Holidays to Druif Beach

Holidays in Druif Beach are centred on the stunning beach, a gorgeous Caribbean stretch of white sand shaded by palm trees lapped by intense blue sea. The snorkelling and diving are among the best to be found in the Caribbean, and you’ll find a host of amenities, from beach bars to kayak rental. The charming capital of Oranjestad is right on the doorstep: explore its delightful pastel-coloured streets, enjoy some fabulous shopping, and party till dawn in one of the open-air clubs. You could beach-hop your way up the coast all the way to the California Lighthouse at the island’s northern tip. The lighthouse affords some of the most amazing views on the island, particularly at sunset, and the nearby sand dunes are perfect for a romantic stroll. A half-hour drive will bring you to the stunning Arikok National Park, where you can hike, take a dip in a natural pool, and visit some of the best kite-surfing beaches on the island.

Druif Beach is a gorgeous stretch of Caribbean sand, dotted with thatched parasols and overlooking the spectacularly blue sea. It’s popular with locals, but never gets too jam-packed, and offers plenty of amenities for visitors including lots of oceanfront bars and restaurants. It is the first in a string of marvellous beaches that extend all the way north to the California Lighthouse at the tip of this small island: these include Eagle Beach, which regularly tops polls for one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean, the snorkelling and diving mecca of Malmok Beach and local favourite Arashi Beach. Elsewhere on the island, you can visit Baby Beach, a hit with families thanks to its sheltered lagoon, and the superb surfing and kite-surfing beaches of Boca Grandi and Fishermen's Huts.

Your taste buds can take a gastronomic tour of the world in Aruba! The fabulous local cuisine is one of the most diverse to be found anywhere, reflecting the island’s melting pots of cultures and long colonial history. Why not try some freshly barbecued seafood – maybe something exotic like barracuda or perhaps some mahi-mahi or red snapper? Or you could try the local fishermen’s stew, keri keri, which is traditionally made with shark, although nowadays any firm white fish can be used. Other popular local dishes include carbi stoba, a succulent beef stew flavoured with local herbs and spices, or curried goat or chicken. Tasty accompaniments include pumpkin pancakes (arepita de pampuna), or beregein hasa, fried aubergine.

Druif Beach is appealingly tranquil, but still offers plenty to keep visitors entertained during the evening. There are lots of atmospheric beachfront bars and restaurants to choose from, and most of the hotels offer an enticing programme of live entertainment. If you’d really like to let your hair down, a 5-minute taxi ride will bring you to the centre of Oranjestad, where you will find a wide choice of nightlife, including fancy cocktail bars, bright and breezy seafront cafés, and open-air clubs. You could even head to one of the island casinos and see if Lady Luck is with you at the tables.

Druif Beach is a family-friendly beach, with plenty to keep most kids very happily occupied. It’s not too crowded, you can rent thatched parasols and sun beds, and there are lots of child-friendly cafés and bars within easy reach. It’s a great spot for snorkelling, which will keep older kids and teens happy, but the waves can pick up a little on windy days, so be careful with younger children. The best beach for infants and young children is Baby Beach, which has a protected lagoon with shallow waters and is, like most Aruban beaches, stunningly beautiful. The best beach for water sports is Palm Beach, which has facilities for everything from body-surfing to kayaking. You’ll find plenty of fun things to do in nearby Oranjestad, including a butterfly farm set in botanic gardens, a couple of water parks with slides and pools, a pirate cruise and an underwater submarine tour that are always a big hit with kids.

A blissful Caribbean beach, gorgeous year-round sunshine – what could possibly be more romantic? Druif Beach is an ideal destination for a holiday with your partner. It’s not too crowded, so there’ll be plenty of opportunities for you to relax together, but it has enough facilities to ensure that there is never a dull moment. Spend the day topping up the tan on the paradisiacal beach, perhaps going for a snorkel to see the amazing underwater landscape, then spend the evening in a seafront restaurant enjoying the beautiful views. Sit under the stars, drink in hand, after the sun goes down and soak up the blissfully calm and relaxed Caribbean vibe.

Aruba may be a tiny island – just 20 miles long and six miles wide – but it packs in plenty of action and adventure. The range of water sports is truly stunning. Whether you want to snorkel around coral reefs, take in some of the best wreck dives in the Caribbean, or go kite-surfing on remote beaches, Aruba has it all. The main beach for water sports facilities is Palm Beach, just up the coast from Druif Beach, where you’ll find lots of suppliers offering courses, excursions and equipment rental. You could also head to the unspoilt wilderness of the Arikok National Park, which covers a large swathe of the island, and offers some spectacular hikes, plus mountain-biking and horse-riding trails.

Druif Beach is just 5 kilometres from the delightful Aruban capital of Oranjestad, where most of the island’s main cultural attractions are located. As well as a host of venues for live music, theatre and the performing arts, Oranjestad is full of historic attractions. You can admire the charming, pastel-painted Dutch colonial architecture, or visit the impressive 19^th-century Fort Zoutman. The Willem III Tower, next to the fortress, was once a lighthouse and is now one of the city’s most enticing museums, dedicated to the island’s history. Other notable museums in Orenjestad include the archaeological museum, set in a pretty 19^th-century mansion, and the De Man shell collection, which has charming displays of all kinds of shells.