Aruba Favorites

  Bird on cactus
by grandmaR
 
  • Bird on cactus
      Bird on cactus
    by grandmaR
  • Local supermarket
      Local supermarket
    by flynboxes
  • Aruban mini-mart
      Aruban mini-mart
    by flynboxes
  •   Favorites
    by Kisu
  •   Favorites
    by Kisu
 
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

A little more information about Aruba

by Dabs

Although "discovered" by Spain in 1499, Aruba has a much longer history with the Dutch, they took control of the island in 1636 until 1805, briefly ceded control to England until 1816 when the Dutch took permanent control. Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba, the Netherland Antilles, became a self governing entity in 1954 under the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 1986 Aruba broke away from the Netherland Antilles and became a separate autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.The population of Aruba is around 100,000.Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) is the dominant language, Dutch is an official language, Spanish and English are widely spoken.Tourism is the main source of income, other sources of revenue are offshore banking and oil refining.The island is about 20 miles long and 6 miles wide, slightly larger than Washington DC.

Rock piles

by Dabs

Although it's tempting to believe that these piles of rocks have a foundation in some sort of ancient custom or religion, our guide told us that tourists started this tradition, they come, stack these rocks and make a wish. Nothing mysterious about that!I've seen something similar at Stanley Park in Vancouver, there the rock piles were done by an "artist". And also Hawaii.

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Aruba's climate

by Dabs

Aruba has an arid climate most of the year, you'll see a lot of catcus once you get away from the beach and not a lot of other vegetation. The tradewinds keep the temperature from being unbearable and blows away the bugs, the only bugs I saw were the ones that slipped into our hotel room when we opened the balcony door.Although I read that it rarely rains, we saw quite a bit of it, but once again the tradewinds blow the weather in and then blow it right back out again, wait 15 minutes and there is a whole new weather system.

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Divi Divi trees

by Dabs

They say that even though the streets are not marked well in Aruba that you always know which way west is by looking at the divi divi trees (also known as watapana) which are always pointing southwesterly, thanks to the trade winds that blow in Aruba.

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Iguanas and lizards and snakes, oh my!

by Dabs

I'm fascinated by iguanas, their beautiful colors, the funny way they run, the fact that their tails are "detachable", you break it off, another one grows back! I've never eaten one, but apparently some people do, and guess what? They taste like chicken!I didn't get a picture of the coolest lizards I've ever seen, an aqua blue polka dotted lizard, which I think is the Kododo Blauw, I found this link that has a picture of one.Our resort's grounds were filled with lizards, little tiny ones on the paths, iguanas sunning themselves in the grass and those camera shy cool blue ones slipping into the plants before I could snap a picture.One thing I'm glad I did not see was the Aruban rattlesnake, their population is estimated at less than 250 but chances are if we had headed into the more desert like area of Aruba, one of them would find me. Pictures I've seen make them look like they blend...

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US Customs

by Dabs

The guidebooks suggest that you get to the airport 3-4 hours in advance of your flight, part of the reasoning behind this is that you go through US Customs in Aruba so you check in and drop off your luggage, go through Aruba's passport control, pick your luggage back up (at which point you can add your duty free liquor purchases), take it through US Customs and drop it off again. You and your hand luggage have to go through 2 sets of xray machines. But it didn't take anywhere close to 3 hours for all of this, the person checking in before us asked about going back into town for lunch and they said no problem, just get back two hours before your flight.It's awfully nice to go through US Customs in Aruba, your luggage is checked through to your final destination and you don't have to wait in line in the US which makes for an easier connection if you don't have a direct flight.

Windmill and Aloe Vera Factory

by rw-bigfoot

the wind mill is on the main road on the western side headed north it's on the left you won't miss it. it's right before a big group of luxury hotels. the aloe plant is off the main road turn right on 4a-4b road and there are signs pointing to the right and it's on the right. the tour of the plant was a total of about 5 minutes for 8.00 dollars don't waste your money you can buy their products online through their web site .I tested some of their products love the lip blam with spf15 in it. the face cream burned my face but the body lotion was great.....

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Baby Beach BEST snorkeling southern tip

by rw-bigfoot

This is the best snorkeling we found for completely calm water no waves at all it's on the western side of the southern tip of aruba we rented a car for the day at 35. dollars and seen the island the best beach for snorkeling the signs getting into the little cove was hard bring a good map to here go through the town of colorado and stay on the road that goes along the ocean very few signs just keep looking to the right as you're going south along the western side of this island. There was a oil refinery plant that you can see the smoke stacks on the north side of the beach as you're going towards the south looking to your right for the beach. we'll be back to this stop loved it pack some food and drinks and spend the day here. there was some beach chairs for rent and maybe some drink stands but there was a few gas stations and stores on the way you can stop for supplies. turn right out...

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Haley Davidson Dealer in main road in town

by rw-bigfoot

this is 2 block to the north from the cruise ship pier right on the main road on the right across from the gas station picked up t-shirt for 10 each that was on sale other shirts were 38.- 40 dollars each whew to expensive here glad they had sale t shirts

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Palm Beach

by windoweb

Palm BeachWhite powder sands as far as the eye can see, and excellent swimming conditions in calm water. For changing and refreshments, you can use the public areas of the nearby hotels. Hotels also offer their own watertsports center. Accessible by public bus, taxi or car.

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Reviews and photos of Aruba attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Aruba sightseeing.

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Favorites: Cities in Aruba
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Questions and Answers

Marcel73 profile photo

Q:  i need some help to choose a hotel in aruba.it should be a romantic place ,close to the sea. thanks M 

GlobeTrekr profile photo

A: Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is the only Aruba hotel with honeymoon suites, I would say thats romantic. Other places would be: Bucuti Beach Resort - for... 

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