Aruba: Aktivitäten und Erlebnisse

Oranjestad, the capital, lines its harbour with Dutch-style buildings in pastel colours, and Fort Zoutman and its tower are among the oldest buildings in town. North-west of the capital, Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are the island's best-known stretches of sand, the first backed by resort towers, the second wider and quieter, with divi-divi trees bent by the wind.

Arikok National Park covers a large part of the rocky east, with caves, cactus scrub and a wild shore that pounds against cliffs and natural pools. Inland near Paradera, the boulder formations of Casibari and Ayo rise from the flat scrubland, and the cone of Hooiberg gives a view across the island. At the northern tip, the California Lighthouse stands above dunes and the sea.

Keshi yena, a hollowed round of Dutch cheese filled with spiced meat, is the dish most linked to Aruba, and fresh fish comes grilled with plantain. People speak Papiamento, Dutch, English and Spanish, often in one conversation. The island lies south of the main hurricane track and gets little rain, so skies are bright for most of the year.