Aruba Things To Do

White sandy beaches bathed by the warm Caribbean waters, sunny days and warm nights, lots of things to see and do and best of all a safe environment - this is Aruba, a small island in the Antilles. Your memories of a vacation on this island will last a lifetime and draw you back time after time. Relax and unwind in paradise and leave your work and family worries behind. As one of the Caribbean islands known as the ABC islands, it is the one preferred by most tourists. When you visit it won"t take you long to realize why this is. You won"t have to contend with vendors on beaches harassing you to buy their goods. The humidity level is low and Aruba is not one of the islands that should be avoided during the hurricane season.

Brief history of Aruba

The earliest inhabitants of the island were the Arawak Indians, who came here from Venezuela to escape attacks against their villages by the Carib tribes, who were very fierce. The Europeans discovered this island in 1499 and claimed it as a colony for Spain. For the next hundred years it was controlled by the Spanish until it passed into the hands of the Dutch in the early part of the 17th century. It was a Dutch protectorate until it became an independent nation in 1936. Islanders still retain ties with the Netherlands and all have a Dutch passport. Even though Dutch is the officially recognized language of Aruba, the majority of the people speak both English and Spanish.

How to spend your time on Aruba

The main attraction of Aruba for tourists is, of course, the beaches that stretch for miles along the Caribbean coast. They are mainly centered on the south and west coasts, which has come to be known as the "Turquoise Coast" because of the beautiful color of the water that laps the white sand. A wealth of watersports is available, such as parasailing, kayaking, snorkeling and swimming. The water is shallow just offshore making it very safe for children and with the majority of hotels and resorts fronting the beaches you won"t have a long walk to step into the warm waters. The only beach that would not be suitable for families with children is that of Manchebo Beach where most of the female sunbathers are topless.

Avid shoppers will want to check out the grand array of items and souvenirs in the shops and vending stalls in Oranjestad, the capital of the island. The harbor is lined with fishing boats from Venezuela and you will see many tourists having their photos taken against this colorful background.

Every visitor to Aruba just has to take an Underwater Journey on a submarine. If you don"t want to snorkel or partake in diving, this is one of the best ways to experience the underwater world and the marine life of one of the many reefs in the Caribbean. Also, you will not endanger any of the precious species in their native habitat.
No matter what age you may be, you will really enjoy a day trip into the countryside. The Haystack and other large boulders that dot the landscape are simply amazing. They also show the signs of life from the past with the drawings and paintings of the native people. The walls of the Cave of Canashito are also covered with petroglyphs giving you a glimpse into the past.

Children will have the time of their lives when they come to Aruba on vacation. All the major hotels and resorts cater to the younger set with activity programs of interest to them. They also have swimming pools with shallow water, offer kid"s meals in the restaurants and provide babysitting services for parents during the evening hours.
The nights on Aruba are just as exciting as the daylight hours. Dance with Lady Luck at one of many casinos. Whether or not you win any money, you will still be a winner for having had this experience. Bars and clubs feature dancing with live bands and disco, as well as cabaret performances. Children can also attend large scale performances, such as you would find on the Las Vegas strip.

Accommodations

Accommodations are plentiful on this island, where tourism is very important to the economy. However, if you plan to visit during the winter, you are advised to make your reservations early because this is the busy season of the year as tourists want to escape the cold northern climates. You should also ask about the rates when you make your reservation so as not to be surprised with the bill when you check out. The government adds a tax of 6% on all rooms and some of the hotels add a service charge of between 15 and 20%.
Both the hotels and resorts offer all-inclusive rates as well. This is a very good bargain because the price you pay includes your room, meals and drinks for the duration of your stay. Off-season rates are also available at lower costs when the rooms are not filled to capacity.

Dining on Aruba

Experience cuisine from all over the world in the restaurants and cafes of the island. Some specialize in seafood, others concentrate on Cuban or Italian cuisine and still others offer the traditional cuisine of the island.
Dutch cuisine is also widely available and in buildings that look as if they belong in Europe rather than in the Caribbean. You certainly won"t go hungry and your palette will thank you when you taste all the delicious offerings from the menus.