Aruba breaks the Caribbean mold: it's so dry that cacti outnumber palm trees, and it sits south of the hurricane belt, meaning near-guaranteed sunshine. The constant trade winds keep the beaches from feeling sticky, and the mix of Dutch, Spanish, and Papiamento cultures gives the island a laid-back, cosmopolitan feel. Whether you're lounging in a hammock at Palm Beach or windsurfing at Hadicurari, Aruba feels effortlessly welcoming.