Aruba

Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and sits about 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela. Unlike the green islands further north, Aruba is dry and desert-like, with cactus, rocky hills and wind-bent divi-divi trees. It rarely sees hurricanes, and its reliable sunshine and trade winds make it one of the most popular islands for American visitors.

Eagle Beach and Palm Beach are wide, soft and lined with resorts. Arikok National Park covers about a fifth of the island, with caves, rugged coastline and the Natural Pool, a rocky sea pool reached by four-wheel drive.

Photo: SIryn via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Aruba has many direct flights from the US and Canada, and flights to other nearby Dutch islands and South America. From Jamaica, you will usually connect through Miami, Panama City or another hub.

US travelers can often clear US customs in Aruba before flying home, which makes the return trip easier.

Aruba is the opposite of Jamaica's lush mountains: flat, dry and sunny, with no rivers or rainforest. It is safe, clean and organized, with a strong resort and casino scene along Palm Beach.

The local language is Papiamento, a Creole mixing Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, African and Arawak words, and most Arubans also speak Dutch, English and Spanish. The food has Dutch and Latin influences: try keshi yena, a dish of cheese stuffed with spiced meat. Aruba is more expensive than Jamaica for most things.

Photo: Misty Johnson via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

• Relax on Eagle Beach near its famous fofoti trees.
• Take a four-wheel-drive tour to the Natural Pool in Arikok National Park.
• Snorkel the Antilla shipwreck, one of the largest wrecks in the Caribbean.
• See the California Lighthouse at the island's northern tip.
• Windsurf or kitesurf at Fisherman's Huts.
• Visit Baby Beach, a calm, shallow lagoon at the southern end.

Aruba is good year-round thanks to its dry weather. Summer and fall are cheaper.

Palm Beach has the island's high-rise resorts, casinos, restaurants and nightlife. Eagle Beach is lined with low-rise hotels and has a calmer feel and a wider beach. Oranjestad is good for shopping and has a hotel with its own private island. For a more local stay, apartments and villas in Noord or near Savaneta on the south coast are often better value. Most of Aruba is small enough to explore by car in a day.

• Currency: Aruban florin (AWG); US dollars are accepted almost everywhere
• Languages: Papiamento and Dutch, with English and Spanish widely spoken
• Driving: right-hand side
• Best for: beach lovers, families, windsurfers and anyone who wants reliable sunshine

The constant wind makes it feel cooler than the temperature suggests, so sunscreen is essential. Oranjestad, the capital, has colorful Dutch colonial buildings and a free downtown streetcar.