Once arriving in Aruba there are several modes of transportation.Destination: East Caribbean/Aruba
Aruba:
Aruba is located 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela. It is 19.6 miles long and 6 miles wide. The capital of Aruba is Oranjestad located on the southern coast near the western end of the island. The topography of Aruba is reminiscent of the southwestern US, but with beaches. The official
language
of Aruba is Dutch but English and Spanish are widely spoken and understood.
Passports are not required of U.S. and Canadian citizens. The currency is Aruban
Florin and US$. The climate of Aruba is paradise-like. The average temperature
is 82 F. Aruba lies outside the hurricane belt therefore the rainfall averages
about 16.8 inches per year. Dress in Aruba is casual and informal summer wear.
Elegant clothes and cocktail dresses are recommended for a night out in one of
the elegant restaurants, nightclubs or casinos. Most casinos require jackets for
gentlemen. There are 29 hotels with various prices. There is a 10%-15% surcharge
for services and a 11% room tax. Porter tips are normally 50 cents per bag.
Tipping on the island ranges between 10%-15% at restaurants.
Once arriving in Aruba there are several modes of transportation.
Car Rentals: All the major car rental companies have offices in Aruba. Arubans drive on the right-hand side of the road. You must hold a valid license for at least 2 years to drive on the island. Age requirements vary from company to company. Rates are subject to change. There is a US$ 500 deposit or an open signed credit card.
Motorcycle and Bicycle Rentals: There are several places that offer motorcycle and bicycle rentals.
Taxi: Taxis are available and prices vary.
Sightseeing Tours: Several sightseeing tours with prices ranging from $19.00 to $54.00.
Points of Interest:
De Olde Molen: A windmill built in 1804 in Holland then shipped piece by piece to Aruba and reconstructed in 1960.
Fort Zoutman and William III Tower: Oldest building in the country. This
Dutch fortress now houses the Historical Museum of Aruba.
Bushiribana: On the northern coast, abandoned gold mines from Aruba’s gold rush during the 19th century. Nearby sits the ruins of an old pirate castle that some say goes all the way back to 1499.
The Natural Bridge: A main attraction on the east coast is this coral
formation 25’ high and 100’ long, which has been carved out by the pounding
surf over the centuries.
Casi Bari Rock Formations: A strange geological formation of large diorite boulders looks as if it had just been dumped here in a pile. Scientists still haven’t figured out how the rocks got there.
Arikok National Park: A nature preserve featuring some of the oldest Arawak drawings as well as trails, native flora and fauna.
Fontein and Guadiriki Caves: These caves, which are located in the interior of the island, are where ancient Indian painting and petroglyphs have been carefully preserved.
Savaneta: The oldest town in Aruba. It is the original capital. The oldest house in Aruba, a mud hut dating back some 150 years, is still standing.
Shopping: Duty-free shopping at the airport and specified duty-free stores. Main shopping strip is at Seaport Village in Oranjestad.
Scuba Diving: Many dive sites are located in shallow waters, which range in depths of 30-60 feet. The largest shipwreck in the Caribbean is located in Aruba. The Antilla, a German freighter that is 400 feet long. Several resorts offer dive courses for people 12 and over.
Golf: 18 hole par 71 Tierra del Sol and the 9 hole Aruba Golf Club offer golfers of any ability a fun round of golf.
Casinos: There are 11 casinos to choose from.
Restaurants:
Every cuisine is available. The prices range US$ 5.00 and up.