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Why Not Go to Aruba |
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Aruba is unique in the region for many reasons. At every turn, it defies
the stereotypes of what a Caribbean destination should be, yet remains quintessentially Caribbean
at heart. If this appeals to you, an Aruba vacation may be just what you're looking for.
Aruba boasts a relatively tranquil and conflict-free history that stands in stark contrast to many Caribbean islands. The Spanish initially thought that Aruba was worthless due to its lack of fertile soil and other known natural resources. In turn, they spared the island the brutality of colonial fighting and large-scale sugar plantation slavery. The Dutch acquired Aruba rather peacefully, and didn't discover gold there until the 1800's, when slavery was already on its last legs. The peaceful nature of the past has permeated the present, giving the island and its people a remarkably warm and relaxed atmosphere, creating a tranquil setting for vacationers. The governing body of Aruba recognized the importance that tourism could play in their
economic prosperity very early
on, and have made a concerted push to forward their tourism industry since 1985. The hotel
occupancy of the island has grown to five times what it was 15 years ago, and Aruba still has one
of the fastest growing tourism industries in the region. A large part of this success is due to the
native population's warm attitude toward visitors. A popular story tells of a tourist who asked an
Aruban taxi driver to describe a typical Aruban household and found himself and his family being
entertained for dinner by the taxi driver's family. This kind of hospitality is found throughout
the population, and is just one of the many things that makes an Aruba vacation different from a
vacation to any other Caribbean island.
Aruba's weather is the stuff of dreams. It sits south of the Caribbean hurricane belt, and thus enjoys an extremely low risk of tropical storms and heavy rainfall. The temperature is warm, the sky cloudless, the breeze endless, and the atmosphere idyllic. Of course, the other side of this coin is a lack of lush green foliage found on the wetter Caribbean islands. You won't find misty jungles and lush rain forests on Aruba, but the desert landscape is beautiful in its own way. The rough waters on the northern coast have carved stunning rock formations, the most popular of which is Aruba's Natural Bridge. Numerous churches and other historical buildings such as the California Lighthouse accent the island. Aruba also has some of the best preserved artifacts from its Indian tribes, due to the relative lack of turmoil on the island since Europeans discovered it. In Arikok National Park, you can study Arawak paintings as you explore the many caves and tunnels, or walk the same trails as the Arawak tribe walked centuries ago. The Arawaks also left a language legacy; Arubans still speak the indigenous Papiamento language today. If you're a loner who likes to get off the beaten path and do your own thing, you may have a bit of trouble in Aruba. You're more than welcome to drive around and see the sites yourself, but because of the tremendous organization of the tourism industry, Aruba can sometimes seem like a packaged island. Nearly everything is available in package deals and group rates. If you don't mind being with other tourists, chances are good that you will find a package deal that fits you. Aruba is certainly in a class by itself. It may not be everyone's ideal vacation spot, but for
many, it is a paradise that they return to year after year. On Aruba, you won't find lush jungles,
tropical streams, or remote wilderness, but you will find beautiful beaches dotted with palm and
divi divi trees, colorful desert landscapes, stunning rock formations, and warm and friendly people
who go out of their way for visitors, which for some people, makes an Aruba vacation most
memorable.
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When researching hotels and resorts in Aruba, don't forget about this comprehensive directory.
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