Aruba Travel Tips
Oranjestad Harbor, Aruba; (c) Soul Of America
Aruba Facts
Official Language: Dutch
Currency: Aruba Florin
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time
Est. Population: 95,000
Cruise Port City: Oranjestad
Aruba Travel Tips
Passports are required for U.S. citizens.
The island’s tropical climate averages 82 degrees. Anytime is a great time of the year to travel here. With its tropical climate, brief showers can occur at any time.
The dress code is always Island Casual.
U.S. Dollars and major credit cards are accepted by most establishments.
You can make phone calls or use the internet at stations near the cruise port. Get a local phone card for the best rates.
Banks are open from 8 am-4 pm (Monday-Friday). ATMs are widely available.
Stores are open 8:30 am-6 pm (Monday-Saturday) in Oranjestad until 9 pm in Arawak Gardens and Paseo Horentia shopping district.
Main Street in Oranjestad; (c) Soul Of America
The local water is safe to drink. Bring sunglasses, a hat and plenty of sunscreen lotion.
Electricity outlets are the same as those in the USA.
The cruise port is a short walk from the center of Oranjestad shops, restaurants, and bars.
Each of the 6 residential communities (Noord, Paradera, Santa Cruz, Port de Palm, Savaneta, and San Nicolas has a school, church, and police station.
The crime rate here is less than most U.S. cities. Female visitors can walk alone without harassment from local men. Though Aruba is safer than most Caribbean Islands, visitors should still use common sense when out and about.
The island is clean and easy to navigate.
The major holidays in Aruba are New Year’s Day, Betico Croes’ Birthday, Carnival Monday, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Queen’s Birthday, Labor Day, Ascension, Flag Day, Antilles Day, Christmas, and Boxing Day.