ABC Islands in the Caribbean
Exploring the ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao
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Picture this: soaking in some sunshine while strolling across a soft white sand beach surrounded by sparkling turquoise waters. Sounds like the perfect vacation, right? A great place for this perfect Caribbean experience are the ABC Islands: a group of close islands called Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao in the Southern Caribbean. Each of these islands is colorful, charming and adventurous with a unique mix of Dutch culture with Caribbean flair.
The best way to see all the highlights of these three islands is to take a cruise to all three on a Princess Caribbean cruise. When you set out for your dream Caribbean vacation to the ABC Islands, there are so many activities to do in each port — snorkeling, hiking, strolling old towns and eating your weight in seafood. To help you narrow down your itinerary, here are some of the top things to do in the ABC Islands and what to hit on each island during your cruise.
History and culture of the ABC Islands
The ABC Islands — Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao — are a group of three Dutch Caribbean islands located just off the coast of Venezuela, which lends them a unique mix of European, Indigenous, African and Latin American influences. Originally inhabited by the Arawak people, the Spaniards arrived in the late 15th century and claimed the islands, which also introduced the transatlantic slave trade to the islands. However, because of a lack of gold, they didn’t have much interest in maintaining them. So in 1634, the Dutch West India Company seized Curaçao, followed by Aruba and Bonaire, as trade hubs and for sugar plantations. After the abolition of slavery, the ABC Islands became refinery centers for Venezuelan gold.
Today, Bonaire is a “public body” or municipality of the Netherlands, and Aruba and Curaçao are technically independent but still part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. That means the language of the islands is Dutch, and you can find stroopwaffles and other European cuisine on these Caribbean islands.
Things to do in the ABC Islands
Snorkeling, visiting local markets, diving through shipwrecks, strolling along picture-perfect beaches and so many more activities await you on the ABC Islands. Here are a few suggestions for each island to help you plan picture-perfect days in the Caribbean.
Attractions & things to do in Aruba
Ready to start your Aruba adventure? Here are four things to do:
- Visit Eagle Beach and its iconic Fofoti trees. See the most photographed spot on Aruba: the legendary Fofoti tree on Eagle Beach. This beach itself is a stunning Caribbean beach with pillowy soft sand and azure water, with a twisted and wind-worn Fofoti tree that makes it iconic.
- Learn about Aruba’s aloe vera history and healing properties. Aruba is home to some of the finest aloe vera in the world — largely thanks to its warm, slightly arid environment where the plant flourishes. Tour the Royal Aruba Aloe Factory to learn all about how the industry got its start and what benefits come with aloe.
- Stop in at Alto Vista Chapel. On a Princess tour of the highlights of Aruba, we’ll take you to this charming little chapel that’s actually the first Catholic chapel on the island. It was built in the 1700s, but there’s still weekly alfresco masses. A visit to a chapel like this gives you great insight into the religious culture of Aruba.
See the Butterly Farm. Surround yourself with hundreds of colorful butterflies from all across the globe, including the iridescent Blue Morpho butterflies from the rainforests of South America and the giant Atlas Moth from Southeast Asia. Plus the farm includes exhibits where you can see the entire lifecycle of the butterfly where you can see pupas and caterpillars as well.
Attractions & things to do in Bonaire
Bonaire is a beautiful Dutch island with a wide variety of activities to jump into. Here are five:
- Dive into Bonaire’s famous reefs and shipwrecks. See the world beneath the turquoise waves by putting on your diving equipment and finding the wreck of the Hilma Hooker or the Windjammer. Looking to see a colorful marine world? Check out the Bari Reef, 1000 Steps and Karpata reefs that are great for snorkeling and diving. Bari Reef alone has over 300 species living around it.
- Cycle the scenic coastline. Bike along 12 miles of stunning coastline where you can see the oldest lighthouse in Bonaire, the pink salt flats, slave huts and the towering white mountains of salt. Finish your cycle with a relaxing dip at Te Amo Beach and a little R&R on the soft sand.
- Sail to Klein Bonaire. Klein Bonaire is a completely uninhabited paradise island, and you can get there on a scenic 30 minute boat ride with Princess. Once you’re at the island, you can spend your day swimming, snorkeling and beach combing for stunning shells.
- Visit the charming village of Rincon. Step into history at Rincon, the oldest settlement in the Dutch Caribbean from 1527. Princess will take you through these colorful winding streets to see the best sites like the bright yellow San Ludovico Beltran Catholic Church. When you visit with Princess, we’ll also take you to Goto Lake to see the flamingos standing on one leg along the shoreline.
Take a trolley train through the capital. Spend a day seeing all the highlights of the colorful capital of Kralendijk from a slow moving trolley train — perfect for you to make sure you get great photos. You’ll see the pier, the island’s largest church and a historic waterfront market street.
Attractions & things to do in Curaçao
Curaçao is a Dutch haven mixed with Caribbean flair packed with adventure. These four excursions can help you get started on this island:
- Stroll through Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The capital city of Curaçao is a UNESCO site because of its exceptional preservation of Dutch colonial architecture and its unique harbor location. You won’t want to miss the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge — a floating bridge that connects shopping and dining areas — where some of the best views of this colorful city are.
- Relax on Knip Beach. Nothing says vacation like kicking back on a white sand beach next to cerulean seas. There are spots for cliff jumping in pristine water, snorkeling at protected reefs, beach combing and maybe even spotting a few wild pigs!
- Explore the Hato Caves. Get ready to explore underground caverns filled with stalactites, stalagmites and hidden waterfalls. The caves are a perfect place to be when it’s hot outside or when you’re looking for a taste of adventure. When you visit with Princess, we’ll make it easy and guide you through the grottos.
See the national parks and rugged coastline. Take a Princess tour to see unforgettable natural scenery like Boka Tabla — one of the island’s national parks — with jagged coastlines and waves crashing into the cliffs. Then we’ll take you to Westpunt Island for breathtaking views of beaches at Playa Forti.
Food and drink in the ABC Islands
No trip to the ABC Islands is complete without eating your way across the islands. On all three, you’ll enjoy the vibrant fusion of Caribbean flavors and Dutch culinary traditions with an array of fresh ingredients, from tropical fruits to ocean-caught fish. Here are a few things to look for on each island:
- Bonaire. Indulge in freshly grilled seafood, often served with local sides like funchi (cornmeal) or pan bati (a type of pancake). Head to Zeerovers for fresh caught fish-based meals at an eatery locals love.
- Curaçao. The island is known for its iconic blue liqueur, made from the peel of the laraha citrus fruit grown on the island — perfect for a refreshing cocktail. Looking for waterfront dining? Try Perla Del Mar for shrimp risotto, family-friendly options for the kids and even live music on Saturdays.
Aruba. Here, you won’t want to miss the hearty Dutch-inspired fare alongside island specialties like keshi yena, a stuffed cheese dish of gouda and chicken baked with green olives, raisins and cashew nuts. Try it at Old Cunucu House for a popular take on this classic dish.
Best time to visit the ABC Islands
The ABC Islands are warm and sunny year-round — part of what have made them such great agriculture spots and vacation destinations. The most popular months to visit are from December to April, when the weather is especially dry and pleasant for beach outings and outdoor adventures. Off-season months, particularly May through November come with fewer crowds, with only a slight chance of rain due to the islands’ location outside the hurricane belt. There’s no bad time to take a cruise to the ABC Islands!
Throughout the year, the islands come alive with vibrant cultural celebrations. If your cruise is in February, you’ll be there in time for the Curaçao Carnival and its dazzling display of music, parades and colorful traditional costumes. Aruba’s Dande Festival at the end of December and Bonaire’s Simadan harvest festival from February to May showcase local music, dance and culinary traditions.
Visit the ABC Islands with Princess Cruises
The ABC Islands have a unique Dutch and Caribbean culture that you can’t find anywhere else in the world — and some of the best beaches too. Whether you want to eat freshly caught fish, explore underground caves, see a butterfly farm or stroll through colorful capitals, there’s something for everyone on the ABC Islands when they visit with Princess.
Start planning your perfect vacation by booking a Caribbean cruise with Princess. We’ll handle the logistics, and you can enjoy these stunning islands.