Even though the hurricanes were devastating to part of our beloved Caribbean, it doesn't mean that all of it's off-limits for travel. There are quite a few dreamy destinations that are still open for business and Aruba is one of them. So get ready to drool, Beach Lovers, and check out our 7 outstanding reasons to visit Aruba.
1. Beauteous Beaches. The beaches are unbeatable. The point of entry, of course, is knock-you-over-the-head gorgeous turquoise water and white sand. Then there's the geography: they're wide expanses, often shaded, that have quiet retreats where you can melt into the sand with your favorite chilly cocktail. If you're into gettin' active, there is every kind of water sport you can imagine: snorkeling, kite surfing, water skiing, tubing, para-sailing, stand up paddle boarding and just plain ol' swimming. Though there are many sandy spots to love in Aruba, Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are two of our favorites.
(Eagle Beach, Aruba, photo by: instagram.com/igalarr.)2. Perfect Weather. This slice of heaven is consistently warm year-round with a fairly consistent temperature of a sweet 82 degrees Fahrenheit/28 degrees Celsius. No wonder their motto is "One Happy Island." Also, it's generally out of the hurricane zone. The last one to hit was Hurricane Felix in 2007, which was only a Level 2. Finally, the ubiquitous trade winds keep this blessed island cool and breezy. Kicking back with a tasty coconut cocktail in the awesome weather is definitely one of the very best reasons to visit Aruba.
(Coconut drink on the beach, Aruba, photo by: instagram.com/ro_rock_divine.)3. Family Friendly. Chillaxing on the beach with your brood can’t be beat. If you’ve got little ones, the best place to hunker down is Baby Beach; it's aptly named because the water is about as still as a lake and the water in only five feet deep. Your munchkins can float, swim and splash all day long. Next up is the Butterfly Farm, where you can gaze at the awesome beauty of these fluttery creatures that include the Blue Clipper, the Tree Nymph and the Scarlet Swallowtail. If you’re up for making a short trek, De Palm Island is a cool getaway within a getaway (very meta). Just take a quick ferry ride and you and the fam can not only hang at three beaches, but also squeal down the waterslides at Blue Parrot Waterpark.
(Butterfly Farm, Aruba, photo by: instagram.com/af_tech_dude.)4. Excellent Diving. The diversity of dive spots for snorkeling and scuba is spectacular: you've got shallow places and then insane drop-offs; however, not to be forgotten is wreck diving. Shortly after WWII broke out in the Americas, the Antilla went down, a 400’ cargo ship. It's the largest wreck in the Caribbean and an amazing place to dive. Lots of crazy-for-scuba peeps hit this site. Further, the southwest coastline of Aruba is sheltered, which means the diving will be off-the-charts. You'll see some spin-tingling coral and stunning marine life.
(Snorkeling, Aruba, photo by: one of our True Beach Lovers.)5. Soul-Stirring Sunsets. When twilight comes 'round, you'll see colors like you've never seen before. Here's why: the moisture content of the tropical air here. It contributes to those jaw-dropping vistas that will take your breath away, which is one of the most soul-nourishing reasons to visit Aruba.
(Pink and purple sunset, Aruba, photo by: instagram.com/luxurytravelcouple.)6. Cool Capital. Oranjestad is the capital of this blessed island and bursting full of so much vacay goodness. In addition to digging your toes into the sand on Oranjestad Beach, there’s the Bon Bini Festival (which means "welcome" in the local language), where you can watch dancers in traditional garb sway to the beat of drums, check out all vendors displaying crafts and nosh on food and strong drinks for a purchase. If you’re up for something funky, there’s the Donkey Sanctuary not too far away from the heart of the city.
(Conch shell, Oranjestad, Aruba, photo by: instagram.com/gabriela_dmgz.)7. Stunning Flora and Fauna. Thanks to Mother Nature, Aruba is a wonderland full of natural eye candy. One of the most recognizable icons is The Divi Tree, which is called Watapana in the Arawak language. It’s permanently bent, at a near right angle and the branches are eternally swept back by the wind. Photos against this backdrop rock big time and your phone might well explode with comments on social media. When it comes to fauna, you won’t want to miss the pink flamingos. You can catch them on Renaissance Island, a privately-owned island by Renaissance Aruba Resort in Oranjestad. The Arikok National Park is also a must-see: rugged terrain, tall cacti-dotted hills and a breath-stealing coastline. These are just a handful of the many reasons to visit Aruba.
(Divi Tree, Eagle Beach, Aruba, photo by: instagram.com/johnychamieh.)Suffice to say, we've just scratched the sandy surface of there is to do in Aruba-we need you all to go and come back and tell us about your favs! Speaking of, we'd be happy to help you get there. Just call 1-800-915-3162 and one of our sunsational Beachologists will create an all-inclusive Aruba vacation package for you. If you want to do a little more exploring on your own, just go here. The soft sands and crazy beautiful sands of Aruba are waiting.
