Aruba - Adventure Guide to Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao - page 62

November
Aruba International Catamaran Regatta takes advantage of the
island's trade winds. Catamarans come from throughout the Americas
and Europe to compete.
December
Sint Nicolaas Day , December 5, is the birthday of Sint Nicolaas and this
celebration features the arrival of the jolly man at the harbor in
Oranjestad. Children come out to greet him and receive presents.

TIP: The weekly Bon Bini Festival is held year-
round on Tuesdays from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm at
Fort Zoutman in Oranjestad. This folkloric event
highlights arts and crafts, local foods and drinks,
music and dance.

297-582-3777.

Getting Here

By Air
If you arrive by air, you will land at the newly expanded and
modernized Queen Beatrix International Airport
(AUA) , a short distance from the capital of Oranjestad.
Unless several planes land at once, you'll get through Cus-
toms quickly and in air-conditioned comfort. Free baggage
carts are available, and you'll find the Caribbean Mercantile Bank and an
ATM to your left as you exit the terminal. New restaurants and shops may
be open by the time you visit, but most facilities are located beyond the
security checkpoint in the departure terminals.
Tourist information is available inside the arrival terminal, after you
leave the baggage claim area. Taxis meet all flights, and car rental offices
are directly across the narrow road in front of the terminal.
As part of an agreement with the taxi union, the government prohibits
hotels from providing shuttle service from the airport. Tour operators
arrange bus transportation from the airport to hotels for their package
vacationers, but everyone else must take a taxi or pick up a rental car.

TIP: See Getting Here in the Travel Information
chapter for additional airline information.