What To See in Aruba
By Anna Lynn Sibal
Just off the coast of Venezuela, there is a small but sunny island in the Caribbean called Aruba. Compared to the other islands in the Antilles, Aruba is blessed with a dry climate, which gives it an arid landscape that is akin to a desert. The dryness of Aruba, however, is what many tourists love most about it, because it means they do not have to fear stormy weather when staying in that island. Aruba does not lie in the hurricane belt unlike its neighbors, and so the sun is almost always shining there.
And because the sun loves Aruba, it is not surprising that most visitors to the island flock to the beaches to enjoy the sun, the sea and the fine white sand for which Aruba is famous. Aruba has a number of highly rated beach resorts, and each one has its own specialty.
Boca Catalina is a family-friendly beach that is nonetheless favored by lovers. The place is dotted with shady huts or palapas. Watching the sunset while lounging in one such hut is a romantic must-do in Aruba.
Baby Beach is great for families who have small children and who would like to get away from the crowds. This resort is located on the less-frequented eastern side of Aruba, and it is known for its shallow waters – perfect for wading with the kids.
Arashi Beach is the one where enthusiasts of water sports go to, especially for snorkeling. It is to the northwest of the island and located just near Boca Catalina.
Palm Beach, the island’s most family-friendly beach, is the one named by most travel experts as one of the best beaches in the entire world. Known for its calm waters, it is a great spot to go to, not just for families but for people seeking solitude by the sea.
Of course there are other places and attractions that a visitor to Aruba simply must go to whenever he is on the island. After all, Aruba is not just about its beaches.
A visitor can go hiking or biking at the Arikok National Park, where he could see for himself evidences of the geological forces that created the island of Aruba. In the Arikok National Park, a visitor can also enjoy the wildlife that is native to the island, as well as visit some of the remains of farming settlements in Aruba during its period of European rule.
Another place to enjoy the sunset is the California Lighthouse, located at the island’s northwestern tip, near where the sunken USS California, after which the lighthouse was named, rests under the sea. The lighthouse is one of the most familiar landmarks of Aruba.
Aruba also offers treats for spelunkers with its various cave formations along its coastline. The most popular among these caves are the two-chambered Guadiriki Cave, known for the sunlight penetrating the darkness through holes in its ceiling; the Fontein Cave, where the only known cave drawings made by Arawak Indians are found; and the Huliba Cave, also dubbed “The Tunnel of Love” because of its heart-shaped mouth.
For visitors seeking silence and religious meditation, the place to go is the Chapel of Alto Vista, the first Roman Catholic church ever built on the island. A lone edifice standing dramatically above the sea, the chapel can be reached only via a winding road, and this road is lined by white crosses marking the Stations of the Cross.
Aruba is a great place to go when one needs to get away. More than its beaches, the island holds so many surprises and mysteries in which a tourist can joyfully get immersed.
Caribbean Travel
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