Aruba

Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt — a geographic fact that makes it one of the most reliable year-round destinations in the Caribbean. With 360 days of sunshine annually, consistent trade winds and water temperatures that never dip below 80°F, it is the Caribbean destination for those who want guaranteed perfection.

Eagle Beach, consistently ranked among the world's best, is Aruba's crown jewel — wide, uncrowded and impossibly beautiful. But Aruba offers more than sand: the rugged Arikok National Park covers 20% of the island and reveals a surprisingly dramatic landscape of cacti, natural pools and gold mill ruins that tell the story of the island's Dutch colonial and indigenous Arawak heritage.

Aruba is small — 19 miles long and 6 miles wide — which means everything is accessible, the vibe is relaxed and the island has developed a hospitality culture that is genuinely warm. Oranjestad, the capital, is a charming Dutch colonial city with excellent restaurants and a waterfront that buzzes every evening.