What to expect when traveling to Aruba during public holidays
During holidays things are slightly different than normal. Shops close early or in some cases are not open at all. What you can expect during these days, will be explained below.
If information is missing or you still have questions, please feel free to contact us.
Official Aruban Holidays
|
Holiday |
Date |
|
New Year's Day |
January 1st |
|
Betico Croes Day |
January 25th |
|
Carnival Monday |
February 12th |
|
National Anthem & Flag Day |
March 18th |
|
Good Friday |
March 30th |
|
Easter Monday |
April 2nd |
|
King's Day |
April 27th |
|
Labor Day |
May 1st |
|
Ascension Day |
May 10th |
|
Christmas Day |
December 25th |
|
Boxing Day |
December 26th |
General information
Restaurants
Most restaurants close on official holidays. However the restaurants in the hotel / resort areas normally stay open. To make sure if a restaurant is open on a holiday, it is best to call ahead.
Supermarkets
Supermarkets often close the whole day or close earlier than normal. Supermarkets are closed during: New Year's Day, Betico Croes Day, National Anthem & Flag Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. See more information on the national holidays and other celebrations.
On all other holidays supermarkets will close earlier, normally they close at 1 PM. On December 24th and 31st supermarkets will close at 3 PM.
However some smaller supermarkets will stay open during the holidays.
Gas stations
Gas stations are closed on holidays, the day before they may close earlier around 6:00 pm or so. They will open the next day around 10:00 am.
Bank
All banks are closed on official holidays. On December 24th and 31st banks will close at 12 PM. ATM machines normally keep working!
Shopping
All stores in general are closed on holidays, the day before they may close earlier around noon. They will open the next day at normal hours. Stores in the vicinity of the resorts may remain open for a part of the day or the entire day but this varies from store to store.
Specific holiday information
Carnival
Visitors can enjoy Aruba's Carnival along the roadside. Depending on the parade, the parade will have a different start and/or end point. Please take a look at our page for the Aruba carnival route.
Getting around during Carnival
During Carnival the parade streets and a couple of other roads will be closed. Traveling by taxi or bus is the best way to travel during the carnival, but remember that the parade streets are closed to traffic, so you may need to walk a bit. Because of the closed roads, bus routes will also change.
If you arrive during a carnival parade you have to take into consideration that it might take a bit longer to get from the airport to your resort. You can also arrange your transport in advance. There are companies who offer airport transportation.
Carnival Tips
If you go to watch the carnival parades, the following tips could be useful:
- Depending on were you are watching the parade from, it can take some time before you see the first trailer with participants, especially if you are watching from a location closer to the end of the parade route
- Take a cell phone to call a taxi or other services in the event of need
- Wear comfortable foot wear
- Bring a cap, sunglasses and sunscreen, the sun can be very hot during the daytime parades
- Bring ear plugs, the music can be very loud
- Bring enough liquids and snacks
- Bring a camera
- Best attended parades: Aruba Tivoli Lighting Parade, Grand children's parade, Parade di Luz (Lighting Parade San Nicolas), Grand Carnival Parade San Nicolas and the 59th Grand Carnival Parade Oranjestad.