Aruba is the ultimate vacation island. Whether it’s miles of powdery beaches, water activities, off the beaten track adventures or an energetic nightlife, you’ll never be bored for a minute. Aruba’s geography and location make it one of the best and most popular  Caribbean destinations. The country’s inland terrain is desert, but its miles of coast more than make up for the arid landscape. Mild and predictable weather is guaranteed all year round, as the country lies outside the hurricane zone. And if the weather does not make you stay, the friendly and hospitable people of Aruba will.

 About the Country

Aruba is an island located in the southern Caribbean Sea north of theVenezuela coast. It is a small country, about 19.5 miles long and 6 miles wide. Together with the Netherlands, Saint Maarten and Curacao, Aruba form the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The people of Aruba speak Dutch, Spanish, Papiamento and English. The two major religions are Roman Catholic and Protestant. The capital city is Oranjestad. 

 Aruba Beaches

 Arubais famous for its powdery white sand beaches and windblown coasts. Instead of palm trees, you’ll find the stooped and wind-bent Divi-Divi trees dotting the landscape. There are many beaches to choose from. For calm shores and plenty of fun activities, visit the west side of the island. You’ll find the popular Boca Catalina,Eagle Beachand Palm Beachhere. Palm Beachis a busy strip and one of the world’s best beaches, where you can find big hotels, resorts, nightclubs, shopping areas, casinos, movie theaters and ship tours.Eagle Beach is another popular beach for water sports. If you want a bit of privacy, try Rodger’s Beach in San Nicholas. For the more adventurous, head to Dos Playa with its crashing surf or to Hadicurari Beach, the perfect place for kite flying and windsurfing. In fact, the beach holds the annual Hi-Winds Pro Am Windsurfing Competition.                                                             

Aruba Restaurants

 Whatever your budget, you’ll never be hungry inAruba. The restaurant selection is as varied as the selection in major cities. There are fast-food chains like McDonalds and Wendy’s, fine dining restaurants serving traditional native dishes and steak houses serving meat from  Argentina. You’ll also find many places offering seafood, dishes with Dutch influences and dishes from all over the world. For a beautiful sunset view and a laid-back atmosphere, Pinchos is hard to beat. It serves mainly kebabs or “pinchos,” where the restaurant gets its name. Another popular restaurant is Marandi, an open-air seafood place in the capital. For more seafood and fresh catch of the day dishes, head to the Flying Fishbone or The Old Man and the Sea. If you really want to impress someone, take them for dinner to the Papiamento, where the Queen of the Netherlands dines when she visits the country.

 Aruba  Events and Nightlife

 When the sun goes down, revelers flock to many spots onAruba’s beaches. Carlos n’ Charlies is a popular bar with the younger set, while others prefer gambling in the casinos, salsa dancing or having beach barbecues at hotels. Depending on when you visit, you may find certain areas of the island livelier and more packed than usual. The Aruba Carnival that is held from January to February is not an event to miss. There’s also the Aruba Music Festival and the Soul Beach Music Festival for music lovers. For water sports fans, visit in the height of summer to catch the annual windsurfing competition and in November for the Heineken Regatta.

 Aruba  Attractions

 For people looking for something different,Aruba’s interior is the best place to go. Caves, rock formations, reefs and desert areas are some of the natural wonders you can explore. Besides the usual scuba diving, you can go on an ATV tour of the desert or go horseback riding. Children will love visiting the butterfly farm and the ostrich farm. Downtown Oranjestad also has an Archaeology Museum for the history buffs.