Saturday, December 27, 2003
Getting there: Air Holland nd KLM fly from Amsterdam to Aruba. American Airlines flies from New York, Boston, Miami, San Juan and Newark, N.J. US Airways, Air Canada and Delta Air Lines have connecting flights. Round-trip fares from New York are about $600. For information on cruises, visit www.arubabycruise.com
Getting around: You can rent cars, take off-road Jeep tours or bus tours, or travel by taxi. But cabs don't have meters, so ask for rates upfront. Fares from the airport to hotels run about $20. Rancho Notorious offers horseback and mountain bike tours, www.ranchonotorious.com (in Aruba, 297-586-0508).
Diving: For dives, Atlantis Adventures, www.atlantisadventures.com/index.php (604-875-1367), Aruba Pro Dive, www.arubaprodive.com or Red Sail Sports,www.redsail.com (877-RED-SAIL). Most hotels offer dive packages. Professional dive shops have weekly specials, courses and beginner's certification.
Places of interest: Arikok National Park, Antilla shipwreck, the caves of Guadiriki, Fontein and Tunnel of Love, Natural Bridge, Ayo and Casibari rock formations, Spanish Lagoon, Hooiberg hill, Alto Vista Chapel, gold smelter ruins, Arashi coral reefs, California Lighthouse, Bubali bird sanctuary, Lourdes Grotto in San Nicolas. For sightseeing in the caves, bring or rent a flashlight. Windsurfing hot spots: Malmok, Boca Grandi and Hadicurari (Fisherman's Huts).
For more information: Call the Aruba Tourism Authority at (800) TO-ARUBA or visit www.aruba.com.