Aruba - the Caribbean's Las Vegas

Aruba is more like Las Vegas than any of its neighboring islands in the Caribbean. It has the desert climate, big casinos, glitzy shows, glamorous hotels, good restaurants, lively atmosphere and even a Vegas-like strip glowing in the night.

The difference is, it is always sunny and 80 degrees in Aruba.

And like Vegas, Aruba can fit any budget. Whether you are looking for a luxurious high rise on a glorious stretch of beach, or a charming low-rise with warm staff and casual restaurants, Aruba has it all.

Aruba is a tiny island only 20 miles long and 6 miles across at its widest point. Most of the major hotels, restaurants, casinos and shops are gathered on a single strip of shoreline known as Eagle Beach (pictured on the right) and Palm Beach, which is a couple of miles west of Oranjestad, the capital.

Palm Beach is home to the high-rises and tends to be more crowded, while Eagle Beach has more low-rises and less commotion.

Aruba is far south of the tropical-storm belt so you never have to worry about the weather changing drastically and getting in the way of windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking, golfing or horseback riding.

Aruba's interior is a desert island full of cacti, iguanas, and boulder formations. The north coast, unlike the wide, sandy stretch of beach on the south, features craggy limestone cliffs, sand dunes, and crashing breakers.