How big is Aruba compared to the Netherlands

Geographical context and characteristics of the island

Location in the Caribbean archipelago

Aruba is located off the coast of Venezuela as part of the Lesser Antilles, an archipelago that stretches from Puerto Rico to the South American coast. Unlike the Greater Antilles such as Cuba and Jamaica, Aruba belongs to the ABC islands together with Bonaire and Curaçao. The geographical coordinates place the island at 12°30′ north latitude and 69°58′ west longitude, resulting in a unique climate that is dry and sunny throughout the year. This strategic position outside the hurricane zone makes the island a reliable destination, with the Caribbean Netherlands acting as a collective name for the special municipalities within the Kingdom.

Comparison with other Dutch islands

Where Aruba is compact with its 180 square kilometers, sister island Bonaire has an area of about 288 square kilometers including Klein Bonaire. Sint Maarten , in turn, covers only 34 square kilometers on the Dutch side, while Sint Eustatius and Saba have even smaller proportions. These differences give each island its own character: where you can be anywhere within an hour on Sint Maarten, Bonaire offers more space for extensive nature reserves such as the Washington Slagbaai National Park. Aruba occupies a middle position, large enough for diversity but small enough to explore thoroughly within a week through various tours offered by Blue Bird Tours & Travel.

Natural landmarks and national parks

The Arikok National Park covers almost a fifth of the island’s surface and forms the green heart of Aruba. Within this protected area, you’ll find native flora and fauna, historic gold mining ruins, and spectacular rock formations that tell of millennia of geological activity. The coastline ranges from the calm beaches on the west side to the wild, wind-sculpted cliffs on the northeast coast where the Atlantic Ocean crashes unhindered against the rocks. This compact diversity means that you can be at Arikok National Park within thirty minutes of your resort, ready for an off-road adventure that takes you through different ecosystems.

The former Netherlands Antilles network

Until its dismantling in 2010, Aruba was part of the Netherlands Antilles, a constitutional structure that united six Caribbean islands under one administration. After the Status Aparte in 1986, Aruba got its own autonomous position within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, followed by Curaçao and Sint Maarten in 2010. This historical context explains the strong ties between the islands and the Netherlands, visible in shared institutions, education and even football competitions in which the Aruban Football Association works together with Dutch players. The term Caribbean Network now encompasses the cultural and economic cooperation between these former island territories, with platforms such as Radio Oranje historically playing a connecting role during the Second World War.

Practical implications of the compact dimensions

The small scale of Aruba offers unique advantages for visitors who come from the European Netherlands . You can book a rental car with Sunny Cars and be at your accommodation within twenty minutes from the airport, or opt for an organized tour via Get Your Guide or Blue Bird Tours & Travel to discover the island without any worries. The short distances mean you can snorkel at a coral reef in the morning, have lunch at the Renaissance Mall in the afternoon, and watch the sunset from one of the western beaches in the evening—all without long travel times eating up your vacation days.