Vacationing in Aruba The tropical island of Aruba, located 15 miles from the coast of Venezuela, derives its name from the island's ancient miners; "Aruba" means "red gold."

The island comprises 70 square miles and has a population of approximately 72,000 people; the official languages are Dutch and Papiamento (a local language), but English is widely spoken, as well.

Aruba's location outside of the Caribbean's hurricane belt ensures a multitude of sunny days. The average daily temperature is 82 degrees; rain is rare, but trade winds frequently bring cooling breezes to the island. The crystal clear water and beautiful beaches of Aruba are the major attraction for visitors, and the shopping opportunities and nightlife are the icing on the cake.
The island's biggest event, Carnival, is held annually in February.

The areas around Eagle Beach and Palm Beach are a popular place to stay, with numerous hotels and restaurants; most of the luxury resorts are located along J. E. Irausquin and L. G. Smith boulevards on Aruba's southwest coast. Travelers have three general choices in type of accommodations:

• Large resorts, which are destinations in themselves, offer many choices in restaurants as well as shopping, casinos, nightlife, pools and water sports, and health clubs.

• Boutique hotels, which are located basically all over the island, offer personal service and a more local feeling, but with fewer amenities than the larger resorts.

• Condominiums and time-share resorts offer more spacious accommodations and kitchen facilities for travelers who like to prepare some of their own meals.