The Caribbean is a great vacation destination for seniors. The climate is always warm, there are beautiful beaches, vibrant cultures keep things interesting, and most of the islands are just a short flight away. However, certain islands are likely to be more appealing to seniors than others. One of the top choices is Aruba, for several reasons.
1. Safety
Aruba is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. It’s safe to drive and the crime rate is low, especially in tourist areas, meaning you can explore without worries. This is great if you don’t want to be confined to a resort, such as if you’d like to go out in the evening to enjoy a meal at a restaurant or watch the sunset on the beach.
2. Outside the Hurricane Belt
Not only is Aruba a sunny destination with minimal rain to spoil your vacation, it lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt. This means it rarely suffers from big storms and is one of the few islands that is safe to visit during hurricane season.
3. Stunning Beaches
Almost all the Caribbean countries have stunning beaches, but Aruba is up there as having some of the best. These are wide expanses of clean, white sands with clear, calm waters that are always warm. Top places to visit include Palm Beach and Eagle Beach, both of which are great options for snorkeling.
4. A Vibrant Capital
The capital of Aruba is Oranjestad. It is full of colorful buildings that have clear Dutch influences. If you drive into the city, it’s easy to find free parking. Alternatively, use the reliable public transportation. Once you’ve reached the city, you can take the downtown streetcar to hop off and back on at spots you find interesting. This is also free!
5. Plenty of Activities
Whatever you want out of your vacation, you’re likely to find Aruba offers it. Take a guided tour of Arikok National Park to explore caves and pools, sail at sunset on a romantic boat ride, or visit the animal sanctuaries to meet exotic species (and donkeys). Lastly, if you’d like to learn about life on the island in the past, San Nicolas Community Museum is definitely worth a visit.
6. Casinos and Shopping
Many seniors visit Aruba for its world-class casinos. In fact, Caribbean stud poker was invented here. Although the Excelsior Casino where the game was created no longer exists, Xanadu Casino has taken over the same building.
Aruba also has plenty of shopping opportunities (although the prices are high, meaning you may prefer to stick to window shopping). Oranjestad, in particular, is packed with boutiques and souvenir shops.
7. All Kinds of Accommodation
Aruba has every type of accommodation you could wish for, meaning you should be able to find something that suits your preferences, whether that’s a luxury resort or a decent hotel. If you can afford it, though, avoid budget options because they won’t be beachside. If you choose a resort, you may like to avoid an all-inclusive option — you may prefer to have the chance to try delicious food in the local restaurants.
8. Friendly Locals
You’ll find that Arubans are welcoming to tourists. Although the official languages are Dutch and Papiamento, many Arubans speak English, which makes communication easy.
Aruban culture is a blend of Caquetío, African, Dutch, and Spanish influences. Locals celebrate this through festivals at various times of the year — events that often involve music, dancing, and traditional clothing. Visitors are always invited to partake in the festivities.
9. Flamingos
Many people associate Aruba with flamingos. In fact, the birds are not native to the country — they were brought to the private Renaissance Island in around the early 2000s. There are usually less than a dozen on the island, wandering the shores and asking visitors for food.
If seeing the flamingos is a big reason why you’re interested in Aruba, make a plan in advance. The island where the birds live belongs to the Renaissance Hotel, which only allows guests and people who have purchased a day pass or spa package to visit. A day pass costs $125 (and includes lunch and a drink), spa packages start at $160, and a room costs an average of $360 a night. If you decide a day pass is the way to go, you’ll need to secure one the day before — they go on sale starting at 7 a.m., sometimes with only a few available (depending on hotel occupancy).
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