Aruba Vacations and Travel

The Caribbean Sea that surrounds Aruba has its magic to share.

From the SouthEast - South - SouthWest of Aruba, the waters are relatively calm and create a safe ambiance for swimmers with visibility in some areas to a depth of 100 feet.

At the NorthWest - North - NorthEast coast of the island, the rugged sea with pondering waves is to be watched from a distance.

Aruba has experienced tremendous growth of cruise tourism. It has been remarkable with the visits of cruise lines such as Italian Line, Cunard, Holland America Line, Costa Line, Sitmar Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Chandris Line, Sun Line, Royal Cruise Line and Majestic Cruise Line.

Aruba's path to the present day is marked by the mystery of ochre-colored rock drawings left behind by island shamans, the enterprising spirit of European adventurers and settlers and the diverse experiences and traditions brought by the many nationalities that have since sought out the island as either a new home or temporary resting place. The look of the people, the languages they speak and the innate hospitality that manifests itself in the Aruban psyche is the result of a multi-cultural mix that reflects a rich past.

Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.

• Aruba - A popular caribbean travel and vacation destination.

Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Over 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba, with 75% of those from the US. Construction continues to boom, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the country's oil refinery reopened in 1993, providing a major source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and growth. Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly following a dip after the 11 September 2001 attacks. The island experiences only a brief low season, and hotel occupancy in 2004 averaged 80%, compared to 68% throughout the rest of the Caribbean. The government has made cutting the budget and trade deficits a high priority.

Many people only dream about a vacation to an exotic and tropical locale, make your dream vacation come true in Aruba. Make your travel plans in advance and get the best prices for your exotic vacation trip.

• Aruba tourism : Breathtaking blue skies and crystal clear ocean and white, sandy beaches.

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