Aruba

The Caribbean has long been a popular destination for Events, Meetings, honeymooners, sun-seekers, and ocean-lovers. There are so many different islands with different influences to choose from – no two Caribbean islands are exactly alike!

But a major downside of many Caribbean destinations is that the majority of islands lie in a vulnerable part of the Atlantic Ocean: the Hurricane Belt.

When my husband, Elliot, and I started talking about taking a tropical trip together, my thoughts immediately went to the Caribbean. But then they immediately backtracked since we were going to be traveling in October, which is prime hurricane season.

The ABC Islands are Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Bonaire is known as a diver’s paradise, while Aruba and Curaçao have more to offer different types of tourists.

We chose Aruba AKA “One Happy Island” for our trip, and it might just be the best year-round Caribbean destination!

But there’s good news! There’s a small group of islands called the ABC Islands – officially the Leeward Antilles, the western-most islands of the Lesser Antilles – that lie in the far southern Caribbean outside of the Hurricane Belt. The islands are located just a few miles north of the coast of Venezuela, though are still connected to the Netherlands politically.

Why is Aruba perfect for a vacation any time of year?

Aruba is hot (averaging around 84 degrees F) and fairly dry year-round.

The island’s main industry is tourism, and it’s well-equipped to deal with visitors.

Aruba is clean and very safe for travelers.

There’s a lot to do, from off-roading in the national park to beach hopping.

And it’s not far from the US; just 4.5 hours from New York or 3 hours from Miami.

If you’re considering visiting Aruba yourself, here’s a 5-day itinerary to help inspire your trip. Four or five days is the perfect amount of time for a quick Aruba getaway