By Stefanie Michaels
Three islands make up the ABC islands, a group of 3 islands in the southern Caribbean, consisting of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. These islands are located off the coast of Venezuela and are part of the Lesser Antilles.
They’re known for beaches, with crystal clear waters, excellent diving and snorkeling sites, and Dutch colonial architecture.
Aruba sits 18 miles north of the coast of Venezuela. Powdery white sandy beaches and turquoise waters abound here. Aruba is also known for its desert-like terrain, which is unusual for a Caribbean island.
Bonaire is the tiniest of these islands. It is known for wind surfing, amazing snorkeling and diving ops, as well as its national park, which is home to thousands of flamingos.
Curaçao is known for its colorful Dutch colonial architecture, and its beaches, watersports and nightlife. It’s also home to a UNESCO World Heritage site, the historic inner city of Willemstad.
All three islands are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with a status of special municipality.
The official language spoken is Dutch— they are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. However, due to the island’s history and trade, many residents also speak Papiamento, Spanish, and English.
The Netherlands Antillean guilder or ANG is the national money. US dollars are also widely accepted and some businesses may price items in dollars.
The time it takes to travel to the ABC islands depends on your location of departure and mode of transportation. If you’re departing from the US, by air, direct flights are available from major cities such as Miami, New York, and Houston, and typically take around 4-5 hours.
Departing from Europe? The total travel time could take anywhere between 8 to 12 hours.
