The island of Aruba is an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Until independence in 1986, Aruba belonged to the Netherlands Antilles. The beautiful beaches and beautiful hotels ensure that Arubais popular as a holiday destination, in the first place among American tourists, but certainly also among the Dutch. In absolute numbers, however, Dutch tourists are in the minority compared to guests from the United States. English is therefore widely spoken and in addition to the Aruban florin, the American dollar is widely used as a means of payment on the island. The pleasant dry climate makes Aruba suitable all year round for a wonderful beach holiday and enjoying everything the island has to offer. Check topmbadirectory for how to get to Aruba.
Aruba ‘s Top 10 Attractions
#1. Beaches
Aruba has a large number of fantastic beaches, each with its own character and audience. If you take the car and leave the large beaches Palm Beach and Eagle Beach behind, you can enjoy very quiet beaches that will give you a paradise feeling. Aruba does not have nude beaches, nude recreation is prohibited by law on the island. Kitesurfers can indulge themselves on Boca Grande in the northeast. Beautiful white sand in combination with very clear turquoise water can be found at Baby Beach in the southeast. In Oranjestad you can easily visit Druif Beach, which is located on the south side of the city.
#2. Oranjestad and Fort Zoutman
The capital of Aruba is Oranjestad, which has a colorful and atmospheric center that has been built entirely in Caribbean style. A very beautiful building is the Royal Plaza Mall, located on LG Smith Boulevard. In the ancient Fort Zoutman you can visit the Historical Museum of Aruba.
#3. Arikok Natural Park
The flora and fauna of Aruba are at their best represented within the Arikok National Park. Within the nature park that you can best visit with a 4×4 car you will find a number of sights of Aruba such as the Natural Pool, the Fountain Cave and dozens of blowholes (blowing holes) through which the ocean water is sprayed upwards. In the park you can still view a small natural bridge, the large Natural Bridge that was one of the top attractions of Aruba collapsed in 2005. Unique animals that you might encounter in the park are the Aruban rattlesnake, the Aruban burrowing owl and the Aruban leaf finder gecko.
#4. Renaissance Island
The Renaissance Island is a private island owned by the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino. Guests of the Renaissance Marina Resort and the Renaissance Ocean Suites can take a boat trip to this idyllic island for free. Renaissance Island consists of beautiful palm beaches, a piece of mangrove and with hammocks on the beaches to relax. On the island, flamingos roam freely among the guests. If you do not stay in one of the two hotels, you cannot visit the island, because it is exclusively intended for Renaissance guests.
#5. Bird Sanctuary
The Bubali Bird Sanctuary, which consists of two freshwater lakes, offers visitors the opportunity to observe more than eighty different bird species from the observation tower. The best chance of spotting birds is at the beginning and end of the day. Keep in mind that if you go birdwatching at sunset, the mosquitoes present in large numbers due to the mangrove will also become very active.
#6. Alto Vista chapel
On a plain at the north coast of Aruba stands a colorful chapel, the Alto Vista Chapel, at a lonely height. The current chapel dates from the year 1952 and was built on the site where the Indians built the first version of the Chapel di Alto Vista in the eighteenth century, but it has been lost over the years. The remote location and sometimes serene tranquility that prevails in and around the chapel suggests that the chapel is no more than a tourist attraction. In reality, the Alto Vista Chapel simply serves as a chapel and services are held weekly. It is really busy every year on Good Friday when the pilgrimage moves to the chapel from all corners of Aruba.
#7. Gold mines
In Aruba, gold was discovered at the beginning of the nineteenth century, which caused a real gold rush on the island. After the relatively easily recoverable gold was extracted from the ground, it took more and more effort (and money) to find gold in Aruba. Halfway through the last century, the gold mining in Aruba has slowly been extinguished. There are still a number of gold mine ruins on the island, such as the Balashi gold mines at Spanish Lagoen and Bushiribana on the north coast.
#8. Birth of the leatherback turtle
On the beaches of Aruba you will find places where the nests of the leatherback turtles are located throughout the year. If you are lucky you may experience a nest of turtles hatch, after which the little critters crawl towards the sea and swim away.
information about the birth of leatherback turtles in Aruba
#9. Diving
Aruba is often in the shadow of neighboring island Bonaire when it comes to diving. However, that does not mean that diving in Aruba is easy. There are plenty of shipwrecks around the island where you can dive. You can get your PADI diving certificate through the various diving schools. Isn’t there anything more beautiful than taking a diving course on one of the most pleasant islands in the world?
#10. California Lighthouse
In the northwest of Aruba there is a lighthouse that you can see from a great distance. The California lighthouse itself is not that special, but the view you have from the point where the tower stands is worth it. From this place you have a beautiful panorama where on the left you see the rough north coast of Aruba and on the right you look out on the beautiful beaches of Palm Beach with the predominantly luxurious ‘high rise’ hotels.
