PHOTO: © RONALD ADCOCK | DREAMSTIME
There’s a phenomenon known as the Aruba Effect — the warm, relaxed feeling visitors take home after spending time on this welcoming Dutch Caribbean island. Aruba is famous for its dry climate, with some of the lowest rainfall in the southern Caribbean, a steady average temperature around 82°F (28°C) year-round, and a location outside the main hurricane belt. Stretching about 20 miles long, One Happy Island invites travelers to enjoy pristine beaches, vibrant water activities, flavorful cuisine and friendly hospitality.
GETTING THERE & AROUND
Queen Beatrix International Airport receives frequent nonstop and one-stop flights from many major U.S. cities. U.S. travelers do not need a visa but should travel with a valid passport and are encouraged to complete the Embarkation-Disembarkation Card online before arrival. Taxis are readily available outside the terminal, and Arubus stops at the airport for convenient public transportation. Multiple car rental agencies operate at the airport, and Aruba’s safe, well-maintained roads make driving an easy way to explore the island. Taxis, an efficient bus network and options for bike, motorcycle and scooter rentals are also widely available. Hotel shuttles and private transfers can be arranged to resorts and popular attractions.
LODGING
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
Located on Palm Beach, this resort offers a range of amenities including a 24-hour casino, an adults-only pool area called H2Oasis and over 10,000 square feet of event space suitable for meetings and celebrations.
L.G. Smith Blvd. 101, Palm Beach, Aruba, tel 297 586 9000
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort
A romantic, adults-only, eco-conscious resort situated on Eagle Beach. The property is Certified Carbon Neutral and features intimate accommodations designed for couples seeking a quiet beachfront escape.
L.G. Smith Blvd. 55B, Eagle Beach, Aruba, tel 297 583 1100
The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba
This luxury resort on Palm Beach offers 320 guestrooms including suites, multiple pools, several dining venues with Italian and international cuisine, a full-service spa with numerous treatment rooms and a 24-hour casino, catering to travelers seeking upscale amenities and service.
L.G. Smith Blvd. 107, Noord, Aruba, tel 297 527 2222
DINING
Flying Fishbone
A longtime favorite for beachfront dining, Flying Fishbone serves steak and fresh seafood with a memorable, feet-in-the-sand setting in the fishing village of Savaneta, combining atmosphere with quality flavors.
Savaneta 344, Savaneta, Aruba, tel 297 584 2506
Restaurant Anno 1877
Housed in a historic building in Oranjestad, Anno 1877 grew from the vision of two women and now offers refined dining that celebrates both local ingredients and thoughtful culinary technique in an elegant setting.
Wilhelminastraat 27, Oranjestad, Aruba, tel 297 583 0020
Wilhelmina Restaurant
Located in a charming city garden, Wilhelmina focuses on creative dishes using high-quality ingredients sourced from around the world. The restaurant blends innovation with a cozy, speakeasy atmosphere for a distinctive dining experience.
Wilhelminastraat 74, Oranjestad, Aruba, tel 297 583 0445
ATTRACTIONS
Arikok National Park
Covering nearly 20 percent of Aruba—about 7,907 acres—Arikok National Park features diverse landscapes including rugged, desert-like terrain, protected native plants and animals, natural pools, caves and scenic hilltop viewpoints. The park highlights both the island’s geological variety and its cultural history, offering trails and sights for nature lovers and photographers.
San Fuego 70, Santa Cruz, Aruba, tel 297 585 1234
The Butterfly Farm
A family-friendly attraction where visitors walk through a lush, tropical enclosure filled with flowers, trees, ponds and hundreds of exotic butterflies. Guided tours explain the life cycle of these delicate creatures, and the facility operates with care to ensure the butterflies are unharmed.
J.E. Irausquin Boulevard, Noord, Aruba, tel 297 586 3656
California Lighthouse
Perched in the Hudishibana area, the California Lighthouse is the island’s tallest structure and commemorates the sunken S.S. California. Renovated for its centennial in 2016, the lighthouse offers panoramic 360-degree views that are especially dramatic at sunset, making it a popular spot for sightseeing and photographs.
Hudishibana 2, Noord, Aruba, tel 297 699 0995