Aruba Basic Travel Information
* Location: In the southern Caribbean Sea just off the coast of Venezuela.
* Size: About 70 square miles/185 square kilometers (19.6 miles long, 6 miles wide).
* Capital: Oranjestad
* Language: Dutch, Papiamento, English, Spanish
* Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant
* Currency: Aruban florin; U.S. dollar widely accepted.
* Telephone/Area Code: 297
* Tipping: 10-15%
* Weather: Arid, tropical marine climate
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* Aruba Tourism Authority
* Aruba Consular Information Sheet
* World Factbook on Aruba
Aruba Attractions
Aruba has some interesting natural wonders, including caves, rugged seashores, and sunken reefs; horseback riding, desert ATV tours, and scuba and snorkeling are popular diversions. But many of its best attractions are of the manmade variety, including the charms of the capital city of Oranjestad and Fort Zoutman, the island's great assortment of restaurants, and of course the many nightlife options, from casinos to live shows, hip nightclubs, even a drive-in movie theater and bowling alley.
* Top Five Aruba Attractions
* More Aruba Attractions
Aruba Beaches
Aruba is famed for its flat, white-sand beaches. The wind-bent divi-divi tree is the most recognizable national symbol of Aruba, so it's no surprise that the beaches tend to be quite breezy, a boon for windsurfers. Eagle Beach and Palm Beach, home to many of the island's big resorts, are among the most popular. You'll find more privacy at Rodger's Beach in San Nicholas or Andicuri Beach near the former Natural Bridge on the island's rugged northeast side.
* Aruba's Top Five Beaches
Aruba Hotels and Resorts
Aruba is primarily known for its big resorts, notably the high-rise hotels along Palm Beach. Here you'll find familiar brands like Marriott and Hyatt, plus Divi resorts that have a more local flavor. All-inclusive resorts are a relatively new addition to the island. Other options include private villas and homes and -- for the budget-minded -- apartment rentals.
* More on Aruba's Hotels and Resorts
Aruba Restaurants
Aruba has the widest variety of dining options in the Caribbean outside of Puerto Rico, from familiar fast-food outlets (McDonalds, KFC, Wendy's, and Sbarro, to name a few) to fine restaurants serving traditional Aruban dishes like shrimp en caco in historic country homes. Proximity to Argentina also means an abundance of steak houses, many serving wood-grilled churrasco-style dishes. Overall, Aruba has as fine a selection of restaurants as you'll find in many U.S. cities.
* Aruba's Top Five Restaurants
* More on Aruba's Restaurants
* Aruba Gastronomic Association
Aruba Culture and History
First inhabited by the Arawak indians and colonized by the Dutch, Aruba has enjoyed three major economic boons during its history: gold, oil, and tourism. This prosperity, along with the fact that a plantation economy never emerged, may help explain the genial nature of island residents. Aruba declared its independence from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986, and while the Dutch influence remains, Aruba is really a cultural melting pot, as evidenced by its mixed native language, Papiamento.
* Wikipedia: History of Aruba
Aruba Events and Festivals
Aruba's annual Carnival is the highlight of the social season, running from late January to early February. Islanders' love of the sea is reflected in the annual Hi-Winds windsurfing competition in mid-summer and the Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta in November. The Tierra del Sol resort holds an annual Pro-Am golf tournament, and audiophiles flock to the Soul Beach Music Festival and the Aruba Music Festival.
* Aruba Culture and Festivals
* Aruba Event Calendar
Aruba Nightlife
Aruba after dark features a little bit of everything, from partying with the locals at Charlie's Bar in San Nicolas to the wild young crowds at Carlos 'n Charlies. Arubas has party boats and party buses, but also more sedate Vegas-style shows, salsa dancing, and casino gambling. Hotels have beach barbecues and cocktail hours. Or just grab a tropical drink and stroll along the beach.
* More on Aruba Nightlife
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