Ice-white beaches and temperatures in the mid-80s during December - what could be better than spending a winter vacation on Aruba? The Arubans call their home 'one happy island' and it's easy to see why.
The Caribbean offers a wealth of beautiful islands but Aruba packs a lot into its compact size making it the perfect destination for exploring and relaxing.
World-class beaches
Aruba is home to almost 70km of clean white sand and the beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. The 11km of white sand that stretches between Palm and Eagle beach has been named as one of the best beaches in the world, which may be one reason why the locals have a lot to be happy about.
The Caribbean Sea waters in the south are always warm, even during the evening, which means you don't have to stick to the day if you fancy a dip. But the main activity here is sitting under a shady palm tree, sipping a cool drink and relaxing until the sun dips below the horizon.
Island excursions
Almost 20% of this island has been designated as a national park and exploring the Arikok National Park should be undertaken at least once. You can take guided tours by Jeep, horse or on foot and along the way you'll encounter monkeys, caves featuring authentic Arawak Indian drawings and hidden natural pools.
Arikok stretches over 7,907 acres and there's a lot to see here including off-the-beaten-track beaches such as Diamari, Dos Playa and Boca Prins. Don't miss a chance to visit the Spanish Lagoon, which is one of the best snorkelling and free diving sites on the island.
The orange town
The island's capital, Oranjestad or orange town, is a cluster of brightly painted buildings with gabled roofs. There are plenty of excellent little restaurants here, whether you fancy some pancakes for breakfast or the freshest seafood from the day's latest haul. The night life is lively and there's plenty of Caribbean atmosphere in the local bars, known as rum shops, as well as many nightclubs. The beach bars also provide a great atmosphere as you dance into the early hours.
Caribbean holidays don't come much better than Aruba, which is why the island boasts an extremely high visitor rate. Spend a few weeks here and you'll be booking your return flight when you arrive home.
