General facts about Aruba
Aruba is one of the three ABC islands in the southern Caribbean, miles off the coast of Venezuela. Aruba is an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and has a population of approximately 100,000 inhabitants. The island is 21 miles (33 km) long and has an area of about 75 square miles (193 km2).
In this section you will find information about Aruba in general, the weather in Aruba, currency and communication information and much more.
Accommodations
Aruba is a popular vacation destination and offers a large and varied choice of accommodations. Aruba's high-rise resorts are located on Palm Beach while the low-rise resorts are located on Eagle Beach. Besides the corporate and local resorts, Aruba has several apartment complexes, vacation villas or condos and timeshare rentals throughout the island.
For more information please visit our Aruba accommodations page.
Communication & Wifi
To call the US you will need to dial 001, followed by the area code and phone number. For all other countries you dial 00, followed by the country code and phone number.
There are several options for making long-distance calls such as usage of public phone boots, you could rent a cell phone or purchase a SIM card. Wifi is available in most resorts and public areas.
For more information please visit our communication and wifi in Aruba page.
Drinking Water
There is no need to buy bottled water in Aruba. Aruba's tap water is pure and refreshing, meeting the highest standards of quality of the World Health Organization. Since Aruba does not have any significant natural sources of fresh water, the water is distilled in a saltwater desalination plant. The plant is referred to as W.E.B., which is an acronym for the Dutch Water- en Energiebedrijf (Water and Energy Company). There are many requests to tour the plant. To arrange a tour please call WEB at +297 582 4700.
Electricity
Aruba decided to adopt the North American voltage standard of 110 A.C. (60 cycles), the same as in the United States and Canada. Electricity is a by-product of the water desalination process.
Family vacations
Aruba has something to offer for every family member, so young and old will have a great time on our island. Most resorts offer family activities and besides the beaches there are plenty of adventurous activities to entertain the kids (and their parents).
For more information please visit our family vacations in Aruba page.
Language
The official languages on Aruba are Dutch and Papiamento, but most Arubans are multi-lingual and are able to communicate in English and Spanish as well.
For more information about Aruba's language, please visit our page.
Medical & Emergencies
Please contact the front desk of your hotel or apartment complex in case you require medical assistance. The front desk of your resort will be able to direct you to or arrange appointments with the right physician. In case of an emergency you could call 911 for an ambulance or the fire department. The police can be reached at 100. Aruba has a well-equipped hospital, called the Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital, located close to Eagle Beach. For more information please visit our Medical & Emergencies Services in Aruba page.
Money & Currency
Aruba has its own currency called the Aruban florin, but dollars are also widely accepted on the island. The exchange rate for the US dollar range from Awg 1.75 to Awg 1.80 for one US dollar.
For more information please visit our money and currency in Aruba page.
Service Charge & Tips
Tipping is not obligatory, but is at the discretion of the visitor. However, some restaurant and bars add a service charge to your bill. When included, the service charge on food and beverage is normally around 10 to 15 percent. At one's own discretion an extra amount can be added for good service.
Safety
Aruba is considered one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean and in general is very safe at any time of the day or night. However incidents may happen and it is recommended to use common sense and not provide any temptation by leaving valuables unattended or clearly visible on the beach or in your rental car.
Seasons - High & Low season
Aruba's low season falls between April 15th and December 14th and High Season is between December 15th and April 14th (certain resorts may have slightly different seasonal rates periods). High season is the busiest period in Aruba and several resorts will be completely booked. Due to the high demand during high season, pricing for accommodations and car rentals tend to be higher than during low season.
Shopping
Most stores are open from Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm. While most stores in the resorts and in the malls stay open later.
The large grocery stores are open from Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm and on Sundays from 9 am to 2 pm. Opening hours of the smaller grocery stores vary.
For more information please visit our Shopping in Aruba page.
Time
Aruba is in the Atlantic Time Zone and is four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC -4). Aruba does not utilize Daylight Saving Time.
Transportation
There are several direct flights from the US, Canada, South America and the Netherlands to Aruba. For more information about traveling to Aruba, please visit our traveling to Aruba by air page. On island there are also several options to move around. You could either rent your own vehicle at one of the many car rentals, there are plenty taxis to transfer you to your preferred location, your could rent a bicycle or motor or you could use the public bus.
For more information please visit our getting around in Aruba page.
Weather & Climate
Aruba has an average annual temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius). Constant trade winds make it more comfortable during the day. However these trade winds tend to diminish slightly during the months September through December. In terms of rainfall, October through January tend to be the wettest months.
For more information please visit our Aruba Weather and Climate page.