Aruba

Is there such a thing as perfect weather? If so, Aruba's the place to find it, with clear skies, sunshine and cooling trade winds keeping residents and visitors happy year-round.

The average temperature is 28 C, with May through October being the hottest months and slightly cooler temperatures from December through March. Aruba gets very little precipitation – barely 400 mm per year (though even that small amount is welcomed by the area's tropical plants).

If you want to avoid that little bit of rain, plan to visit outside the wettest time of year, which is typically from October through January. The hurricane season goes from June through November, but Aruba's location on the southern edge of the hurricane belt means a direct hit isn't likely.

Human activity on Aruba dates back at least 4,000 years. Colonization by the Caquetio people, originating in Venezuela, was established by 1000 AD. After Europeans arrived at the end of the 15th century, the island was held by Spain, then came under Dutch rule in 1636 as part of the Netherlands Antilles. Aruba claimed autonomy in 1986 and is now a separate entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Aruba is a Caribbean island nation modest in size but rich in natural beauty and cultural activity. Following is a city-by-city look at everything lovely about this unique tropical paradise.

Oranjestad
Oranjestad is Aruba's glittering cultural center, replete with all manner of can't-miss attractions. You'll find illuminating museum experiences thanks to organizations such as the Historical Museum of Aruba. One-of-a-kind oddities like the Aruba Ostrich Farm will keep kids of all ages entertained for hours on end. Shoppers have a number of options to choose from, including high-end shopping complexes like Royal Plaza and Seaport Village, vibrant local marketplaces like the Tourists Go Flea Market and quaint little shops such as Artistic Boutique. With so much to do, it can be helpful to enlist the services of local guides in seeing the whole of the island in as efficient a way as possible. Guided tours on land (courtesy of Banana Bus or Tours ABC) or at sea (aboard one of Aruba Kayak Adventure's trusty vessels or have an adventure with Jolly Pirates) are fun and enlightening. After so much activity, hunger will most certainly strike. Luckily, dining in Oranjestad is a treat. Enjoy casual dining with a dash of island flare at Yemanja Woodfire Grill.

Palm Beach
Palm Beach, a few kilometers outside of Oranjestad, is home to many of Aruba's resorts, providing tourists with calm waters and white beaches ripe for frolicking. Some five-star resorts on this sparkling beach area include the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino and Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. The nearby restaurants are not to be missed and serve an array of cuisines. For Brazilian fare, head to Texas de Brazil Churrascaria. For quality seafood, hunker down to some grub at the Aqua Grill or Fishes & More. Those partial to Italian should opt for a meal at Casa Tua.

Eagle Beach
Just south of Palm Beach lies the coveted Eagle Beach. Though smaller in size and density, Eagle Beach nevertheless takes pride in being touted as one of Aruba's best beaches, carrying a charm all its own. It gets crowded on the weekends, but its restaurants are still a hoot. For those who prefer some French flair in their dining fare, Manchebo French Steakhouse hits the spot.

Noord
Noord is home to the northernmost area of Aruba, with the landmark California Lighthouse at the tip. Just a couple kilometers south of the lighthouse lie the green stretches of Tiera Del Sol Golf Course, with championship links. Noord's Papiamento offers hungry patrons a wealth of international cuisine piled high on its buffet tables, from Aruban to European to Indonesian and more. Hankering for a frolic at the nearby beach? Ocean Drive provides for all of your sunbathing necessities, carrying sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, designer beachwear, the works.

San Nicolas
San Nicolas is Aruba's second largest township. As such, it is home to everything a good "second city" should have. First and foremost among these amenities is a series of world-class sporting events. Marathoners from around the world flock to the island for the annual International Aruba Half Marathon, a run that offers challenging terrain and undeniably amazing vistas. Another kind of racing is popular here in San Nicolas, but you might say it requires a bit more octane. Hotly anticipated drag-racing events such as One Cool Summer International and the Boss Drag War Super Series are held right here in town. Time your visit right, so that you can revel in the competitive atmosphere. Whether you're here for the running or the dragging, so much excitement is bound to leave you hungry. Charlie's is a tip-top choice for casual island fare.

Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, near the island's center point, is home to a pair of attractions sure to impress upon every visitor the true scope of nature's wonder. The Natural Bridge, one of Aruba's most famous landmarks, today lies in ruins after an epoch of stoic steadfastness. It is a marvelous sight nonetheless. Donkey Sanctuary Aruba offers a look at a somewhat different aspect of nature's wonder, the humble donkey. Bring the kids and get close to a creature that is eminently emblematic of this part of the world.

National Park Arikok
Just a ways past Santa Cruz is Aruba's grand Arikok National Park, land of unspoiled countryside and invaluable historic sites. Bushiribana Ruins are located on the premises, and they provide a peerless view into the island's past. Quadiriki Cave delves back in time even further. Count on Rancho del Campo to provide the tour guides and vehicular conveyances that will ensure that time at the park is time well spent.

Many travelers come to Oranjestad with nothing but visions of sandy beaches and warm tropical water dancing in their heads. Little do they know that the island city also offers a wealth of top-flight entertainment options as well. From museums and theater to shopping and sports, no entertainment-related dream goes unfulfilled here.

Museums
A trio of engaging facilities offers every visitor a well-rounded look into Aruba's past – and its relationship to the rest of the world. At the Historical Museum of Aruba in Oranjestad, catch a glimpse of the history of the island, a tale very familiar to any number of once-colonized locales around the world. The Archaeological Museum of Aruba delves even further into the island's past, looking at ancient remains for clues to eternal questions.

Shopping
Shopping 'til you drop is an easy thing to do in Oranjestad and its surrounds. Island-themed souvenir outlets Juggling Fish will keep you in t-shirts and knick knacks 'til the cows come home. Duty-free shops such as the aptly named Little Switzerland contain truckloads of discounted designer goods, from jewelry to fashion and more. But don't take that as an indication that fashion is taken lightly here, there are many high fashion boutiques. To get a real feel for the island and its energy, simply browse the booths at Tourists Go Flea Market, a one-stop festival-like destination for everything you need. Other great shopping spots include Paseo Herencia and Palm Beach Plaza, both of which have upscale shops, restaurants and entertainment.

Music
What Oranjestad lacks in visits from major-label superstars, it makes up for in local talent with real chops. In fact, you can feast on some chops while bobbing your head to first-rate live music thrilling crowds at L.G. Smith's Steak & Chophouse in the evenings. Sopranos Piano Bar delivers it own take on island-ready jazz.

Sports
Again, Oranjestad may lack the amenities of a major metropolitan city (like, say, a highly-paid professional sports team), but that doesn't mean sportsmanship isn't alive and well here. Tiera Del Sol Golf Course is a world-renowned site, expertly manicured and nestled on quiet beachfront property. It is but one of a number of golfer havens on the island. Golf too tame for your tastes? Try beach tennis, a popular Aruban pastime made all the more special at the annual International Aruba Beach Tennis Open.

Gaming
Speaking of casinos, try the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, with its seven elegant restaurants and harbor-side view. The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is Aruba's largest casino and is open 24 hours, the only casino besides the Crystal Casino and Renaissance. Just remember to always double down on 11.

Oranjestad, being the most populous of Aruba's regions, is home to a wide variety of dining options, drawing on cuisines from all over the world.

Of all the major Caribbean islands, Aruba is closest to mainland South America. In light of that fact, a number of South American regional cuisines have gained popularity in Aruba. At El Gaucho, Argentine culinary artistry is the name of the game.

Mexico is not too far away either, so Mexican food is easy to find in Aruba.

Of course, Aruba is an island so stunningly beautiful that proximity and convenience have little to do with folks' reasons for coming here. Europeans make that great trek across the Atlantic regularly, to frolic on the island's sunny shores. Similarly, European cuisine has made the trip here as well.

If so much highfalutin globe hopping is more than you bargained for, Oranjestad is also populated by plenty of island-style casual-dining spots, full of happy people, exotic cocktails and familiar pub grub.

Oranjestad

Oranjestad puts its regional culinary treasures on a pedestal, while also boasting of a melting pot of cuisines from over the world. For a tantalizing fusion of Caribbean-European dishes, head to the Yemanja Woodfire Grill, or sample some delicious Cuban fare at Cuba's Cookin' at the Renaissance Marketplace. The West Deck is a fantastic choice for those who crave a tableau of drinks with their meals, and is located on the brink of the beach. Wilhelmina impresses with its lovely parkside views, and serves a global cuisine that spoils you for choice. Other excellent choices in this upbeat city include Cafe the Plaza and the 7-West Bar Restaurant.

Beyond the Oranjestad city limits, lots more possibilities await:

Palm Beach
Continuing the international theme of dining in Aruba, Palm Beach is also home to Casa Tua, an inviting Italian joint serving pizza, pasta and a host of traditional specialties not necessarily familiar to the average joe.

Also pushing the boundaries of familiarity is Aqua Grill, an internationally renowned contemporary seafood kitchen where you can order Asian-influenced dishes right alongside those of New England and Central America.

Like Oranjestad, Palm Beach has no shortage of less formal establishments–places where you can guzzle your beverage and cut loose. Fishes & More won't let you down (the "more" referring perhaps to their intoxicatingly lengthy menu of innovative cocktails). The Tortuga Bar & Grill is even looser, affording diners and drinkers the opportunity to eat and drink right on the beach, under the sun or the stars, watching the waves crash or the sun set.

Eagle Beach
The lingering remnants of European colonialism are still in evident in Eagle Beach - in the best way possible. As was made clear, there are steakhouses aplenty in Aruba, but Manchebo is one that adheres strictly to French tradition.

Noord
This area is home to a trio of establishments that speaks to the astonishingly wide variety of clientele present on the island. Papiamento, located in an actual Aruban manor, will surely appeal to visitors seeking an authentic island experience.

San Nicolas
In San Nicolas, the culinary emphasis seems to be on leisure. Meals are not overwrought and fancy. Concepts are barely there. What you can count on is dependability and comfort. The friendly Charlie's, is one perfectly pleasant cantina.

Oranjestad

Country: Aruba

Oranjestad by the Numbers
Population: 34,980
Elevation: 4 meters / 13 feet
Average Annual Precipitation: 47.2 centimeters / 18.6 inches
Average January Temperature: 26.7°C / 80.1°F
Average July Temperature: 28.6°C / 83.5°F

Quick Facts
Electricity: 120 volts AC, 60Hz; standard two-pin plugs

Time Zone: GMT -4; Atlantic Standard Time (AST)

Country Dialing Code: +297

Area Code: None

Did You Know?
When you're in Aruba, you do not need to buy bottled drinking water. The island's tap water is relatively uncontaminated and thirst quenching because it has been purified in a plant known as WEB, one of the world's largest desalination plants.

Orientation
Oranjestad is on the island of Aruba in the Caribbean's West Indies. It is about 29 kilometers (18 miles) off of the coast of Venezuela and is approximately 12 degrees north of the equator.

Mother Nature reserved her crown jewels to adorn Aruba’s south and west coastlines and sparkle in the depths of the surrounding Caribbean Sea, endowing the tiny isle with some of the world’s best white-sand beaches and warm, translucent aquamarine water studded with colourful coral reefs in which to play.

Early History
The earliest inhabitants of Aruba were the Caquetio Indians. Around 1000 AD, who fled their home on Venezuela's Paraguana Peninsula to the island in order to avoid the violent attacks of their neighboring enemies, the Carib Indians. Their indigenous ancestry is still present today in that the names of many towns and geographical landmarks are named after various Indian chiefs. Many remnants of Aruba's earliest people can be found in the caves at the Arikok National Park or at the Historical Museum of Aruba located in Oranjestad.

There are many legends about the origin of Aruba's name. It was once thought that their name was Spanish for "there was gold" ("oro huba"), but in reality the Spanish were unsuccessful in their mission to hit the gold jackpot. Another possibility for Aruba's name source is that it was a Carib Indian word for "shell" and "island." Whatever the name "Aruba" might have meant back in the day, today it certainly means sun, fun, and seaside friendly climes.

Tumultuous Beginning
During the age of exploration, Aruba underwent many changes as several European countries claimed ownership over it. In 1499, the Spanish explorer, Alonso de Ojeda, took claim over the island in hopes that they would strike gold. At this time, the Spanish were unable to locate the gold mines and they abandoned the island in order to seek more profitable endeavors. At this point, Aruba was informally taken over by pirates. The remains of a pirate fortress can still be seen at the Bushiribana Ruins. Around 1636, the Dutch acquired ownership of Aruba and it remained that way for the next 200 years. For a brief period in the early 1800s, the British took control, but it was soon after returned to the Dutch in 1816.

Modern Aruba
With the arrival of the 20th century, Aruba developed its two major industries. While Aruba's gold rush reached its peak in the early 1900s, they soon recognized the value in oil known as "black gold." By the 1920s, the island saw the opening of its first oil refinery. The island's refineries were a prosperous source of income despite its relatively short-lived existence as they were closed in the 1980's. With the closing of their oil refineries, the tourism industry became the island's focus as a staple part of Aruba's economy.

Today, Aruba's developed and well-established tourism industry continues to be one of the Caribbean's best spots for vacationers from around the world. In fact, Aruba has developed a reputation as being the "Las Vegas of the Caribbean." Despite many changes of ownership in the previous centuries, Aruba today is independent of the Netherlands Antilles, but transition towards full independence of the Netherlands was stopped upon request of Aruba.

Whether it's by land, sea, or air, there are plenty of fun and adventurous ways to experience this desert isle.

History Holiday
A trip to Aruba would not be complete without a visit to California Lighthouse, one of the Island's most famous landmarks located in Noord. Located on the northern tip of Aruba, the site can be reached by car, horse or bike and is included in many of the guided tours offered on the island. Close by is Alto Vista Chapel, another popular tour stop situated on the hills just north of the town of Noord. Bushiribana Ruins are all that is left of the Aruba Island Gold Mining Company, and although its smelting days are long gone, visitors still enjoy exploring its crumbling remains. For those interested in history, the Historical Museum of Aruba in Oranjestad offers an interesting and informative look into the political past and establishment of the island. Another great museum is the Archaeological Museum of Aruba which features exhibits that highlight Aruba's interesting history.

Natural Wonders
Natural Bridge was one of the Caribbean's most famous and treasured landmarks until its collapse in 2005. Although no longer standing, it remains one of Aruba's most visited sites. Arikok National Park hosts a number of natural wonders including Quadiriki Caves, where visitors venture down dark passageways and chambers full of bats, cave paintings, and interesting coral formations. The Natural Pool, also known as the "Cura di Tortuga," is a beautiful and secluded pool and rock cliffs. Enjoy nature and go for a swim, with perhaps an adventurous dive into the pool.

Wildlife Weekend
Although the birds are not native to the island, Aruba Ostrich Farm offers an entertaining look at (and taste of) these prehistoric creatures. Take a short guided tour then stay and sample the best of Ostrich cuisine at their Savannah-style cookout. Another non-native animal, the Donkey, now roams freely on the island although it once played a key role in Arubian society. Donkey Sanctuary Aruba in Santa Cruz rehabilitates sick and injured donkeys, giving visitors the opportunity to interact with and learn about the animals. The Butterfly Farm is fun for young and old, offering informative 20-30 minute tours and housing dozens of species from all over the world.

To get to and from Queen Beatrix International Airport:

There is no shuttle service provided by hotels. De Palm offers luxury bus transportation from the airport, stopping at all major hotels. Total transfer time ranges from 20 to 40 minutes. Cost is US$20.40 round trip, book online. De Palm also arranges private transfers.

With its Dutch heritage and Latin flair, Aruba, in the Lesser Antilles just off the coast of Venezuela, is known for its poster-perfect sugary-white beaches, some of the Caribbean’s top wreck diving and, thanks to near-constant trade winds, world-class windsurfing and kite-boarding.