold Mine ruins followed by a trip to the smaller Natural bridge, the larger one collapsed in 2005. The Casibari Rock Formation is also worth a visit, large tonalite boulders rise up out of the surrounding landscape; you can climb to the top and enjoy views of the island. the Alto Vista Chapel is painted in bright yellow and can be reached from a road that winds its way thorugh the dusty landscape lined with white crosses marking the Stations of the Cross, the islanders are predominantly Catholic.

At the north-western tip of the island is the California Lighthouse which was named after the SS California which sank off the coast of Aruba. Here, as well as most sightseeing locations, you will finds refreshments. And, what better way to quench your thirst than with a fresh chilled coconut drink!

We also visited the Butterfly Farm  which has some of the most colourful butterflies and moths from around the world. You can see the butterflies in all stages of their life cycle from egg to caterpillar, chrysalis to butterfly and is a great photographic opportunity.

So whether you are looking for a barefoot paradise relaxing under a palapos, clutching a cocktail, listening to gently lapping waves on a pristine white sandy beach, or exploring the island on a quad bike, snorkelling for ship wrecks and brightly coloured fish, or playing the tables at one of the many casinos; there is plently to entertain everyone and, with 52 weeks of sunshine, it’s easy to understand how Aruba has earned the tag #OneHappyIsland.

How to get there:

Fly via Amsterdam or as part of a multi-centre holiday, there are plenty of connecting flights between Aruba and USA. Miami, Las Vegas or New York to name a few! Call us for your bespoke itinerary 01932 866565 or email.

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