If you ever go to Aruba you will probably see a lot of people from the United States vacationing there. This is why many people think Aruba is part of the USA as many of its nationals go to the island year after year.
However, many more people will be surprised when they find out that Aruba is, in fact, a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and not part of the United States of America. I know I was surprised when I realized how many Americans I met during my time in Aruba.
And even though Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it has so much to offer and each year it actually welcomes thousands – if not millions – of tourists from all over the world, especially from the United States.
So, are you ready to explore this island, its beautiful natural wonders, and hidden treasures? Continue reading and find out everything you need to know and understand about this happy island before you make your way there!
Aruba…wait, where and when?
Aruba is an island that is found in the Caribbean sea. It is only 32 kilometers long (or 20 miles) but it is surrounded by impressive beaches, lots of nature and great weather.
It is also the center of many activities and it is often considered as a place where many cultures merge. In fact, there are over 90 nationalities on this small island, which ultimately it translates to also including a wide range of cultures from all over the world.
Getting to Aruba is possible from most of the world. In fact, there are many direct flights from big cities such as Miami, New York, and Boston, making this island a holiday destination that is easy to reach.
The Aruba travel season is all year long, as the weather is pretty much the same throughout the months…in other words, you will get sunny days all the time.
And if you ask me, well, you are not, but I’m telling you anyway, you should visit Aruba during its offseason as you will notice there are fewer tourists and beaches tend to not be overcrowded.
However, Europeans and Americans tend to visit the island during their winter days (November to March), while South Americans tend to go during their rainy season or winter days as well (which is usually from June to September).
So, if you are trying to escape from your winter, wherever you may be, then you should visit Aruba, it’s got everything that is needed in order to have the time of your life. Can you imagine going there? Then you must go to this island!
Why is Aruba so loveable?
Many tourists go to Aruba for its beautiful beaches and great weather. But there are many other tourists who like to venture off the sand and discover many exciting things to do on the island. From kayaking to windsurfing, this Caribbean spot offers a lot to its tourists.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing time, cultural outings or if you are more into adventures and sports, Aruba allows you to immerse yourself in this one happy island.
The island’s capital, which is called Oranjestad, is a perfect place to stay.
It offers a lot of diverse activities for families, little ones, solo travelers and adventurers, making Aruba a great place to experience not only the sun but the whole island!
This island in the Caribbean is definitely a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, so make sure you do some research in order to find out the best times for you to go. Accommodation tends to be scarce and very expensive during high-season so be aware of this!
Aruba and the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Aruba is part of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) that are found in the Caribbean. They are at the west of the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. However, all of these islands are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. However, most citizens of Aruba are also Dutch nationals.
Even though these islands are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands they remain outside the European Union. It is fair to say though, that Aruba is an autonomous island and it is also self-governed. But it is a strange deal, as it depends heavily on the Kingdom of the Netherlands for protection.
Aruba was first inhabited by an indigenous group called Arawaks. It was later colonized by the Spaniards and then colonized by the Dutch. This has made this island an important center where different cultures have intertwined.
As a consequence, Aruba declared its independence from the Netherlands Antilles back in 1986, but what’s more strange -and interesting nonetheless, is the fact that you will be visiting an island in the Caribbean, that is very close to South America, especially to Venezuela, but it has Dutch flags wherever you look.
One happy island, indeed.
In Aruba, you will able to find diverse activities, including going to casinos that are almost as big as the hotels they are in.
Aruba’s native language is called Papiamento, which is a mixture of Dutch, French, Portuguese, some African languages, Spanish and English (talk about a mixture!)
This is definitely one of the reasons why tourists love Aruba, as they can get along with the islands’ locals with no problem whatsoever. In fact, did you know that Aruba has the most repeat visitors year after year?
What’s more, this island kinda competes with other Caribbean Islands and they no doubt win in the category of ‘’welcoming returning visitors’’. Tourists love the friendly people of Aruba, the weather and of course, the beautiful beaches that this island has to offer.
There is also a National Park called the Arikok, which offers a great landscape filled with cacti, abandoned gold mines and divi-divi trees. If you go to Aruba then I will definitely recommend you to go to this area of the island.
And another great thing about Aruba is that it is located in a very strategic place, as it evades the Hurricane Belt, so no hurricanes will hit this place. In fact, not a lot of rain ever happens either. So if you are the type of person who loves to sit down and watch the rainfall, then don’t come to Aruba!
And lastly…
So Aruba is not part of the United States, but still a wonderful holiday destination. Wondering what Aruba is known for and why is Aruba a perfect destination for your next holiday?
- Because Aruba has perfect weather all year round
- The island is used to having tourists and catering for all of their necessities
- Aruba is very safe for travelers
- This Caribbean island is very clean, you can even drink tap water!
- There is so much to do you will not have time to do it all….which means you will have to go back!
- And it’s not really that far away if you are in the United States. Only a 3-hour flight from Miami and 4.30-hour flight from New York.
So if you are looking at your next destination then consider going to Aruba. I can assure you you will be welcomed by the friendliest of people, you will eat amazing food, and above all, you will enjoy nature as you have never done before. Aruba definitely has it all!