Traditional Aruba Fishing Boat
Cell Phones
Your cell phone will work here but check on roaming charges. Contact your local service provider before traveling to Aruba.
It is possible to rent a cell phone right at the airport in the arrivals terminal. A deposit and proper identification are required.
Repeat visitors may consider the purchase an inexpensive cell phone instead of renting one. Teleshops are located in the hotel area.
Drinking Water
Aruba’s water meets the highest quality standards of the World Health Organization and is distilled in the world’s second largest desalination plant.
Driving
The road signs in Aruba are different from those in the US. Familiarize yourself with traffic rules and signs before driving.
Roads are very slick after a rain; drive cautiously.
For off-road adventure, consider renting a car with 4-wheel drive or a jeep.
Internet Access
Wi-Fi is available at most hotels in public areas and rooms as well as at many “hot spots” throughout the island. For more information, please check the profile page of your resort or contact Setar at 525-1000.
Legal Ages
Drinking age is 18. Gambling age is 18. Identification may be requested in both cases.
Medical Facilities
Contact your hotel front desk for medical information and assistance.
Prescriptions – Be sure to bring all your prescription medicine with you. Foreign prescriptions cannot be filled in Aruba. It will be necessary to make an appointment with a house doctor who can provide you with a local prescription for your medicine or an equivalent, if not available here.
Hospital – We have a first-class hospital just a few minutes from the hotel sector and all hotels have a doctor on call 24/7.
Conch Shells in Aruba White Sand
Money
To change florins to US dollars, divide florin amount in half and add 10%. This formula will be especially useful when shopping in supermarkets.
Exchange rate for US dollars is awg 1.77 for cash and awg 1.78 for travelers checks. (awg 1.75 at supermarkets and gas stations / awg 1.80 at shops and restaurants)
All major credit cards and travelers checks are accepted.
Personal checks from out of Aruba are not accepted.
Some shops will not accept US $ 50 or US $ 100 due to worldwide counterfeiting.
Public Transportation
There is daily bus service all along the hotel strip. Fare is US $ 1.50 / one day or $ 2.30 / round-trip.
There is bus service every 15 minutes from 5:45 am until 6 pm; buses then run every 40 minutes until 11:30 pm.
The central bus station in downtown Oranjestad is located across the road from the cruise terminal next to Royal Plaza.
Service Charge and Tip
The service charge at a restaurant is shared among servers and kitchen staff. If there is a service charge, a tip is not obligatory but a token amount left for excellent service is greatly appreciated.
If there is no service charge, a tip is appropriate as in the US (+/-15%).
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SHOPPING HOURS
Main Street – open 9 am – 6 pm
Renaissance Mall – open 9 am – 8 pm
Renaissance Marketplace – open 9 am – 6:30 pm
Palm Beach Plaza – open 2 pm – 10 pm / weekends 2 pm – 11 pm
Paseo Herencia – open 10 am – 10 pm / Sunday 5 pm – 10 pm
Check with your concierge about shops at your resort
SUN PROTECTION
The sun is strongest from 11 am – 3 pm. Please be sure to reapply sunscreen often and drink plenty of liquids. Sunglasses and a hat/cap are recommended.
Taxes
Room tax – 19 – 22% is added on to the hotel bill.
Turnover tax – 1.5% is either added to or included in the price of all goods and services.
Taxi Fares
Taxis have no meters; fares are set by the government. Feel free to ask your driver to confirm the fare or show you the rate sheet.
Rates are per ride and not per person. Minimum fare is US $ 5.00.
Time
Aruba is on Atlantic Standard Time year-round. This is one hour later than in the northeastern United States when the clocks there are turned back in the fall for Daylight Savings Time. When the clocks are moved forward in the spring, Aruba has the same time.
Donkeys Near the Coast
U.S. Customs and immigration
Aruba provides the services of the Department of Homeland/Security/ U.S. Customs and Protection (USCBP) for all passengers departing on flights to the U.S.
To allow sufficient time to clear both Aruban and US procedures which include Transportation Security Administration (TSA) mandated screening of passengers and luggage, passengers are requested to be at the airport 3 hours prior to departure.
Passengers are allowed a US $ 800 duty-free exemption. US $ 1,000 per person is dutiable at the flat rate of 3%.
Weather
Average temperature year-round is in the mid-80s Fahrenheit (about 30 degrees Centigrade). It is a good idea to bring a sweater or sports jacket for breezy evenings and air-conditioning.
Here is more detailed weather information
Voltage Requirements
The voltage in Aruba is 120 volts as used in North America.
