Aruba, a tiny Dutch Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean Sea, has dry, sunny weather, blond beaches, and gentle surf. Because of that, Aruba is a very popular port of call for cruise ships. Ships dock at the Port Authority in Aruba’s quaint capital, Oranjestad.
Together with Bonaire and Curacao, Aruba forms a group referred to as the ABC islands. Unlike much of the Caribbean region, Aruba has a dry climate and an arid, cactus-strewn landscape. Constant trade winds bring cool breezes and cause the divi-divi trees to slope southwesterly. European influence shows in architecture that features Dutch gables painted in tropical pastels. It’s also evident in language, with English, Dutch, and Spanish spoken alongside the local tongue, Papiamento. The pastel façades of Oranjestad landmarks and shops lend an inviting and playful vibe to the capital city.