If there’s a piece of real paradise on Earth, it’s here in Aruba. At least the locals of this island say so 🙂 The mild climate without destructive typhoons, clean sea, and bright sun attract many tourists who want to relax in this wonderful place. Prices here aren’t really low, but people who are able to pay for such a long flight also can pay for the rest.
Top facts about Aruba
- In fact, Aruba isn’t an independent state. The island has the status of a self-governing territory under the Netherlands’ control.
- The most common reason why tourists come here is the magnificent beaches. Their total length is about 7.5 miles (12 km). It’s not that much, but it’s about quality, not quantity.
- Locals look with disapproval at tourists walking around in swimming suits. Also, nudists aren’t welcome here, and there aren’t any special beaches for them.
- The area of Aruba is slightly larger than the area of Liechtenstein, one of the European dwarf countries.
- De facto Aruba gained independence in 1986. Until then the island was controlled by the Netherlands completely.
- There is no duty-free zone at the Aruba Airport because such a zone is declared the entire island.
- More than 1 million tourists arrive in Aruba every year, with the local population almost ten times less than this number.
- The local currency is called Aruban Florin. However, dollars and euros are also welcome almost everywhere on the island.
- An amateur championship for windsurfers is held here once a year.
- Drinking water from any tap here flows so clean that you can safely drink it. There are few freshwater sources on the island only so the urban water supply system uses seawater, which is pre-purified and desalinated at a special water plant.
- The local nature resembles the Mediterranean in General and the island of Cyprus in particular. The land here is quite arid, without impressing forests or jungles.
- The only stable source of income in Aruba is tourism. There is no industry on the island, all goods are being imported.
- A foreigner who has visited Aruba at least once a year for twenty years is officially awarded the title of “Goodwill Ambassador of Aruba” by the local government.
- Rains in Aruba are rare, and they always make locals really happy 🙂
- There are two official languages on the island, the Dutch and the local Papiamento dialect. But since most tourists arrive from the US or Latin America, plenty of locals also speak Spanish and English.