Aruba is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean and one of the most prestigious resorts in the world. It is not surprising that its name is connected with the Spanish 'Oro Ruba', which means 'red gold'. The lifestyle, customs and language, noisy nightlife, beautiful city architecture and numerous windmills all bear the imprint of Dutch culture. Excellent facilities for golf, tennis and action sports allow to combine relaxation with sports. In the evening, luxurious casinos, discos and nightclubs with original entertainment programs open their doors.

Oranjestad is the bright and fresh capital city of Aruba. The city is located on the southern coast of the island, southeast of the main resort areas of the country. The picturesque city has a distinctly marked Dutch influence, which is manifested in the buildings of colonial architecture with its characteristic gabled roofs, many tiny cafes and bars. Most visitors come to the capital for shopping, since many duty free shops allow to make it absolutely easily. But much more noteworthy are the local historical attractions. There are many churches in the city, but of particular interest to tourists is the Catholic Church of St. Anne with a unique oak altar. Humble domes of the local churches are particularly impressive at the background of the colorful Hamanota mountains that are more like hills in their height. The picturesque Chapel of Alto Vista is the first Christian religious building in the territory of Aruba.

The unique landscape monument of the country is the Natural Bridge, formed due to the centuries-old influence of the tide on the rocky northern coast of the island. Nowadays, this is a stone arch above the coastal cliffs near the beautiful Andikuri beach, forming one of the most popular holiday destinations.

Aruba is a tiny island, nevertheless almost 20% of the territory is located under the protected area. The present-day decoration of the island is the National Park Arikok. In the park, you can find a huge range of natural and historical attractions, ranging from petroglyphs in Fontaine cave to the Dutch colonial settlement in Masiduri, the building of the old plantation in Prince Valley, or the ruins of the gold mines in Miralamar.

The old area around California Lighthouse in an isolated north-western district of the island is named after the 'California' ship, which sank off the coast. The area offers the most spectacular scenery, formed by sand dunes, beaches, and shrubbery. The old stone California Lighthouse near the Tierra del Sol is one of the most beautiful buildings on the island.

The second largest city in Aruba, San Nicolas, is a fairly modern town, which differs from the other settlements of the island and has a clearly visible British influence. For many years, one of the main reasons for visiting the town has been Charlie Bar. The bar is a small museum, which attracts thousands of tourists from around the world to the city. Other noteworthy places include the Church of Christ, Evangelical Church, the Church of St. Teresita, and many picturesque old houses. North-east of San Nicolas, there is one more popular place, Lourdes Catholic chapel, carved in a stone grotto. The chapel was founded in honor of the appearance of the Virgin to a local woman.

Holidays are another important aspect of the local life. Like other Latin American and Caribbean countries, Aruba is famous for its Carnival, large parades and festivities. Tourism from the United States has also brought such celebrations as Thanksgiving Day and Halloween to the island.

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