Top Off The Beaten Path Destinations To Visit In The Caribbean This Winter

Last Updated 12 minutes in the past

Looking to go off the overwhelmed path within the Caribbean this winter?

These two lesser-known island locations close to Aruba are fantastically underrated and ideal for a Caribbean getaway.

Aruba is thought for being one of the standard locations within the Caribbean.

After strict lockdown measures and restrictions, Aruba led the way this summer in Caribbean tourism restoration. Aruba will as soon as once more obtain the two million plus guests per 12 months it noticed previous to 2020.

But do you know there are two different islands close to Aruba with fewer crowds, decrease costs, and extra unspoiled nature and seashores?

What Are The ABC Islands?

The ABC Islands are a series of islands within the Southern Caribbean made up of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.

Most individuals have heard of Aruba, however many vacationers aren’t conscious of the opposite two neighboring islands.

Aruba and Curacao are constituent international locations of the Netherlands, whereas Bonaire is a particular municipality of the Netherlands.

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The tradition on all three islands is a singular combination of Dutch, Spanish, African, and Indigenous cultures. On all three islands, you’ll hear English, Dutch, Spanish, and the native language Papiamento being spoken.

While Aruba is by far the preferred of the ABC Islands, all three have one thing distinctive to supply.

Aruba is the smallest island, however has a inhabitants of over 107,000 and receives greater than 2 million vacationers per 12 months. This has led to the island turning into extraordinarily over-developed.

View of Oranjestad, capital city of Aruba

Bonaire and Curacao provide decrease crowds, and arguably have higher seashores and different outside actions. If you’re seeking to get off the overwhelmed path within the Caribbean, think about one in every of these islands.

Why Visit Bonaire

Bonaire is an island with a inhabitants of simply 20,000 individuals. Much of the island is protected land, which suggests there’s little or no growth.

Known as a scuba diver’s paradise, Bonaire provides unspoiled dive websites which can be among the many greatest on Earth. Beneath the floor of the turquoise water, you’ll discover colourful coral reefs, tropical fish, and sea turtles.

Bonaire can also be recognized for its salt flats. As a producer of a number of the purest salt on this planet, guests shall be amazed by Bonaire’s uniquely-colored salt flats, that are as pink because the flamingoes that roam across the island!

Currently, Bonaire is rising in recognition, however the island nonetheless solely receives round 180,000 vacationers per 12 months.

Bonaire’s important city Kralendijk has additionally developed quite a bit in recent times, and also you’ll discover boutiques, artwork galleries, and eating places alongside its colourful streets.

There are lodging choices for each kind of vacationer on the island, starting from primary guesthouses to luxurious resorts.

Atlanta, New York, Houston, and Miami all have nonstop flights to Bonaire.

Why Visit Curacao

Curacao is the most important of the ABC Islands each size-wise and population-wise. This island has greater than 152,000 residents, and but it receives simply over 1 million guests per 12 months, about half of what number of vacationers Aruba receives on an annual foundation.

curacao dutch style architecture with blue sky in background

However, Curacao is a superb different to Aruba.

Its white sandy seashores are persistently ranked among the many greatest within the Caribbean, and that is one other island that’s recognized for its nice scuba diving.

Curacao’s capital Willemstad has seen explosive progress in recent times, and it’s now an excellent vacation spot for world-class purchasing and eating. It’s additionally very pedestrian-friendly, with a floating bridge connecting the 2 important vacationer areas of the town.

Curaçao Overhead aerial shot of beach and ocean with tiki huts on beach

Although Curacao could be very corresponding to Aruba, guests will discover that the costs on Curacao are typically decrease, and it’s doable to attain an excellent deal on a lodge or resort on this island.

New York, Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, and Montreal all have nonstop flights to Curacao this winter.

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