Aruba

Aruba Makes Island Dreams Come True

Aruba's choice location in the Southern Caribbean makes it a very popular destination for travelers from all over the world. With is wonderful year-round weather and variety of activities, the island plays host to hundreds of thousands of vacationers each year.

While most of the island's visitors come from Latin America, the United States and Holland, Aruba is an international destination that delivers the best the Caribbean has to offer with its own unique twist. Like many other Caribbean destinations, this island's allure lies in its picturesque turquoise waters and pristine, white sandy beaches, but there is much more to see and do.

The island of Aruba is located in the Lesser Antilles within the Caribbean Sea. It is fairly close to Venezuela and is known for its buffered location on the edge of the hurricane belt. The location tends to give Aruba a drier year-round climate than other destinations, making it the choice of those who want to avoid the rains.

Tourists visiting Aruba will find there are more than typical Caribbean perks when they pay this island a call. Sale tax is non-existent on the island, which makes it a shoppers' paradise. Visitors are free to buy, eat and stay in a number of luxury resorts without ever having to incur taxation their wallets would feel elsewhere. While the tax break is no doubt a draw, there are many other reasons to visit Aruba. The biggest attractions include:

• Beaches and water sports: Aruba's warm waters provide the perfect setting for relaxing surfside or kicking it up a notch for high adventure. Visitors will find everything from swimming and diving to jet skiing is available and plenty more. Windsurfing is a favorite activity for many within the unusually blue waters off Aruba's coast. Divers will find the underwater sights are equally as impressive as what can be seen on land. The island is home to a number of reef communities and countless species of aquatic life.
• History: While many tourists come for the fun and the sun, Aruba is also home to a rich historical tradition. The island has roots that date back to roughly 1,000 AD, when the Caquetios Indians called it home. Its Museum of Archaeology highlights the island's past and visitors will find there are many ancient paintings still visible within the island's limestone caves. Beyond the Indian history, Aruba has deep connections with Europe. The Spanish arrived here in the late 1400s and the Dutch took control in the 1630s. A brief period of English rule is also noted, but the Dutch retook control in 1816. The island operates as its own country, but is still considered a part of the Kingdom of Netherlands today.
• Land activities: From golfing at the world famous Tierra del Sol course to horseback riding, hiking, touring and beyond, there are enough activities on land to keep tourists occupied for weeks. Shopping, dining and a well developed nightlife await. Aruba is also home to a bird sanctuary, a donkey sanctuary and even the ruins of old gold mills.
• Events: The yearly calendar is chockfull of events to tantalize visitors with a slice of island life. From golf tournaments to jazz festivals and beyond, there seems to always be something going on or just around the corner. With only about 70 square miles of land, Aruba is a tiny treasure just awaiting exploration. From the golf course and beaches to the rich history, there is more to see and do here than one vacation will allow.