The history of Aruba is richly textured. It has been under Spanish and Dutch rule in various eras, which have shaped the culture as it is today. Visit some of the local museums to see how the country came to be a hub of tourism and seamless blend of cultures. Each has its own historical focal point. The Archaeological Museum traces history from the Pre-Ceramic period beginning about 2500 BC to the Ceramic period beginning 900 AD to the Historic period that takes us to 1880 AD. There are audio/video presentations and artifacts that depict many aspects of the ancient inhabitants' lives.
They touch on religious practices, their daily lives, as well as the way the cultures of other islands affected their society. Fort Zoutman plays a pivotal role in the history of Aruba. It is the oldest building on the island and was originally built as protection against local pirates. In 1868 after modifications, it began service as a lighthouse and public clock tower. As times and circumstances changed, it became the primary location for government offices, was transformed into a library, and for a time served as the post office. Today it is a symbol the island’s colorful past.
If you are interested in currencies, take a trip to the Numismatic Museum. It is the home of more than 33,000 coins and types of currencies from round and square shaped to those made of wood or gold, dating back to 400 BC. The Museum of Antiquities contains 23 showrooms filled with items created throughout the history of Aruba and South America. In the mid-1800’s, aloe vera was introduced to Aruba. It flourished and spread quickly in the hot, dry climate. Plantations were started and soon Aruba was the largest exporter of aloe products. Visit the museum to see how it all began. Today, the factory houses state of the art equipment.
It produces face and body moisturizers that contain pure aloe vera gel enriched with natural extracts. These upscale products are shipped all over the world. The Bushirbana and Balashi Gold Mill Ruins detail the history of Aruba gold mining. From the 14th Century adventurers looking for treasure to the gold rush of 1824 over 3 Million pounds of gold was produced. No matter where you look, Aruba is filled with a varied and colorful history, from the adventurers looking for treasure to pirate’s raids and swiftly changing governments. Come experience Aruba from an entirely new perspective.
Just a short flight from Florida is the island of Aruba. The tropical climate, crystal clear waters and close proximity make it a very popular family vacation destination. All-inclusive resorts and hotels located in some of the popular areas of the island make it easy to find something for everyone during your visit. When traveling with children, it is as important that they enjoy their vacation as much as you do. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in activities created just for the kids, so that everyone has the chance to participate in something they enjoy.
There are family vacation accommodations for almost every budget. An-all inclusive resort may sound more expensive when you first get the rates, but you will find that they include at least one, often two meals a day in addition to access to all facilities and the kids club. Most offer a choice of several different dining options, from upscale restaurants that offer a wide array of cultural specialties, to cafes that serve variety of family friendly fare in a casual atmosphere. Whether you want a burger and fries, or Italian, there will be something for every palate. Kid’s clubs have become very popular and now offer a wide array of activities.
Created specifically to appeal to children under the age of 17, there are swimming and snorkeling classes available. For the younger group, there are scavenger hunts, face painting, basketball, bingo and movies. Parents are free to spend the day exploring the island on their own while their children are involved in activities that appeal to them, with others their age. For teenagers, there are age appropriate activities from contests and video games, to chaperoned swimming pool access and water sports. There are many family vacation activities located throughout the island that everyone will enjoy. One of the most popular attractions is the water park.
Fun for the entire family, there are over 20 different waterslides. For the small children there is the treasure-island kid’s castle. Here there are slides created specifically for those under the age of six. For teens and adults, there are high-speed sliders that twist, twirl and turn as well as tubing slides. The man made wave pools can be enjoyed by everyone. Nature tours, dinner cruises and submarine excursions complete the family vacation experience. Aruba’s friendly, casual atmosphere makes it a perfect choice for families with young children or those with many different interests.
Has work been unbearable lately? Do you need a vacation from your worries and cares of the world? If you enjoy warm tropical breezes and the sun on your shoulders, a tropical island getaway to Aruba is calling your name. While the Caribbean islands and several other places in the world might draw your attention, there are many reasons why Aruba should be your finalized choice. The first thing to consider if you have been to Aruba is that of all the Caribbean islands, this one has the highest proportion of repeat vacationers visiting its shores. What this means to you is that others who have traveled there could not get enough in one visit alone.
If world-class resorts, shopping, restaurants and dining are what you are seeking, you will not be disappointed by what is offered in Aruba. Add to these locations the stunning beaches and water activities and you have the makings of the perfect vacation. With your visit to anywhere exotic, you certainly have high expectations. In Aruba, you can expect to enjoy your time no matter who you choose to travel there with.
For romantic vacations, you can enjoy your privacy in one of many spas or by lounging on the secluded beach. For the adventuresome traveler, enjoy plant and animal life at Arikok National Park. The protected sanctuary is a great place to view the island’s finest ecology. Water activities undoubtedly make your list of things to do if you are traveling to a tropical location. There are 42 scuba diving sites on the island of Aruba. Other water sports include windsurfing, deep sea fishing, water skiing and much more. On land, there are many other sports you can participate in as well. Golfing, racquetball, tennis and horseback riding are all offered. If nightlife is part of what you are seeking from your tropical vacation, you have access to casinos, discos, parties and dance festivals.
All of these activities plus tours and other sightseeing are available on Aruba year-round. This is due to the temperate climate of the land, where the average annual temperature is 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Even on “hot” or “cold” days, the temperature rarely exceeds 95 degrees or drops below about 73 degrees, even at night. The months from October through February are the rainier times of the year, but the island only receives about 16 inches of rain annually. For the best tropical vacation, it is difficult to beat out Aruba.
There are many draws to visiting Aruba. In any vacation setting, one of the best parts can be enjoying unique dining opportunities. If you had the chance to eat the local fare at a reasonable price, would you take advantage of it? When you are choosing among different Aruba hotels to stay in, consider the fact that some of them are specifically known for their in-house restaurants. It does not matter what other activities you have planned during your stay on the island. Throughout the day, you will need prime dining options to keep your energy level up and your taste buds satisfied.
Obviously, the convenience of being able to eat right at your hotel will ease the stress of your vacation. However, this will only be the case if the food is highly enjoyable. When you stay at the right Aruba hotels that are known for the dining experience they provide their guests, you will find that the diners at the next table may be local residents or visitors from other hotels. The other tourists visiting from nearby hotels are the ones who heard too late about the great dining offered by the hotel you chose to stay in.
Manchebo Beach Resort, Divi Village Beach Resort, Divi Dutch Village Resort, Amsterdam Manor, and Hyatt Regency Aruba are a few of the hotels on the island that are famous for their dining. All of these resorts, located in areas from Eagle Beach and Palm Beach to the capital city of Oranjestad, feature room service. Each of them also features an on-site snack bar, except Divi Dutch Village Resort. Other Aruba hotels like Renaissance Aruba Resort, Bucuti Beach Resort and Holiday Inn Sunspree are great hotels with nearby dining options. This is important because no matter how delicious and varied the food at your hotel may be, you will undoubtedly want to try out some local eateries as well.
While your overall stay in Aruba will be defined by much more than simply the dining options, it is something that many guests overlook until their stomachs begin growling once they have arrived at their destination. Remember that these highlighted Aruba hotels are not the only ones that offer great dining options to their guests. Likewise, if you are interested in other activities like tennis, sailing and other entertainment, these often come in packages from the hotel. To find out what the ones you are interested in offer, click on the designated links.
Are you considering taking a tropical vacation? What islands are you considering? You have probably heard of Aruba, but do you know where it is? Located in the southern-most portion of the Caribbean Sea, Aruba is positioned just 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela. This southern location makes for a more arid climate than other islands of the Caribbean. This is a desirable fact for many people who prefer dry desert-like conditions rather than hot, sticky climates. If you pull out a map of Aruba, you will see just how small the island really is. 20 miles long and about 7 miles wide at its widest point, this tiny island is one you can expect to see all of during your stay there.
Most of the tourist locations are set on the western coast of Aruba, which you can easily see with a quick look at a map of Aruba. This is where the capital of Oranjestad is located, as well the airport and many of the most popular resorts. Obviously, since people go on tropical vacations to be near the water, all the resorts are clustered on the coast. That way, all guests get rooms with an ocean view! The western coast is the location of choice because the waters on this side are much calmer, though world-class surfing takes place on the opposite coast.
While a map of Aruba will show many other small tropical islands in the surrounding areas, you can rest assured that your choice to visit Aruba is undoubtedly the best one you could make. Having the position it does places it south of the hurricane belt. This fact is important for the island’s tourist business as you can almost guarantee that no hurricanes will be seen there for very long periods of time.
According to a map of Aruba, you will be able to see that the island is located very close to the equator, giving it a very temperate climate. This is great news for visitors who can count on the weather being between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit almost every day of the year. Also, a map will indicate that Aruba is part of the tiny “ABC” islands in the southern Caribbean. The other nearby islands are called Bonaire and Curacao. Now that you know a little more about Aruba, you should be comfortable being able to identify it on a map.