• Islands -

Aruba & Curacao

• Visas -

Not needed for North and South Americans. Check at your local embassy. Some countries need a Yellow Fever vaccination.

Check here for information

• Budget -

Very expensive in Aruba. Save up to 50% coming in the low season. See GO. The west side of Curacao is cheaper.

•  Population -

ARUBA - 107,000

CURACAO - 164,000

• AKA -

ARUBA - One Happy Island

• About -

Fly into either

island and possibly out of the other. Both have many connections to major cities. Spend a week on each island and take the ferry from one to the other. Or it's only a half hour flight. 

Be as lazy or active as you feel like being. There's plenty to see and do on both islands or just sit back and soak in their natural beauty. They are quite different to each other so you will be getting a good dose of variety.

• Go - No Hurricanes 😃 - Good weather all year

ARUBA -

April to August for better prices. Great weather January to March reflected by the prices.

CURACAO -

May to November prices up to 50% cheaper and crowds numbers down. Good weather most of the year. Prices and crowds soar from December to April.

• Airports -

ARUBA - 

Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) - 

Has 28 direct flights to 10 countries. The main ones you'll be able to connect up with are Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami, New York, Toronto and Schipol in Amsterdam.

CURACAO - 

Hato International Airport (CUR) - 

Has direct flights to 22 destinations in 13 countries. The main ones you'll be able to connect with are Miami, New York, Brussels and Schipol in Amsterdam.

• Ferry -

Fast ferry service 

between the ABC islands Aruba / Bonaire & Curacao

• Stay -

ARUBA - 

Downtown for beach and history and shopping / Palm Beach for nightlife and restaurants / Eagle Beach for something a bit quieter

There are plenty of expensive hotels near the beach. You could save thousands by staying a little futher inland an a nice apartment with a pool and hire a scooter, use public transport or walk. This one is only 5 minutes walk from Palm Beach.

Sandcastle Beach Apartments - 

Outdoor swimming pool, garden and BBQ, terrace, free parking

CURACAO -

In Piscadera for beach and nightlife / Willemstad for everything that comes with a UNESCO listed city plus still being near the beach / Sint Michiel for beach and budget / Sabana Westpunt for the great outdoors and mother nature.

Accommodation prices are better on this island. Have a look at these all in good locations in Willemstadt.

San Marco Hotel Curacao & Casino *** -

Great price, location and bar

Curacao Suites Hotel -

Free Parklng and breakfast, sunterrace

Harbour Hotel & Casino Curacao **** - 

Outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar, fitness and wellness centre, free parking

• Features - More than 90 Nationalities represented

ARUBA - 

Palm Beach - 

one of the prettiest beaches on the planet

CURACAO - UNESCO listed capital Willemstad

Iconic Curacao Liqueur Distillery - 

Cocktail workshop - 2 amazing locations and experiences 

Take a ride on the Queen Emma Bridge 

connecting the two sides of historic Willemstad 

• History -

Dutch Colonial history and West Indian heritage. The Spanish explored this region in 1499, introduced Catholicism and enslaved the natives. 

They were replaced by the Dutch in Curacao who took control in 1634. 

The English ruled in Aruba which experienced a small gold rush in the 19th century. 

Aruba gained independence in1986 and Curacao in 2010.

• See -

ARUBA - 

Flamingo Beach

Ruins of the Gold fields

Donkey Sanctuary 

Butterfly Farm 

Bird Sactuary

CURACAO - 

Pink Flamingos 

The Slave Museum

· Do - 

Snorkel / SCUBA / Water Sports / Beach Days & Bars

ARUBA - 

Swim in the natural pool

Salsa dance workshops 

Kite Surfing

Hiking in Arikok National Park 

4x4, ATV, Quad Bike & Dune Buggy off road adventures 

Play Golf  

Hire some transport and ride / drive around the island

CURACAO - 

Discover Willemstad on foot

Discover Christoffel National Park on foot, mountain bike or car 

Aquafari (New underwater fun) 

Play Golf - the Caribbean's best

Hire some transport and ride / drive around the island

• Eat - 

Cuisines centred around seafood & Latin, Dutch & Caribbean influences

ARUBA - 

Keshi Yena (Stuffed cheese balls) / Fried Plantain / Goat Stew / Cool Island Soup (lime juice, apricot nectar, rockmelon, papaya and pineapple with sparkling water or wne) / Fried polenta with cheese /  Bolo Borracho (Tipsy Rum Cake) / Creme Caramel and the ubiquitous Papaya Hot Sauce

CURACAO - 

Similar snacks and favourites to Aruba. Try local delicacies at the Old Market / Lunch at Captain Goodlife (Local character) 

• Drink -

ARUBA - 

Palm beach has the most night life / Sinatra impersonators /  Casinos / Party Buses

CURACAO - 

Nightlife in different areas with different themes (Latin, Dutch, Caribbean etc)

• Sundowners -

ARUBA - 

Pincho's Grill and Bar / Eagle Beach / Palm Beach / California Lighthouse / Flying Fishbone Restaurant

CURACAO - 

Pirate Bay Beach Bar & Restaurant

• Specialties -

ARUBA - 

Stuffed cheese balls / Pastechi  (Deep fried stuffed pastry pockets)

CURACAO - 

Awa di Lamoenchi  (Homemade Lemonade) / Banana Pancakes 

• Souvenirs - 

ARUBA - 

Papaya Chilli Sauce

Aruba License Plates

CURACAO - 

Chi Chi Doll

• Tips -

ARUBA - 

Attracts North American tourists

CURACAO - 

Attracts European tourists / Public transport isn't great so if you want to explore the island it's best to rent your own.

• Famous -

ARUBA - 

Stunning beaches / Wreck diving

CURACAO - 

Laid back with Candy coloured houses / Blue Curacao Liqueur / The Blue Room (Dive Spot)

• Festivals -

ARUBA - 

Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival 

Island Fest 

Island Takeover Festival 

CURACAO - 

Carnival 

Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival