Aruba - Unheralded Tropical Paradise
- Work To Wonders
- Jul 25
- 2 min read
Looking for a safe, but stunningly beautiful tropical island in the Caribbean with jaw-dropping white sand, palm tree fringed beaches, amazing diving and jaunty nightlife? Welcome to Aruba!
The smaller of the Netherlands Antilles, off the coast of Venezuela, the sheer colour and joyful vibe of this place is what greets you when you step off your cruise ship. It's a friendly, stupendously laid-back kind of place, perfect for relaxation. Its transport is colourful. Its architecture a potent blend of European and Caribbean. Its locals ridiculously friendly, yet not at all pushy. This place is a treat for the eyes and the senses.
Although we didn't partake, we're reliably informed that this is also a place for great adventures, with a rugged, desert-like interior and stunning offshore diving.
What's more, Aruba is rarely, if ever, affected by hurricanes, making it a wonderful all-year-round tropical destination. This is an excellent stop off point for Caribbean cruises. If you've ever dreamt of doing one, ensure that Aruba is on your itinerary.
How to get there
The capital Oranjestad has an international airport, with great connections to mainly South America, the USA and Netherlands.
Cruising from the USA to Aruba is how many people get here. It's in southern Caribbean islands and is visited as part of sailing round the 'A-B-C' islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao) of the Netherlands Antilles. These are three very distinct islands. You will have a very different experience in each of them. For us, these three islands are 'under the radar' gems and among the very best of what the Caribbean has to offer.
How we did it
We visited in 2018, as part of a two-week cruise on the Celebrity Eclipse from Miami. It was an incredible voyage, among the very best cruises we have done so far. Currently they don't offer the full two week itinerary, but if you keep an eye on this link, you might find an 'A-B-C' islands itinerary that suits you.
Our top tips
Make sure you are equipped for hot weather. Aruba is almost never cool!
Escape the cruise port and main hotel areas. There you'll find the real Aruba, which is even more enchanting than it's stunning beaches. Tours are not needed: the port is very close to Oranjestad.
If you're staying more than a day (i.e. if you're not on a cruise), be prepared for some friendly, but raucous nightlife, as this island loves a party!
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