Oranjestad: a Caribbean destination like no other
Oranjestad, the capital of the tiny island of Aruba, has long been a magnet for those looking for a slice of history to complement their Caribbean beach vacation. Other than when the cruise ships hit the docks, the town is surprisingly low-key. The colorful colonial Dutch architecture is exquisite, as is the park which hugs the waterfront. When you stay at an Oranjestad vacation rental, you can listen to the sounds of Aruba at the weekly Bon Bini Festival, shop till you drop in the surprising number of independent boutiques, or hit the gorgeous beaches for water sports and sunbathing.
Activities and attractions in and around Oranjestad
Are you hoping to discover top things to see and do in the city? Travelers enjoy fun activities like snorkeling and swimming. Venture out of your vacation home and check out everything that Oranjestad has to offer. These are some of the major attractions to see, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Links at Divi Aruba (1.8 mi / 2.8 km)
- Butterfly Farm (3.1 mi / 5.1 km)
- Aruba Golf Club (11.3 mi / 18.2 km)
- Aruba Ostrich Farm (4.4 mi / 7.1 km)
- Donkey Sanctuary (5.2 mi / 8.4 km)
- Tierra del Sol Golf Course (5.8 mi / 9.4 km)
Fish for your supper in Oranjestad
You could easily while away your days riffling through the mom-and-pop shops that flank the main drag, but there's plenty going on for those looking for a little more excitement. If you hop aboard one of the daily fishing charters, you can spend a challenging day catching powerful sailfish and tuna. If that's not your thing, you can learn to launch your kite and glide across the surf, or attach flippers and mask to dive into the deep and see exotic fish among the remains of a WWII German freighter. Landlubbers can lace up their boots to hike up the Hooiberg, a volcanic formation just outside the city.
Oranjestad is a truly year-round Caribbean island
The busiest time in Aruba is between December and March, when the weather is warm and families escape the winter blues back home. It gets particularly busy around the festive season, so book up quick if you want to see some winter sun over Christmas. That said, this Caribbean island lies well outside the hurricane belt and suffers little chance of storms. If you bag an Oranjestad vacation rental between April and August, when the prices take a nosedive, you'll still have gorgeous weather, the beaches will be emptier and the year-round trade winds mean water sports like windsurfing are still on the cards.
Oranjestad is a gateway to Arikok National Park
Other than the surrounding sea, where snorkelers and divers are treated to the fascinating sights of coral beds and marine life, there are few places better for wildlife viewing than Aruba's Arikok National Park. If you join a park ranger for a hike, or horseback ride through the rugged park made up of unique limestone and lava formations, you'll come across plenty of the island's indigenous flora and fauna. Look out for Aruban cat-eyed snakes and whiptail lizards on the ground, and don't miss catching a glimpse of Aruban parakeets and burrowing owls.
How to get to and around Oranjestad
The nearest airport is in Queen Beatrix Intl. Airport (AUA), located 2.3 mi (3.7 km) from the city center.