Tourists with a lot of travel experience know perfectly well where Aruba is located, but for many it will be a discovery that this island with a tropical climate is part of the country of the Netherlands with a completely non-tropical climate. In terms of practical information for tourists, Aruba is an island with its own passports, currency and visas, that is, it is an independent state. You can get here from different European cities, but the easiest way is with a transfer in the Netherlands. The only thing that may not like in a vacation in Aruba is high prices.
General information
Aruba is a volcanic island located 25 km from the Gulf of Venezuela. With a surface area of 185 square kilometers, it is slightly larger than the country of Liechtenstein, which has a surface area of 160 square kilometers. If you wish, you can drive around the entire island in one day, covering a distance of 9 kilometers in width and 32 kilometers in length.
The highest point on the island is Mount Hamonataa (190 m). The lack of vegetation is more than compensated for by the comfortable beaches, many of which are worthy of being featured in magazines dedicated to the best resorts in the world.
The capital of Aruba is the city of Oranjestad, and the international airport, ReinaBeatrix (AUA), is located nearby. It is noteworthy that there is no Duty Free area at the airport, as the entire island is a duty-free zone. This is why Europeans combine their vacations in Aruba with shopping and entertainment at local nightclubs and bars.
An interesting fact! Aruba is often referred to as the Las Vegas of the Caribbean. You can combine dinner with a casino game or a captivating show program. There are many such establishments in the northern part of Oranjestad, which is located between Palm and Druif.
The island has a low crime rate, so you can safely rent a car without worrying about it being stolen. Aruba is the westernmost island of the Lesser Antilles, and it’s a great destination for those who enjoy relaxing on soft sand under the sun. While the prices for vacations in Aruba can be quite high, the emotions and experiences you’ll have during your trip are worth the investment.
Attractions and entertainment
First of all, the attraction of Aruba is its atmosphere – joy, freedom and kindness. In addition to comfortable beaches, the island has a museum, parks of national importance. If you are interested in the history of the island, visit the Fort Zaustman – originally the construction functioned as a fortress, then it was converted into a lighthouse, after that it was a clock tower, and today it is a historical museum. Be sure to visit the park of the national park Arikok. Fans of British culture will surely like in the second largest city of the island – San Nicholas.
It’s good to know! The island is quite safe and quiet, but it’s important to keep an eye on your personal belongings in crowded areas, as pickpockets are common.
Renaissance Island
You can talk about the Caribbean island endlessly, but the question that tourists most often ask is where is the flamingo beach in Aruba? To begin with, the flamingo beach is not located in Aruba, but on a small island that belongs to the Renaissance Hotel. This is why the hotel’s guests are the first to have access to this paradise with pink birds. The flamingo beach is located south of Aruba. If you’re staying at the Renaissance Hotel, you only need to pay for food and drinks during your trip from Aruba to Flamingo Island. All other amenities, such as towels, sun loungers, and water sports equipment, are provided free of charge.
Throughout the day, boats run from the hotel’s marina to the island. The island, home to hundreds of flamingos, is a coral atoll that covers only 0.16 square kilometers. As the island is owned by the hotel, it offers excellent recreational facilities, including two beaches, a restaurant, and a bar.
Iguana Beach is spacious, covered with white sand, the entrance to the water is shallow, as it is located in the lagoon. On the shore there is a restaurant that serves delicious ice cream, you can order a cocktail and have a delicious lunch.
An interesting fact! There are large iguanas on the beach, and they are tame and enjoy eating lettuce and fresh vegetables.
The highlight of the island is the Flamingo Beach. Pink flamingos walk freely among the vacationers, and you can even take photos with them. However, the flamingo is a proud bird and will not tolerate any familiarity. The beach with the flamingos is secluded and has a peaceful atmosphere, and it is also known as the adult beach. The area is regularly patrolled by stewards, and you can ask them for a cocktail.
After interacting with the flamingos and iguanas, you can venture through the mangroves and explore the interior of the island, but be careful not to follow the path. The island is connected by bridges and small lagoons, where you can observe fish breeding. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a baby moray eel. In addition to the flamingos, the island is home to lizards, crabs, pelicans, and herons.
Photo: Aruba Island, Flamingo Beach.
Tourists can choose one of the following ways to spend their time on Reunion Island:
- They arrive in the morning, relax until lunchtime by interacting with flamingos or iguanas, and then spend their time shopping;
- You can spend the whole day relaxing at Renaissance, lying on the beach, snorkeling, and eating at the restaurant.
The island with pink flamingos, turquoise water, and mangroves is a true paradise. The attraction is only available to residents of the Renaissance Hotel, but what should guests of other hotels in Aruba do if they want to see the flamingos? They can purchase a ticket and join a tour group to visit the island.
It’s useful to know! Groups of 20-25 people are sent to the island, so you need to arrive at the ticket office early, by 7:00.
Diving and snorkeling
There are more than 50 places on the island where you can enjoy excellent diving and snorkeling conditions. In some areas, visibility can reach up to 30 meters.
Best places for water sports.
- Antilla is the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean, with a length of 122 meters. It was sunk during World War II. Part of the ship is visible above the surface, and snorkeling is possible. Night dives are particularly popular.
- Pedernales is a wreck that is part of a sunken oil tanker. The ship is located at a depth of 9 meters, which is why it is often chosen by beginners for diving.
- Jane Cee – the ship that carried cement, is located on a flat bottom, at a depth of just over 25 m, this place attracts a lot of fish – small, tropical and large barracudas. This is a great place for underwater photography.
- Reef Mike – if you could describe this place in two words, it would be an explosion of color, with orange or purple sponges and a large number of corals.
- The Mangol Halto Reef begins at a depth of 5 meters and ends at a depth of 33 meters. The reef is teeming with marine life, from small fish to large rays and octopuses.
There are many diving centers in Aruba, where customers will be provided with the necessary equipment. You can always use the services of an instructor. The most popular diving center, whose branches are located all over the island, is “Red Sail” (Red Sail). Most branches are open every day from 9-00 to 18-00.
Another popular diving center is Aqua Windies (www.aquawindies.com), where you can take a full course of training or make a single dive. Instructors choose a dive site individually for each client. The diving center is open every day, on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., on Fridays and Saturdays until 5:00 p.m., and on Sundays until 1:00 p.m.
This is important! Each center offers high-quality diving equipment for rent. You can also participate in organized snorkeling tours.
If you want to explore the deep-sea world without diving, consider deep-sea fishing. You can visit a diving center or arrange fishing trips with local fishermen.
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Butterfly Farm
This is a net-covered garden that covers an area of 9,000 square meters. Hundreds of butterflies fly around in a picturesque, tropical garden with waterfalls and ponds. The insects are so tame that they will land on visitors. If you want to see nature in all its diversity and color, be sure to visit the farm, where butterflies of all shapes and colors live.
It’s good to know! Guests are invited to purchase a half-hour tour, during which the guide explains the miraculous transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly in English.
The garden features butterflies at all stages of their life cycle – caterpillar, chrysalis, and finally, butterfly. The tour guide will share interesting facts about butterflies. In addition, tourists can take photos to their heart’s content. Trust me, the results are stunning.
An interesting fact! Do you want butterflies to land on you? Wear brightly colored clothes, and the best shots are taken in the afternoon, when the number of visitors decreases.
Practical information:
- official address: J.E. Irausquin Boulevard, Noord, the attraction is within walking distance of Palm Beach, and it can also be reached by car;
- opening hours: every day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the last group of visitors entering the garden at 4:00 p.m.;
- Prices for services and other useful information for tourists are available on the official website: www.thebutterflyfarm.com.
Philip’s Animal Garden
Of course, first of all, Aruba is about flamingos, but the island is a naturalist’s paradise, with many parks. The Philip’s Animal Garden is particularly popular. It is not just a zoo, but a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to saving exotic animal species on the island and in the region. Thanks to the efforts of the park’s founder, the collection includes unique animals and birds. Interestingly, the entire zoo was designed and built by a single individual, Philip Conrad Merryweather. Philip’s initial interest was in snakes. In addition, the collection includes many monkeys, goats, pigs, horses, camels, ostriches, and rare bird species. The zoo regularly holds events aimed at improving the conditions for the animals. If you are part of a tour group, you will be allowed to feed the animals.
Practical information:
- address: Alto Vista 116, NoordAruba, Dutch Caribbean;
- You can drive there, the trip takes 5-7 minutes, the landmark is the Alto Vista chapel, and there are signs along the road;
- working hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; weekends, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Ticket prices and other practical information are available on the official website: www.philipsanimalgarden.com.
Donkey Sanctuary
As you approach the donkey sanctuary, you will hear the distinctive call of the animals. Here, you will find cute and friendly donkeys who eagerly reach out to visitors. The history of the sanctuary is quite dramatic, as donkeys were once used as a primary means of transportation. However, with the advent of cars, the need for donkeys diminished, and they were ruthlessly discarded. The abandoned donkeys roamed along the roads, and the founders of the sanctuary decided to save the animals by providing them with food, water, care, and a comfortable living environment.
The attraction was opened in 1997, and today it houses about 40 donkeys. You can purchase a tour at the zoo, and you can also buy souvenirs at the gift shop. Donkeys are also known for their love of carrots and apples, so be sure to bring some vegetables and fruits with you.
It’s good to know! There is no admission fee, but any donations are welcome as they are used to improve the animals’ living conditions.
Practical information:
- addresses: Sta Lucia 4A and Bringamosa 2Z;
- working hours: daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a day off on January 1;
- Service prices are available at main.arubandonkey.org/portal/.
Arikok National Park
Aruba is a tiny island, and almost 20% of its area is covered by the Arikok Conservation Area. The park is located in the northern part of the island, around the Arikok and Hamanota mountain peaks. The soil in this area is rich in minerals, which is why it has lush vegetation and a variety of animals. Some of these animals are unique to the island of Aruba. This includes certain species of owls, parrots, kwihi trees, divi-divi trees, aloe, and tropical flowers.
The park is home to unique natural and historical landmarks:
- Arawak petroglyphs discovered in the Fontaine Cave;
- old plantation;
- dutch colonist settlements;
- gold mines.
There are walking trails throughout the park that lead directly into the thickets of exotic plants. The reserve area is home to a wide variety of animals.
The natural formations, the Guadirikiri Caves and the Tunnel of Love, are located on the outskirts of the reserve. In the caves, tourists can explore two halls that are over 30 meters long.
An interesting fact! The Tunnel of Love is named after the shape of its entrance, which resembles a heart.
Practical information:
- working hours: daily from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.;
- tickets cost \$11, and children under 17 can enter for free;
- the ticket is valid for the entire day;
- website: www.arubanationalpark.org.
Beaches
The best beaches are located in the south of the island, but some tourists find it strange that a seaport, an airport, and an industrial zone are located in the same part of Aruba. Another distinctive feature is that there are no bays in the south of the island, which means that the waves are quite strong. However, due to the proximity of South America, the wind on the island blows from the north, so the waves are smaller on the southern coast.
However, there are also decent beaches in the north-west, the best of which are Arashi Beach and Hadikurari Beach, which offer excellent diving and snorkeling conditions. If you prefer luxury, consider Palm Beach and Eagle Beach, which are located near luxurious hotels. For families with children and those seeking privacy, Baby Beach and Rogers Beach are ideal choices. Additionally, Renaisance Beach and Flamingo Beach stand out for their unique features. This place is different from all the others – iguanas and flamingos roam freely here.
An interesting fact! Flamingos that live in captivity on the hotel grounds are white in color because their diet lacks crustaceans and algae.
Eagle beach
Manchebo and Eagle Beach form a promontory that juts out into the sea, resembling the beak of an eagle. They are located on opposite sides of the “beak.” Eagle Beach is characterized by its white, fine sand, fofoti trees, palm trees, and various water activities. These features make it one of the best beaches for relaxation. The white sand absorbs less heat, making it comfortable to walk on barefoot.
There is a parking lot near the beach, as well as toilets and cafes. The sunsets here are absolutely stunning.
This is important! The beach is located at the hotel, but anyone can access it, and you can use everything except the sun loungers.
Guests can rent a room in large but low-rise hotels. The minimum price for a double room in a 3-star hotel is $100, while a 4-star hotel costs $210.
Arashi
This picturesque place is located in the northwest of the island of Aruba. The quality of the vacation is so high that Arashi has been awarded the Blue Flag symbol for maintaining the standards of beach recreation. The main attraction is the California Lighthouse, which is visited by couples from all over the island. There are also good conditions for snorkeling.
There are canopies and palm trees on the beach, providing a pleasant shade to escape the scorching sun. The beach and the seabed are covered with sand and rocks. The water is clear, allowing visitors to observe fish, so many people come here with snorkels and masks.
It’s good to know! This is the last place suitable for swimming, after which the windy and rocky part of the island begins.
The minimum price for a studio apartment near the beach is $60. A 3-star hotel room for two can be booked for $100, and a 4-star hotel room for $145.
Palm Beach
This is the most popular party spot in Aruba. There are many palm trees, restaurants, discos, and shops, as well as a large number of tourists. The beach and seabed are covered with sand. There are luxurious hotels nearby, and private condos can be rented. This beach is often chosen by families with children, as the water is shallow and gentle. There are many water activities available on the beach. However, the constant noise and large crowds can make the experience less enjoyable. Transportation is available by bus or minibus.
It is important to know! It is on Palm Beach that a cruise ship comes daily, so the number of vacationers on the shore increases.
One hundred meters from the beach line there is an aparthotel, the price of the room here is $154. 200 meters is a villa, here the price of a double room is $289. There are also hotels with double rooms at prices ranging from $85 to $549.
Baby Beach
It is located in the east of the southern coast. This place is named due to the high degree of safety – on weekends, children are brought here. One of the few places where there are almost never waves, since it is located in a wind-protected lagoon. In addition, Baby Beach is recognized as the most photogenic , most likely, this is due to the unusual color of the water – it is uniform, turquoise.
The shore and the bottom are covered with sand, there are mushroom, there are several cafes, parking. A little bit away, you can see an oil refinery, which, however, does not spoil the impression of rest.
Near the coast, just 400 m away, there are several private houses that can be rented as a whole and guesthouses with separate rooms for rent. The choice of accommodation is limited, and prices vary greatly, ranging from $80 to $250.
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Manchebo beach
This place is recognized as the most romantic on the island, and it is perfect for relaxation. It is always quiet and secluded. You can get here by bus. There are paid sun loungers, but guests of the Manchebo hotel can use them for free. Since the beach belongs to the hotel, it is always clean, the sea is warm, and the trade winds are constant, adding a unique atmosphere to your vacation.
There are apartments nearby, and the minimum price for a double room is $150. A double room in a 4-star hotel costs at least $170, and a double room in the Manchebo Hotel costs between $400 and $650.
Money and tips
The official currency of the island is the florin, which is divided into 1 florin, 50 cents, 10 cents, and 5 cents. You can also pay with US dollars. You can exchange your currency at any bank, which is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can also use a bank card to make payments on the island.
Tipping is usually included in the bill. If not, it is customary to leave a tip of 10 to 15% of the bill amount. Tipping is not customary for taxi drivers.
It is important to know! You will also have to pay extra for carrying bulky luggage, which should be discussed with the taxi driver before getting into the car.
Food
Since the tourist infrastructure in Aruba is well developed, there are no problems with finding a place to eat. The menu includes dishes made with beef, goat, and chicken, as well as cheeses and legumes, and rice is often served as a side dish. Seafood and fish dishes also play a significant role in the cuisine. As is typical in beach resorts, the closer a restaurant is to the water, the higher the prices will be. However, it is always possible to find a restaurant that offers the best value for money.
- A full meal at a cafe costs an average of $15 per person.
- On average, a restaurant bill for two people will cost between $70 and $90.
- The price of a budget-friendly meal at a fast-food restaurant is approximately $10.
Weather and climate, when is the best time to go
Throughout the year, the weather remains warm. There is no distinct seasonality on the island, and the difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures is no more than 4 degrees. The typical daytime temperature ranges from +26 to +29 degrees Celsius. The water temperature reaches +24 degrees Celsius.
It is important to know! In general, a vacation in Aruba is beautiful at any time of the year. During the period from November to December, there may be short-term showers, and from May to September, it rains quite often.
How to get to Aruba
Despite the fact that there is no direct flight to Aruba, tourists do not have any difficulties with their flights. There are various flight options available, all of which involve connecting flights in New York, Miami, London, or Amsterdam.
The most convenient flight from European cities is with KLM via Amsterdam. The flight from the capital of the Netherlands takes exactly 10 hours.
Aruba Island-Interesting facts
- The landscape of Aruba is somewhat unique, with no dense vegetation and a predominance of flat, desert-like landscapes.
- If your travel goal is diving or water sports, choose the northeastern part of Aruba. Luxury hotels for passive, beach-based holidays predominate in the southwest of the island.
- It is impossible to find nudists on the island of Aruba, as it is not customary to relax without clothes.
- If you plan to travel around the island by rented vehicle, you have a unique opportunity to visit all the beaches, as they are located compactly and conveniently for vacationers.
- Every year, the island hosts a windsurfing championship. Beach tennis is a favorite sport among the locals.
- In Aruba, you can safely drink tap water. However, tourists still prefer to buy purified water in stores.
- The island has two official languages, Dutch and Papiamento. Most of the locals speak English and Spanish.
Given that the island is a duty-free trade zone, the high prices for vacations in Aruba are partially compensated by the democratic prices in the shops. Jewelry is in particular demand.
Aruba is an island that is visited by over a million tourists every year. This fact undoubtedly indicates the popularity of the resort.
