Floating off the coast of Venezuela, Aruba is one of the most unusual Caribbean nations in terms of its history and cultural influences.
Once a Dutch colony, much of the architecture smacks of a town in the Netherlands bathed in pastel colours. But walk the streets and you’ll notice unmistakable Yankee sensibilities in the cuisine and lifestyle – it’s very reminiscent of the USA. And undoubtedly its proximity to Latin America has added a little Hispanic fizz to proceedings. This creates a charming blended heritage that’s both quintessentially Caribbean and utterly unique.
Aruba is surrounded by a ribbon of blissful beach that you can enjoy in the year-round sunshine – this really is a destination that you’ll love any time of year. The most popular area surrounds Palm Beach and Eagle Beach where you’ll find high quality resorts and a great mix of local and international restaurants.
But if you’re looking to get a little more active you can head north, near Malmok Beach, where you’ll find great sites for scuba diving and an 18-hole golf course.
Why visit Aruba?
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Arubans are rightly proud of the natural beauty of their country, and can enjoy it at the Arikok National Wildlife Park, where you’ll get to see a lot of unique flora and fauna
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The pretty capital of Oranjestad has everything you need from gourmet restaurants and boutique shops to useful supermarkets and tastes of home
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Boasting the nickname and slogan ‘One Happy Island’, Aruba is a famously friendly place where everyone will be more than happy to share their tips for best places to eat and top beauty spots
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Like a tiny America, with a slower, friendlier lifestyle and more predictably beautiful year-round weather
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Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are two fine examples of how good a Caribbean beach can really be