Things You Should Know About Aruba
Best Time to Visit Aruba
© Diane Keijzer
January, February and March are the most popular times to visit. During Carnival, just before Lent, the island is hopping with parades, festivities and parties. If you prefer smaller crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere, plan your trip for mid-April through September. Or, if you can't stand another morning of scraping ice from your windshield, hop the next plane and come in the middle of December.
In other words, choose your own time. Come just because you feel like it, whenever you feel like it.
Aruba, after all, isn't just a place where happiness visits now and then. It's where happiness lives. Year-round.
Dress Codes on Aruba
For the most part, casual, informal summer clothing is the rule in Aruba. Women may want to bring along a scarf or hat; the constant trade wind, while refreshing, is not compatible with a carefully arranged hair style.The days of formal dress at shows, casinos and restaurants is gone, but if you plan to visit some of the Aruba's elegant restaurants, night clubs or casinos, one or two dressier outfits would be appropriate. Jackets and ties for men are not required except at a very few restaurants. As for bathing suits, please remember that they're acceptable only on the beach, and not on the streets.
Aruban Currency
Visitors from the U.S. do not have to exchange money. U.S. dollars are accepted just about everywhere, but many places will not accept $50 and $100 bills due to widespread counterfeiting. Traveler's Checks and major credit cards are also accepted everywhere.The official currency of Aruba is the Aruban florin, which is divided into 100 cents. Silver coins are in denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents, one florin, 2 1/2 florins and 5 florins. The 50-cent "yotin" coin, which is square, is probably Aruba's best-known coin.
The Aruban Florin fluctuates with the dollar on the world market. Current exchange rates are stable at Af. 1.77 to the U.S. dollar and Af. 1.34 to the Canadian dollar.
Aruba's Sales Tax
New in 2007, a 3% sales tax which applies at each level of sale or "revenue" for all goods and services.ATM's and Banking in Aruba
Banking hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Most bank branches remain open during lunch. The Aruba Bank branch at the airport is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on official holidays.ATM machines: ATM's are available at more than 50 locations, including banks, hotels, shopping malls and gas stations. Travelers with ATM cards bearing the CIRRUS, Maestro, MasterCard or Visa logos can withdraw cash in Aruban florins or U.S. dollars. Home bank accounts will be debited in dollars at a favorable exchange rate, and a service charge will apply. Before departing for Aruba, it's important to verify whether your PIN number will work in Aruba by checking with your card issuer.
Money Transfer
Western Union Money Transfer Service offers fast, secure and convenient money transfer service to more than 60 countries. For more information, please call (297) 588-24400.Credit Card and Traveler's Check Representatives
American ExpressS.E.L. Maduro & Sons, Rockefellerstr, 1, Oranjestad, Tel. 297-582-3888, office hours 8:00 - 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday. Closed on official holidays. Services include personal check cashing, refunds, exchange and replacement of American Express Traveler checks, American Express Card replacement service, report of lost or stolen American Express Cards.
Visa/Master Card
Aruba Bank, Caribbean Mercantile Bank and Interbank. Services available to cardholders include cash advance, report of lost or stolen Visa/Master Card. Either passport or two other valid identifications required.
Aruban Telephone Service
If you are calling Aruba from abroad, the area code and country code is (297).Aruba offers several options to call internationally; you can use the land line, you will have to dial the outside code and then the number.
You can also call collect or use your credit card to place a phone call. You can place a collect call or credit card call at any of the blue phones located mostly at the lobbies of your hotel and also in the downtown area. The phones have instructions on how to place the calls.
It is highly advisable to purchase and use Aruban calling cards in order to make international phone calls. The calling cards can be obtained throughout the island at gas stations, mini markets, supermarkets and at the various Setar teleshops. The cards, like the Ventaha usually vary between $5, $15, $20 and $30.
Aruba Cellular Phone and Pager Service
Cellular roaming service and GSM capabilities are normal in Aruba. Please contact your local service provider about the features before traveling to Aruba.Setar N.V., Aruba Fastphones and Digicel have Kiosks and help desks at the arrival hall at the airport in order to provide more information.
Cellular phone rentals require that an individual show proper identification, such as a passport. A deposit is usually required.
Aruba Internet
The only Internet Service Provider in Aruba, the telephone company known as SETAR, provides dial-up access to non-residents and visitors. For more information please call SETAR Help Desk at 583-4000 or visit website: http://123.setarnet.awThere are several Internet cafés through out the island that provide access to the Internet for a fee of about $5 an hour.
With Wi-Fi Aruba.com, you can get high-speed Wi-Fi wireless Internet access for your laptop or PDA. Available "hotspots" include most hotels, restaurants, the airport and even on the beaches. At a SETAR Hotspot location, start your Laptop or PDA, open your web browser and surf the Internet. WiFi Aruba.com allows you to connect to the Internet by simply plugging in, registering with a credit card and going to work.
You can also purchase a Setar access card at any Wi-Fi location as follows:
| Access | Duration | Cost |
| One Hour: | 1 x 60minutes continuously | USD$5.00 |
| One Day: | 1 x 24 hours continuously | USD$10.00 |
| One Week: | 7 x 24 hours continuously | USD$35.00 |
| One Month: | 30 x 24 hours continuously | USD$70.00 |
Some WIFI Hotspots are:
- Riu Palace Aruba
- Arawak Park
- Aruba Airport Authority
- Aruba Beach Club
- Aruba Harmony
- Arubiana Inn
- Biblioteca Nacional
- Blue Village
- Board Walk Vacation Retreat
- Brickell Bay Beach Club
- Bucuti Beach Resort
- Bugaloe
- Casa del Mar
- Cellsite Hudishibana
- Certified Megamall
- Costa Linda Beach Resort
- Cruise Terminal
- Delifrance
- Havana
- Holiday Inn Beach Resort
- Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort
- International Airport Reina Beatrix
- Kokoa Beach Bar
- La Cabana
- Manchebo Beach Resort
- Moomba Beach
- DePalm Island
- Patiri Apartments
- Playa Linda Beach Resort
- Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino
- Renaissance Marina Yacht Club
- Repair Center
- Sbarro Airport
- Sbarro La Hacienda
- Sbarro Renaissance
- Scandals
- Setar Hendrikstraat
- Setar Seroe Blanco
- Sunset Beach Studios
- Tele Aruba
- TeleKiosk Airport
- Teleshop Irausquinplein
- Teleshop Irausquinplein
- Teleshop Palm Beach
- Teleshop Palm Beach
- Teleshop San Nicolas
- Teleshop Santa Cruz
- Teleshop Seroe Blanco
- The New Havana Beach Club
- Universiteit van Aruba
- Valero
- Wendy's Boulevard
- Wendy's Cura Cabay
- Wendy's Palm Beach
Aruba Telex and Telegrams
These can be sent via your hotel, or by the Government Telegraph and Radio Office at the Post Office Building in Oranjestad.Weddings in Aruba
Aruba's Parliament changed the laws regarding weddings on the island in 2002. You may now get married on Aruba after meeting specific requirements. Please see Weddings in Aruba for details.A great many of Aruba's best resorts and hotels offer all-inclusive wedding and honeymoon packages, and the island itself is simply perfect for newlyweds.
Children's Programs
Aruba's resorts offer a variety of programs and facilities for children and their parents, including qualified babysitting services, kids' and teens' day camp programs, and water and land activities for the entire family.Tira Koochi Park, a children's playground in Oranjestad, is open from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily. The playground is located at Savaneta 338A, right behind Prome Paso School. For more information, please call (297) 584-7761.
Kibaima Miniature Village and Park is a whole-family adventure that features miniature versions of typical Aruban houses and buildings, along with exotic birds, animals and tropical plants. There's also a separate playground for kids. For information, please call (297) 586-0536.
Aruba's Drinking Water
Aruba has pure, refreshing water, distilled in the world's second largest saltwater purification plant. The plant is called the WEB, and there are many requests to tour it. It's located at Balashi. Phone 297-824-7000 for tour information.Electricity
The electrical voltage is 110 A.C. (60 cycles), and the outlets are the same as in the United States. No adaptors are required for visitors from the U.S.Facilities for the Handicapped
Most of the large and many of the small hotels provide accessible facilities. In most cases, wheelchairs and other appliances are available. There are no specially equipped vans or busses available. Specialized equipment can be rented from Labco Medical. Please check in advance with the hotels you are considering.Hotel Service Charge
There is a 17.66% service and government tax on room rates. The service charge on food and beverages is 10% to 15% in lieu of gratuities at the hotels. This is in addition to the 3% slaes tax instituted in January of 2007.Aruba's Climate & Time Zone
Aruba's climate varies little year-round from an average daytime temperature of 81 degrees farenheight. Northeasterly tradewinds are nearly constant, making it feel cooler than it really is and producing some unexpected sunburns for the unwary.Aruba is in the Atlantic Time Zone and is the same as Eastern Daylight Savings Time, but one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Aruba does not observe Daylight Savings Time.
Spectacular sunsets occur between approximately 6:15pm and 7:00pm year round.
Aruba's Medical Services
Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital, L.G. Smith Blvd., Oranjestad, is located near the low rise hotel area. The hospital is modern and well equipped. Hemodialysis and oxygen tanks are available. Phone (297) 587-4300.All hotels and resorts have medical doctors on call. There are also excellent dental facilities. Appointments can be made through your hotel.
Air ambulance service can be arranged. Call Mr. Richard Rupert at (297) 582-9197 for information.
Centro Medico located on Bernardstraat 75, in San Nicolas, has onsulting hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Emergency assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Phone (297) 584-8833.
Labco Medical and Homecare Service NV offers rental of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, bedpans and other medical equipment. This service is available 24 hours a day, and delivery is free. Phone (297) 582-5541, fax (297) 582-6567. Website
Posada Clinic for hemodialysis has eight stations equipped with modern Fresenius 2008H machines. Each station has a TV, VCR and telephone. The treatment schedule is flexible, and the staff is multilingual. One person is allowed to accompany the patient during treatment. Reservations must be made three months in advance. For more information, or to make reservations, please call the clinic at (297) 582-0840, fax (297) 583-5664.
Movies
Most movies shown in Aruba are American films. You'll find a variety of choices playing on the six screens of Oranjestad's Seaport Cinema. Occasionally a European or Latin American feature is shown at the Drive In Theatre at Balashi.Pets
No pets from South and Central America are allowed. Otherwise, dogs and cats are permitted entry to the island when accompanied by a valid rabies and health certificate issued by a recognized veterinarian. Pets are not allowed at most hotels, however, so please check in advance with your hotel to ask about its policy.Aruban Postage Stamps
Aruba has its own postage stamps in many attractive designs. Collectors can subscribe for new issues in person or by writing to Philatelic Service, Post Office, Oranjestad, Aruba. Phone (297) 582-1900, fax (297) 582-7930.Religious Services
Visitors to Aruba are welcome at all religious services. The Anglican, Baha'i Faith, Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Dutch Reformed, Evangelical, Jewish, Jehovah's Witness, Methodist and Seventh-Day Adventist faiths all hold services on the island. Please ask your hotel for more information, or check directly with the church or synagogue.Time Zone
Aruba is on Atlantic Standard Time, which is the same as Eastern Daylight Savings Time but is effective year-round.Tipping
A service charge of 10% to 15% is often included in your restaurant bill. This amount is divided between your wait person and other restaurant employees. If you received good service, a tip of 10% to 20% given directly to your waitperson is appropriate.