Official Name: Aruba Capital: Oranjestad Flag: Population: 103,065 Language: Dutch (official), Papiamento, Spanish Currency: Aruban guilder/florin (AWG) Government Website: www.gobierno.aw Chamber of Commerce: www.arubachamber.com Emergency Info:

About Aruba Island

Aruba’s Capital city Oranjestad shows off the Island’s Dutch colonial architecture with a warm pallet of pastel colors sweeping through the relaxed seaside city. Arubans have spent a great amount of effort making Oranjestad the most pleasurable for tourists, making it just one of the many reasons Aruba is among the highest rated in the Caribbean for repeat visitors, and a great example of the famous hospitality of the Arubans.

Variety is definitely the name of the game in Aruba, with wide range of activities to tend to most any travelers desire. Shopping in picturesque Seaport Village, lounging on an isolated stretch of sand, catching a gust on an afternoon windsurf, diving, fishing, discovering the countryside of the north side, and even pulling an all-nighter at the discotheques.

For an affordable restaurant or dining experience you just won’t get anywhere else, De olde Molen is located inside a windmill that was built all the way back in 1804 in Holland. It was shipped from Holland to Aruba in 1960, and now serves as the highly enjoyable De olde Molen restaurant.

For a taste of Aruba’s history, stop in at Fort Zoutman and William III Tower, the oldest building in the country. Home of the Historical Museum of Aruba, the fortress is full with artifacts form the Dutch colonial period. The hours of operation are limited so be sure you call ahead in advance. For another fascinating indoor activity Aruba’s Numismatic Museum is home to over 30,000 historic coins from Aruba and around the world.

Sports enthusiasts can surely find something to do in Aruba, from water sports like windsurfing and scuba diving, to land sports like golf, racquetball, even bowling! Take a load off and add a memorable day to your trip while exploring the Island by Safari. In just a half day Safari tour you can see some of Aruba’s most amazing sights such as the Casibari Rock Formations, Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, Natural Bridge and Black Stone beach.

If pirates and treasure spark your curiosity, Bushiribana is absolutely worth checking out. Bushiribana is the site of abandoned gold mines, which played a big role in Aruba’s 19th century gold rush. You’ll also see the ruins of an old pirate castle that is rumored to date back to 1499, the same year that Alonso de Ojeda landed in Aruba.

If you come to Aruba in June, you’ll catch some talented wind surfers in action. Each year in June. Aruba plays host to the Hi-Winds Amateur World Challenge windsurfing tournament. But no fear, even if you’re just starting out, there are plenty of benefits for new wind surfers in Aruba, including gentle winds and plenty of top notch instruction.

For it’s vast activities, picture perfect scenery, and welcoming locals, Aruba is every bit the ideal tourist destination, and good chances are… if you come once, you’ll come twice.

Aruba Island Map