(Index Stock/ John Dominis)

A trifecta of Caribbean delights float in the 75-degree waters above Venezuela's northern coast. Collectively known as the Dutch Leewards—and referred to as the Caribbean's ABCs—Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire typify island life, from the glitz of Aruba's beaches and casinos to the environmentally progressive aquatic wonderland that is Bonaire. Aruba has all the requisite island distractions: seven-mile beaches, casinos, reefs accessible by scuba and submarine, and some of the world's best windsurfing. Bonaire is Aruba's crunchy younger sister, considerably less developed and anxious to keep it that way. Its unique geography—sitting atop a massive undersea reef mountain—also makes it a diver's dream. Coral forests start just 20 feet offshore, while the island's inland saltwater lakes host over 20,000 pink flamingos. Rising from the seas between Aruba and Bonaire, Curaçao's streets rock to its own reggae rhythm, its floating market teems with activity, its architecture evokes its European settlers, and its internal geography is reminiscent of the American Southwest. The local liquor, made from the island's native orange, will gloriously reinforce that where-are-we sensation.

Sponsored Results

Travel Interest Guides

More Travel Resources