Aruba - Travel Tips

Aruba: Travel Tips

The Original Official Homepage of the Aruba Tourism Authority

A collection of important information,
that can make your trip more enjoyable.

Currency
The Aruban florin is the standard currency of the country, but U.S. Dollars are accepted everywhere, including taxis, and can be expected to be returned in change. Most of the larger hotels provide currency exchange, if needed.
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Banks
Banks are open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and cash may be obtained at branches of the Caribbean Mercantile Bank and the ABN-AMRO Bank with any major credit card or with Cirrus network ATM cards. Please note however that the ATM's dispense only local currency.
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Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Aruba
Zoutmanstraat 21. P.O. Box 140
Oranjestad, Aruba
Tel: (2978) 21566 or 23423
Fax: (2978) 33962
Telegram address: ARUCHAMBER
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Passports & Travel Taxes
Passports is required of U.S. and Canadian citizens. A departure tax of $34,25 per person is imposed upon departure.
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Customs Regulations
Visitors 18 years of age and older may bring into the country up to 2 litres of liquor, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, and 250 grams of tobacco, in addition to those items which they plan on keeping for personal use.
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Animals
Hotels do not have facilities for pets.
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Transportation
The Queen Beatrix Airport is located on the southern coast not far from the capital city of Oranjestad. Jeeps, scooters, and bicycles may be rented for getting around or for going off on one's own. Cars and motorcycles may also be rented at the airport, and limousine service is available. Taxis should have a fixed price schedule for most destinations on the island. Here everyone drives on the right-hand side of the road. Taxis are common rated, and established by the govenment. Tipping is usually 10 percent.
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Hotels
Aruba offers a wide variety of accommodations from luxury hotels with their own private beach facilities to guest houses, and rental apartments. Seasonal rates vary from hotel to hotel, but the winter season from January through March tends to be the most crowded and the most expensive. Hotels routinely add between 10% and 15% as a surcharge for service and 11% for room tax. It is customary to tip the porters an average of 50 cents US$ per bag, and all other gratuities are left to the guest's discretion.
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Shopping
Aruba offers duty-free shopping at the airport or at specified duty-free establishments, but the tariffs at other stores are still low at 3.3%, and there are many bargains to be had in European porcelain, jewelry, perfumes, and clothing. The main shopping strip is to be found at the Seaport Village in Oranjestad. Stores are generally open from 8 am to 6 pm with a two-hour break for lunch between noon and 2 pm.
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Medical/Health Facilities
Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital in Aruba is a 280 bed hospital equipped with reputable medical staff and modern equipment. The hospital, which opened in 1976, is located across from Eagle Beach. Services such as oxygen tanks and hemodialysis are available. For more information contact:
Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital
Sasakiweg, Aruba
Tel: 297-587-4300 Fax (297) 587-3348
www.arubahospital.com

Centro Medico

Dr. Rudy Engelbrecht
Bernhardstraat 75
San Nicolas, Aruba
Tel: 297-584-8833
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Electricity
Electricity operates on 110 volts alternating current, 60 cycles, and American appliances should work without the need for converters or adapters.
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Communications
Aruba has modern international communication facilities. For international telephone calls (direct dial, person to person, or collect calls), telex and telegrams, electronic mailgram and mariphone calls, contact the hotel operator or SETAR.

SETAR located next to the Aruba post office at the Irausquinplein or at SETAR Teleshop at Palm Beach across from Hyatt Regency Aruba Beach Resort & Casino or at SETAR Teleshop, Schelpstraat (around the corner of Le Petite Cafe, - Downtown, Oranjestad).
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Telephone
To direct dial to Aruba from the United States, you must dial 011-2978 + the five digit number. To direct dial from anywhere else you must dial 297 the seven digit number. From Aruba to the US, dial 001+area code and number.
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Tipping
Gratuity of 10 - 15% is usually included on your bill. At your own discretion, you may add an extra amount for good service.
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Drinking Water
The water on the island has been desalinated and purified, so it is safe for drinking.
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What to Wear
Dress is casual informal summer wear. Ladies may bring along a shawl to throw over the shoulders at night. Dress-up clothes are recommended for a night out in one of the island's elegant restaurants, nightclubs or casino's. Most casino's require jackets for gentlemen. Bathing suits are not permitted in the shopping and business districts.