| | History (Source: WCities) | Top | Early History The earliest inhabitants of Aruba were the Caquetio Indians. Around 1000 AD, who fled their home on Venezuela’s Paraguana Peninsula to the island in order to avoid the violent attacks of their neighboring enemies, the Carib Indians. Their indigenous ancestry is still present today in that the names of many towns and geographical landmarks are named after various Indian chiefs. Many remnants of Aruba’s earliest people can be found in the caves at the Arikok National Park or at the Historical Museum of Aruba located in Oranjestad. There are many legends about the origin of Aruba’s name. It was once thought that their name was Spanish for "there was gold" ("oro huba"), but in reality the Spanish were unsuccessful in their mission to hit the gold jackpot. Another possibility for Aruba’s name source is that it was a Carib Indian word for "shell" and "island." Whatever the name "Aruba" might have meant back in the day, today it certainly means sun, fun, and seaside friendly climes. Tumultuous Beginning During the age of exploration, Aruba underwent many changes as several European countries claimed ownership over it. In 1499, the Spanish explorer, Alonso de Ojeda, took claim over the island in hopes that they would strike gold. At this time, the Spanish were unable to locate the gold mines and they abandoned the island in order to seek more profitable endeavors. At this point, Aruba was informally taken over by pirates. The remains
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| How To Get There (Source: WCities) | Top | Getting There: By Air: International flights are available to and from the Queen Beatrix International Airport ( ttp://www.airportaruba.com ) in Oranjestad. Airlines serving Aruba include: Aeropostal ( http://www.aeropostal.com ) Air Canada ( http://www.aircanada.ca ) American Airlines ( http://www.aa.com ) Avianca ( http://www.avianca.com ) Continental ( http://www.continental.com ) Delta Airlines ( http://www.delta.com ) Dutch Antilles Express ( http://www.flydae.com ) KLM ( http://www.klm.com ) Surinam Airways ( http://ww.slm.firm.sr ) United Airlines ( http://www.united.com ) US Airways ( http://www.usairways.com ) The airport has taxis waiting at the terminal along with car rental agencies ( +297 822-116 ) By Sea: Aruba is a popular destination for cruise ships. The Port of Oranjestad is Aruba's single Cruise Port. Contact the Aruba Ports Authority ( +297 582 6633 / http://www.arubaports.com ) Getting Around: Aruba's bus service, Arubus ( http://www.arubus.com ), provides regular and reliable transportation throughout the island. The taxis are not metered in Aruba, so be sure to agree on the fare before getting in the car. Call +297 875 900 for a pick-up. For a panoramic view of Aruba, travel by helicopter. The Seaport Helipad in Oranjestad houses the Aruba Heli Tours ( +297 731 9999 ). Complimentary water taxi services are pr
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| What To Do (Source: WCities) | Top | Many travelers come to Aruba with nothing but visions of sandy beaches and warm tropical water dancing in their heads. Little do they know that the island also offers a wealth of top-flight entertainment options as well. From museums and theater to shopping and sports, no entertainment-related dream goes unfulfilled in Aruba. Museums A trio of engaging facilities offers every visitor a well-rounded look into Aruba's past – and its relationship to the rest of the world. At the Aruba Historical Museum , catch a glimpse of the history of the island, a tale very familiar to any number of once-colonized locales around the world. The Archaeological Museum of Aruba delves even further into the island's past, looking at ancient remains for clues to eternal questions. Looking at the world from a decidedly more specific tack, the Aruba Numismatic Museum frames the history of civilization in terms of the history of coins. Shopping Shopping 'til you drop is an easy thing to do in Aruba. Island-themed souvenir outlets like Ecco and the slightly goofier Juggling Fish will keep you in t-shirts and knick knacks 'til the cows come home. Duty-free shops such as the aptly named Little Switzerland contain truckloads of discounted designer goods, from jewelry to fashion and more. But don't take that as an indication that fashion is taken lightly here in Aruba. On the contrary, high-style boutiques like Agatha and Colombia Moda come a dime a dozen. For some
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