Perpetual summertime and the living is easy in Aruba, says Jo Cooke
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Tucked away in the southern reaches of the Caribbean and nestling nicely close to Venezuela’s coast, Aruba enjoys one of the best climates in the West Indies.
Temperatures stay at about 28C year-round and lying outside the hurricane belt, Mother Nature rarely throws any weather surprises at this island of the Dutch Antilles. Clients can rest assured their sea and sand will be accompanied by glorious sunshine.
They can also relax wherever they go and whatever they do. The holiday experience on Aruba has been fine-tuned to ensure life is a breeze. Street and beach hawking is banned, the beaches and resort centres are immaculately clean and the roads smooth.
Getting there is also a doddle. Thomson Airways flies weekly from Gatwick between May and October, while KLM flies 12 times a week to Aruba year round. There are direct flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays to Sundays, and one daily flight that also stops at Curacao.
While a longer way round, clients can pick up the connection in Amsterdam from 17 regional airports including Bristol, Cardiff and Southampton. Another option is American Airlines via Miami, perfect for clients who want do a twin-centre with Florida.
Operating twice-daily from Heathrow, fares start at £595. Honeymooners or those looking for a touch of luxury can upgrade to the carrier’s flatbed business class from £2,199.
Despite its attractions, Aruba remains a little off the radar, so those who want to chill won’t be crowded with hordes of other Brits. However, the island is developed to offer action too, whether clients are looking for snorkeling, sightseeing, or partying. Here’s how to package it up.
IDEAL ACCOMMODATION
Pause: In keeping with the island’s straightforward, neat and tidy nature, hotels are grouped in two resort areas: high-rise hotels and low-rise hotels. If clients want peace and quiet book them in the latter. Smaller properties, some boutique-style including the smart and stylish Bucuti, line up here.
They’re set back from a broad sweep of soft sand called Eagle Beach, which is met by rolling waves. With no beach bars or water sports, this is where to book those who want to completely unwind.
Play: Big names such as Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton and Radisson stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the towering Riu all-inclusive in the high-rise hotel zone on Palm Beach.
This area has more of a resort feel with beach tennis and volleyball, bars and restaurants. It’s an ideal spot for watersports thanks to the gently shelving sand and calm waters. Kiosks offer everything from windsurfing to sunset cruises.
COLOURFUL CUISINE
Pause: For a completely laid-back dining experience send clients to the bare-foot chic West Deck. On a raised wooden platform overlooking the west end of the island, this new eatery is perfect for watching the sun set.
They serve tapas West-Indian style, with appetiser-sized dishes including conch fritters, jerk chicken wings and coconut shrimp, washed down with a Balashi beer – the island’s own brew.
Play: Traditional Aruban dishes combine a fusion of Dutch, African and Latin flavours true to the island’s heritage. Once you’ve tried the delights of stoba di bestia, a rich goat stew, or keshi yena, spicy shredded chicken stuffed into a gooey cheese round and baked, you can learn to make them at Gasparito.
Aruban chef Danny Barros, who trained in the US, will have clients cooking up a storm at his family-run, countryside restaurant.
WAY TO WELLBEING
Pause: Book clients some pampering with a local twist at The Ritz-Carlton. Their Divi Divi massage uses oil from the shrub-like Divi Divi trees that line the island’s coastline.
The oil is said to have slimming, anti-cellulite and circulation-stimulating qualities, and the treatment draws upon the four elements, fire, earth, air and water, with different massage strokes used to represent each, such as deep-tissue for fire, and reflexology for air. At the start of your session you make a wish after placing three volcanic stones on top of each other, an Aruban tradition.
Play: Alternatively, clients can work on their core strength, and tone those arms on a paddleboard excursion with Aruba Surf and Paddle School.
Setting off from the idyllic Mangel Halto Beach, a shock of white sand and turquoise water on the sleepy south coast, the adventure takes you across the Spanish Lagoon, under a bridge and into the mangroves. It is home to astonishingly beautiful jellyfish that resemble snowflakes as they crowd together on the bottom of the still, clear waters.
PUSH THE BOAT OUT
Pause: For a day at the beach with an exclusive feel, book clients a spot on the sumptuous sand of Renaissance Island. This offshore haven is part of the hotel of the same name and a visit costs $99 per person with lunch or is complimentary to hotel guests. Two sheltered beaches are edged by dense tropical foliage that is home to blue lizards and iguanas.
A flock of flamingos also wander between sunloungers as if they own the place, and take a dip alongside tourists in the shallows. The island has a restaurant and bar, and is reached by speedboat that departs from the hotel lobby.
Play: For some serious swimming, clients can take a catamaran cruise with De Palm Tours to snorkel above the wreck of Antilla, a German freighter that sunk in May 1940.
Lying three miles off shore the water can be a little choppy. The half-day trip also stops at Malmok Reef and Boca Bay, calmer waters that team with snapper, parrot, butterfly and angel fish. An excellent lunch and rum cocktails are served on the return voyage to Palm Beach.
WHEN NIGHT FALLS
Pause: Evenings don’t come much more laid-back than walking along Eagle Beach watching the sunset.
Afterwards, clients can head to The Village Mall near the high-rise hotels and browse the stalls of the daily night market that sell arty jewellery and unusual souvenirs, then finish with a nightcap at Fusion, an elegant piano bar near the low-rise hotels.
Play: Aruba is the Caribbean island that doesn’t sleep. For a night out that continues into the following day, suggest clients head for Senor Frog, a lively music bar at The Village.
A couple of cocktails later they can dance the night away to house music at neighbouring Gusto nightclub. When that turns out, there’s the 24-hour casino at the Marriott hotel, the island’s largest with slots and gaming tables.
SEE THE SIGHTS
Pause: Laid-back sightseers can explore Aruba’s attractions by comfy, air-conditioned coach with De Palm Tours. Stops include the Natural Bridge, a smaller sibling to the famous version that collapsed in 2005, and the Bushiribana Gold Mill ruins.
Discovery of this precious metal caused a rush of speculators to the island in the 1820s, and £3 million was extracted from nearby hills. Both sites are on the rugged east coast, where winds whip the waves into a frenzy, but the black volcanic rocks form protected natural pools ideal for a cooling dip. A final stop at the California Lighthouse gives a panoramic view of both the east and west.
Play: For a history, flora and fauna lesson all in one, clients can take a hike through Arikok National Park. Striding along the undulating trails they could chance upon rabbits, owls, lizards and parakeets.
The vegetation is a mix of hardy shrubs and cacti and paths lead to a traditional Aruban house, and caves either home to bats or an art gallery of ancient drawings created by the Arawak Indians from South America. Admission is $10, with kids under 17 free.
SAMPLE PRODUCT
Thomson offers 14 nights B&B at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino from £1,459 including flights from Gatwick on June 3.
Kuoni offers seven nights’ B&B at the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts, including flights from Heathrow from £1,746 in October. Quote: AR0003
