Matador's Ultimate Guide to the Leeward Antilles

Caribbean islands of the Lesser Antilles ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Aruba]( Matador's Ultimate Guide to the Leeward Antilles Hi all, We recently shared some pretty [sweet deals to fly to the Caribbean](. But you might be struggling to pick which island is best for you. For the next few weeks, we'll highlight some stunning Caribbean Islands, and today, we're focusing on the Leeward Antilles. In the Southern Caribbean, off the coast of Venezuela, you'll find the Leeward Antilles. This set of islands, also known as the ABC Islands, includes [Aruba]( Bonaire, and [Curaçao]( (all part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands), and Venezuela's principal islands and archipelagos that are considered part of the Caribbean, such as La Tortuga Island, Margarita Island, and the Los Roques Archipelago. In the Leeward Antilles, you'll find everything you could ever want in a vacation, from world-class scuba diving in Bonaire to charming European-style towns in Curaçao and spectacular beaches in every isle. So today, let's start with the 'A' in ABC Islands. [EXPLORE ARUBA]( [GuideGeek]( Get Inspired [Curaçao]( A First-Timer's Guide To the Island of Curaçao The island of Curaçao is affordable, unique, and authentic, and is quickly moving from a destination most people can’t point to on a map to a popular (and easy) getaway, especially for snorkelers and scuba divers. [READ MORE]( [Flamingo in Aruba]( Why You Should Look To Aruba for Your Next Relaxing, Culturally Immersive Caribbean Vacation For travelers who desire a calm yet adventurous escape from the daily routine of life, Aruba makes the perfect vacation. If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat and a bit of luxury, make sure to have this sun-soaked island on your radar. [READ MORE]( [Curaçao]( How Curacao’s People Fight To Keep Their Island the Most Colorful Island in the Caribbean “The Caribbean’s brightest island” seems like an obvious superlative when strolling through Willemstad, the capital city of this special Dutch municipality. The UNESCO World Heritage site looks more like a toy city, with narrow, pitched-roof buildings in bright colors straight out of the opening of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. [READ MORE]( [Aruba sunset]( How To Experience Aruba Like a Local For some tips on how to do this, we called on Edjean Semeleer, an Aruban singer, TV host, concert producer, and philanthropist. Born and raised in Aruba, he’s been an island icon for nearly three decades, and he knows a thing or two about the local’s experience. With his advice, you’ll get that deeper, more meaningful Aruba vacation. [READ MORE]( [Aruba Hotel]( This Aruba Hotel Is Inviting You To Work From the Beach Working from the beach sounds like a digital nomad cliché, but in Aruba, it’s entirely possible. The Boardwalk Boutique Hotel in the Caribbean island of Aruba is inviting travelers to come work from their paradisiacal beachside property and providing all the tools needed to work efficiently. [READ MORE]( Nature + Adventure [Bonaire]( This Spot in the Dutch Caribbean Will Make for the Best Dive Vacation You Ever Take In many dive destinations, you fly to a far-flung tropical island, book a dive trip with a local operator, and hope they show you the best sites. It typically involves a boat ride, a guide, or in some cases, a live-aboard vessel. And your experience is nearly always at the mercy of your dive company’s agenda and availability. But in Bonaire, what you see and when you see it is entirely up to you. That’s because this Dutch Caribbean island smack between Aruba and Curaçao is designed as a shore divers heaven, with plainly marked dive sites, easy dives, and plenty of places to swap out your empty tanks for full ones. [READ MORE]( [Aruba]( Aruba Is the Most Adventure-Packed Island in the Caribbean If simply laying out on the beach doesn’t get you stoked for vacation, you need to head to the most adventurous Caribbean island of them all: Aruba. Here, there’s more to an island vacation than just cabanas and swim-up resort bars. The locals call Aruba “One Happy Island,” but it’d be more accurate to call it “One Thrilling Island” since it has more adrenaline-pumping activities available to visitors than any of its neighbors. From off-roading on Aruba’s rugged, desert-like landscape to windsurfing off the coast of Palm Beach, this is every epic thing you can do in Aruba for a true Caribbean adventure. [READ MORE]( [Aruba]( These Active Experiences in Aruba Showcase the Island's True Spirit Known for its beaches and luxury vacations, you can easily get away from the crowds by venturing out on outdoor activities such as a hike or an early-morning sunrise yoga session on the beach. Whether you want to explore the water by snorkeling or take a hike and learn about Aruba’s Arikok National Park, your options are endless — start by checking out these cool Aruba experiences. [READ MORE]( [Curaçao]( 11 Epic Experiences That Prove Curaçao Should Be Your Next Caribbean Vacation As a Caribbean island, Curaçao has the sunshine and crystal-clear waters you’d expect, but if you want more from your vacation than a perfect tan, the island is also loaded with adrenaline-pumping activities that you won’t find anywhere else. [READ MORE]( Food + Culture [Curaçao food]( 8 Curaçao Restaurants That’ll Give You a Taste of This Beautiful Island There’s no mistaking the Dutch influence on the island. Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao, was founded by the Dutch West India Company, and its most recognizable landmark is the row of brightly colored Dutch colonial buildings on the Haldelskade waterfront. But Curaçao is also distinctly Caribbean. The island’s diversity is on full display at Curaçao’s restaurants. Visitors to the island can expect to find delicious Caribbean, Asian, Latin, and Italian dishes that incorporate ingredients local to the island. [READ MORE]( [beer and food]( Why You'll Find Your Happy Place in Aruba This Winter The Caribbean has more than 700 islands, but the one travelers are most likely to visit twice? That’s Aruba. This tiny isle — just under 70 square miles — doesn’t waste an inch. The world’s most stunning white-sand beaches, arid landscapes full of trade wind-shaped divi-divi trees, historic towns bursting with color, and so many kinds of adventure pack into this paradise, all in perfect 80º weather. It’s an undeniably ideal winter escape. [READ MORE]( [Caribbean cocktails]( The 5 Best Tropical Caribbean Cocktails Other Than the Piña Colada Many bartenders across the Caribbean almost unanimously agree on one thing – while the piña colada embodies the overall spirit of the Caribbean, the drink is not a true representation of what each island has to offer. Tropical cocktails can be so much more than slushie, super sweet dessert-like drinks. [READ MORE]( Epic Stays Take the headache out of planning and check out our staff picks for places to stay [nudist resort]( [Los Roques]( [Aruba]( [Epic Stays TikTok]( FOLLOW US AND FIND YOUR NEXT #TRAVELSTOKE [Facebook]( [Linkedin]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [Pinterest]( [Custom]( [Twitter X]( [Update your email frequency and topic preferences here](. Or [unsubscribe from our newsletter.]( We'll be here when you need us! Copyright © 2023 Matador Network, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Matador Network, PO Box 7775, Suite 40021, San Francisco, CA 94120, United States