Incredibly easy to travel and tour, Aruba makes for a wonderful and exciting getaway. The perfect blend between great hospitality and incredible landscapes, this smallest of the ABC islands is a fantastic tourist destination. With a unique Caribbean charm all its own, once you visit Aruba you can’t help but come back here again.

Oblong in shape, Aruba has a jagged northern, eastern and southern coast, with the area around the capital Oranjestad, home to some amazing beaches, excellent restaurants and fabulous resorts and hotels. Roughly 193 sq. km, getting around Aruba is effortless, as the roads here are in pretty good condition, and are well-marked out. Driving the length of the island takes only 35 minutes, with the coast never more than 3 miles away. Shopping and most of the activities in Aruba are limited to the region around the capital. North of the island is pretty much barren, while the eastern shores are more rugged. South of the island are a number of industries, with only a few good beaches.

The best way to get around and see Aruba is to rent a car. There are a number of reliable car rental agencies on the island and most of them will rent you a car as long as you have a valid US driver’s license. You can find these rental company offices either at the airport or in most major hotels and resorts. Another added benefit of renting a car is that they usually have a free delivery or pick-up service. No taxes are charged on car rentals. While the rental rates vary on a seasonal basis, and from dealer to dealer, gas can be quite costly out here when compared to the US.

Renting a car is best if you would like to explore Aruba with your family. However, if you are here alone or for just a day or two, hire a cab or take the bus. Bikes and mopeds are also on hand for the adventurous traveler to hire, and are a great option if you want to take in the beautiful surroundings.

Aruba has a good public transport system, which is both reliable and regular. Buses run from six in the morning to six in the evening on a half-hourly basis, and after six till midnight every hour. On Sundays and other public holidays the bus service is not regular. A round trip fare from your beach hotel to Oranjestad is around $2. You can get a bus schedule from the Arubus office in Oranjestad.

If you like, traveling by taxi is also easy and convenient. While taxis are not metered in Aruba, rates are fixed with every cab having a copy of the official fares. And while hailing a cab is not always straightforward, you can find plenty of cabs near most hotels and resorts. The divers here speak good English so don’t worry about the language barrier. If you are going to a more remote part of the island, get the taxi to come back for you as it is not easy to find public transport around here. Taxis can be distinguished by a TX on their license plate.

If you intend on driving in Aruba, remember to drive on the right hand side of the road, with no right turns at a red light. Most traffic in Oranjestad is one way, but outside town be careful of iguanas and goats, which are quite a traffic hazard.