Aruba’s economy has been dominated by five industries: tourism, gold mining, phosphate mining, aloe export, and petroleum refining. Today, the influence of oil processing, agriculture, and light manufacturing is minimal. Oranjestad is the capital.
Aruba is a generally flat, riverless island. It has white sandy beaches on its western and southern coasts, relatively sheltered from fierce ocean currents. The northern and eastern coasts, lacking this protection, are more battered by the sea and have been left largely untouched by tourism.
Here are 5 things you should know if you want to sell Aruba:
1. The temperature is almost constant at about 81 F. Moderating trade winds make the very strong sun feel less hot. Visitors should be very careful to avoid the midday sun. Aruba lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt.
2. Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) is just eight minutes east of Oranjestad. It can handle the largest planes. Aruba’s accessibility and its state-of-the-art tourist facilities are major reasons that it competes so favorably with resort islands closer to the United States. The airport offers US Border pre-clearance facilities.
3. Almost all the hotels are along Eagle Beach and Palm Beach, on the west side of the island, not far from Oranjestad. Location choice is not critical, unless it is to get a mid-beach position to be convenient to the largest number of restaurants and entertainment spots at other hotels.
4. Oranjestad architecture is part Spanish, part Dutch. Shopping complexes, airy open galleries, and markets offer local crafts, Aruban art, and imported goods. Visitors will admire the tall, multicolored houses and carved wooden doors of the main street. They will also want to take a photo of the colorful boats at picturesque Schooner Harbour.
5. Aruba’s cruise dock is a 5- to 10-minute walk from downtown Oranjestad. From there, visitors must decide whether to head east to explore the island’s desert-like interior, rugged northern coast, and rocks and caves; or to head west to the beach-resort-casino strip for water sports and relaxation. If clients want to explore, they can rent a car or hire a taxi by the hour. If they prefer to go west to the beaches and resorts, a taxi ride will get them there in minutes.
BONUS:
Lizard varieties include large iguanas, once hunted for use in local soups and stews. That practice is now illegal. They change color to adapt to their surroundings—from bright green to a brownish shade.
