"Things That Make You Go.....WOW!!!" Top 5 Page for this destination Aruba by SabrinaSummerville

Aruba Travel Guide: 858 reviews and 2,170 photos

Aruba as the Tourists Don't Generally see it

Full of Pleasant Surprises

When I told people I'd be ringing in the New Year in Aruba the first question most of them asked was "Where's Aruba?"

One or two people who did know it said "But there's nothing to see or do there." These were all people who had visited for a day as part of a cruise package. Let me tell you, they were all so very wrong.

Aruba is an amazing island, full of surprises at every turn.

Of course, we were lucky to have fellow VTer Pushi Rubiano and her Husband as our personal guides, so we saw parts of the island that perhaps very few tourists get to see. While the scenery isn't the lush tropical kind of thing that most people expect from the Caribbean, the landscape is more than interesting as my photographs will attest. The picture here is of a dead Divi Divi tree ...... but more of that later.

Animal Magic

A Big Old Iguana

One of the things I really noticed about Aruba is the wealth of animal life that abounds. It's literally a paradise for bird watchers. I spent hours on the beach watching the pelicans dive for fish, and delighted in discovering brightly coloured black and orange Scotts Orioles at the breakfast table scraping the sugar packets. Iguanas are everywhere and look like miniature dinosaurs. They all look so different and are very smart - in fact I am convinced that some of these little guys pose for pictures as they look at you with their beady little eyes.

I also saw lizards and snakes (ok, one dead snake), donkeys, goats, all wild ..... and the list goes on.

Colourful Architecture

Buildings in Oranjestad

One of the things that attracted me to Aruba in the first place was pictures of the stunning and brightly coloured Dutch looking buildings that I had seen in books and brochures. The reality is every bit as stunning as the advertisements.

The buildings in Oranjestad, in particular, have this very Dutch appearance. Some of the smaller shopping centres on the island, such as the one at the Alhambra Casino, try to emulate this image and the result is very pleasant eye candy. Heading inland, the theme of colour is continued in the painting of the family homes of the islanders.

Last visit to Aruba: Jan 2007
Intro Updated Jan 29, 2007
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Reviews (34)

Eagle Beach Things to Do (8)

Aruba has plenty of easily accessible beaches, as it's a very small island. That saying, some of them are pretty... more travel advice

Natalie Holloway & Fear of "Disappearing" People - Aruba

Natalie Holloway & Fear of... Warnings and Dangers (4)

Natalie Holloway disappeared in 2005 and as a result of this a number of people have expressed concern about travelling... more travel advice

Dangerous Currents Warnings and Dangers (4)

You may well be forgiven for picturing Aruba as the idyllic Caribbean paradise, and indeed it is, but there is a hidden... more travel advice

Christmas in Aruba Local Customs (3)

The Arubans go "all out" (to quote a local) to celebrate Christmas. In fairness, the Arubans go all out to celebrate any... more travel advice

Restaurants (10)
See All Fun Food and Pink Iguanas
Nightlife (3)
See All Gamble the Night Away
Hotels (1)
Beach Front Retreat

Travelogues (4)

1 - 4 of 4

Comments (31)

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Marisola Jul 29, 2011 at 1:25 PM

Nice tips and pics of Aruba. I love the Caribbean!!! I just got back from a month in St. Martin!!! I've got lots of work to do!!!
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lifeisabeach Jun 25, 2010 at 4:23 PM

love your pictures of Aruba
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KatandDave Jul 17, 2009 at 6:17 AM

My husband and I are heading to Aruba in a week! Thanks so much for your tips! Very helpful - and I hope your Mum is doing better!
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balhannah Nov 3, 2008 at 1:54 PM

Excellent page and photos on Aruba. If we visit, it will be on a cruise. I love Birds, have Orioles in my garden, not as pretty as that one, mine are green with a red eye.
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MoNewcamp Sep 5, 2008 at 12:19 PM

heading to Aruba 1st time March 09 thanks for the great trips
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SarahEire Jun 22, 2008 at 6:25 AM

Great Pages on Aruba. I am going for New Years this year and already can't wait.
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sunlovey Apr 22, 2008 at 7:33 AM

Have found your restaurant reviews in Aruba MOST helpful! Thank you so much for all the detail! Will be going there this Thursday and had yet to find favorable, non-touristy reviews of places to eat there. Thanks again!
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Basaic Mar 18, 2008 at 6:16 PM

Nice Aruba page; but where is the photo of you on the beach?
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sourbugger Jan 11, 2008 at 4:42 AM

not really my kind of place, but looks just a bit good !
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Dabs Oct 30, 2007 at 8:59 PM

Excellent information on Aruba, I think you've just helped me make up my mind to skip the all inclusives with all your meal reviews :-)