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Aruba may be a
small island but it has a phenomenal amount to offer, listed here are just a
few of the most popular attractions and pastimes.
Butterfly Farm
Located at Palm Beach across from the Aruba Phoenix and Wyndham Hotels. Open
all year from 9:00 -4:30
Step into a tropical garden filled with colourful butterflies from around the
world. Observe the life cycle from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly.
Tour guides offer commentary on butterfly habits. Arrive early and watch new
butterflies emerging from their chrysalis and taking their first flight. The
butterfly farm is a rare opportunity for photography and a delight to visitors
of all ages.
Oranjestad
Aruba's sunny, pastel-collared capital is on the island's southern leeward coast,
just southeast of the main resort area. The bustling city has a very Caribbean
flavour, with part-Spanish, part-Dutch architecture The main thoroughfare, Lloyd
G. Smith Boulevard, cuts in from the airport along the waterfront and on to
Palm Beach, changing its name along the way to J. E. Irausquin Boulevard. Most
tourists visit to shop in its boutiques and duty-free shops, but it has three
small museums that explore the island's history.
Historical
Museum
Fort Zoutman/Willem III Tower
Oranjestad.
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There is an entrance fee.
Situated in the oldest building in Aruba, Fort Zoutman and Willem III Tower,
the historical museum offers a collection of articles from the island's earliest
times through early Spanish and Dutch periods, up to the present.
Deep Sea Fishing
Numerous boats and crews are available at the docks. In the temperate waters
around Aruba, a variety of Atlantic game fish can be caught year-round. Sailfish,
white and blue marlin, wahoo, shark, barracuda, amberjack, kingfish, bonito,
and blackfin and yellowfin tuna are abundant. The captain and his/her first
mate will help the vacationing fishing enthusiast bring in any fish, even if
they have little previous experience. Many restaurants will even cook and serve
your catch of the day. You can sail for either a full day or a half-day on many
of the fishing boats. Excursions can be arranged through your hotel activity
desk or De Palm Tours, or directly with the captain of the boat of your choice.
Schooner Harbour
In this harbour are moored many fishing boats and schooners, some from Venezuela.
Nearly all newcomers to Aruba like to photograph the Colourful boats dock along
the quay, and boat owners display their wares in open stalls. Fresh fish are
sold at the market nearby.
Outside the
City
A car is essential
to enjoy the delights of the island away from the city and a drive into the
cunucu, which in the local dialect, Papiamento means "the countryside"
is almost a requirement of visiting the island. Here Arubans live in modest,
colourful, pastel colour washed houses, decorated with eccentric looking tropical
plants
Casibari
Open daily from 9 - 5, with no admission charge
Aruba is studded with massive boulders. The most impressive ones at Ayo and
Casibari, northeast of Hooiberg. Diorite boulders stack up as high as city office
buildings. The rocks weigh several thousand tons and puzzle geologists. Ancient
Amerindian drawings appear on the rocks at Ayo. At Casibari, you can climb to
the top for a panoramic view of the island or a close look at rocks that nature
has carved into seats or prehistoric birds and animals. The lodge at Casibari
sells souvenirs, snacks, soft drinks, and beer.
Arikok National Park
Tel: 297/8-28001
The Park is a desert like ecological preserve that covers 18% of the island's
area, starting on the east coast and jutting inland almost to the west coast.
The island's rich crust makes it one of the rare places in the world with geological
origins traceable with the naked eye. Hiking trails make it easy to explore
the preserve's unusual terrain and diverse flora and fauna. Iguanas and many
species of migratory birds.
This park encompasses a significant area of land in the interior and a long
stretch of the northern windward coast. The park contains traces of nearly all
the significant forces that have impacted on Aruba's history, including Arawak
petroglyphs in the Fontein Cave, the remains of Dutch peasant settlements at
Masiduri, plantation houses in the Prins Valley and the ruins of an old gold
mining operation at Miralamar. The park covers 620 sq. ft.
The Aruban government is working on a 10-year ecotourism plan to preserve the
resources of the park. The park is topped by Aruba's second-highest mountain,
the 577-ft Mt. Arikok, so climbing is also a possibility.
Spaans Lagoen
Along the highway toward the island's southernmost section is Spanish Lagoon,
where pirates hid and waited to plunder rich cargo ships in the Caribbean. Today
it's an ideal place for snorkelling and for having a picnic at the tables under
the mangrove trees.
Scuba Diving And Snorkelling
With visibility of up to 90 ft, Aruban waters are excellent for snorkelling
and diving. Certified divers can go wall or reef diving or explore wrecks sunk
during World War II. The German freighter, Antilla, is popular with both divers
and sorcerers.
Mangel Halto
Reef
(Also known as Pos Chiquito Reef or Bao Baranca)Mangel Halto Reef is excellent
for night diving.
Dive Operators:
Aruba Pro Dive
Ponton 88,
Tel: 297/8-25520
Scuba Aruba
Seaport Village Mall
L. G. Smith Blvd. 82, Oranjestad,
Tel: 297/8-34142
Have you been to Aruba and know about some more great highlights worth a mention? Add details for other visitors to read about.
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