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

Last Updated 15 hours 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 excellent for a Caribbean getaway.

Aruba is understood 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 yr 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 folks have heard of Aruba, however many vacationers aren’t conscious of the opposite two neighboring islands.

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

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The tradition on all three islands is a novel 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 yr. This has led to the island changing into extraordinarily over-developed.

View of Oranjestad, capital city of Aruba

Bonaire and Curacao supply decrease crowds, and arguably have higher seashores and different out of doors actions. If you’re trying to get off the overwhelmed path within the Caribbean, take into account one in all these islands.

Why Visit Bonaire

Bonaire is an island with a inhabitants of simply 20,000 folks. 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 are among the many finest on Earth. Beneath the floor of the turquoise water, you’ll discover colourful coral reefs, tropical fish, and sea turtles.

Bonaire can also be identified for its salt flats. As a producer of a number of the purest salt on the planet, guests will likely 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 reputation, however the island nonetheless solely receives round 180,000 vacationers per yr.

Bonaire’s principal city Kralendijk has additionally developed so much lately, and also you’ll discover boutiques, artwork galleries, and eating places alongside its colourful streets.

There are lodging choices for each sort of vacationer on the island, starting from fundamental 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 yr, 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 various to Aruba.

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

Curacao’s capital Willemstad has seen explosive progress lately, and it’s now a terrific vacation spot for world-class buying and eating. It’s additionally very pedestrian-friendly, with a floating bridge connecting the 2 principal vacationer areas of town.

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

Although Curacao could be very similar to Aruba, guests will discover that the costs on Curacao are typically decrease, and it’s attainable to attain a terrific deal on a resort or resort on this island.

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

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