A Tourist Guide to Aruba

Though autonomous, Aruba lives under the rule of the Realm of Kingdom of the Netherlands � the Dutch, as it has for centuries. It is unlike many other countries in the Caribbean, Aruba has a dry, arid climate, noted by the plethora of cactus in the country.

Tourists love the warm, reliable sunny weather and the fact that it lies outside the hurricane belt doesn't hurt either. The perpetual comfortable tropical temperatures make it a perfect choice for year round travel.

Accommodation

According to a United Nations Development Program report, Aruba's fairly recent tourism industry is nothing short of an economic miracle. It started in 1985 and in just over ten years, the number of hotel rooms more than tripled from 2,208 that year to an astounding 6,843 in 1996. Of course the number of visitors tripled as well.

What does that mean to you? It means that you will have no shortage of choices for where you want to stay while visiting the island. From large American owned hotels that are not all that different from the ones in the U.S., to smaller and more locally flavored places, you are sure to find the perfect place for you and your family.

The Climate

Summer never seems to end in Aruba, with daily temperatures ranging between 70 and 90 degrees all year. Though similar to North American summers in June, July and August with temperatures in the 80s, the rest of the year is not much different, with the cooler months registering average highs in the 70s.

Religion

The most prevalent religion in Aruba is the Roman Catholic faith with over eighty percent (80%) of the country professing to it. Protestant churches claim about eight percent (8%) with the remainder belonging to followers of Hindu, Islam and Judaism.

Casinos

Casino gambling is alive and well in Aruba. With a great selection of venues, tourists can enjoy all of the casino games they love from slot machines to roulette, blackjack, craps and the old favorite � poker.

Gambling in Aruba is done entirely in U.S. currency, so keep that in mind if you plan to enter into a friendly wager or two while you are visiting. While a few casinos do stay open 24 hours a day, the majority of them do not, so be sure to call for those details � as well as such information as table minimums and other amenities - before planning your trip

Shopping

Every day, thousands of cruise ship passengers will disembark at one of Aruba's ports for a day of shopping and relaxation under the warm Aruban sun. It may interest you to know that there is no sales tax on the island of Aruba, so you can shop �til you drop and never pay a penny to the government. The country has a variety of resorts, shopping areas and sales districts offering nearly anything you might imagine.

Store hours can vary greatly depending on the season, so check ask your guide or hotel concierge for the best local places to shop.

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