Seafood is the main staple of the Aruban diet. Fresh fish is still brought in by the local fishermen and is best prepared in the unassuming restaurants tucked in backstreets of residential areas. The catch of the day, mainly barracuda, grouper and snapper, is grilled, broiled, baked or fried and served with a Creole sauce. Such traditional dishes include keri-keri (seasoned with achota seed, curry and a local type of basil) or balchi di pisca (fish cakes). Meals are accompanied by rice, pan bati (corn bread pancake) or funchi (polenta). 

Other favourite dishes include stews of goat, beef or comcomber (vegetable). Aruban BBQ is popular with ribs, chicken or steak, topped generously with their own spicy BBQ sauce. Local ingredients were combined with imported products, such as Dutch cheeses, to create dishes like Keshi Yena(stuffed cheese). 

Many hip restaurants have mixed international culinary influences with the island's Aruban kitchen to create fusion food trends. 

The island is famous for its pure drinking water, nicknamed Balashi cocktail. The Balashi National Brewery makes the Balashi Malta (a sweet, non-alcoholic drink) and Balashi Beer. Palmera Rum, Aruban Coecoei liquor (derived from the agave plant, rum and cane sugar) and Ponche Crème (a potent eggnog mixture) are some of the ingredients used to mix cocktails such as the Aruba Ariba or the Aruba Sunset.

Food has always played a central role in celebrations and family reunions. This would explain the wonderful culinary reputation enjoyed by the island. Simple hidden family bistros will enchant your epicurean repast. 

Aruba's folklore is strongly present also in the music and dance. The island's first popular songs were of European influence, like the waltz, which is still evident in the rhythm for Aruba's national anthem. Latin music is common as well, such as the Gaita and Aguinaldo groups heard during Christmas. Calypso sounds rule the Carnival, and New Year's Eve is accompanied by the traveling Dande musicians. Traditional Aruban music is known as Tumba is heard only in the ABC islands. 

Art was often defined in the paintings of hobbyist who often occupied spots in Aruba's upper echelon of society. Realistic renderings of island landscapes were dominant. The Dutch amateur artists influenced local Aruban artists but today the younger generation of artists, often having studied abroad, express themselves in a more contemporary voice. 

The architecture found on the island was a tell tale sign of one's social standing. Farmers often built the countryside house known as Cunucu. This rectangular stucco house displays a peaked roof with orange tile and is positioned to best utilize the cooling flow of wind. Society's upper crust (merchants, clergy, government officials and the like) favoured the manor house. These manors are best identified by their porticos, colonnades and European ornamentation. These mansions can be admired in downtown Oranjestad.

Located in the southern part of the Caribbean, Aruba is part of the coined term ABC islands, along with Bonaire and Curacao. These three islands form the Lesser Antilles islands and are just north of Venezuela. It is a small island measuring 30 km long and about 8 km wide. 

The terrain and vegetation are unusual. The south western coast offers kilometres of pristine beaches. The northeast coast is much more rugged and wild. But most surprising is the desert inland with cacti and dramatic rock formations. The watapana, or divi-divi tree, with its trunk bent by constant trade winds, is also a symbol of the island.

In 1636 the Dutch laid claim to the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao). Fortunes were made with horse and cattle breeding as permanent Europeans settlers arrived in the late l700s. Oranjestad was founded and named after the reigning Royal House of Orange. Over the years, waves of immigrants from various countries, such as Venezuelans, arrived and enriched today's Aruban culture. During the l9th century, gold was discovered in Aruba and aloe plantations flourished. The 20th century saw the beginning of the oil industry. The Lago refinery was established and became the main employer until l985. Today the Texan Valero Oil Company has taken over 60% of the refinery. 

The last decades saw the birth of tourism industry. On January l, l986, the nation left the Netherlands Antilles to become a Status Aparte within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Aruba is home to many colourful birds, such as the endemic shoco, a burrowing owl, many of which can be observed in theArikok National Park. Harmless lizards abound on the island and donkeys have their own sanctuaries. The marine life is mesmerizing with several species of coral, tropical fish and sea turtles.

Horseback ridding, biking or hiking in Aruba's Arikok National Park is always a delight. You will find two wonderful golf courses on the island: the Tierra del Sol and the Aruba Golf Club. Paintball has gained much popularity. 

Soccer and baseball are the most popular sports in the country.

Other currencies can be exchanged in the banks and change offices. Bank ATMs are available throughout the more populated areas of the islands. All major credit cards and traveller's checks are accepted.

Aruba is blessed with year-round warm tropical weather that is gently cooled by breezy trade winds. The average annual temperature is 28° C with very few tropical storms. Although there is a defined rainy season, from May to November, the annual rainfall is a mere 41 cm. 

For monthly average temperatures please refer to your destination of choice.

Telephone services have been modernized as have cellular roaming service and GSM capabilities. The country code for Aruba is 297. 

Internet dial-up access can be found in hotels or Internet cafes. Cable TV is available in most hotels. Aruba publishes several newspapers in Papiamento, English and Dutch.

There are no required vaccines to enter the country, unless you are arriving from a yellow fever affected destination. The following vaccines are recommended for any tropical destination: hepatitis A and B, rabies, typhoid, tetanus and yellow fever. Mosquitoes and flies can be bothersome during the odd rain shower.

January 01 – New Year's Day
January 25 – Croes Day
March 18 – Aruba Flag Day
March/April – Easter 
April 30 – Dutch Queen's Birthday
May 01 – International Labor Day
May – Ascension Day
December 25 – Christmas

Use good judgement, take advantage of the safety deposit boxes provided by the hotels, do not leave valuables unattended in public and carry your wallet and camera discreetly. Also make sure to lock your hotel room and rental car.

Tasty souvenirs include the island's hot sauce, Hot Delight, or the Madame Jeanette scotch-bonnet pepper. For those with a sweet tooth, thecocada is a coconut and tamarind candy. The Tropical Bottling Company sells the famous tap water. Libation purchases are Balashi Malta, Balashi Beer, Palmera Rum, Aruban Coecoei liquor and Ponche Crème. 

Dutch porcelains, figurines, hand-embroidered linens and cheese make wonderful gifts. 

One of the most successfully locally-grown crops remains the aloe plant. Lotions, suntan creams, hair care products and fragrances are made locally and make great buys to bring home. 

Stamp collectors will rejoice with the many stamps series created by the island's most respected artists to commemorate local events, holidays and flora and fauna. The post office always keeps recent and past series on hand. 

The many unusual materials found in nature have influenced the types of handicrafts created here. The djucu nut is polished and accented with gold filigree to create unique jewellery pieces. It is interesting to note that the djucu plant does not grown on Aruba, but the nuts washes up on shore from nearby Venezuela. Pottery craft, decorated with scenes of divi-divi trees and cunucu houses, is very popular, as are tables, benches and plaquescreated from Aruba's Kwihi tree.

Hotels add 19% in tax and service fees. Several categories of goods are duty-free but the taxable goods already include the 6.5% tax in the price. 

Restaurants usually include a 10% to 15% service charge on the bill, make sure to inquire first. Taxi drivers may be tipped 10% to 15%, porters should receive $2 per bag and maids $2 a day. 

The departure tax of around US $37, per person, is usually included on your plane ticket, but if not added it will be payable at the airport Please verify.

Taxis are plentiful and have fixed government rates so make sure to ask the price before the ride. Drivers are often eager to give you a commented tour of the island for about $35/hour. Car rental are available at the airport and mopeds and bicycles can be rented in town. Arubus is the name of the public bus system and it is an inexpensive and reliable way to travel between the districts and hotel areas.