One Happy Island

Home To White Beaches & Craggy Limestone Landscapes

Fun fact: The 16th-century colonists named Aruba (and her sister islands) Islas Inutiles  ‘Useless Islands.’ Fast forward 500 years, and the island is a tourist hotspot, consistently ranked among the best places in the world for family vacations, destination weddings, honeymoons, and deep-sea diving.

Aruba is dubbed ‘One Happy Island,’ and you will find the locals to be friendly and hospitable. Most of them speak English, and you can move around in casual dress without offending anyone (though it is always good to call your hotel or any establishment to visit to inquire about the dress code).
The island is known for its blindingly white beaches, especially Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. The waters of Aruba are amazingly clear, and the adventurous ones can spend their days questions about made the go to National Park for  hiking, or exploring caves. History buffs can have a field day at the Aruba Historical Museum and Fort Zoutman, where you can delve into the island’s past.

Shoppers can find some interesting souvenirs at the shops and bars in Oranjestad. The official currency is the Arubian florin (AWG – a florin is equal to half a dollar, but be sure to confirm exchange rates before traveling).

Airfares and room prices in Aruba are among the highest in all of the Caribbean. However, this doesn’t stop backpackers and families from swarming the sandy beaches on this majestic island. You can save some money by traveling in the summer or early fall, and doing your duty-free shopping at the airport. You can also get an affordable cruise line to explore the island in a day. The ships dock at the Port Authority in Oranjestad.

Considering the COVID-19 situation, Aruba’s tourism department is also providing virtual tours of the island. You can easily find these videos on the official website and social media handles of Aruba Tourism Authority.