AWAY FROM HOME:

ARUBA: MORE THAN JUST SUN & SAND

Active visitors find adventure off the beaten path
The ideal Caribbean vacation used to mean hours of tanning on the beach, margarita in hand, with Jimmy Buffet crooning in the background. Today's traveler, however, seeks engaging and enriching activities as an alternative to simply lounging around the hotel. The trend towards active vacations can be seen in the growing awareness in ecotourism and interest in outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and climbing. The island of Aruba is responding to this increasing demand for active vacations by proving that it has much more to offer than Caribbean sun and sand. The island, 20 miles long by 6 miles wide, is the right size for convenient exploration off the beaten path while the semiarid topography and geological formations offer a wealth of activities distinct from other Caribbean isles. With an incredible marine life as well, Aruba's diversity provides adventure for water babies and landlubbers alike.

Island’s caves offer underground adventures
Most visitors don't expect to find underground caves on a tropical island. At the Guadirikiri cave, sunlight filters through two inner chambers, providing the perfect photo opportunity for cave explorers. The cave's 100-foot long tunnel is home to hundreds of harmless bats. Nearby, the Fontein cave is testimony to the island's native population. Still-visible drawings by the Arawak Indians decorate the cave's ceilings and are a powerful reminder of the island's indigenous history. Couples aren't the only ones who will want to visit the Tunnel of Love, so-called because of its heart-shaped entrance. A 300-foot long tunnel winds through eerie rock formations and narrow passages.

Off-road safaris explore Aruba's wild side
Renting a 4-wheel drive is the best means for an unforgettable around –the island tour. Well-known sites along the way include the picturesque California Lighthouse, the charming Alto Vista chapel and the Bushiribana gold mill ruins.

The back roads of Aruba run along the rugged north coast, passing eerie rock formations, cacti and the famous divi-divi trees.

A desert in the Caribbean Arikok National Park is an ecological preserve composed of a large swath of land, stretching from the northeast coast inland. The National Park is a 34 square kilometer natural preserved area, almost one fifth of the island, located at the north-eastern part of Aruba. It entails several kilometers of walking/ hiking trails that take the visitor to historic and cultural treasures well preserved in a unique protected area. Sites like the Fontein Cave, the Miralamar Gold Mines are some of the gems ready to be explored. The island's rich crust makes it one of the rare places in the world where you can trace its geological origins with the naked eye. The main road lays between hills, each with its own name and character and adorned with surprisingly varied trees and shrubs that are well adapted to the dry climate. Iguanas and many species of migratory birds nest in the park while goats and donkeys graze on nearby brush trees. Visitors feeling particularly active can explore the dunes at the nearby Boca Prins. At dusk, parakeets and other birds bid a cacophonous farewell to the day in Jaburibari.

Shipwrecks give divers a glimpse of the past
Some of the world’s most fascinating wrecks lie just off of Aruba’s shores, offering the best wreck diving in the Caribbean. The Pedernales Wreck (35’) combines large pieces of a wreck spread out between coral formations. Divers can see complete washbasins and pipe line systems remaining from this oil tanker, torpedoed during World War II by a German submarine. The California Wreck (15’ – 30’) is a great site for advanced divers. Measuring almost 400-feet in length, the Antilla Wreck is one of the largest wrecks in the Caribbean. This German freighter was purposefully sunk by its captain in 1945 (when the Germans invaded Holland during World War II) in order to avoid the ship falling into Dutch hands. Home to the nocturnal lobster and giant tube sponges, the Antilla is also great for night dives.

Making the most of Aruba's trade winds
Constant breezes make Aruba one of the best windsurfing sites in the world. Some of the more popular windsurfing areas, for windsurfers of all skill levels, lie along Arashi and Hadikurari Beach. In June, the Hi-Winds Amateur World Challenge draw professionals, amateurs and spectators to the island for great racing conditions and warm weather, that’s why Aruba is considered “The Windsurfing Capital of the World.” Aruba is also attracting kite-surfers. For those who want to try this new sport or just sit on the beach and enjoy the spectacular jumps performed by these surfers, visit the Fisherman Huts after 4:00 pm.

Article courtesy of Aruba Tourism Board. www.aruba.com