This parched speck of an island off the coast of Venezuela has guaranteed sunshine and is blessed with beaches that make you say 'ahhh.' Tourism is the big business here and it's served in a flavorsome double scoop of beach beaus and sun bunnies from North America and Holland, and Latin coastal coasters, nearly all of them on circuit-breaker trips to pep up winter suntans, prop at the poolside bar and try their luck at the casinos.

Although large-scale tourism dominates the island (read: luxury resorts from here to sunset), there are still undeveloped areas on the exposed northern coast, and much of the interior is inhabited by nothing more substantial than goats and contorted divi-divi trees. In this region, the triple whammy of a dry climate, salt-loaded seaspray and relentless trade winds has created a wonderfully surreal landscape with more than a passing resemblance to the images Pathfinder sent back to Earth from Mars.

Palm Beach & Eagle Beach

Take an exquisite slice of nature, add a bunch of concrete monoliths, a forest of palm thatched beach umbrellas and a flotilla of watersport toys, and you'll get some idea of the adventure playground that the resort area stretching from Eagle to Palm Beach has become. There's no denying that the sand is as soft and fine and golden as you could wish, or that the water looks like it belongs in a Bacardi ad, but there's also no ignoring that this entire stretch of coast is single-mindedly devoted to the business of providing a well-oiled Caribbean beach experience for as many people as possible. There are far worse places to join the crowd, since Palm Beach has great swimming and snorkeling and Eagle Beach is too broad and dazzling to fit in a fisheye lens, but if you want to discover what Aruba has to offer, don't spend your whole time horizontal here.

Natural Bridge

Aruba's natural bridge has been formed over millennia by surf eating away at a portion of the rocky northern shore. At 100ft (30m) long and 23ft (7m) tall, it's no major miracle, but it's a pretty decent break from the beach and a good spot to snap photos of your gang when none of you has to be in swimming costume. You can also slurp on very fine fruit shakes at the 'thirst aid' station on the cliff top. Andicuri Beach, a short stroll over the bridge, is a decent boogie-boarding location for competent swimmers.

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