Aruba

Is it the powdery white sand beaches? Is it the balmy, sunny climate? Or is it the luxury resorts, diving and endless menu of water sports and entertainment on offer? Something keeps people coming back to Aruba.

A small island just off the coast of Venezuela and the most westerly of all the Caribbean pearls, Aruba is an easy, laidback destination. Its population is small but it receives over half a million visitors a year, and so much of the island has been developed specifically to keep tourists happy and entertained.

There are plenty of all-inclusive resorts and modern hotels, particularly along Palm Beach, but the general feel is laidback and low-key.

There are beaches for everyone. Hadikurari Beach on the northwestern tip is known for terrific snorkelling, as are the coral heads at the southeastern end. Baby Beach and Palm Beach are calm while Rodgers Beach has good surf.

Land-lovers can visit one of two golf courses, hike, bike or even explore the historic and picturesque capital Oranjestad, see the fishermen in the harbour and shop for crafts in the market. Aruba has been influenced by settlers from South America, the Far East and Europe, but the strongest influence is Dutch and, despite being adapted to suit the tropics, the tall multicoloured houses of Wilheminastraat have the traditional carved wooded doors and Dutch tiles.

Almost twenty percent of the island has been incorporated into the Arikok National Park, near Mt. Arikok, close to the centre of the island. Trails wind through the verdant and exotic undergrowth and guides are available to point out and identify iguanas, aloe, rare birds and tropical flowers.

The most famous visitor attraction is Natural Bridge on the northeast coast. As the name suggests, it is a long, low bridge of coral carved by the pounding Atlantic surf. The sea has also created caves, and several, like the Guadirikiri Cave, can be accessed by those who do not mind bats, but it has to be said that most visitors to Aruba are perfectly content to stay above ground in the sunshine.