Explore the island of Aruba

Explore the island of Aruba

BON BINI! WELCOME TO ARUBA!

Located 15 miles north of Venezuela in the warm waters of the southern Caribbean, Aruba is home to beautiful white-sand beaches, 82-degree days, and some of the warmest people in the world.

Our island is 19.6 miles long and 6 miles across, with a total area of 70 square miles. We’re located just below the hurricane belt, and unlike many islands in the Caribbean, our climate is dry, so we rarely have a rainy day. On the south and west coasts of Aruba, you’ll find Oranjestad, our capital city, and miles of beaches that have been named some of the best in the world. Here, you’ll find most of the hotels and all-inclusive resorts in Aruba, and Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA).

In the interior of the island, you’ll find Arikok National Park, a desert like preserve with a variety of wildlife, cacti and dramatic rock formations. You’ll also find some of Aruba’s most striking views, as the ocean crashes against the rugged shoreline below.

On the northeast coast, along the windward shore, you’ll see our island’s unofficial mascots, the fofoti trees. The constant trade winds have permanently sculpted them into graceful, southwesterly bending forms.

THE FELICIANOS

• OUR STORY: 7 YEARS ⁄⁄ 3 TRIPS

A few years ago, a friend of ours who visits Aruba every year invited us for a trip. We absolutely fell in love with the island and everything there is to do. When Anthony and I got engaged, we knew Aruba was the place where we wanted to get married. Not only do we love the beautiful beaches, but it was so simple for our guests. They could take a direct flight, easily get around the island and never be bored with everything Aruba has to offer.

Our ceremony was set on a beautiful white-sand beach, and we danced the night away under the stars to an amazing local Latin band. And our family and friends had a blast. They snorkeled, rented jeeps and had an incredible sunset sail. Aruba was the picture-perfect backdrop for our perfect day. The happy island of Aruba was an amazing start to our “happily ever after.”

--Kara Feliciano

THE EVERLYS

• OUR STORY: 12 YEARS ⁄⁄ 20 TRIPS

Mark and I first visited Aruba on our honeymoon in 1999, and we knew in an instant that we wanted to make this island a big part of our lives. When we had our two wonderful daughters, Abby and Livi, our Aruba vacations easily turned into a family tradition.

Now we visit Aruba twice a year—one week as a couple to enjoy the island and each other, and one week with the girls for some family fun in the sun. The weather is perfect. The water is gorgeous. The people are incredibly warm and friendly.The girls have officially decided Aruba is our family's 'home away from home!'.

-- Robin Everly

THE JAMESES

• OUR STORY: 35 YEARS ⁄⁄ 39 TRIPS

In the late 70s, we were on a diving trip in Bonaire and we stopped in Aruba for one night. That was all. It was like paradise and Arubians made ​​us feel very welcome. Sometimes when you visit a place, you feel like an outsider. Here, we do not feel it. After all these years we still feel comfortable, Aruba and we consider our second home.

Diving has always been our passion, so we spent much of our time at sea in the past three decades. When our son was old enough, he was certified that all we could dive together. Now that we are older, we do more snorkeling beaches. One thing Paul loves is snorkeling with a water scooter. He says it's the best thing since little paradise!

Because we were in Aruba so many times, I was invited to be a moderator on the forums aruba.com site. I love helping people discover Aruba for the first time. I always tell people two things: It's very safe here, and there is so much to do, you will never be bored!

-- Andrea James

THE BIOS

• OUR STORY: 4 YEARS ⁄⁄ 2 TRIPS

When Gianfranco and I got engaged, we knew we wanted to have a destination wedding, but I was kind of nervous about getting married in a place I’d never seen. Luckily, Gianfranco and his family had been to Aruba before, and they had wonderful things to say. I got in touch with a wedding planner in Aruba and I trusted her immediately. From then on, I never had a moment of doubt.

We were married on Eagle Beach at sunset, and everything went better than we could have imagined. Our wedding planner took care of everything for us - the location, the minister, the buffet and the paperwork. It was easy. All our guests were on vacation and had the time of our lives. We have great memories together. It was unforgettable.

-- Kimberly Bio

THE WHIPPLES

• OUR STORY: 12 YEARS ⁄⁄ 9 TRIPS

Ten years ago, we took a southern Caribbean cruise and Aruba was the final island stop. Let’s just say we saved the best for last! Since then, we’ve visited every year and our young daughters, Mia and Paige, look forward to every trip.

Some of our best memories are of watching the girls grow up on the island. They seem to just get Aruba. We spend most of our day hopping back and forth between the beach and the pool, stopping at the bar halfway for a chocolate milkshake they've nicknamed the “sandslide.” The girls say this is their absolute favorite place in the world, and when we do our sunset walks on the beach as a family, I have to say that I totally agree.

--Shannon Whipple