Cruise Travel....

ONLY A DAY IN…
ARUBA

Get off the beaten path and discover the diversity of this friendly Caribbean port

One of the many things we love about Aruba is its diversity. While many people think about the Caribbean as being one big beautiful beach (and there are certainly lots of those), Aruba and many other West Indies islands offer much more when it comes to natural beauty, activities, culture, and cuisine. Thus, given only a day in Aruba, we had more in mind than a day at the beach (though we knew we’d end our day at one of Aruba‘s beautiful sandy stretches).

We’re firm believers in “island tours” that provide an initial overview of a port of call. We often sign up for these excursion the first time we call on a port, with future exploration taking us back to places (or activities) of interest. That’s why we loved the “Aruba Safari Off-Road Adventure” shore excursion, which De Palm Tours offers to most visiting cruise ships and passengers.

Rather than loading dozens of disembarking passengers onto buses, this true safari-like trip heads out in De Palm’s custom-equipped (and extra-cushioned) Land Rover and Jeep 4x4 vehicles painted in De Palm’s signature yellow and zebra-stripes. Participants either take their own vehicle convoy-style (communicating with the guide by radio fitted on each vehicle) or just enjoy the ride in a larger Land Rover driven by the lead guide. Either way, it’s a great way to see all the island has to offer--and it most definitely feels like a safari in parts of Aruba’s desert-like natural areas.

After departing the cruise ship terminal and the bustling capital city of Oranjestad (see “More Aruba Allures“ sidebar), the typical “around-the-island” tour hits all of Aruba’s highlights (with commentary over the radios). After zipping past the hotels along Aruba‘s famed beaches (Palm Beach is a Caribbean classic), our first stop was the landmark California Lighthouse (named for a passenger ship that sunk nearby in 1916). Located on the northwestern end of the island, there are great views out to sea, including crashing waves, as well as a sneak peak of the arid and cactus-packed Arikok National Park (our personal Aruba highlight) that lies further ahead.

After the lighthouse, the tour leaves the smooth hard-surface highway and heads off-road onto dirt-packed trails, with the lunar-like landscape and barren coastline a complete change from the resorts along Palm Beach. The drive from here on out can be incredibly dusty, so we were quickly covered in red dust--though the scenery (and an upcoming afternoon swim) made the dusting decidedly worth it.

About five miles along the coast, we stopped at Alto Vista Chapel, a quiet yellow church that was built around 1750 and was renovated in the mid-1900s. Like many places of worship, the small church was situated to take advantage of the stunning views out to sea (though those buried in the cemetery don’t have that luxury). Guides say it was originally built by natives and Spanish settlers before Aruba had its own on-island priest.

Next, the ruins of the Bushiribana Gold Mine make for a hulking reminder of Aruba’s “gold rush” in the 19th century. This smelter was built in 1872 and it’s easy to climb the huge stone walls for more great coastal views.

Further along, what was once Aruba’s main non-beach attraction still commands plenty of attention. The Natural Bridge, a 100-foot limestone arch that stretched across the beach and rock-strewn waters, collapsed in 2005, but it continues to draws hundreds of visitors daily (and it’s a great place to get a cold drink to soothe dry throats--for those not driving; the island‘s Balashi beer is made with desalinated water).

From here, we headed inland a bit to check out the unique Ayo rock formations. These huge boulder served as dwellings and religious sites for early islanders--or at least that's what the guides, and apparently the petroglyphs, tell visitors.

Next, our dusty group headed back toward Oranjestad with one thing in mind--going for a swim. Our tour fortunately included time at De Palm Island, the company’s private island hideaway. Here, along with a refreshing dip, De Palm Island offers cold drinks and food (often included in the tour price), lots of watersports (great snorkeling!), “Snuba” and “Sea Trek“ (for additional charges), Blue Parrotfish Water Slide Park for kids and kids at heart, and lots more. Quite simply, it was a great way to end our day in Aruba.

For further information about the “Aruba Safari Off-Road Adventure” tour and other offerings, visit www.depalm.com. The company works with most visiting cruise lines. Though it may be tempting to try to save money by booking tours or renting vehicles in advance on your own or once in port, ship-sponsored shore excursions mean you won’t miss the boat.

Most major cruise lines plying the Caribbean have ships calling in Aruba, including Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Hollan America, Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, and Windstar. Your travel agent will help you find the voyage best suited for you.

More Aruba Allures

Aruba has an interesting history that’s evident from the time the ship docks. The island was once part of the Netherlands Antilles (it became a separate entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1986) and retains a definite Dutch flavor. The official language is still Dutch, though locals speak a patois called “Papiamento” and, of course, English. The diverse landscape of 70 square miles holds a population of about 100,000 people.

We always enjoy exploring Aruba’s capital city of Oranjestad. The colorful Dutch colonial architecture, a few sightseeing options, shopping, and an array of dining with waterfront views are all allures for those exploring on their own.

Sightseeing options might include: Fort Zoutman (built in 1796, with the Willem III Tower added in 1867); the Archaeological Museum of Aruba; the Museo Arubano (island museum); and the small but very fascinating Numismatic Museum of Aruba (35,000+ coins from more than 400 countries). For those who like to shop till they drop, Caya G.F. Betico Cross (“Main Street”) features several blocks of typical Caribbean shopping--with a Dutch flair. After all that walking, lush gardens and great views of the harbor can be found at Queen Wilhelmina Park, which is situated across from Seaport Marketplace. For tropical flavor (cold drinks with local food and atmosphere), head to Boonoonoonoos Caribbean Bistro (Wilhelminastraat 18-A).

Further afield, great beaches include the aforementioned Palm Beach (lots of typical resorts and services), as well as less bustling Eagle Beach, Hadicurari, Baby Beach (known for calm conditions), and many more possibilities. Thanks to typically ideal (meaning windy) conditions, Aruba is a world-class windsurfing destinations (first-timers are welcome), as well as offering great scuba diving, snorkeling, and most other watersports.

Though it’s typically not usually included in tours, the town of San Nicolas (out by the oil refinery) is a great place to head if you’ve rented your own vehicle. Here, you’ll find lots of friendly locals and one of our favorite bars in the Caribbean--Charlie’s Bar (at Zeppenfeldstraat 56) features local beer, Creole-style cooking (try Cazuela--seafood chowder), and lots of local color--just don’t drink and drive!. Visit www.charliesbararuba.com for a preview of an Aruba landmark that dates back to 1941.

For specific information, geared to cruise passengers--about sightseeing, touring, sports activities, history, shopping, dining, and more--log on to www.arubabycruise.com.  For more general information about Aruba, log on to www.aruba.com; call (800) TO ARUBA; or write the Aruba Tourism Authority (Cruise Travel Magazine), 1200 Harbor Boulevard, Weehawken, NJ 07087.