by Frances Stanford

Created on: March 25, 2009

Sightseeing on Aruba

Aruba is one of the most popular islands to visit in the Dutch Caribbean. The daytime temperatures average about 28C and there are miles of white sandy beaches. You won't have to deal with peddlers on the beach and you can feel relatively safe. The main resort area is located along the beach of this small island measuring only 20 miles long by 6.25 miles wide. It is dry and sunny for most of the year and since it is outside the Hurricane Belt, Aruba doesn't get as much rain as some of the other Caribbean islands.

The ambiance of Aruba is almost like a Dutch version of Disneyland. The architecture of the island shows the Dutch heritage, even though this island is a country in its own right. Tourists come here mainly to lie on the beach and soak up the sun, to take moonlight strolls on the beach and to have evenings of dining and drinking. However, there is more to Aruba in the attractions that exist for tourists.

The capital of Aruba is Oranjestad and is the premier shopping destination in the Caribbean. The atmosphere in this city is decidedly Caribbean with mixes of Spain and Holland thrown in. The best duty-free shopping in this city is at Caya G.F.Betico Croes. After you finish your shopping or want to take a break from it, take a stroll along the harborfront to see boats and yachts from all over the world. Schooner Harbour is perhaps the most photographed waterfront in the Caribbean. Visit Wilhelmina Park, which was named for Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, where you can enjoy a tropical garden and see the statue of the queen.

Take an underwater excursion on a passenger submarine. This gives those who do not dive the thrilling experience of seeing the life that exists in this undersea world. In addition to seeing a wide variety of marine life, you can also see the wreck of a Danish fishing vessel that was deliberately sunk to provide a view for divers and submariners.

Take a jaunt into the countryside to see the pastel colored houses of the local people. In the center of the island you will see the divi-divi tree. The most outstanding attraction of Aruba is the Haystack and if you have the stamina you can climb to the top of this 531 ft high hill from which you can actually see Venezuela. There are massive boulders on the landscape of this island, two of which have been named Ayo and Casibari and are located northeast of Hooiberg. These boulders are stacked as high as several buildings and contain drawings of the prehistoric people of the island. You will also see such drawings on the walls and ceilings of the Caves of Canashito.

Near San Nicolas you will see the Spanish Lagoon, which was the hangout of pirates in the 18th and 19the centuries. At Savaneta, you have to stop and explore the archaeological finds of some of the earliest traces of human habitation on Aruba.

You may become so entranced in the attractions that you will have to plan a second vacation to enjoy the beaches.

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