| Whenever you visit the grocery store or pharmacy, it | | | | Some of the best Aloe Vera products are |
| is probably hard to miss the scores of products | | | | manufactured by Aruba Aloe, a company that still |
| featuring Aloe Vera. Known as one of the world's | | | | utilizes the island's first 150-acre plantation. Six days a |
| wonder plants, Aloe Vera has been incorporated into | | | | week, this legendary facility opens its doors to |
| many everyday products in recent decades because | | | | travelers for informative tours that shed light not only |
| of its healing properties. As the plant is used most | | | | on Aruba's fascinating Aloe Vera history, but on the |
| often as a skin moisturizer, it perhaps comes as no | | | | entire world's historic fascination with the plant. In |
| surprise that world's best Aloe Vera comes from one | | | | tracing the legend of Aloe Vera from Ancient Egypt to |
| of the sunniest and most exotic destinations. Today, | | | | Aruba's colonial period and documenting the many |
| over a century after the first plants were harvested, | | | | historical uses of the plant, Aruba Aloe offers curious |
| the island of Aruba remains one of the world's top | | | | travelers a rare glimpse into the world of a wonder |
| growers of Aloe Vera. When visiting Aruba, tourists | | | | plant. During the daily tours, visitors will also have a |
| can see the influence of the plant in many facets of | | | | chance to see the harvesting of the Aloe Vera plants |
| Aruban culture, purchase the some of most luxurious | | | | and the production involved in converting the raw gel |
| Aloe Vera products ever created and even tour the | | | | of the plant into some of the world's finest medicinal |
| plantation where the modern world's fascination with | | | | and health care products. |
| this wonder plant took root. | | | | With the original 150-acre field as the company's |
| Though some might believe that Aloe Vera was | | | | centerpiece, Aruba Aloe produces a full line of |
| native to the Caribbean, the plant actually found its | | | | products incorporating the island's purest, most potent |
| way to Aruba and other islands during colonial times. In | | | | Aloe Vera gel. Known internationally as some of the |
| fact, Aloe Vera was completely unknown in Aruba | | | | finest Aloe-based products available, Aruba Aloe has |
| until the mid-19th century when numerous trade | | | | spent years crafting everything from hair care |
| vessels from Africa visited colonial Caribbean islands. | | | | products to specialized lotions and moisturizers. |
| Aruba's own Aloe Vera industry started with a | | | | Meanwhile, the company has also been on the cutting |
| modest 150-acre plantation near Hato and, within just a | | | | edge of botanical research, developing new uses for |
| few decades, came to dominate the island. By the end | | | | the plant and perfecting the art of harvesting the |
| of the 19th century, Aruba had become the world's | | | | world's best Aloe Vera. If you visit the Aruba Aloe |
| largest exporter of Aloe. Today, with nearly two-thirds | | | | factory when on the island, you will have an |
| of the island's surface now supporting both naturally | | | | opportunity to sample and purchase all of the diverse |
| growing and harvested Aloe Vera, it is no wonder that | | | | products crafted from this simple, but remarkable plant. |
| Aruba is commonly referred to as the 'Island of Aloe.' | | | | Just as it is hard to miss the name Aloe Vera at your |
| The Aloe Vera crops in Aruba are helped by the | | | | local store, you will notice the impact this plant has had |
| same thing that draws visitors to the island from | | | | on Aruban culture as soon as you reach the island. |
| throughout the world each year - the weather. After | | | | From the large plants dotting the Aruban countryside |
| the initial crops were planted, it was realized that Aloe | | | | to the scores of products and images filling local |
| Vera grows incredibly well in Aruba because of the | | | | galleries and stores, Aloe Vera tells one of Aruba's |
| arid conditions and consistently sunny Caribbean | | | | most important stories. Though you may visit the 'Island |
| environment. As time went on, researchers and | | | | of Aloe' to enjoy the beaches and luxurious resorts, |
| growers found that the climate of Aruba also | | | | this wonder plant can add an exciting element to your |
| enhances the healing capabilities of the plant, allowing | | | | Caribbean vacation. After spending a few days in the |
| the island to produce some of the most potent Aloe | | | | vibrant Caribbean sunshine, Aruba's Aloe Vera will |
| Vera gel in the world. | | | | probably come in handy for your sunburn, too! |