Savaneta

Savaneta on Aruba's southern coast was the island's first Dutch settlement and its capital before Oranjestad took over, and it is now a quiet strip of village along the coast road with cunucu houses, the traditional Aruban form with steep roofs and thick walls, standing among the newer building. Fishing boats work off the shore and mangrove lines parts of the water. Cunucu houses were built with steep roofs to shed the rare heavy rain and thick walls to hold the cool, and few of them survive intact.

What you actually see

• The cunucu houses - the traditional Aruban form with steep roofs.
• The former capital - the island's first Dutch settlement.
• The fishing boats - the craft worked off the southern shore.
• The mangrove - the stands along parts of the coast.

When to go

December to April is the dry high season. The village is quiet year round. Weekends bring some local visitors.

Honest expectations

There is very little for a visitor and no formal sites. The village is strung along the road rather than clustered. Facilities are a couple of restaurants.

Nearby

San Nicolas is southeast, and Oranjestad is northwest.