If you are looking for a vacation with great beaches, glitzy gambling, lively nightlife and sensational weather, Aruba is for you. One of the most popular Caribbean islands, Aruba is the farthest west of the Dutch “ABC” islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, only 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela. One thing Aruba is not: a lush, tropical destination. If fact, the desert-like terrain is quite the flat and arid with scattered fields of cacti and aloe vera plants, similar to New Mexico or Arizona.

The capitol, Oranjestad, is the main town, and home to the island’s airport and cruise port. There are relatively few cultural or historical places to visit, but an off-road Jeep or ATV tour through the wild countryside, a horseback ride along the coast or a day pass at one of the many beach resorts are good shore excursions for cruise passengers there for only a day. Aruba is an island for lazy beach days and late party nights, so we recommend making Aruba a land-based vacation. Because of the relatively long flight time from the US, at least five nights’ stay gives you enough time to relax and enjoy the pleasures of this unique island.

The white sand beaches and clear blue-green water of Aruba are simply spectacular, widely considered some of the best in the Caribbean. The calmest water tends to be on the west side of the island, while the trade winds on the east side can be very strong, particularly in the afternoons. Druif Beach is in the heart of the resort area, and though convenient, it tends to be crowded with day visitors from cruises. A fifteen minute taxi ride northwest of Oranjested will take you to Eagle Beach and Palm Beach, favorites because of their white powdery sand. Travel Maestro tip: Go early, before it gets crowded and the sun gets too hot. Baby Beach, along a pretty bay to the southeast, is more relaxed but it has little to no shade, so you’ll need plenty of sunscreen and a hat. Rodger’s Beach, in San Nicolas at Seroe Colorado, is secluded and quiet. Nearby Coco Beach is just the opposite—hip, trendy and wild during weekends.

The wonderful water of Aruba is ideal for water sports, especially snorkeling. Many resorts include complimentary snorkeling gear, or you can rent it from sports huts on the beaches. One of the best snorkeling beaches is Boca Catalina on the northwest coast near the lighthouse. Other beaches where good snorkeling is close to shore are Baby, Rodger’s and Palm. Two shallow water shipwrecks, reached by boat trips, are also popular snorkeling and dive locations.

Because of the strong trade winds, Aruba is also one of the world’s top windsurfing spots. Advanced riders will love Hadikurari Beach, known locally as Fisherman’s Hut, at the northern tip of the island. Beginners can also try their hand at Arashi or Malmok Beaches. Kite boarders and land surfers (like windsurfing on a salt flat) can also practice their moves in the reliable winds. In fact, the winds are so steady they force all the divi-divi trees to grow bent toward the southwest, making them an unofficial symbol for the island.

Aruba’s lively nightlife has earned it a reputation as the Las Vegas of the Caribbean. Many resorts have casinos for gambling, live music, cabaret shows and dance clubs. For a moveable party, Aruba Adventures offers several all-you-can-drink party cruises. The Bon Bini festival in Fort Zoutman is held every Tuesday night year-round. It is a folk event celebrating Aruban music, local cuisine and crafts. Late nights of reveling are another trademark of this party destination. Travel Maestro tip: Plan your evening first thing in the morning. Otherwise, your first choice for entertainment may be sold out.

For nature lovers, Casibari and Ayo in the center of the island offer the most striking landforms on the island where the wind has carved giant diorite boulders into unnatural, dramatic shapes. You can climb to the top of the highest rock (with steps and handrails) for the striking view, but don’t miss wandering among the formations to discover secret flowering gardens and niches. For the best panoramic view of the island, make the strenuous climb up several hundred steps to the top of Hooiberg (the Haystack) six miles east of Oranjestad. Aruba is pocked with caves, none very long or deep. Guadirikiri is a large bat cave and Fontein is interesting for the ancient Caiquetio petro glyphs inside.

Aruba has a tremendous variety of restaurants spanning many culinary styles from Japanese to Italian, in addition to local specialties. Travel Maestro tip: Consider purchasing a Dine Around program offered by the Aruba Gastronomic Association that includes 30 top eateries. For oenophiles, there is also a Wine Around program for five course dinners with matching wines at six top restaurants.

Aruba is the perfect sun and fun vacation spot year round. To plan your escape to Aruba, contact Covington Travel’s Caribbean vacation specialists today.