My wife and I have enjoyed a dozen or so vacations in Aruba. The writer failed to mention the reason that we keep coming back. It’s the Aruban people. They are friendly and welcoming. They all speak English, Dutch, Spanish, and Papamiento - they have a very good school system. I wish that the article had said something about that.
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Thank You Bill for your comments, I was born in Aruba and that is the Best compliment you can give us.
We have an awesome school system, every child in Aruba does at least four languages. Dutch, English, Spanish and Papiamento(which is an official language since 1980). I live in Canada, my entire family, lives in Aruba, I go back often and I am always in contact on a daily with my family and friends in Aruba. Masha Danki🇦🇼
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Thank you Bill! Born and bred in Aruba, this is the Best compliment you can give us.
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We have a family trip to Aruba in early April. It will be our first time in Aruba. Having a hard time deciding whether to cancel the trip or not.
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@Monica same here. Our wedding is planned in late April.
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@Monica Same here as well.
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@Monica I'm also conflicted. I'm supposed to leave for Aruba on March 24th. The thought of getting away from the 24 hour news cycle by isolating on a gorgeous island is sorely tempting. But I'm trying to decide if it's a responsible decision. What if the airline cancels the flight home? I keep waiting to see if travel restrictions are going to make the choice moot. I also keep thinking about how uncrowded the beaches will be.
You forgot the butterfly farm. It's a can't miss for me.
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We are at a moment in history when coral reefs are dying due in part to the carbon emissions that people like myself have spewed into the atmosphere to go snorkel around them. When there is now a pandemic of a deadly virus that has been transported around the world on airplanes and cruise ships, to the point where travel is being restricted by governments of all types. It seems a little tone-deaf for the paper of record to splash an image of a sun-drenched beach on the front page of the online edition, inviting its well-heeled readers to add their own privileged and meaningless contributions to the carbon and contagion.
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What? No comment on the often-high winds? They often make the beaches unusable - the blowing sand hurts! Trade winds blow regularly, but early to late summer is very often unbearable.
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Who told you that the wreck was considered one of the best wreck dives in the world - the dive operator? Aruba is not particularly well regarded for diving. If you want to dive, the sister islands of Bonaire and Curaco are vastly superior options.
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We go every year for the Christmas holidays. Unlike some other Caribbean islands, Aruba is perfectly safe after dark, mainly because it is not on the drug trade routes. The north end features all of the big American hotel chains and restaurants galore. The wide, white-sand beaches are gorgeous. The Natalee Holloway affair has receded and tourism is full throttle again.
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We recommend renting a car, just do not go off road in the park or elsewhere. It is fairly easy to get around and at night when you want to go out there is parking. There are other little grocery stores that have amazing prices for a big round of Gouda - green, red or black wax. Pizza is made with Gouda cheese here. Baby Beach is a bit of a haul, but very nice. If you get lost, many very nice residents do not speak English, but they will show you kindly with the aid of a map how to get from where you are. A desert isle with the largest desalination plant outside of Saudi Arabia has delicious, clean tap water. Many ex pats there.
Aruba is fabulous! Don't forget Screaming Eagle restaurant or Yemanja in town. No crime, literate people, constant sunshine and breeze. No place like it...
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A timely article. Thank you.
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Calgon take me away...oh wait, we’re not supposed to travel...sigh. Can I save this photo as my wallpaper so I can stare at it all day?
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