Oranjestad Character and Context: Authentic Aruba Beyond the Resort, Hooiberg Viewpoint, Hurricane Safety, Divi-Divi Symbol, Noord Restaurant Strip, and Family Destination Excellence
The complete Oranjestad context covers the authentic Aruba of the Cunucu interior and the Savaneta village, the Hooiberg 560-step summit panorama, the critical hurricane-free location advantage, the iconic divi-divi trees bent by the trade wind, the Noord district seafood restaurant circuit, and the family destination formula that earns Aruba its consistent top Caribbean ranking.
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Aruba Beyond the Resort: The Authentic Island
The authentic Aruba beyond the Palm Beach resort corridor is found in the interior Cunucu communities of Santa Cruz, the Savaneta fishing village, the local restaurant strip of the Noord district adjacent to Palm Beach, and the Sunday morning Farmer's Market in Oranjestad. The resort visitor who ventures beyond the hotel pool will find a small island society of remarkable warmth and self-confidence that explains the consistently high visitor satisfaction ratings that distinguish Aruba from the Dominican Republic and Jamaica resort competitors.
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Hooiberg: The Island Viewpoint
Hooiberg, the 165-meter conical volcanic hill in the Aruba interior known informally as the Haystack, provides the finest panoramic view of the entire island from the summit reached by a 562-step staircase that takes most visitors approximately 20 minutes at the trade wind-cooled pace. The 360-degree view from the Hooiberg summit encompasses the Venezuelan coastline 25 kilometers to the south on clear days, the Palm Beach resort strip, and the arid Cunucu landscape of the island interior.
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Aruba Climate: The Outside the Hurricane Belt Advantage
Aruba lies south of the Caribbean hurricane belt, outside the zone of hurricane impact that affects the northern Leeward Islands, the Greater Antilles, and the Windward Islands from June to November. The combination of the hurricane safety, the constant trade wind, and the annual rainfall of only 430 millimeters that eliminates the rainy season risk of other tropical destinations makes Aruba the most climatically reliable beach destination in the Caribbean for the year-round visitor.
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Divi-Divi Trees: The Aruba Symbol
The divi-divi tree, the Caesalpinia coriaria legume tree that grows throughout the arid Aruba interior and is permanently bent to the southwest by the constant northeast trade wind, is the symbol of Aruba and the most recognizable natural feature of the island, appearing on the Aruba tourism logo and on every craft and souvenir item. The most photogenic divi-divi specimen trees grow along the north coast of Arikok National Park and at the California Lighthouse approach road.
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Nightlife Beyond the Casino: The Noord Restaurant Strip
The Noord district restaurant strip adjacent to the Palm Beach hotel zone, where the local Aruba restaurants including Gasparito, the Screaming Eagle, and the Flying Fishbone serve the Aruba seafood and Creole cuisine in settings from the Cunucu house interior to the over-water deck on the sea, represents the most distinctive dining experience in Aruba for the visitor who wants an alternative to the hotel restaurant and the casino buffet.
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Aruba for Families: The Complete Package
Aruba consistently ranks as the top family beach destination in the Caribbean due to the combination of the calm leeward water of the Palm Beach and Eagle Beach that is safe for young children, the resort amenities including the waterparks, the organized activities, the safe streets, and the English-speaking service that eliminates the language barrier for the North American family. The Aruba family resort infrastructure includes the full range of children's clubs and babysitting services.