Situated about 17 miles off the coast of Venezuela, Aruba is a Dutch island in the Southern Caribbean. Aruba is a Caribbean island without a rainy season situated outside of the hurricane belt. The locals refer to Aruba as the happy island where the sun is always shining and the weather stays around 82 degrees year round. Aruba is an independent state within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, meaning you can experience some Dutch culture here, like celebrating the Queen’s birthday. This is also the island to visit if you are curious about Caribbean’s natives, the Arawaks, which have a strong heritage here. Featured below are a few of the best things to do to make the most of your time in Aruba:
- Soothe your skin after a day in the sun by visiting the Aruba Aloe Factory & Museum. The natural potion is grown on the island and you can tour the place where it’s made.
- Visit the Donkey Sanctuary in Aruba. Donkeys used to be the primary mode of transportation on the island, but now they are rarely used. This organization cares for unwanted donkeys and you can feed these surprisingly cute creatures.
- The sparkling lights, ringing bells and cash money are all enticing. You can have some serious fun at one of Aruba’s many casinos. Some casinos can even stay open around the clock.
- Covering nearly 20 percent of the island is Arikok National Park. This park is chock full of wildlife and amazing landscapes. You can see goats, iguanas and whiptail lizards here – just remember to bring your camera.
