OVERVIEW
The island of Aruba is situated in the southern Caribbean, surrounded by blue-green waters washing onto some of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the world. Known for its dry climate, striking topography and unusual vegetation, this island paradise combines scenic relaxation with offbeat adventure. Guests at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino are conveniently situated to take advantage of many of the island’s popular activities. The resort’s tour desk can help make arrangements.
ARUBA WATER ACTIVITIES
The Beaches
The southwestern shore of the island is a seven-mile stretch of white sand beach leading to calm, clear-blue Caribbean waters. The island’s most popular beaches are located here including Palm Beach and Eagle Beach, with Roger’s Beach and Baby Beach found further down the coast. Those who choose to journey a bit from this Aruba beach resort will find the rugged northeastern coast offers quite a contrast to these sandy regions. Rocky terrain meets beautiful, secluded beaches where wild, thundering waves beat against the jagged windward coast.
Scuba Diving
With wall diving, reef diving and wreck diving, Aruba is one of the more popular Caribbean islands for scuba divers. In fact, some of the world’s most fascinating wrecks rest just off Aruba’s shores.
Windsurfing
Constant trade winds make Aruba an ideal location for wind and kite surfing. Whether a first-timer or veteran, it’s hard not to be taken in by the thrill of windsurfing on the island, particularly at popular spots Arashi and Fisherman’s Hut, not far from Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. Advanced kite surfers may be found taking on waves along the beautiful bay of Boca Grandi.
Deep sea fishing, parasailing, water and jet skiing, snorkeling and speedboat rides can be easily arranged.
ARUBA LAND ACTIVITIES
Horseback Riding
One of the more picturesque ways to tour Aruba’s terrain is on horseback. Organized tours combine land and sea, taking participants through the cunucu (countryside) and along the coastline. Atop a horse, visitors navigate sand dunes standing guard to blue waters and explore the desert-like plains covered with cacti and the distinctive divi-divi trees. A favorite tour includes taking the rocky trails through the northeastern coast, with a stop at the Natural Pool, one of the island’s most romantic spots.
Off-Road Safaris
For the independent vacationer, 4-wheel drive rentals offer an opportunity to explore back roads, countryside and the rugged northeastern coast. Well-known sites along the way include the picturesque California Lighthouse, the charming Alto Vista Chapel and the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins. A small natural lagoon has recently formed from the collapse of the Natural Bridge in September 2005 and is worth a stop.
The Caves
For a touch of history, visit the caves where the native Arawak Indians dwelled. Fontein Cave is a reflection of the island’s original culture, as drawings by the Arawaks remain visible on the caves’ ceilings. At nearby Guadirikiri Cave, the perfect photo opportunity beckons. Sunlight filters through two inner chambers in a 100-foot-long tunnel housing hundreds of bats. The Tunnel of Love gets its name from its heart-shaped entrance that leads to a 300-foot-long tunnel winding through eerie rock formations and narrow passages.
Arikok National Park
One wouldn’t expect to find a desert on a tropical island, but Arikok National Park is a desert-like ecological preserve, located on Aruba’s northeastern coast. Hiking trails make it easy for visitors to explore the unusual terrain and diverse flora and fauna of the preserve. Iguanas and many species of migratory birds nest in the park, while goats and donkeys graze on nearby brush trees. After exploring the park, head over to the nearby Boca Prins Dunes and join the locals as they dune slide…it’s like surfing on dry land.
Aruba Golf
Tierra del Sol, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., combines the natural beauty of Aruba’s indigenous flora with the greens of a championship 18-hole golf course. This par 71 course is 6,811 yards long, with the highest tee at an elevation of 98 feet above sea level. The concierge at the resort can book tee times for guests.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Aruba Shopping
Just a short cab ride from Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, in the quaint capital city of Oranjestad, shoppers can enjoy considerable savings on international luxury items like perfume, liquor, jewelry, crystal and more.
Throughout the island, visitors can find similar goods at local shops, boutiques and shopping malls. Many major hotels, like Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, also feature quality stores. American travelers can return home with up to $400 in duty-free goods purchased in Aruba.
Sightseeing
Visitors delight in exploring the island’s capital, picturesque Oranjestad. With charming streets, Dutch architecture and colorful buildings, it’s fun to walk this city and take in local flavor. The Fort Zoutman Historical Museum and the Numismatic Museum are two attractions worthy of a stop as well as the weekly Bon Bini Festival Show taking place every Tuesday night.
Nightlife
There are nearly a dozen casinos on island, including the Stellaris Casino on-site at the Aruba Marriott. Most of Aruba’s casinos are located on the southwestern coast, and several have showrooms with live entertainers. Many of the hotels along the southwestern coast feature theme nights, and guests are encouraged to stroll along the beach from hotel party to hotel party. Live music fills the streets throughout the evenings including local beats, merengue and salsa music. Oranjestad offers a wide variety of bars and clubs as well as outdoor dining for a more mellow evening.
Festivals
Events such as Carnival and the popular Aruba Music Festival, where famous artists such as Peter Frampton have performed, are filled with energy unique to the culture of Aruba. The Aruba Tourism Authority publishes a yearly calendar of events that features a variety of festivals, sporting events and local holidays and may be accessed at www.aruba.com.