Aruba

Aruba is an island located in the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea, 15 miles north of the coast of Venezuela.It is in the Realm of Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of a European part (The Netherlands) and a Caribbean-American part (Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles). There are two official languages: the Dutch language and Papiamento (local). Capital city is Oranjestad (English: "Orange City"), with a population of 26,355 (2000), it is also most important city of Aruba, it is located on the southern coast near the western end of the island. In the local language, Oranjestad is often referred to simply as "Playa". Only airport in Aruba is Queen Beatrix International Airport and it is located near Oranjestad, most of flights are flights to United States, but it also connects Aruba with Canada and South America, with daily flights to the international airports of Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Spain, England and most of Europe through the Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands.

With an area of approximately 70 sq. miles (184 sq. km) this small, flat, riverless island is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches. Because of its location south in the Caribbean there is very strong sun, but a light breeze keeps the temperature pleasant and almost constant at about 81°F (27°C). This climate has helped tourism as visitors to the island can reliably expect warm and sunny weather. From the tourist point of view, Aruba is divided into the southeast coast witch has the white sand beaches, turquoise seas, and warm waters, and northwest coasts witch is exposed to the Atlantic, it has a few white sand beaches, rough seas with strong currents and rocky coastline. With beautiful weather all year round and blue Caribbean waters the best thing to do in Aruba is to enjoy the sunshine on one of the many beaches:

Baby beach, is on south end of island, it’s called Baby Beach because it is very shallow and no more than five feet deep at any point, this beach is also one of the best for snorkeling on the Aruba. The water in the deeper areas, as well as around the rest of Aruba, is pretty cool and very refreshing even in August. Marine life includes Barracuda, squid, blowfish, parrot fish, angel fish, eels, snakes and a lot of other small fish, although most of these stick around the inlet. There is a small snack stand at the beach, and chairs and umbrellas for rent. This beach is a fun place to rent a Jeep Wrangler and head out to for the afternoon.

Eagle beach is near the La Cabana Resort and some timeshares. Shallow water right off the beach gives a whole different perspective to Caribbean beauty. You can relax under a palm tree, go snorkeling out and maybe see some colorful fish or take a cruise on one of the local boats. Eagle Beach is home to all this plus breathtaking hotels and resorts. So, you have white, soft and very clean sand, shade huts, palm trees, umbrellas, to get out of sun, calm water to go swim or snorkeling your is just to enjoy.

Palm beach is placed along the best resort hotels and timeshares on the island. If you are staying in one of them you'll have one of the most spectacular views of beautiful Palm Beach and the blue waters of the Caribbean. Next to Hadicurari beach, Palm beach is great for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and sailing. You will spend over an hour walking from one end to another, while walking you'll be able to visit the high rise hotels or many bars at the beach, some have beautiful gardens and waterfalls. If you like you can visit several places along Palm Beach witch offers water sports, you can rent jet skis, go windsurfing, or rent scuba gear, they also offer instruction in each of these areas. If your hotel is not on Palm Beach, make sure you visit it.

There are more beautiful beaches on Aruba, like Hadicurari Beach, Malmok beach, Arashi beach and so on, but beaches are not only attractions on Aruba, if you are going there on vacation, you should also visit the rest of the island.

Arikok National Park, takes up approximately 20 percent of the island, it is an area of unique scenic beauty. Here are also located the Tunnel of Love and Guadirikiri Caves. Inside the park are some of the island's oldest Arawak(ancient tribe) paintings, and it draws many tourists attention. Designated as an important national area in the 1980s, Arikok National Park becomes popular for hiking, covering all kinds of terrain from hills to gold mines, and even plantation ruins.

Alto Vista Chapel is a small Catholic chapel that is located on the hills at the north shore and to the northeast of the town of Noord, original chapel was built in 1750 by Domingo Silvestre, he was an Indian from Santa Ana de Coro, Venezuela. Early in the 18th century a small group of Indians, who were Catholic began to gather at the spot where the original chapel was later built. In World War II when Aruba was attacked by German submarine , Catholics in Aruba decided to rebuild a chapel at the very site of the original chapel at Alto Visa, it was finished in 1952. Now every year in October there is a pilgrimage to Alto Vista.

California Lighthouse. If you are going to the northern shores of Aruba you should visit the light house California. It is near the Tierra del Sol golf. This lighthouse was named after a steamship called the Californian, which wrecked nearby on September 23, 1891. and to this day the ship is a popular dive site. Around the lighthouse are acres of stoned-filled flat land, and an area called California White Sand Dunes is very popular for tourists who go dune surfing. For those who don't know what is that, well it involves sliding down the dunes in any way that seems comfortable. A restaurant called La Trattoria el faro Blancois can be found near the lighthouse.

The Natural Pool or "conchi" called "Cura di Tortuga" is a secret, hidden, small pool of water hidden in natural rock formation and is perfect for a moment of total relaxation, and a getaway from crowded places. The Pool and it's surroundings are untutched so visitors can truly enjoy in total wild beauty. Diving from the rock cliffs into the protected pool of ocean water is the main reason why so many adventurers come here. It is great place for day trips.

Natural Bridge. There are 7 “Natural Bridges” in Aruba. The original (biggest and most famous one that people are referring to when they say Natural Bridge) collapsed on September 2, 2005 leaving a pile of rubble in the sea. This was one of Aruba's most popular attractions. The natural bridge was a formation of coral limestone cut out by years of pounding surf, and was one of the largest of these types of spans in the world. It standed some 23 feet (7 meters) above sea level and spans more than 100 feet (30 meters).

There are more point of interest if you are traveler in Aruba, like: Quadiriki Caves, Fort Zoutman And Willem III Tower, De Oude Molen / Windmill, Bushiribana Ruins,
Casibari Rock & Ayo Rock Formations, Aruba Aloe Factory, Aruba Ostrich Farm, and if you have time you should visit it all, and if not, well, then you must go there again.