Aruba holidays

Want to understand why Aruba is often called the happiest island in the World? Then visit during carnival time when steel bands play ear-catching music and the locals take to the streets bedecked in colourful, elaborate costumes dancing and parading for all the world to see and admire.

The carnival in its present form is said to have started in 1954 as a small collection of street parties. Based around the religious traditions of Lent and Easter the weeks of celebrations include pageants and parades, live music, street parties called "Jump Ups" and J’ouvert - children's opportunity to join in the fun.

The island-wide party culminates on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday with the Grand Parade. Led by the Carnival Queen this glorious spectacular of noise and colour is, in our opinion, best seen at night in the capital Oranjestad where the largest processions and parties take place

Music is highly celebrated in Aruba and is an integral part of their culture. Taking influence from the Netherlands, Africa and Latin America just to name a few, it’s no surprise that Aruban music is adored by everyone.

Although Aruba appreciates every genre of music and performs festivals that cater to everyone’s tastes, the most popular played and listened to music in Aruba is called tambu. Tambu is a uniquely Aruban, fast-paced style of music that is perfect for you to showcase your best dancing moves. Tambu takes its name from conga drums; the main instrument used in tambu music.

In the past, tambu was used by African slaves to convey their feelings and it was traditionally sung by women. However, men now also sing tambu and their songs often include social commentary based on what has occurred in the previous year.

Aruba demonstrates its love for music and is infamous for putting on festivals like no other. These festivals can last up a week at a time and showcase a mixture of beloved genres from around the world. The best time to experience these delights is between Jan-April.

If you’re a self-proclaimed foodie and believe that variety is the spice of life, then Aruba is the place for you. Due to being heavily influenced by over 90 nationalities that inhabit the island, including the Spanish, Chinese and African, you can expect to be taken on a culinary adventure like no other.

Regardless of the warm weather, a lot of Aruban food consists of stews and soups that use local ingredients. This is largely down to the fact that these dishes are very inexpensive to make. Arubans are also huge lovers of fried food (aren’t we all!). One particularly popular deep-fried breakfast dish is Pastechi; a pastry stuffed with either cheese, ham, beef, chicken or tuna. Sometimes the Asian influence takes over though and Pastechi is filled with chop suey.

Due to Aruba being a constituent country of the Netherlands, it comes as no surprise that some of their dishes are Dutch-inspired. Often considered as Aruba’s national dish, Keshi Yana is an example of this. Made from combined leftovers, such as chicken or minced meat, peppers, onions, olives and cashew nuts and mixed with eggs and then placed in a hollowed-out rind of Gouda or Edam cheese, once created out of necessity, this is meal is now a staple in any authentic Aruban restaurant.

If you have a sweet tooth, then you are in luck. Arubans love their desserts such as sweet banana bread or small buns baked with sugar and almonds often accompanied by tea or coffee. Chocolate cake flavoured with vanilla is another favourite as are rum and coconut fancies. For something more unconventional try prunes baked in dough or the dessert called kesio which is filled with delightful and indulgent custard.

No holiday is complete without sipping a cocktail (or two!) and Aruba’s signature cocktail; Aruba Ariba is a perfect choice. Appropriately named after the island it derives from, this cocktail is a mixture of rum, vodka, a variety of fruit juices and sugar to name just a few of the quintessentially Caribbean ingredients that it contains. This delicious cocktail also contains a special ingredient; an agave plant, which can only be found on the island. Although this cocktail may taste like you’re just drinking juice, be careful as it can pack quite the punch!

For those seeking something less exotic but still having a distinctive taste of the island, then try a readily available Balashi Beer. It is loved by the locals for its slightly bitter taste imparted by the imported Scottish hops from which it is made. Balashi is so popular that a state of the art, automated brewery, incorporating German computer technology, was built in 1998 at a cost of US $ 12 million.

Most major brands of imported beers and spirits are readily available but during your stay, we recommend that you try out the locally made Palmera Rum, Sea Grape wine and Coecoei, a deep red alcoholic drink used in many cocktails.

Think of Aruba, a small Caribbean island, caressed by warm tropical seas; then think of sporting activities and your mind is naturally drawn to water-based activities such as diving and surfing, but think again. Whilst it is true that the island has an abundance of opportunities to pursue these activities it also has other sporting pursuits.

Aruba has competed under its own name at the Summer Olympic games since 1988 and has produced some fine athletes. It also has its own baseball league and several Aruban players have transferred their skills to the American professional leagues such as Xander Yan Bogaerts who played for the Boston Red Sox. Surprisingly, the national sport of Aruba is actually Association football (soccer), which is popular across the island.

If you are interested in watching or participating in these sports, then check out the schedules at Don Elias Mansur Ballpark and Guillermo Prospero Trinidad Stadium in Oranjestad; both multi-purpose facilities host athletic, baseball and football events.

Whether you want to buy a souvenir to remind you of your holiday or treat yourself to a luxury pair of sunglasses, Aruba’s shopping malls, downtown areas and markets have every item you can wish for and more!

For all your European goods, ranging from French fashion to Swiss watches, head on down to Caya G.F Betico Croes, often known as Main street. Located in Oranjestad, this half a mile long street is popular with the locals and is every shopper’s dream.

Downtown Oranjestad consists of many small malls, where delightful Dutch Caribbean style shops vie to entice you with Delft porcelain and locally produced chocolate and cheeses. Souvenir opportunities are plentiful from mass-produced plastic models of cunucu (farmhouses) and divi-divi trees to some unique and impressive jewellery and art produced by local craftsmen. Other firm favourites include locally grown, aloe vera based skin and hair products.