Aruba

The capital city, located on the southern coast near the western end of the island, is extremely picturesque with its Dutch colonial architecture in pastel colors. Over the past six years a lot of effort has been spent refurbishing the town and making it attractive for tourists. Along the wharf merchants come to sell fresh fish and produce right off the boats every morning. The downtown area and the Seaport Village are the primary shopping areas on the island.
Bushiribana
On the northern coast midway down the island lie the abandoned gold mines that were the center of Aruba's gold rush during the nineteenth century. Nearby sit the ruins of an old pirate castle that some say goes all the way back to 1499, the year that Alonso de Ojeda landed here.
Natural BridgeOne of the main attractions on the east coast was this coral formation 25 feet high and 100 feet long, which had been carved out by the pounding surf over the course of the centuries. Unfortunately in September 2005 the sea reclaimed its own.
Savaneta
On the southeastern side of the island is the oldest town in Aruba, Savaneta, the original capital. This is where the Dutch first settled after re-establishing control of the island in 1816. Today, it is an active fishing village, but there are still the remnants of an earlier time. The oldest house in Aruba, a cas de torto or mud-hut dating back some 150 years, is still standing here.
California Dunes "Hudishibana" & Lighthouse
Named for the offshore wreck of a famous ship, the isolated northwestern tip of the island features some of the most spectacular scenery, with large rolling sand dunes and an old stone lighthouse that is, however, closed to the public. Nearby there is a restaurant offering refreshments and dining at night. Diving here is recommended only for the most experienced divers.
San Nicholas
The second largest city in Aruba, San Nicholas is a modern development that rose with the island's oil boom. The area has a typical British Caribbean heritage. It is the birthplace of Aruba's Carnival, the third largest after Brazil and Trinidad.