Aruba is a Caribbean island 15 miles north of the coast of Venezuela, and is one of the four “countries” that together form the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is 30 km (19.6 miles) long and 9 km (6 miles) across at its widest point giving it an area of approximately 70 mi² (184 km²). This flat island with no rivers is renowned for its white sand beaches and tropical climate moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean. The temperature is almost constant at about 27°C (81°F) and the yearly rainfall usually does not exceed 20 inches. Aruba lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt. This beautiful island offers many activities and attractions for people of all ages. Aruba is divided into the northeast and southwest coasts. The southwest has the white sand beaches, turquoise seas, and warm waters. The northeast coast, exposed to the Atlantic, has a few white sand beaches, cacti, rough seas with treacherous currents, and a rocky coastline. The time in Aruba is Atlantic Standard Time; it is the same as Eastern Daylight Savings time all year round. CitiesClick on the city’s name for hotels and activity ideasOranjestad – Capital UnderstandClimate The climate is tropical marine, with little seasonal temperature variation. Because of its location south in the Caribbean there is very strong sun, but a constant light breeze keeps the temperature pleasant. (These persistent winds out of the east shape the island’s distinctive, lop-sided divi-divi trees.) The divi-divi trees have become a signature tree to Aruba’s landscape. The weather is almost always dry, with most rain showers coming at night and lasting only a little while. Temperatures in Aruba do not change dramatically. Between the months of January and March the temperatures stay around 76-85℉ (24-29℃) degrees; this being their high season. However starting in April and through December this is considered off season and temperatures do not change much beyond 79 and 88 degrees. It lies outside the zone usually affected by hurricanes. Landscape The island is flat with a few hills, arid with mostly desert vegetation and negligible natural resources other than white sandy beaches. Highest point: Mount Jamanota (188 m). History Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island’s economy has traditionally been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. In 1986, Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles (Bonaire and Curacao, which together with Aruba form the ABC-Islands) and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba’s request in 1990. In 1986, the oil refinery closed, which severely impacted Aruba’s economy and accelerated an already-evident shift towards tourism which is now almost complete. The oil refinery reopened in 1991, closed again in 2009, reopened again in 2011, and closed again in 2012. Today, tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. The 1980s tourism boom led to a bad hangover, in that several projects ran out of money during construction and sat as half-completed eyesores until they were eventually picked up by other investors and completed during the 1990s and 2000s. To prevent a recurrence of that situation, the government imposed a building moratorium in 2007. Aruba of today has become more and more popular, many reputable travel sites rating Aruba’s beaches in the top 10 of the world constantly and the best cruising ports of the Caribbean. SymbolismPapiamento and the national flag, anthem, and coat of arms are the most important national symbols. They stress the inhabitants’ love for the island, the close connection to the Caribbean Sea, and the multi-cultural composition of the population. The national anthem is played and sung on many occasions. The Dutch flag functions as a symbol of the unity of Aruba, the Netherlands, and the Netherlands Antilles. Etiquette
Electricity Aruba uses 120V at 60Hz, which is identical to the US and Canadian standard. Outlets are NEMA 5 grounded outlets identical to standard wall outlets in the US and Canada. Occasionally non-grounded outlets may be found, which do not accept the third, round pin present on grounded plugs and require an adapter. Older North American outlets may not be polarised (with one slot wider than the other). Otherwise, adapters are available which accept a polarised plug and adapt it for use with a non-polarised outlet. Currency & Money Aruba’s currency is the florin denoted by the letters ‘Awg.’ but also widely known as ‘Afl.’ The official rate at which banks accept U.S. dollar banknotes is Awg. 1,77 and checks at Awg. 1,78. The rate of exchange granted by shops and hotels ranges from Awg. 1,75 to Awg. 1,80 per U.S. dollar. U.S. Dollars are widely accepted in Aruba, and banks may exchange other foreign currency. Traveler’s checks are widely accepted and there is no charge for using them in hotels, restaurants and stores. Major credit cards are accepted at most establishments while personal checks are normally not accepted. Cash may be obtained with MasterCard, Visa and American Express cards at credit card offices, banks, in some casinos and via Western Union. ATM cards and credit cards are accepted by ATMs of Aruba Bank, Banco di Caribe, RBTT Bank, and Caribbean Mercantile Bank. The card must have either a Cirrus or Visa Plus logo. ATM instructions are normally given in Dutch, English, Spanish and Papiamento. Cash is normally dispensed in local currency. Get inAruba exists outside the right to abode laws of the Schengen Area therefore Schengen E.U. freedom of movement laws don’t apply to Aruba Dutch Nationals and Citizens Although Sint Estatius is part of the Kingdom of Netherlands makeup, those living ouside Aruba have limited freedom to visit Aruba. Dutch nationals and citizens living outside Aruba can visit visa-free for 6 months. Visa-free Those living in the countries and territories listed below can visit Aruba visa-free for 30 to 60 days. European Union/European Free Trade Association countries, Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil. Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Suriname, South Korea, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United States, Vatican City, and Venezuela. Those living in British Overseas Territories must follow the same visa exempt policy as the other countries mentioned. Citizens of Canada, European Netherlands, Ireland, Saint Martin, a Schengen country, United States, United Kingdom holding a valid residence permit of the country/territory you live in are exempted from the visa requirement. Captain, crew and passengers aboard a ship or aircraft are exempt from the visa requirement for no longer than 48 hours. Those holding a official United Nations Laissez-Passer are exempt from the visa requirement. Entry Requirements Travellers are not allowed to work during their stay in Aruba. To enter Aruba, one should be able to present the following at time of entry:
The final authorisation for admission to Aruba remains with migration officer at the border-crossing/port of entry. The migration authorities at the border-crossing/port of entry have the authority to grant or refuse admission. Admission can be refused if not all admission requirements are fulfilled by the time of entering Aruba of if the tourist/traveller has been blacklisted. By plane Aruba has an international airport that has flights arriving daily from numerous major cities around the world. Some of the airlines that fly to and from Aruba often are American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Aruba Airlines, and more. All air traffic arrives and departs from the Reina Beatrix International Airport (IATA: AUA) (ICAO: TNCA) on the western side of the island. American Airlines now flies only from Miami. Other major carriers from the US include Southwest Airlines (Atlanta, Baltimore, Orlando), United (Chicago, Washington/Dulles, Newark), US Airways (Boston, Philadelphia, Charlotte), Delta (Atlanta, New York JFK), and JetBlue Airways (New York JFK, Boston). Both WestJet and Air Canada fly direct from Toronto. Copa Airlines Colombia flies to Aruba from Copa Airlines’s Panama City hub, where there are connections to the entire Western Hemisphere and Europe. First Choice Airways flies charter flights from the London and Manchester in the UK, and KLM flights to Amsterdam connect to most of the rest of Europe. Avianca and Aires connect Aruba to Colombia. Daily connections to Venezuela include Caracas, Maracaibo, Las Piedras and Valencia, by Aeropostal, Aserca, Santa Barbara Airlines and Avior. InselAir [1] has several daily flights to Curacao, and from there to 11 destinations in South America (including Medellín – Colombia and Valencia (Venezuela)), the Caribbean and Miami. There is an office of the American Department of Homeland Security at the airport for those traveling to the United States. Air charter companies such as Air Charter Aruba offer access to aircraft rentals around the world for private flights. Aircraft for on-demand charter range from economical single & twin engines aircraft to small jets and luxury planes. For flights between the ABC islands, charter providers such as Island Birds are available for short flights on twin-engine Piper aircraft. By boat You can also travel to Aruba by cruise ship. Aruba’s cruise port is in the capitol, Oranjestad. Some of the cruise companies that sail to Port of Aruba are Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International. Get around Like most Caribbean islands, Aruba’s transportation network consists primarily of two-lane paved roads. Oranjestad is often jammed with traffic when Aruba is full of tourists, which means that if you are staying north of Oranjestad, you must budget at least an hour each way to transit through Oranjestad. A glance at the map will reveal several possibilities for going around the worst of the traffic by heading inland, but there aren’t any really good shortcuts, just long detours where the time spent going out of your way to bypass Oranjestad is almost as long as the time it would have taken you to just sit through bumper-to-bumper traffic passing through it. You can conveniently get around Aruba by car, bus, or by foot. As a tourist, it is not completely necessary to rent a car because many restaurants, beaches, and shopping areas are within walking distance. If something is not within walking distances, taxis are always available and the ride is never very long. There is also a bus line that can take you close to major tourist areas. Taxis Cabs are available at the airport and at hotels. Rates from the airport in USD (which is widely accepted): $ 18 – Downtown, Cruise ship terminal $ 22 – Low Rise Hotels (Dutch Village to La Quinta) and Eagle area (Oceania to Amsterdam Manor) $ 25 – High Rise Hotels (Phoenix to Marriott Hotel) and Palm Beach hotels. Add USD $3 on Sundays, holidays and nights (11 PM to 7 AM). One item of luggage per person is allowed; add USD $2 for every additional piece. Bus The bus system is called “Arubus” [2]. This bus is great to see the island and to travel from Oranjestad to the tourist hotels all for $2.30 round-trip. You can take the bus to the far end of the island, have lunch at St Nicholas, see how the 90,000 islanders live. The bus stops at 9 PM. You can find city/island buses at a main station right downtown. During other than “rush hours”, friendly drivers and some riders will help you choose routes and provide commentary on stops and sights. Fares are quite modest. An economical way to get to the resort beaches. Electric Streetcar There is a new – modern and green – trolley in downtown Oranjestad. These double-deckers run from the harbor (cruise ship port) to east of downtown along shops, small hotels and restaurants. The tram’s batteries are augmented by hydrogen fuel cells, which in turn are powered by Aruba’s wind turbines. The ride is quiet and free. Car Rental You can also rent a car or jeep at the Queen Beatrix airport or through the hotel concierge. Because Aruba is small, consider the possibility of not renting a car until you know what you want to do. Many activities are central to the resort area of the island and are within walking distance. Renting cars/jeeps is easy, and many rental companies provide pickup service from area hotels. This is one of the easier holiday destinations to negotiate your own car around so keep the pace easy and book ahead online. If you do decide to rent a car, be aware that the local rental car companies often rent older, higher mileage cars. It’s especially important to recognise that even the big brand rental car agencies will rent you a vehicle in poor condition that may or may not function properly. It may also have extensive preexisting damage in terms of both dents and flaking or scratched paint. You should make the time for a thorough walkaround at time of rental (and photograph the vehicle yourself during the process) to ensure that such preexisting damage is fully documented so that you are not charged for it upon return. Aruba rental car offices at the international airport do not operate on the model of “here’s the keys, go find it yourself” seen in the U.S. While you complete all the typical rental paperwork in one of the offices across the main airport access road from the airport terminal, one of the staff members will be retrieving your vehicle from a remote lot and parking it in the alley that runs behind the offices parallel to the airport access road. That staff member will then lead you out to the vehicle and do a walkaround with you. To return the vehicle, you will follow the signs back to that alley and park in whatever spot is closest to the appropriate rental car office. A staff member on duty monitoring the alley will come over and do the walkaround to determine fuel level, mileage, new damage, etc. Don’t worry if you can’t get a close spot, they can spot your vehicle as theirs since Aruba is one of the countries where rental car vehicles still often include the owner’s logo somewhere. You then go into the office where the clerk will reconfirm what will be charged to your credit card and close out your rental car contract. Driving in Aruba The most important thing U.S. drivers need to remember is that there are no turns on red. Also, there are several roundabouts (circles), which can be frustrating to some drivers but are quickly gotten used to. Unlike conventional roundabouts which either lack lanes altogether or have very confusing lane markings, Aruba has extensive signage and asphalt curbs which precisely indicate available movements through roundabouts and you will get used to them very quickly. Aruba uses international road signs under the Vienna Convention standard, which generally have no words or any obvious relation to their meaning. Fortunately, tourist maps usually contain quick references explaining their meaning if you are unfamiliar with them. Aruba also marks roads in the European style, meaning they use only white lines and do not use yellow lines to divide two-way opposing traffic as on the North American mainland. The island’s most important road is LG Smith Boulevard (also known as Sasakiweg north of Oranjestad). Sasakiweg between Oranjestad and Palm Beach has been improved so that it is the island’s only major four-lane divided highway, on which the speed limit is 80 kph (except at roundabouts, where it drops to 40). Because the island is so small, everything of interest is close to everything else of interest, and it takes special talent to get lost—if you don’t know where you’re going, you can basically just keep driving, and statistically speaking you are likely to end up where you need to go eventually. It should be noted, however, that most street names are not identified by signage. Even worse, many rural streets are unnamed, meaning you have to navigate them by dead reckoning or landmarks. The lack of street name signs can be especially frustrating in downtown Oranjestad. The best approach is to park in the parking lot across LG Smith Boulevard from the Renaissance Mall and Royal Plaza Mall and simply walk to your destination. A cab might also be easier than navigating the narrow unmarked streets. Take a map with you to determine what road signs mean because they are not immediately obvious. You should also be cautious when driving, as there are certain “bus only” roads that are not marked but that feature large pits in the road designed to trap normal cars while letting buses drive through. Traffic Rules International road signs are used in Aruba. Foreign driver’s licenses and International Driver Permits issued by a member country of the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic are generally valid. If your driver’s license is already written in English from such a country, an IDP is not necessary. Car speedometers and road signs are in kilometres. The speed limit in urban areas is 40km/h; out of town it’s 80km/h, unless a higher or lower speed is specifically indicated. Much of Oranjestad’s traffic is one-way and at intersections, where there are no road signs, traffic from your right has the right of way. Aruba follows the European approach to intersection signage, where stop signs are used only when absolutely necessary and the yield sign is the predominant traffic control device. If you do see a stop sign, it really does mean stop completely (not slow to a creep or roll), usually because it’s a blind intersection. TalkLanguages spoken are Dutch (official), Papiamento, (also official) (a creole of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch origin), Spanish, and English (widely spoken). See
Museums
DoBeaches
ActivitiesOn and Off the Resorts
BuyMost stores open from 9 AM to noon or 1 PM and from 2 PM to 6:30 PM, although some remain open between noon and 2 PM. Shops are open from Monday to Saturday. Hotel stores have varying open hours so check at your hotel for these. Along Palm Beach hotel area the stores are open to 10 PM. Above all, it appears that Arubans are very aware that their economy is completely dependent on tourism – so Arubans are polite to tourists, and even street vendors don’t generally seek to rip off their customers (though as in all traveling, don’t let advice like this lull you into a sense of complacency). This may be helped by the fact that Aruba is a relatively expensive place to visit, so it tends to attract the reasonably well-off. American dollars are accepted virtually everywhere at a decent exchange rate. If you have U.S. dollars, there is no need to change money into the local currency, the Aruban florin. The current exchange rate (as of April 2014) given in shops is about 1.79 florins to the dollar. Because the island is a Dutch dependency, the Dutch currency (i.e., Euros) is easy to spend, and small change for purchases in dollars may be in florins. The island is actually not duty-free, but merchants respond well to competition on other islands, and duty free goods are offered by a few shops at the airport as visitors depart. Oranjestad’s waterfront features many vendors/stalls selling souvenirs. Ironically, many of these souvenirs are imported from the United States with island scenes/slogans, only to be purchased by Americans and brought back to America. Experienced Mexican and Caribbean tourists may recognize some souvenirs as bearing generic island-themed designs which are lightly customized for each major Mexican and Caribbean destination. In Oranjestad, the Renaissance Mall contains various American and European major luxury brands of apparel and jewelry (i.e. Tommy Hilfiger, Polo Ralph Lauren, Gucci) at essentially the same prices as in the United States, which raises the obvious question of why they are in Aruba in the first place (since most American or European shoppers wealthy enough to buy such goods would simply buy them at home anyway). The reason is that they are catering to Aruba’s large numbers of South American visitors. Most luxury brands have traditionally refrained from entering South America (or have entered and retreated) due to the political and economic instability of the region. Aruba is a good compromise location as it has a relatively stable, functioning government and is very close to South America. If you are not looking to go to an indoor mall, Caya GF Betico, is an open shopping area. This is a popular street in Aruba that is filled with luxury stores, souviener shops, jewelers, boutiques, shoe stores, and much more. You can find almost anything you need here on this street. It is recommended that you come to these shops during the early morning or late afternoon, as many of the stores are closed around lunch time. You’ll find strip malls and grocers at modest (not easily walked) distances west of downtown and elsewhere. They offer almost everything a visitor or resident might need for short stays or living in Aruba. Groceries and other supplies are all imported, so prices tend to be very high. You can catch the bus from the hotel areas to the largest supermarket, Super Food, which is about 10 mins from Eagle and Palm Beaches. With numerous cruise ships visiting, downtown stores offer buys in jewelry, etc., typical of that in other Caribbean cruise ports, some at “duty free” prices. For cheese lovers, mild Dutch Gouda, in boxes or wheels, is a popular buy in supermarkets, though not the great bargain it used to be. Do ensure the integrity of the package seal from the maker to avoid spoilage and difficulty at customs inspection. If you’ve flown to the island, the airport duty-free store offers alcohol at one liter per person tax free. This is a significant savings over purchasing alcohol at the hotels or downtown. EatMany chain restaurants, both fast food and upscale, from the United States are present in Aruba (i.e. Texas de Brazil, Wendy’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Hooters, Subway, Tony Romas). You’ll find some downtown, and many near the large resort hotels. The upscale restaurants near resorts vary in quality as there are a limited number of them and they have a steady stream of tourist customers, as they advertise in pamphlets available in the hotels. The fast food places are essentially no different than their American counterparts. Gianni’s Group is a collection of five different resturants, Daniel’s Steak and Chop, Gianni’s Ristorante Italiano, Azzurro, Azia, and Amore Mio Pizzeria. These restaurants have mainly Italian food, but you can also get seafood, steak, pizza, sandwiches, and more. The restaurants range in prices. For a party of two at Amore Mio Pizzeria you can look to spend under $50 for an appetizer, beverages (non-alcoholic), and two meals. At Gianni’s Ristorante Italiano, for a party of two, you are looking to spend closer to $80. Also good are some of the local fare restaurants. While obviously relying on tourist income, good food can be had. Nos Cunucu is a good example of such. With meals like the traditional baked cheese and some more interesting items such as Iguana soup. Don’t be afraid to eat at random bars and such along the road, (with normal caution of course). Good food can be had for relatively low cost. These pander to locals. Due to the proximity of ostrich farms, foods such as ostrich burgers are widely available. There are also numerous seafood restaurants which serve locally caught seafood. For those staying near Eagle and Palm Beach the new Super Food grocery store offers excellent food choices for those that do not want to eat out every night. They sell both American and European fare, with certain US specific foods being more expensive. You can get an excellent selection of beef and chicken as well as pork products. They also sell beer, hard liquor as well as beauty products (sunscreen). With cab fare ranging from $9 to $12 (from Eagle and Palm Beach Hotels) this can be an excellent choice. [5][6] DrinkBy the glass, sixpack or case, imported dutch beers are relatively good buys. Balashi Beer – Aruba’s National Beer…a must-drink beverage, perfect after spending all day at the beach. Don’t, however, confuse it with a “Balashi Cocktail”, which is a local term for the equally enjoyable Aruban water. Founded in 1996, the name Balashi is derived from the words Bala Bala and Balana and means “near the sea.” It is the only beer brewed on the island of Aruba. Daily tours of the brewery are available with an open-aired bar and restaurant on the premises. Balashi Brewery / Tel. 592-2544 / 523-6544. Balashi Gardens open from 6:30AM – 4:00PM. Tours Monday – Friday. There is also a Balashi logo store, with mostly t-shirts, and a few other things located on L.G. Smith Boulevard, right before the Harley shop and after the Caribbean Mercantile Bank. Very easy to miss but worth a trip if you enjoyed the Balashi! There is also a drive-thru beverage store next door that is nifty. Gusto is a nightclub in the Palm Beach area of Aruba. This is a nightclub for people of all ages. They have a DJ every night and they make both classic and original drinks, with happy hour (half off drinks) between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Senor Frogs is located right across the street from Gusto Nightclub. Senor Frogs tailors more for a younger crowd. They also have a full food menu and are open all day long. SleepThere are an array of resorts located all over the island. See the individual city articles for listings. Aruba offers many options for sleeping arrangements. There are both hotels in downtown as well as on the beach. Some of the Hotels include; a Holiday Inn, Marriot, as well as some small local places. There is a Holiday Inn located next to the Marriot in which they share the same beach (Palm Beach). However, the Marriot is the only resort that offers a timeshare within their premise. There are two timeshare “clubs” apart of the Marriot. One is the Ocean Club which has been around for quite some time. The second is the Surf Club which was built in more recent years. The Marriot includes three swim up bars and a lazy river as well as two gyms and a casino.[7] The Divi Resorts in Aruba consist of three individual resorts. The Divi Aruba Phoenix, which is located in the Palm Beach area closer to nightlife and shopping. The Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort is located right across from Eagle Beach and around a golf course. The Divi Village has luxury suites and private villas available for stay. The Divi Dutch Village is right on Eagle Beach with an all-inclusive option available. Every room is equipped with a kitchen and living room; many rooms even have balconies with garden views. Together, Divi has 10+ pools, full beach access, access to pool games, golf, tennis, spas, 12 restaurants, and 11 bars. [8] LearnThere are two private, but IMED approved, medical schools on the island that prepare students for practice in the United States. These are Aureus University School of Medicine and Xavier University School of Medicine (XUSOM). WorkA working permit is required to work in Aruba. Stay safeAruba is generally a very safe place at any time of day or night. However, it would probably be wise to stay away from the area surrounding the Valero refinery on the southeast part of the island at night (in the words of a Valero employee, “you will get some undesirables down there at night”). There is generally no reason for a tourist to go there at all anyway, so this likely will not be an issue. While rarely enforced, all drug abuse – including cannabis – is illegal. Also be aware tourists have been targeted, and there have been many stolen cars recently. In the Malmok beach area, just beyond the high rise 5 rental cars were stolen in 1 night. For obvious reasons, never leave your belongings in rental cars, and always make sure to lock your car doors and lock the wheel with twin hooks. Stay healthy The running water in Aruba is absolutely safe to drink. It is referred to as “Sweet Water” because it is very good. Medical The main 280-bed hospital is well-equipped both as regards staff and equipment. Oxygen tanks and hemodialysis services are available. Hotels have doctors and dentists on call and appointments can also be arranged through your hotel. Several other medical clinics also exist on the island. RespectNature is very cherished by the Aruban people. 18% of their island is dedicated to the Arikok National Park. Get OutAfter your stay in Aruba, you may never want to leave. All vacations must come to an end so when it does, your way out of Aruba is the same way you came in, by plane or boat. Don’t forget your passport and other travel documents! Content copyleft courtesy of the wonderful wikitravel.org. |
