Page 20 - AHATA

A8
Friday 30 May 2025

Aruba’s neighborhoods; the meaning behind their names

Just like any other coun-
try, Aruba has unique and
beautifully named neigh-
borhoods that all form a
part of its culture and de-
velopment. Many of these
names have a historical
background and meaning
that teaches us about the
island and its rich culture
every day.

With this series, we want
to take you on a journey
of discovery, where you’ll living on the island. In the and assumed for the word development proyect that scent, during the time in
learn not only the beautiful
Arawak/Taino language Anabui and it’s meaning. took place. It is hoped that the 19th century where
names but the history be- one can find the word the original and ‘old’ name Mestizos still lived on Aruba.
hind it that gives it life and
Anaiboa, which consists of During the second world of Anabui is never lost and The name can’t really be
meaning.
Ana meaning flower or the war and later, this area was now it will be remembered explain and according to
best and Iboa; the juice of used as a terrain for training by both locals and tourists. books on its history seems
Anabui/Tierra Del Sol a cassava, which together of shooting by militia and to be more of a sign of cor-
This neighborhood can be
would mean “the best juice latero n Korps Mariniers (the Angochi ruption.
seen on Van Raders map of a cassava”. marines of Aruba). By the This name can be seen
and Werbata as Anna
end of the previous century on the Werbata map with However, it seems to come
Boei. Anna Boei is a name If one assumes that the ac- a large part of Anabui was little and cursive letters. It is from combining A(n), which
of which there isn’t much
tual word heard was Ana- developed to have luxuri- the unofficial name for the is a generalizing prefix and
information about its origin.
boio instead, consisting of ous villas and a golf course, area given by a tenant to Goeiza, which means ‘the
Ana meaning the best and which lead to it getting the the land that was rented to spirit of a living man’. An-
The best historians were Boio (bohio); house, the it- name Tierra Del Sol, Span- him. gochi remains more of a
able to deduce is that this
eration of Anabui would ish for Land of the Sun. guess.
name came to be be- mean “the best house.” This The biggest probability that
cause of a miscommunica-
is the origin that has been The name is not an official historians believe is that This neighborhood’s abbre-
tion between Van Spengler more or less speculated name, but the name of the it comes from native de- viation is; An.
and the natives who were

Aruba’s most family-friendly beaches

(Oranjestad)—One of the Here, there are small and build sand castles.
biggest concerns that par- big palapas, perfect for Boca Catalina in Malmok
ents have when travelling big and small families to Boca Catalina is a small bay
with their children is a guar- set up their belongings. In beach near the Malmok
antee of their safety and this area, the shore is also beach area further down
healthy enjoyment. There- shallow, falling right around the hotel areas. Though it
fore, we thought it would your knee before slowly may not be a very sandy
be a great help to travel- getting deeper: perfect for beach, it is relatively quiet
ling parents to list off some kids to safely play. and tranquil. This is a great
the most family-friendly place for family to lay down
beaches around the island. Eagle Beach/Palm Beach a big blanket and have a
in the hotel area little picnic. This is also one
Baby Beach in San Nicolas Yet another highly popular of the best places to snor-
Baby Beach is one Aruba’s beach site, Eagle Beach kel, as this area is filled with
most popular and visited and Palm Beach is where little fish and corals, even
beaches, and for good rea- most of our visitors go to close to the shore.
son: This sandy and quiet tan, swim or play in the
lagoon is a great place for white sand. Because they Palm Island
parents to sit back and re- are near the low-rise and Ok, this one is technically
lax while their children play high-rise hotel areas, these not a beach, but a must-
in the shallow shores of the beaches are the most ac- visit attraction for family fun.
beach. Beside the relaxing cessible for visitors on foot. This small water park oasis is
atmosphere, there are also These beaches also offer located further down the
several services that may Mangel Halto in Pos Chiq- the sides of the beach cliff many palapas free to use, Mangel Halto Beach and
accommodate your stay, uito leading you down, the best but you can also rent chairs is reachable by boat. This
like a parking lot, sun tent Mangel Halto is situated spot for families to hang and tents. Much like Baby water park offers 6 hours of
rentals, chairs, bathrooms in the back streets of the out is across the bridge, Beach, these sites are one fun activities, food, drinks,
and a snack bar right at Pos Chiquito city. Though passed the mangrove trees of the best beaches for and a chance to see pink
the far left of the beach. there are several stairs on near the entrance sign. your children to play and flamingoes up close!