ABC Islands

Aruba

Bonaire

Curacao

Country Overview• Country: ABC (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) Islands, Netherlands Antilles (AN)

• Capitol city & code: – Willemstad, Curacao Hato International Airport (CUR)

• Major cities & codes: – Oranjestad , Aruba Queen, Beatrix Airport (AUA) – Kralendijk, Bonaire, Airport Flamingo Field (BON)

• Currency: For Bonaire - Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) – For Aruba - Aruban Florin (Afl) – For Curacao - Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG)

• Official Language: Dutch

• Other Languages: English, Spanish, Papiamento

• National Airline: DAE (Dutch Antilles Express) http://flydae.com/contact

• Other Airlines: KLM, American, Jet Blue, Continental, Delta, Air Canada.

• Major Religion: Christianity, Protestant, Roman Catholic.

Climate• Warm and dry all year long• The average annual temperature is

28C/82F, and varied from 21 C/70 F to 32C/82F in August. Water temperature is approximately 27 C. There are almost no reins, and no winds.

• “If any time is worse than another, it's probably October-December, when it's rainier and windier, though neither is extreme enough to disrupt a vacation. The island is south of the main hurricane belt, so the summer-fall tropical storm season is usually not a concern.”

Culture pattern

• Bonaire: Bonaire’s Carnival (January), Rincon Day (April 30), Dia Di Arte (first Sunday), Bonaire’s fishing tournaments (usually in September), the Bonaire International Sailing Regatta (October), the Bari Festival (December), New Year's Eve.

Culture pattern

• Aruba: Aruba’s Carnival (January), The Soul Beach Music Festival (May), the Aruba Food & Wine Festival (May), the International Pro-Am Golf Tournament (August), the Aruba Music Festival (October), the Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta (November), the Bon Bini Festival, St. Nicholas Day (6 December), New Year's Eve.

Culture pattern• Curacao: Carnival (February),

the Tumba Festival (follows after Carnival), the International Blue Marlin Release Tournament (March), the Salsa Festival (August), the Culture Cuisine and Heritage Experience (August-November), the Curacao Dive Festival (May), the annual Amstel Curacao Race (November), Christmas celebrations (begins in November), St. Nicholas Day (December 6)

AdvisoriesAruba• Exercise Normal Security Precautions • Hurricane season goes from June 1st to November 30th

• Crimes can always occur so check with the local authorities to find which places are patrolled for more security.

Bonaire• Exercise normal Security Precautions• Be aware that crime can happen, don’t carry valuables on your person

and always keep food and drinks in your site at all times.Curacao• Exercise normal Security Precautions• Hurricane season is June 1st to November 30th

• Be aware of crimes that can occur, such as pick pocketing

Travel Considerations

Aruba• Canadian passports visiting Aruba, permanent resident card and tourist & business visa not

required. Work permit & student must have visa required.

Bonaire• Canadian passport is required for canadians, and must be valid three months beyond date

of expected return, they must also have proof of funds for return or onward ariline ticket • Ensure personal belongings with Passport and travel document all the time unpopular area

that you want to visiting.• Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays of less than 90 days within a 6-month period)

Business Visa: Not required (for stays of less than 90 days within a 6-month period)Student Visa: Not required (for stays of less than 90 days within a 6-month period)

Curacao• Valid Canadian passport, should be valid for the duration of the stay. Permanent resident

card is also required. Also Canadian may be required to submitted return ticket or proofs sufficient financial immigration office entry. Canadian are allowed to visit Curacao as tourists for a maximum of 90 day within 6 months.

• Student Visa: Not required (for stays of less than 90 days within a 6-month period)

Accommodations Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort Aruba

(Deluxe Hotel)• Location: J.E.Irausquin Boulevard 252

P.O.Box 1302 Oranjestad, Aruba

• Two adult and one child its cost $ 475,000 three days

• Many find of Meals are included• Amenities: swimming pool, internet

access, restaurant, room service, beach access, private balcony, and bar/ lounge.

Paradise Rentals (rental homes intermediate/ deluxe)

• Location: Kaya Grandi 24-AKralendijk, Bonaire, C.N.Tel: +599 717 7362 Fax: +599 717 7366Email: info@rentalsbonaire.com

• Two adult and one child cost $ 375.00 for three days

• Amenities: beaches, car rental, townhouse, pool relax, massage, biking ride, kiteboarding, sail or cruise, windsurfing at lac bay, take a day trip to Klein Bonaire, Kayaking in the mangroves, diving through Washington slagbaai national park, snorkeling, and driving.

Baoase Luxury Resort (deluxe)

• Winterswijkstraat 2, Willemstad 00000, Curacao

• (+599)9 461179• Two adult and no child cost

$906 for three days and Different type of meal included

• Amenities: private beach, star hotel, very clean, infinity, second floor, service food, perfect place, top notch and salt water.

Transportation

• Aruba: Cars, Public Transportation, Taxi• Bonaire: Air, Car, Taxi• Curacao: Air, Bus, Car, Taxi, Moped,

Motorcycles and bicycles

AttractionsAruba• Butterfly Park A guided tour through lush gardens and around fish ponds. A

guide tells you about the mating habits, diet and identification. Going first thing in the morning is the best time to see the 500 or so types of butterflies at the park. Butterfly jewellery and other items are available in the gift shop.– Open 9 am-4:30 pm (last tour at 4 pm). – US$12 adults, US$6 children ages 4-16. http://www.thebutterflyfarm.com.

• Blue Parrotfish Water Park Part of the De Palm Island entertainment complex, this water park features a variety of waterslides as well as kiddie areas with tunnels, water guns and other water features. The water park is included with all the other De Palm Island offerings, including snorkelling and all-inclusive food, drinks and alcoholic beverages.– US$93 adults full-day, US$46 children full-day. Phone 582-4400. Toll-free 800-766-6016 800-766-

6016 http://www.depalm.com

Attractions Cont.Bonaire• Washington/Slagbaai National Park an amazing adventure for nature lovers.

Washington/Slagbaai National Park, a 13,500-acre/5,500-hectare reserve that covers most of the north western end of the island. The park was formed from two old plantations named Washington and Slagbaai (meaning "slaughter bay" and refers to the cattle, goats and sheep that were butchered there before being shipped to Curacao).

• A museum of Bonaire history is at the park entrance, where you can also pick up a map showing hiking and driving routes through the park, along with beaches and dive sites. Among the park's highlights are Boka Slagbaai, a small cove with plantation buildings from the 1800s; Salina Matijs, a salt flat that attracts flamingos during the rainy season (October-December); Boka Bartol, a lovely bay with good snorkelling; and Wayaka, a remote reef where divers might see turtles, octopi and seahorses.

• On land, you'll find goats, wild donkeys, iguanas, several other species of lizards and a hundred or more different species of birds. In addition to the flamingos, look for the brilliantly coloured parakeets and the green and yellow lora parrots that nest in the cacti.

• Mount Brandaris, Bonaire's highest peak at 784 ft/239 m, is within the park. Guided trips can be arranged. – The park is open 8 am-5 pm, and you're advised to go early, before the day heats up. No motorcycles are allowed.

Cars and divers should arrive no later than 2:30 pm. Entry fee is US$10/Naf.18 per adult (including car) and US$2/Naf.4 for children. No credit cards accepted. Phone 788-9015 or 785-0017. http://www.washingtonparkbonaire.org.

Attractions Cont.Curacao• Den paradera(The Herb Garden) This botanical garden offers both guided and

self-guided tours along stone-lined paths. A leaflet explains not only the plant names but their curative powers, as well. The extensive supply of bottles and potions (on sale in shop and by mail order) is sure to cover whatever ails you.– Monday-Saturday 9 am-6 pm. (Guided tours Monday-Friday 10 and 11 am). 10.70 ANG adults.

Phone 767-5608. http://www.rootsandmedicine.com/curacao/den_para.html.

• Museum Kas di Pal'I MaishiBuilt about 130 years ago, Museum Kas di Pal'I Maishi was the home of a former slave, whose family still owns it today. The house is constructed of thin tree branches braided together and covered with adobe and plaster. Loosely translated, the name means "sorghum stalk house." It's surrounded with a cactus fence, called a kadushi, that is typical of that era. – Lunch, featuring local dishes, is served in the backyard. Monday-Friday 9 am-4 pm,

Saturday and Sunday 9 am-6 pm. Phone 864-2742.

Geographical Features

• All the islands are like desert with very dry climates, there are cactus jungles and rolling hills.

• All the islands are surrounded by the Caribbean Sea with beautiful white sand beaches.

Local Food

• Aruba: shrimp en coco (a delicacy made with brandy and coconut)

• Bonaire: soups and stews made with salted meat, goat, conch, plantains, okra, cactus or the occasional iguana

• Curacao: fried fish, stewed goat (kabritu), chicken and beef are served with peas and rice (aros moro), potatoes or funchi, a boiled cornmeal paste that resembles polenta.

Local Shopping Items and Drinks

• Aruba: Delft ceramics, wooden shoes, and fine cheeses and chocolates

• Bonaire: Diving gear, local art and handicrafts• Curacao: Curacao, a liqueur named for the

island• All of the Islands main drink is the local beer

“Balashi”

Works Cited• “Ontario, Canada.” Weissmann Online Web. 24 Oct 2011• “ABC ISLANDS” Online video file YouTube. YouTube, 16 June

2010. Web. 28 Oct 2011.• “Tropical Islands - ABC Islands” Online video file YouTube.

YouTube, 8 June 2011. Web. 28 Oct 2011.• Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. “Travel Reports

& Warnings.” Govt. of Canada, 19 Nov 2009. Web. 24 Oct 2011.• Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort Aruba. Amsterdam Manor

Beach Resort Aruba, 2011. Web. 24 Oct 2011.• Paradise Rentals. Remax Paradise Homes, 2011. Web. 24 Oct

2011.• Baoase Curacao. Baoase Luxury Resort. 2011. Web. 24 Oct

2011.