Aruba enjoys the reputation of being one of the most ideal vacation destinations, as it is known around the world as a tropical paradise. A trip to Aruba usually guarantees stylishly appointed accommodations with architectural sophistication and sunny days on the Caribbean’s most renowned beaches. The official languages of Aruba are Dutch and Papiamento and the official currency is the Aruban Florin. The American dollar is also accepted in Aruba. The modern Aruban is usually of mixed descent; Indian, African and European. Tourism is the main means of livelihood in Aruba. The success of this sector on this island means that the average income of Arubans is higher than that of the other Caribbean islands. An important contributing factor is that, unlike the other Caribbean islands, the weather in Aruba is ideal for holidaymakers all year round.
Planning vacation
To largely guarantee the success of your holiday in Aruba, it is extremely important to plan ahead. Planning your vacation is usually not the most fun part of your trip. It takes a lot of time to scroll through informative websites that can tell you which currency is used, whether or not you should be vaccinated against diseases, the telephone numbers of the emergency services in the event of an accident, or whether the water from the tap is indeed drinkable. , what amperage is used, whether you will be able to use your own mobile phone, as well as information about the language and customs of the local population, etc. After this, it is also important to read reviews and travel reports from tourists who have visited your holiday destination before. have visited. Reading about the experiences of previous visitors is a good help in planning and organizing your trip. For example, it allows you to make a good choice for a hotel or resort and you can get tips about discounts and other beneficial offers, etc. It is impossible to determine in advance whether your holiday will be successful, but a thorough preliminary study of the goings-on in Aruba will ensure that your expectations will not quickly turn into disappointments and offer you the greatest chance of realizing your dream vacation in Aruba.
Some things you should definitely include in your planning are:
- The climate and the seasons; very important for determining an ideal departure date.
- The Aruban festivities; for example, if you want to attend Carnival or certain music festivals.
- The accommodations; choose a resort, hotel or other accommodation.
- The activities; What is there to do?
- The general protective measures; which are the mandatory vaccinations, etc.
The climate in Aruba
It is important to know when the weather conditions are favorable for a holiday. Aruba’s weather is not extremely tropical with an average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. January to March is slightly cooler than the rest of the year, but the difference in temperature is not very big. Rainy days are extremely rare in Aruba and the weather remains mild and pleasant all year round. It is also important to note that the island is well outside the hurricane belt, so there is virtually no threat of tropical storms. Aruba’s weather offers fun in the sun all year round, making it easy to plan a holiday to Aruba. Although Aruba is very unique, travelers looking for abundant vegetation will not find it here. Aruba does not have lush tropical vegetation, due to the scant rainfall throughout the year. Although one would expect this from a tropical island, Aruba, unlike most other Caribbean islands, is flat and dry. The island consists of a desert landscape littered with boulders and cacti.
The lack of vegetation is more than made up for by the presence of the popular pearly white Aruban beaches. The sea around most of Aruba is generally calm and the water is clear. Visibility in the water extends to depths of more than 100 feet in some areas. The only exception is the rugged northeast coast where wild high waves have carved jagged rock formations and other rough shapes, such as the natural bridge (the highest in the Caribbean Sea), out of coral rocks. Aruba consists of dry desert area and is lined with resorts located on some of the most famous beaches in the world.
High, low and medium season in Aruba
Although there are quite clearly high and low seasons when it comes to tourism in Aruba, the warm temperatures on the island make it a perfect place to visit all year round. However, it is important to know in which season you are going there, because of possible crowds, the availability of accommodations, certain events or festivities that may be held, the costs of the tickets, etc.
Peak season
Most visitors arrive from January to March, when temperatures hover around 24 and 29 degrees Celsius. During the high season, hotel and resort rates are at their highest. Reservations for rooms with an optimal view of the beach are booked months in advance, leaving tourists who try to make their reservations late. Most tourists who visit Aruba during the high season are elderly North Americans belonging to the upper middle class.
Low season
In the period from mid-April to mid-December, the numbers of tourists visiting the island are smaller. The low season is suitable for those who need a quiet holiday. The temperatures during the low season do not differ too much from those of the high season and fluctuate around 26 and 31 degrees Celsius. As a result, there are always tourists present, even during the low season. The fact that Aruba’s low season coincides with the summer of Europeans, who often take vacation trips during this period, and the winter of the South Americans means that Aruba’s tourist population will be more multiracial during this period than in the high season. During the low season there are not only visitors from South America and Europe, mainly the Netherlands, but Americans still make up the majority of tourists. In this case, the latter is more about a budget-conscious crowd, because it largely concerns families. This does not alter the fact that singles also visit Aruba during this period. Although it is still relatively busy during the low season, the prices of the resorts are reduced by 20 to 50 percent. However, certain attractions and tourist services are canceled during the low season, restaurants may close earlier, tour operators guide a smaller number of tours and hotels use this period to renovate and reconstruct. It is always a good idea to check in advance whether this will also be the case at the accommodation you wish to reserve.
Medium season
There is some debate about when the high season actually starts in Aruba. Some claim that the high season in Aruba does not start in January, but in September, and others believe that it starts in December. As a result, they are considering appointing a third ‘medium’ season for the months September to December. During this period of the winter months, tourists flock to the island to escape the cold in their own country. This season is somewhat questionable, so rates will be higher or lower depending on the hotel. During this period it is very important that travelers contact the hotels for the correct information about the rates charged in this season.
Aruban events and festivities
During the high season, Carnival is held throughout the Caribbean. These two-month festivities precede the island’s Lent celebration (in February). The highlight of Carnival is at the end of February with the Grand Carnival Parade. Festivals that take place during the summer and fall months in Aruba often focus on entertainment. There are numerous music festivals; the five-day Soul Beach Music Festival is held in the last week of May and the Jazz and Latin Music Festival takes place in June. Another event in June is the Aruba International Film Festival and in November guests can enjoy the Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta. There is also the Dande Festival, this festival is one of the largest musical events in Aruba and takes place in the last week of December. It’s also fun to experience Aruban versions of holidays that are celebrated around the world, such as New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and Flag Day. Another important day for Arubans is January 25, because it commemorates the birthday of Betico Croes, the patriot who fought for the independence of Aruba.
Accommodations in Aruba
Choosing suitable accommodation can determine the enjoyment of your holiday. You can choose to stay in a resort or in a hotel, but there are also other options, such as guest houses, villas, apartments, holiday homes or studios. Some people find it more fun and economical to stay with family or friends. Reserving a room in a hotel or resort is usually done online. Use reliable internet sellers and definitely choose those who offer discounts on bookings. The reception of the hotel or resort is happy to help guide tourists and inform them of all possible activities on the island.
Activities in Aruba
Depending on the holiday you want, you can determine which activities are suitable for you. If you want a holiday with a romantic touch, you can opt for romantic dinners or you can consider visiting the resort’s spas and picnics on the beach can also be a lot of fun. The more adventurous travelers will want to explore the lesser-known parts of the island. Make sure that you use the available tour operators when exploring the island. These can guide you to the various sights and monuments on the island. Furthermore, there are many more activities such as boat trips, windsurfing, diving, snorkeling, etc.
Protection measures during a holiday in Aruba
Lying in the sun is very comfortable because of the trade winds that cool the island, but the potential of the sun should not be underestimated. The use of sunscreen and drinking plenty of water is therefore strongly recommended, especially between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. To prevent diseases, Aruba’s drinking water is regularly checked for purity. In Aruba you can therefore simply drink from the tap. You are also obliged to be vaccinated against yellow fever in a timely manner. Vaccinations against dengue, chikungunya and the Zika virus are recommended, but not mandatory.
Conclusion
Planning and organizing your holiday can be time-consuming and nerve-wracking, but thorough research offers the greatest guarantee of a successful and unforgettable holiday. The point is that one must avoid leaving things to chance or doing so at the last minute. No one should feel compelled to work in an exaggerated manner to try to arrange everything down to the last detail. The actual holiday experience will always differ from what has been planned. Planning, organizing and preparing your holiday depends on the type of holiday you want. If you opt for a quiet holiday, where you will largely stay in and around the resort, not too much preparation will be required. However, if you want an adventurous holiday, where you want to go out with tour operators, attend music festivals or sail, it is better to arrange things well in advance. All your efforts will soon be forgotten when you finally find yourself in Aruba. Cozy up in a lazy beach chair on one of the bright white sandy beaches surrounded by the warmth of the turquoise sea, while the heat of the radiant sun is dissipated by the cooling trade wind. The vibrant island with its tropical character and friendly residents will make you forget your daily worries and bring you into a world of culinary delicacies and unique sights. The countless and varied relaxation options, including exploring surprising natural wonders, will quickly make you forget the hassle of planning and organization. If the time of departure, the weather, your travel destinations, accommodations and activities are to your liking, then book your trip quickly!