Exploring the Small Towns of Eastern Aruba

When visiting Aruba, tourists often spend most ofvisit some of the charming beaches that rest just
their time near the western shore, home to theminutes from the heart of town.
island's capital and cultural center - Oranjestad -Savaneta lies just east of Pos Chiquito on Aruba's
and most of the top beach resorts. Though thepopular Route 1 and can be reached from either
eastern half of Aruba lacks the glamour of theOranjestad or San Nicolas in approximately 15
western beach areas, the area is home to manyminutes.
charming destinations waiting to captivate curiousSeroe Colorado
travelers. As the island is only 20 miles long, theThe town of Seroe Colorado, located near the
small towns surrounding the island's second-largestsoutheastern tip of Aruba, was developed during
city, San Nicolas, and the incredibly diverse sightsthe first half of the 20th century as a idyllic,
of eastern Aruba are only a short drive from allcomfortable community for the island's growing
of the top resorts.number of oil workers. Though many of the
Pos Chiquitofamilies have since moved to other parts of the
Located almost directly between Oranjestad andisland, Seroe Colorado retains much of its exotic
San Nicolas along the southern coast's Route 1,charm. Most of the town's diminutive white
the small town of Pos Chiquito stands as one ofhouses remain intact, most flanked by dramatic
Aruba's top destinations for scuba divers andcacti plants and other natural vegetation. At the
snorkelers. Just offshore from town, near aheart of town, visitors will also find an austere
rugged section of shoreline known as Rockychapel originally constructed in 1939.
Beach, scuba divers and snorkelers will find one ofDespite the peaceful atmosphere found in Seroe
Aruba's best coral reefs. As the site is visitedColorado, most visitors use the town as a
regularly by local dive tours and used as a traininggateway to the sights of Aruba's southeastern
ground for aspiring guides, the offshore sights atshore. Just east of town, visitors will find a natural
Pos Chiquito are not exactly a secret. However,bridge resting alongside a dramatic section of
there are rarely crowds in Pos Chiquito and thecoastline. Despite being less-celebrated than the
coral reef is so expansive that divers will neverNatural Bridge that collapsed in 2005 and its
have trouble enjoying this exciting underwaterremaining sister arch, Baby Bridge, the natural
environment at their own pace.bridge near Seroe Colorado offers an incredible
While scuba diving and snorkeling are certainly thesightseeing opportunity amongst one of Aruba's
biggest draws in Pos Chiquito, the town also hasseldom-explored areas.
plenty to offer those in search of simpleThough the exposed shoreline just east of Seroe
relaxation. This quiet community is knownColorado is known for its dramatic scenery, two
throughout Aruba for its refined regionalof the island's most popular family beaches rest
architecture and laid-back atmosphere. As ajust a few miles south of town. Unlike the natural
close-knit community that includes manybridge area east of Seroe Colorado, Baby Beach
expatriates, Pos Chiquito is also home to anand Rodgers Beach are protected by the
interesting variety of eateries where tourists aresouthern tip of the island, meaning visitors will
always welcome.always find calm conditions, white sand and warm,
Pos Chiquito rests just east of the island's centershallow water.
along Route 1, the scenic road that stretches allAs Route 1 runs north of the town and access
the way from Boca Beach on the northwesternfrom San Nicolas is hampered by private industrial
shore to San Nicolas and the eastern shore. Posareas, Seroe Colorado is slightly more difficult to
Chiquito can also be reached easily from the northreach than most of Aruba's small communities.
end of Aruba via Routes 4 and 6.The most efficient way to reach Seroe Colorado
Savanetais to follow Route 1 east from San Nicolas until
Though Savaneta is home to no more than smallthe road terminates at a three-way intersection
handful of businesses, this southern shorenear the eastern shore. From the junction, visitors
destination has developed a reputation as ancan follow the shoreline road south to Seroe
excellent dining destination. Though Savaneta lacksColorado and nearby beach destinations.
the high-class establishments found throughout theThough visitors to Aruba will certainly want to
Oranjestad and the western resort areas, thespend much of their time exploring Oranjestad
town's eateries regularly serve up some ofand relaxing on the incomparable beaches of the
Aruba's best seafood and Latin American dishes.western shore, the small towns on the eastern
Savaneta also holds the distinctions of being thehalf of the island can be enjoyed in a single
oldest remaining town in Aruba - dating to theafternoon. Furthermore, as Route 1 provides easy
beginning of Dutch rule in 1816 - the island's originalaccess to many of eastern Aruba's sights,
capital and site of oldest colonial home. Afterincluding the city of San Nicolas, tourists have no
exploring the historic sites, many travelers alsoreason to overlook the island's quieter half.