5 Reasons to Fall in Love With Aruba
Aruba is known as One Happy Island for good reason. This superlatively sunny Caribbean island offers 40 postcard-worthy beaches and so much more for vacationers. Here's a look at Aruba's top attractions, from white-sand strands to stellar snorkeling and beyond.
1. Beautiful Beaches
Aruba flaunts a different beach for every day of the month, plus several to spare — all with the lowest chances of rain anywhere in the Caribbean. The island's sugar sand gets its quintessential white color from ground-up coral produced by parrotfish.
Eagle Beach, Aruba Tourism Authority
Standout spots include Eagle Beach, known for its quiet boutique hotels and twisted fofoti tree; Palm Beach, home to big-name, high-rise resorts and lots of action; and shallow, calm Baby Beach, a favorite of families with young kids. Meanwhile, locals prefer Boca Catalina for its prime, near-shore snorkeling and spectacular sunset views.
Baby Beach, Aruba Tourism Authority
2. Dreamy Desertscapes
For a taste of the desert beauty in Aruba, visit Arikok National Park, which covers almost 20 percent of the island. Established in 2000, this arid playground is a mosaic of caves, coves, and candelabra cactuses. Start at the visitor center to get an overview of the park's wildlife and 20 main points of interest, including 617-foot Jamanota Hill (the island's highest point); thousand-year-old pictographs inside Fontein Cave; and Conchi Natural Pool, an Instagram favorite spot.
Arikok National Park, Aruba Tourism Authority
Don't miss the Cunucu Arikok Trail, a loop showcasing medicinal plants, Native rock drawings, and local inhabitants like lizards, parakeets, and goats.
3. Unexpected Animal Encounters
If you've ever dreamed of hand-feeding an ostrich, hugging a donkey, or flirting with butterflies, Aruba is for you. Home to a couple dozen ostriches and emus, the Aruba Ostrich Farm educates guests about the birds' speed, mating, eggs, rearing, and feeding, with an opportunity to pitch in at mealtime.
Nearby, you can increase your serotonin levels with a 30-minute hugging and petting session at the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary, which protects more than 100 of these friendly farm animals, originally brought to the island 500 years ago. In the Palm Beach area, The Butterfly Farm features guided tours, chances to watch butterflies emerge from their chrysalises, and photo ops with hundreds of the fluttering bugs; guides demonstrate how to handle them safely.
4. Deep Blue Seas
Taking the plunge is a requirement in Aruba, where water temps hover around 80 degrees. Snorkelers encounter barracudas, crabs, eels, parrotfish, squid, and other colorful tropical fish, while boat trips range from champagne breakfasts and sunset sails to fishing charters and even a submarine expedition. A typical lunch cruise might entail a five-hour outing that features drift snorkeling, an open bar, and homemade local specialties like Dutch pea soup.
Aruba Tourism Authority
5. Entertaining Sights
Plenty of fun awaits on dry land, too. You can book a Jeep® tour of points of interest like the castle-like Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins; the circa-1910 California Lighthouse (climb 119 steps to the top for panoramic views); and the historic Alto Vista Chapel, perched on a seaside bluff.
California Lighthouse, Aruba Tourism Authority
In the capital of Oranjestad, the Aruba Aloe Museum, Factory & Store hosts free tours, while Fort Zoutman presents a vibrant cultural performance every Tuesday. After dark, you can safely enjoy the island's nightlife on a party bus, which will pick you up at your resort and make stops at popular restaurants and pubs.
Aruba Tourism Authority
Want To Go?
An oceanfront resort right off the beaches of Aruba? Yes, please! When you stay at Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club, the hardest decision you’ll have to make is what way to best enjoy the water. Head down to the beach and soak up the sun or take a dive in the ocean. Prefer your water enclosed? Grab a covered seat and relax by the resort’s main pool.
After time in the sun, head into the resort and charge your batteries with a great meal. Antilla Beach Bar provides cool cocktails and refreshing drinks. Campeones Cantina & Tequila Bar is the largest tequila bar on the island and serves more than just drinks. Munch on an authentic Mexican taco or quesadilla and be transported to the streets of Mexico itself.
Finally, end your night in your well-appointed villa. The separate living and sleeping areas ensure every member of your family can relax the way they want. And if you’re looking for a late-night snack with homemade flavor, make your own meal in the fully equipped kitchen.
Discover the spirit of the Caribbean and vacation where the sun is shining and the ocean is inviting. Your Aruba vacation begins in your villa where you can wake up with a delicious homemade breakfast in your fully equipped kitchen — or simply enjoy a cup of coffee on your balcony or patio.
Get your first taste of fun as you head to the resort’s pool. You can splash and swim, or take a trip (or two, or three) around the lazy river. Nothing pairs better with a cool pool than a drink. Grab your friends and get a tropical cocktail at Seaworthy’s Pool Bar.
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