A Caribbean Holiday in Aruba and Planning

In order to largely guarantee the success of your holiday in Aruba, it is of paramount importance to plan ahead. Planning your vacation is usually not the most enjoyable part of your trip. It takes a lot of time to scroll through informative websites that can tell you which currency to use, whether or not you need to vaccinate against diseases, the emergency telephone numbers in case of an accident, whether the tap water is indeed drinkable, what amperage is used, or will you be able to use your own mobile phone, as well as information about the language and customs of the local population, etc.

After this, it is also important to read reviews and travel reports of tourists who have already visited your holiday destination have visited. Reading about the experiences of previous visitors is a good help when planning and organizing your trip. For example, it allows you to make a good choice for a hotel or resort and you can get tips on discounts and other economical offers, etc.

It is impossible to determine in advance whether your holiday will be successful, but a thorough preliminary study of the ins and outs in Aruba will ensure that your expectations will not soon lead to disappointments and offers you the greatest chance of realizing your dream vacation in Aruba.

Some things you should definitely include in your planning are:

The climate and the seasons; very important for determining an ideal departure date.
The Aruban festivities; for example if you want to attend the Carnival or certain music festivals.
The accommodations; choose a resort, hotel or other accommodation.
The activities; What is there to do?
The general protective measures; which are the mandatory vaccinations, etc.

It is important to know when the weather conditions are favorable for a holiday. The weather in Aruba is not extremely tropical with an average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. January to March it is slightly cooler than the rest of the year, but the difference in temperature is not very big. Rainy days are extremely rare in Aruba and the weather remains mild and pleasant all year round. It is also important to note that the island is well beyond the hurricane belt, so there is virtually no threat from tropical storms. The weather of Aruba therefore offers fun in the sun all year round, making it easy to take a vacation to Aruba.

Although Aruba is very unique, travelers looking for abundant vegetation will not find it here. Aruba has no lush tropical vegetation, due to the scanty rainfall throughout the year. One would expect this from a tropical island, but Aruba is flat and dry, unlike most other Caribbean islands. The island consists of desert landscape dotted with boulders and cactuses.

The lack of vegetation is more than made up for by the presence of the popular pearly white Aruban beaches. The sea around most of Aruba is generally calm and the water is clear. Visibility in the water extends to depths of over 100 feet in some areas. The only exception is the rugged northeast coast where wild high waves have carved jagged rock formations and other rough shapes, such as the natural bridge (the highest in the Caribbean Sea), out of coral rocks. So Aruba consists of dry desert area and is lined by resorts that lie on some of the most famous beaches in the world.

During the high season, the Carnival is held throughout the Caribbean. These two-month festivities precede the celebration of the island's Lent (in February). Carnival culminates at the end of February with the Grand Carnival Parade. Festivals that take place during the summer and fall months in Aruba often focus on entertainment.

There are countless music festivals; in the last week of May the five-day Soul Beach Music Festival is held and in June the Jazz and Latin Music Festival takes place. Another event in June is the Aruba International Film Festival and in November guests can enjoy the Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta.

There is also the Dande Festival, which is one of the largest musical events in Aruba and takes place in the last week of December. It's also fun to experience Aruban versions of holidays celebrated around the world, such as New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and Flag Day. Another important day for the Arubans is January 25, when they remember the birthday of Betico Croes, the patriot who fought for the independence of Aruba.

Depending on the holiday you want, you can determine which activities are suitable for you. If you want a holiday with a romantic touch, you can opt for romantic dinners or consider visiting the spas of the resort and picnics on the beach can also be a lot of fun.

The more adventurous travelers are more likely to want to explore the lesser-known parts of the island. Make sure to use the available tour operators when exploring the island. These can guide you to the various sights and monuments that are present on the island. There are also many more activities such as boat trips, windsurfing, diving, snorkeling etc.

Choosing an appropriate accommodation can determine the enjoyment of your holiday. You can choose to stay in a resort or in a hotel, but there are also other options, such as guest houses, villas, apartments, holiday homes or studios.

Some people find it more fun and cheaper to stay with family or friends. Booking a room in a hotel or resort is usually done online. Make use of reliable internet sellers and definitely choose those who offer discounts on bookings. The reception of the hotel or resort is happy to assist tourists and inform them of all possible activities on the island.

Lying in the sun is very comfortable due to the trade wind that cools the island, but the potential of the sun should not be underestimated. The use of sunscreen and drinking plenty of water is therefore strongly recommended, especially between 11am. and 2.30 p.m.

To prevent diseases, the drinking water of Aruba is regularly checked for purity. In Aruba you can therefore just drink from the tap. You are also obliged to be vaccinated against yellow fever in time. Vaccinations against dengue, chikungunya and the zika virus are recommended, but are not mandatory.

Nowadays tourists also have to observe all prevention measures against the Covid-19, Coronavirus.

Planning and organizing your vacation can be time consuming and nerve-wracking, but thorough research provides the greatest guarantee of a successful and memorable vacation. The point is to avoid leaving things to chance or doing it last minute. Nobody should feel compelled to work in an exaggerated manner in order to try to arrange everything down to the last detail. The actual holiday experience will always deviate from what you have planned.

Planning, organizing and preparing your holiday depends on the type of holiday you want. If you choose a quiet holiday, where you will largely stay in and around the resort, you will not need too much preparation. However, if you wish for an adventurous holiday, where you want to go out with tour operators, attend music festivals or if you would like to sail, it is better to arrange things well in advance.

All your effort will soon be forgotten when you finally find yourself in Aruba. Cozy up in a lazy beach chair on one of the clear white sandy beaches surrounded by the warmth of the turquoise sea, while the heat of the radiant sun is dissipated by the cooling trade wind. The bustling island with its tropical character and friendly inhabitants will make you forget the daily worries and bring you into a world of culinary delights and unique sights. The countless and varied relaxation options, including exploring surprising natural wonders, will quickly make you forget about the planning and organization. Are the time of departure, the weather, your travel goals, accommodations and activities to your liking, then book your trip soon!