OranjestadAruba’s Dutch heritage is always present, and nowhere more so than in the capital of Oranjestad, characterized by pastel-colored gabled buildings and a windmill brought piece by piece from Holland, now used as a restaurant. There are four museums here open to the public: the Historical Museum, the "Rococo Plaza" Museum of Antiquities, the Archaeological Museum and the Numismatic Museum. The first is housed in the Fort Zoutman, the oldest building on Aruba (1796) with the Willem III-Tower having been added in 1868. The
Bonbini Festival is held every Tuesday 1830-2030
throughout the year in the courtyard of the Historical Museum and offers the opportunity to get an insight into local customs, music and cuisine, as well as a chance to get to know the islanders. Oranjestad has a daily market in the Paardenbaai (Schooner Harbour), where traders sell fresh fish straight from the boat, and fruit and vegetables from the mainland are available. The capital is also famous for its shopping district, centered on Caya Gilberto François (Betico) Croes.
One of the roads north from the capital runs inland, passing the Bubali Bird Sanctuary. Birdwatching and natural wildlife tours, as well as archaeological and geological trips, are available in various languages.
The CoastAruba’s principal attraction is its beaches; these include Arashi Beach (near California Point on the northwest tip, particularly good for snorkeling), Bucuti Beach (recently rated one of the top-nine beaches in the Caribbean and one of the best 100 beaches in the world), Spaans Lagoen and Commandeurs Baai, Bachelor’s Beach (good for windsurfing), and the particularly shallow areas of Baby Beach and the Grapefield (all on the south coast). Near Baby Beach, at Seroe Colorado, is Rodger’s Beach, where the surf is a little stronger. Beaches on the north coast include Boca Prins, Dos Playa and Andicouri. One of the attractions on this shore is the Natural Bridge, an arch carved from coral cliffs by the crashing ocean surf. The bridge is the biggest and highest in the Caribbean and is Aruba’s most famous natural wonder. So too is the surf on this coast, but visitors are warned that it can be very rough. Local advice concerning conditions for surfing on the island at any particular time should be followed carefully, but there will usually be one beach somewhere to suit all levels of skill and courage. Another favorite pastime is exploring the surrounding shallow water with specially equipped submarine vessels.
Not all of the coast is completely deserted; for instance, much of Palm Beach, the 11km (7 miles) of sand and palm trees on the west and southwest shores of the island, has now been developed into a unique hotel resort. Low-rise resort hotels are more common on Eagle Beach, located between the point to the west of Druif Bay and south of Palm Beach. Visitors after more isolated relaxation will need to seek out some of the more remote sunbathing and swimming spots (of which there are plenty).
On the northern tip of the island is the California Lighthouse set in an area of desolate sand dunes. Off this coast is the wreck of a German freighter from World War II, which is now the home of countless exotic fish and a very popular spot for scuba divers. The Chapel of Alto Vista at Alto Vista is another popular site on the north coast. It is bright yellow and hard to miss. It boasts a 100-year-old hand-carved oak altar.
In the southeastern part of the island is Aruba’s second-largest town, San Nicolas, which owed its prosperity to the oil refinery, once one of the largest in the world. To the east is the area known as Seroe Colorado, notable not only for several fine beaches but also for being the home of the local iguana community.
The InteriorThe Cunucu is a land of cactus, windswept divi-divi trees, old villages and hamlets, unsignposted dirt roads stretching across the often mysterious landscape. The distinctive shape of the divi-divi trees (also known as
watapanas) has become Aruba’s unofficial trademark; blown by the northeasterly trade winds, the trees are forced to grow at alarming angles. The island can easily be driven round in a day, and cars can be hired without difficulty; see the
Travel – Internal section for further information.
There are several systems of caves on Aruba. Fontein was once used by the Arawak Indians who were the original inhabitants of the island. On the walls of the caves are ancient drawings thought to be part of the Indian sacrificial rite. Nearby, the caves at Guadirikiri are a haven for bats. Huliba Cave is nicknamed the 'tunnel of love'. Arikok, which has been designated a national park, has by far the best preserved Indian drawings on the island. Also interesting is a visit to Frenchman’s Pass, where Arawak Indians defended Aruba against the French in 1700. Inland – in fact almost in the geographical center of the island – is the old settlement of Santa Cruz, named after what is allegedly the place where the first cross was raised on Aruba.
Hooiberg (Mount Haystack) looms out of the flat landscape of the interior to the northwest of Santa Cruz. A series of several hundred steps leads up to the 165m (541ft) peak, from where it is possible to see across to Venezuela. Northwest of Hooiberg is the old town of Seroe Patrishi with historical graves dating as far back as the early 18th century. Further north is the town of Noord, noted for its Church of Santa Anna. The road from Noord turns north to the California Lighthouse (see above). North from Santa Cruz, turning back towards the coast, the road to Casibari and Ayo passes spectacular boulders, the result of some unexplained geological catastrophe. The road continues to the coast at Bushiribana, center of the island’s former gold-mining industry. Gold was discovered here in 1824 and actively mined until the beginning of World War I. Kettles and ovens used in the smelting process have been preserved. Gold was also mined at Balashi in the south.
Outlying IslandsSurrounded by spectacular corals and sealife, including Aruba’s colorful parrotfish, De Palm Island is a five-minute ferry ride from the mainland and is a popular site for diving and snorkeling. Ferries depart Oranjestad daily (see
Travel – Internal section for further details). Windjammer beach, on the right side of the island, is a good place to snorkel. Facilities on the island include snorkel and dive hire and several bars and restaurants.
SeaTrek is a new underwater park where marine life can be viewed. Meals, drinks and ferry transfers are included in the entry price.
The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino is a luxury resort located on an island privately owned by Mariott Hotels, offering guests a private paradise hideaway. For more information, contact Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, L.G.Smith Blvd 82, Oranjestad (tel: (58) 36000; fax: (58) 34389; website:
www.mariott.com).
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