Aruba is an independent island within the Kingdom of
the Netherlands. The
island has been inhabited since 1000 A.D. and the first inhabitants
were the Caiquetios, members of the Arawak tribe. The Spanish landed in Aruba
in 1499. The Dutch
followed in 1636, briefly losing control of the island to the
British in 1805 and regaining it in 1816.
The island may be reached by a mere 2.5 hours
direct flight from Miami.
It is located 15 miles north of Venezuela.
The south and west coasts of the island boast
beautiful white beaches and clear blue seas. The northeast coast is
rugged, rocky and with lots of cliffs. Aruba is arid and does not
have lush tropical vegetation.
The interior of the island is desert with cactus vegetation
and huge rock formations.
Of the three islands, Aruba is the most
touristy. It is very
lively and well equipped with all sorts of tourist accommodations
from luxury mega resorts with all the opulent surroundings and
amenities (including spas), to extended stay apartments to smaller
moderately priced hotels. There are dozens of casinos
featuring high-end international live acts and late night fun. There is also fantastic
shopping (excellent prices on perfume, jewelry, watches,
electronics, high end fashion, ceramics and crystal), superb dining,
a sizzling night scene with discos and live music performances
almost every night and lovely white sand beaches when you have had
enough! In fact, Aruba
is famous for its white sand beaches. Some of the other outdoor
activities available are golf, horseback riding, diving, snorkeling,
cycling, deep-sea fishing, parasailing, sailing, boating, cycling
and tennis. Aruba is a
perfect place for relaxation, fun and well-deserved
self-indulgence.
Bottom Line: A popular and scenic
destination with a variety of activities for every budget and level
of activity and beautiful white sand
beaches.
Bonaire is part of the Netherlands Antilles. Similarly to Aruba,
Bonaire’s first inhabitants were the Caiquetios. The Spanish claimed Bonaire
in 1499 and the Dutch took over in 1633. Before Dutch rule, Bonaire
was a prison colony for Spain’s South America colonies and served as
a grazing ground for cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, horses and
donkeys. Today, wild
descendants of those donkeys and goats can still sometimes be seen
in the hinterlands.
By 1633, Bonaire became a plantation island and African
slaves were forcibly brought to the island to work the land. You can still see historical
reminders from that time, such as slave huts.
Bonaire is located 50 miles from Venezuela, but
no direct flight exists from mainland U.S. To reach Bonaire, one may
fly from Aruba, Curaçao, Puerto Rico and Jamaica. There is no ferry service
between Bonaire and Aruba or Curaçao, although most visitors to
Bonaire arrive by cruise ship.
The island is mostly flat with a few small
hills and is surrounded by a coral reef system. The uninhabited and
undeveloped island of Klein Bonaire (Small Bonaire) located on the
leeward side of the island is a reef paradise, providing pristine
waters and ecosystem for all sorts of marine life as well as
crystalline waters for diving/snorkeling. All the waters off the coast
of the island have been declared a marine park since
1979.
The premier activity on the island is diving or
snorkeling. Other
outdoor activities include windsurfing with conditions for both
experts and novices (and 90% chance of favorable conditions),
kayaking in the mangroves, cycling, mountain biking, hiking the
interior of the island and bird watching. The sparse beaches (take
note, the coral reefs start right at the water’s edge)
and smaller resorts make it more tranquil.
The mellow nightlife and relaxed, but delicious,
restaurants round out this laid back paradise.
Bottom Line: Off the beaten path getaway
and marine life paradise with luxury surroundings if you want
them.
Curaçao is the largest of the Netherland’s
Antilles. Similarly to
its sister islands of Aruba and Bonaire, Curaçao’s first inhabitants
were the Caiquetios.
The Spanish claimed Curaçao in 1499 and the Dutch took over
in 1634. During the
late 1640’s, Curaçao became the center of the African slave trade
due to the profitable salt production and trade. In 1863, slavery was
abolished. You can
still see historical reminders from that time.
Curaçao is one of the
Caribbean’s great melting pots. Curaçaoans are
multicultural. There
are descendants of enslaved Africans; Arabs (mainly Lebanese and
Syrians who came once the oil refineries opened); Chinese (who
replaced the labor of Africans once slavery was abolished); Indians;
Caribbean immigrants; Jews (Sephardim Jews settled in Curaçao in
1651 and Ashkenazi Jews followed in the 20th
century. One of the
oldest temples in the Western Hemisphere, serving the community for
over 200 years, is Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue. The oldest Jewish cemetery
in the Americas, established in 1659, is Beth Haim); Portuguese;
Surinamese (who came to work in the steel plants and to escape
political and economic turmoil in Surinam); and Venezuelans.
Curaçao’s sounds, colors and flavors are a blend of all these
cultures.
The island may be reached by a mere 2.5 hours
direct flight from Miami.
It is located 35 miles north of Venezuela and 42 miles east
of Aruba.
Curaçao is mostly flat and arid. There are many white sand
beaches, but they are not as expansive as those in Aruba. The waters off the southern
coast are designated as an Underwater Marine Park (complete with
coral, shipwrecks and reefs) and the snorkeling and diving are
exceptional. Walking,
hiking and bird watching are other great activities available on the
island.
Curaçao is also known for its colorful
Dutch-style architecture along the canals of its capital city,
Willemstad, its diverse dining experiences, and as a shopping haven
(of particular interest are the hand-embroidered linens). The island offers something
for those seeking off the beaten track travel and those seeking the
luxury, choices and amenities offered by resorts.
Bottom Line: Tropical paradise with
unique cultural heritage and European
flair.
