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The small Caribbean island of Aruba is best sold on its white beaches and excellent watersports. It has an exceptionally dry climate, with trade winds from the Atlantic helping holidaymakers cope with the strong sunshine.
Aruba is also celebrated for its lively – and month-long – carnival season, which takes place in January.
Just 15km north of Venezuala, it was once part of the Netherlands Antilles but is now an independent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
On this page you’ll find some of Travel Weekly’s best features about Aruba, plus information from elsewhere on the web. You can also find out more about our sponsor Occidental’s all-inclusive resorts in Aruba.
Aruba on Travel Weekly
- Caribbean: What’s new in Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic
- Caribbean: five of the best dive sites
- Caribbean: Film locations around the islands
- Why cruise is best for Caribbean holidays
- Caribbean: all-inclusive resorts update
Aruba on the web
- A lucky break in Aruba [Independent.com]
- Aruba uncovered [Guardian]
- Aruba overview [BBC]
- Aruba factfile [CIA.gov]
Travel fact file
- Currency: Aruban Florin (Afl) although US dollars are widely accepted
- Climate: Aruba benefits from consistently warm weather with temperatures ranging from 76-89 degrees farenheit. Wettest months are October-February and July; fewer than 22 inches of rain fall anywhere on the island during a year – Aruba lies outside the hurricane belt. January-March are best for wind surfers
- Airports: Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)
Current weather for Aruba from the BBC
Useful links
Aruba photos from flickr.com
www.flickr.com
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Sponsored by Occidental Hotels and Resorts
Featured resort: Grand Aruba
Nestled into the white, powdery shores of Palm Beach, the Occidental Grand Aruba provides the perfect backdrop for a tropical holiday, just miles from the capital of Oranjestad.
Deluxe rooms at the Occidental Grand Aruba feature either one king bed or two double beds along with elegant tile and marble floors and either a balcony or terrace.
The exclusive club-like atmosphere of The Royal Club offers executive level service within the Occidental Grand Aruba resort. Located on the 7th, 8th and 9th floors the Royal Club experience begins with champagne upon arrival.
Guests will enjoy luxurious accommodations including nightly turndown service, fruit basket and experience private check-in at the Royal Club level floor with a private lounge and restaurant.
Feel free to swim, snorkel or sail the calm turquoise waters, bask in the sun or tempt the fates with a lucky night at our casino.
The world awaits at any one of the Occidental Grand Aruba’s six all-inclusive restaurants, The Palm is the Grand Aruba’s international buffet restaurant. L’Olio offers a taste of Italy, El Olvido brings authentic Mexican dishes to Aruba.
For Pan-Asian cuisine, try Zen, featuring a sushi bar. Or try Desire for unique Caribbean Fusion cuisine.
Just as many options await for places to enjoy your favourite cocktail, swim up to the bar at the Splash Bar, located at the free-form pool. The lobby Cocktail Bar offers a tranquil resting spot, and Desires Lounge, features a romantic setting perfect for couples.
For quality nightlife head to Sound, a dance club featuring live music and DJs for late-night entertainment.To learn more about Occidental Hotels and Resorts visit Occidentalhotels.com or resort-marketing.co.uk