Aruba Summary

photo by gusto

With its seemingly endless supply of white sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters, ARUBA is one of the more popular Caribbean destinations for many sun-worshipers and cruise-ship passengers. The smallest of the ABC islands, Aruba is 25km north of Venezuela and only 30km wide. Over one million visitors a year come to this tiny island of 90,000 to indulge in the glitz associated with its luxurious beachside resorts, elegant restaurants, 24-hour casinos, shops and boutiques. The harbourside capital * Oranjestad* attracts many of the visitors, as do resort-filled Eagle and Palm beaches just north of town. In stark contrast to these glamorous areas, the rugged interior is dotted with stands of cacti, twisted divi divi trees and herds of wandering goats. In the Mars-like landscape of Arikok National Park, mysterious boulders painted with ancient petroglyphs and limestone caves are sights not to be missed.