Welcome to Aruba in pictures!
(www.facebook.com/aruba.in.pictures) is a page that features images of the beautiful island of Aruba.... have your cameras ready! Aruba (http://www.aruba.com/) is a photographer’s dream. Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArubaInPictures
The island of Aruba is located just 15 miles north of Venezuela in the warm waters of the Caribbean, Arub
a is home to beautiful white-sand beaches, 82-degree days, and features some of the most scenic views available in the world. Aruba is 19 miles long and 6 miles across, with a total area of 70 square miles. The island is located below the hurricane belt, and unlike many islands in the Caribbean, Aruba is a charming and picturesque desert island. On the south and west coasts of Aruba, you’ll find the largest city, Oranjestad, the capital, and miles of white sand beaches that have been named the best in the world. Arikok National Park (http://www.arubanationalpark.org), located in the center of the island, a desert like preserve with a variety of wildlife, cacti and dramatic rock formations. You’ll also find some of Aruba’s most striking and photo ready views, as the ocean crashes against the rugged shoreline. GREAT for a nature walk and dramatic image ready scenes. The island is located only 15 miles north of Venezuela in the warm waters of the southern Caribbean. Aruba is home to beautiful white-sand beaches, a constant wind that cools the desert island days to 82-degree, and home to some of the friendliest people in the world. The island is 19.6 miles long and 6 miles across, with a total area of 70 square miles to explore. An awesome feature of Aruba is that it's located just below the hurricane belt, and unlike many islands in the Caribbean, the climate is dry, so it rarely rains. On the south and west coasts of Aruba, you’ll find Oranjestad, the capital city, and miles of beaches that have been named some of the best in the world. Here, you’ll find most of the hotels in Aruba, and Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA). In the interior of the island, you’ll find Arikok National Park, a desert like preserve with a variety of wildlife, cacti and dramatic rock formations. You’ll also find some of Aruba’s most striking views, as the ocean crashes against the rugged shoreline below. A most visit for professional and amateur (like myself) photographers...
On the northeast coast, along the windward shore, you’ll see our island’s unofficial mascots, the fofoti trees. The constant trade winds have permanently sculpted them into graceful, southwesterly bending forms. General facts about Aruba
Aruba is one of the three ABC islands in the southern Caribbean, miles off the coast of Venezuela. Aruba is an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and has a population of approximately 100,000 inhabitants. The island is 21 miles (33 km) long and has an area of about 75 square miles (193 km2). In this section you will find information about Aruba in general, the weather in Aruba, currency and communication information and much more. Accommodation
Aruba is a popular vacation destination and offers a large and varied choice from hotels to vacation homes. Aruba's high-rise resorts are located on Palm Beach while the low-rise resorts are located on Eagle Beach. Besides the Brands most travelers are familiar with (Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Holiday Inn to name a few) and local resorts, Aruba has several apartment complexes, vacation villas or condos and timeshare rentals throughout the island. Family Vacations
Aruba has something to offer for every family member, so young and old will have a great time on our island. Most resorts offer family activities and besides the beaches there are plenty of adventurous activities to entertain the kids (and their parents). Language
The official languages on Aruba are Dutch and Papiamento, but most Arubans are multi-lingual and are able to communicate in English and Spanish as well. Money & Currency
Aruba has its own currency called the Aruban florin, but dollars are also widely accepted on the island. The exchange rate for the US dollar range from Awg 1.75 to Awg 1.80 for one US dollar. Safety
Aruba is considered one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean and in general is very safe at any time of the day or night. However incidents may happen and it is recommended to use common sense and not provide any temptation by leaving valuables unattended or clearly visible on the beach or in your rental car. Seasons - High & Low Season
Aruba's low season falls between April 15th and December 14th and High Season is between December 15th and April 14th (certain resorts may have slightly different seasonal rates periods). High season is the busiest period in Aruba and several resorts will be completely booked. Due to the high demand during high season, pricing for accommodations and car rentals tend to be higher than during low season. Shopping
Most stores are open from Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm. While most stores in the resorts and in the malls stay open later. The large grocery stores are open from Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm and on Sundays from 9 am to 2 pm. Opening hours of the smaller grocery stores vary. Time
is in the Atlantic Time Zone and is four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC -4). Aruba does not utilize Daylight Saving Time. Transportation
There are several direct flights from the US, Canada, South America and the Netherlands to Aruba. For more information about traveling to Aruba, please visit our traveling to Aruba by air page. On island there are also several options to move around. You could either rent your own vehicle at one of the many car rentals, there are plenty taxis to transfer you to your preferred location, your could rent a bicycle or motor or you could use the public bus. Weather & Climate
Aruba has an average annual temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius). Constant trade winds make it more comfortable during the day. However these trade winds tend to diminish slightly during the months September through December. In terms of rainfall, October through January tend to be the wettest months. Flora and Fauna
The famous Divi Divi tree is Aruba's natural compass, always pointing in a southwesterly direction due to the trade winds that blow across the island from the north-east. Aruba's trademark: the Divi Divi or watapana tree
An interesting observation is that attempts to plant this tree in other parts of the world have proved futile - it seems the Divi Divi is most comfortable in Aruba! Aruba's dry climate is home to large Mondis (forests of cacti)
Despite its arid climate, Aruba has a large array of horticulture. One example is the Magdalena, similar in foliage and flower to the Impatiens found in the Eastern US, but which survive with very little water. Their purple and white flowers blossom all year round, providing natural decoration both along sidewalks and roadsides and also in the most looked-after gardens. Also widespread are Caribbean Pines, a large variety of Hibiscus as well as Bougainvilleas, Wild Orchids and many other cacti, vines, shrubs and trees. Lizards (Papiamento - lagadishi) abound in Aruba. In fact, half of the species of lizard known to man reside exclusively on the island. The kododo blauw (left) has a blue-green color, are quite friendly and totally vegetarian. Pena Pega are cousins to the gecko.
