Before Travelling

Climate: Aruba is out of the hurricane belt and the climate is dry. The hottest months are August-October and the coolest are December-February, but the temperature rarely goes over 32°C or below 26°C. A cooling trade wind can make the temperature deceptive. Average rainfall is 51 cm a year, falling in short showers during October-December. Check: Aruba - Country profile & Map

Documents: US and Canadian citizens only require proof of identity, such as passport, birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, with photo ID if not using a passport. Other nationalities need a passport. Those who need a visa include citizens of Afghanistan, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Iraq, Iran, Cambodia, Korea, Libya, Mauritania, Mongolia, Burma, Syria, Vietnam, Peru, Haiti, Albania, Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia, unless they are legally residing in a country whose citizens do not need a visa. A return or onward ticket and proof of adequate funds are also required for all visitors. Dogs and cats are permitted entry if they have a valid rabies and health certificate but, no pets are allowed from South or Central America. Check with your hotel to see if they are allowed to stay.

Customs: People over 18 are allowed to bring in one fifth of liquor, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250 grammes of tobacco.

Hospitals and Medical Facilities: All the major hotels have a doctor on call. There is a well-equipped, 280-bed hospital (Dr Horacio Oduber Hospital, LG Smith Blvd, T874300, F873348) near the main hotel area with modern facilities and well-qualified surgeons and dentists. Posada Clinic Aruba, L G Smith Blvd 14, T820840, F835664, offers haemodialysis service, multilingual staff, reservations 3 months in advance, modern equipment. Labco Medical and Homecare Service, Cabuyastraat 6A, Ponton, PO Box, 1147, T825541, F826567, 24-hr service, free delivery, rents items such as wheelchairs, crutches, bedpans etc to visitors. The emergency telephone number for the Ambulance and Fire Department is 115. Also for ambulance in Oranjestad, T821234 and in San Nicolas, T845050. Air Ambulance, Mr Rupert Richards, T829197, F835664. Drinking water is distilled from sea water and consequently is safe. The main health hazard for the visitor is over-exposure to the sun. Be very careful from 1100-1430, and use plenty of high factor suntan lotion.

Voltage: 110 volts 60 cycle AC same as USA.

Money

Currency: Aruba has its own currency, the Aruban florin, not to be confused with the Antillean guilder, which is not accepted in shops and can only be exchanged at banks.
Exchange: The exchange rate is Afl1.77=US$1, but shops’ exchange rate is Afl1.80. US dollars and credit cards are widely accepted, even on buses, and the Venezuelan bolívar is also used. ATMs dispense only Aruban currency.
Departure Tax: Aruba Passenger Facility Charge is US$20, or Afl36. If flying out to the USA, you will clear US customs and immigration in Aruba, which saves you time at the other end (US Immigration, T831316). There are two terminals for international and US-bound flights, with restaurants, duty-free shops and other services.

Also Check: Aruba - Money / business guide

Banks: ABN/AMRO Bank, Caya G F (Betico) Croes 89, T821515, F821856, at the Port of Call shopping centre (close to the harbour where the cruise ships come in) on L G Smith Blvd; ATMs at these offices and at Sunday Plaza Building, L G Smith Blvd 160 and Dr Horacio Oduber Hospital, for Cirrus or Mastercard. Aruba Bank NV, Caya G F (Betico) Croes 41, T821550, F829152, and at L G Smith Blvd 108, T831318. Banco di Caribe NV, Caya G F Croes 90-92, T832168, F834222. Caribbean Mercantile Bank NV, Caya G F (Betico) Croes 51, T823118, F824373, ATM for Cirrus or Mastercard here and also at Palm Beach 48 (Noord), Zeppenfeldstraat 35 (San Nicolas), Santa Cruz 41 (Santa Cruz), L G Smith Blvd 17, Seaport Village Mall. Interbank, Caya G F (Betico) Croes 38, T831080, F837152. First National Bank, Caya G F (Betico) Croes 67, T833221, F821756. Western Union Money Transfer Service, T824400. American Express representative for refunds, exchange or replacement of cheques or cards is SEL Maduro & Sons, Rockefellerstraat 1, T823888, open Mon-Fri 0800-1200, 1300-1700. Aruba Bank, Caribbean Mercantile Bank and Interbank are Visa/Mastercard representatives with cash advance. Aruba Bank at the airport is open daily 0800-1600 except on official holidays. Also check: Government & Economy of Aruba

Clothing: Swim suits are not permitted in the shopping area. Most casinos require men to wear jackets and smart clothes are expected at expensive restaurants, otherwise casual summer clothes worn all year. Public nudity of any kind is illegal although topless sunbathing is tolerated on most resort beaches.

Laundry: Wash ‘n’ Dry Laundromat, Turibana Plaza, Noord. Hop Long Laundromat, Grensweg 7, San Nicolas. Dakota Laundry, Amandelstraat 3, Oranjestad. Aruba Laundromat, Hendrikstraat 30, Oranjestad.

Public Holidays: New Year’s Day, GF Betico Croes Day (25 January), Carnival Monday (beginning of February), Flag Day (18 March), Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, Queen’s Birthday (30 April), Labour Day (1 May), Ascension Day (May), Christmas Day, Boxing Day. Check also: Festivals in Aruba

Places of Worship: A wide range of churches is represented on Aruba, including Catholic, Jewish and Protestant. There are Methodists, Baha’i, Baptists, Church of Christ, Evangelical, Jehovah’s Witnesses and 7th Day Adventists. Check at your hotel for the times of services and the language in which they are conducted. Check: List of Churches in Aruba