Aruba

Regional Population: 71,566

Time Zone: America/Aruba

Local Currency: AWG

Latitude: 12.3

Longitude: -69.58

Nearby Airports: AUA

Aruba is a Caribbean island 15 miles north of the coast of Venezuela. The island is an autonomous dependency of the Netherlands. It is 19.6 miles long and six miles across (at its widest point), with an area of approximately 70 square miles. It is renowned for its white sand beaches and tropical climate moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean, which keep the temperature almost constant at about 81 degrees Fahrenheit. This has contributed greatly to Aruba’s tourist appeal, as visitors can expect sunny, warm weather almost any time of year.

Aruba is divided into the southeast and northwest coasts. The southeast has white sand beaches, turquoise seas and warm waters. The northwest coast, exposed to the Atlantic, largely has rough seas with treacherous currents and rocky coastline. On the southern tip of the island, the so called Baby Beach is no more than five feet deep at any point - like a giant wading pool. This beach also has some of the best snorkeling on the island. Other popular snorkeling sites are Boca Catalina and the Antilla Shipwreck.