Accomodations
"All-inclusive" resorts tend to be the most popular type of accommodation in Aruba. Both high-rise and low-rise hotels can be all-inclusive as well. High-rise hotels are located in the more posh areas of Aruba, while the low-rise areas have less hustle and bustle. By choosing an all-inclusive option, you pay just once to receive all the amenities of a specified package.

Several other options cater to those seeking a less commercial approach to accommodation. Guesthouses and villas are two other options for visitors. These accommodations offer a more personal at-home ambiance, making it feel as though you live in Aruba.

GETTING THERE
BY AIR
Flights arrive at Queen Beatrix International Airport (airport code AUA; tel 524-2424), which is 2.5 miles from the capital, Oranjestad. Flying time is two hours from Miami and four hours from New York.

BY CRUISE
The cruise port is located in Oranjestad.

Cruise lines that call on the island include Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Festival Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Hapag Lloyd Kreuzfahrten, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Orient Lines, P&O Cruises, Peter Deilmann Reederei, Princess Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas, Regal Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises and Windjammer Barefoot Cruises.

The Aruba Cruise Tourism Authority (tel 297/583-3648), the Aruba Ports Authority (tel 297/582-6633) and the Aruba Tourism Authority (tel 297/582-3777) maintain cruise ship schedules.

GETTING AROUND
BY CAR
Most of the roads in Oranjestad are one way. Conditions can be rough in remote and interior areas where drivers should also watch for herds of goats or donkeys crossing the road. Some areas, such as the north coast plains, are only accessible by rugged dirt roads and the use of 4WD vehicles is preferable to cars.

There are plenty of car rental agencies on the island. To rent a car you will need your valid driver's license from home (held for at least two full years) or an international driver's license. Motorcycles, ATVs, scooters and bicycles can also be rented.

Driving is on the right. Seat belts must be worn and motorcyclists must wear helmets by law. It is prohibited to turn right on a red light, and where there are no road signs at intersections, traffic on your right has the right of way. In urban areas the speed limit is 40km/hr (25 mph) and out of town it is generally 60-80km/hr (37-50 mph).

Some traffic circles/roundabouts are used for traffic control instead of lights. If you've never used a roundabout, remember: vehicles already in the roundabout have right of way; yield to traffic on your right, signal, then slowly move in.

BY TAXI
Taxis have the letters "TX" on their license plates. Most drivers speak English and have participated in the government's Tourism Awareness Program. Taxis are available in front of the airport terminal and usually in front of hotel lobbies and at popular tourist spots. Elsewhere it is not customary to hail taxis from the road. Call or go to the taxi dispatch office at Pos Abao 41 (tel 582-2010 or 582-2116) in Oranjestad, behind the Eagle Bowling Palace on Sasaki Rd.

There are no taxi meters as fares are set by the government. Taxi drivers should have a rate card in their vehicle, however, you should verify the rate with the driver prior to getting into the taxi. From the airport to most hotels the fare is approximately US$13-16. Additional charges apply on holidays and after midnight. The minimum fare is $5. Taxis can also by hired by the hour for about $40 per hour. Island taxi tours are available in addition to standard taxi service.

ATMs
Not all ATMs in the Aruba operate like those in your home country. Some may only accept a four digit PIN number, so if yours is longer you may want to change it before your Aruba vacation. Ensure you keep your travel money in your primary checking account as some ATMs default to this account and will not allow you to choose another. Withdrawal fees are generally much higher outside your home country. Most Aruba hotels and Aruba resorts have ATM’s on site.

The main banks are Aruba Bank (tel 297/582-1550), Banco di Caribe (tel 297/523-2220), Caribbean Mercantile Bank (tel 297/582-3118) and RBTT Bank (tel 297/523-3100). Generally they accept major credit cards on the Cirrus/Maestro and Electron/Plus networks and dispense Aruban florins. RBTT Bank ATMs also dispense US dollars.

BANKING AND BUSINESS HOURS
Banks
Mon-Fri generally 8am-4pm (some are closed 12 noon-1:30pm; Banco di Caribe is open until 5pm)

Post Office
Oranjestad (main branch) and San Nicolas branch: Mon-Fri 7:30am-12 noon and 1-4:30pm. You can also leave mail at most Aruba hotels.

CHURCHES/RELIGIONS
Mostly Roman Catholic. Protestant, Hinduism, Muslim, Confucian and Jewish also represented.

CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARDS
The local currency is the Aruban florin (Af. or AWG), which is divided into 100 cents. Paper money runs in denominations of Af.10, Af.25, Af.50, Af.100 and Af.500 bills, and coins in 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, Af.1, Af.2.5 and Af.5 pieces. US dollars are widely accepted and most shops, hotels and restaurants accept major credit cards and traveler’s checks.  Your Aruba resort can help you with exchanging funds.

To ensure hassle-free purchases during your trip, you may want to contact your credit card company and let them know you will be travelling abroad.

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
American Express: lost or stolen card, 336/393-1111 (call collect); lost or stolen checks or check cards, 800/221-7282
Discover Card: 801/902-3100
MasterCard: 800-1561
Visa: 410/902-8022 (call collect)
Western Union: Oranjestad (142 L G Smith Blvd), 297/582-2473; San Nicolas (7-A Grensweg), 297/584-1421

DEPARTURE TAX
All Aruba travelers must pay a passenger facility charge (PFC) upon departure: US$36.75 for US-bound passengers and US$33.50 for all other international-bound passengers. Children under two years are exempt.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Citizens of Canada and the United States require a valid passport, an original or government-certified birth certificate (or an original certificate of naturalization or a miniature Certificate of Proof of Canadian Citizenship for those born outside Canada; or a certificate of naturalization with raised seal for those born outside the US) and photo identification. Citizens of the United Kingdom require a valid passport. All visitors must have an onward or return ticket and must provide proof of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay.  Please make sure your entry documents are in order to ensure a great Aruba Vacation.

Nationals of other countries require a valid passport and may require a visa. Consult your nearest Kingdom of the Netherlands consulate/embassy or call the Department of Immigration and Naturalization Aruba (DINA) at 297/582-7155.

Note:
As of January 23, 2007, all persons travelling by air to the Aruba will require a valid passport, Air NEXUS card or US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document to enter and/or re-enter the United States in accordance with the US Government's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. For more information visit the US Government's Bureau of Consular Affairs website at www.travel.state.gov.

Some countries require single/lone parents or other adults travelling alone with children to provide documents showing evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights, and/or documents authorizing consent from the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court for the children to travel. Parents of adopted children, particularly those of a different nationality, should carry the proper documents.

NEAREST FOREIGN REPRESENTATION
Honorary British Consulate: 599-9/747-3322 (Curaçao)
Honorary Consul of Canada: 599-9/466-1115 or 599-9/466-1121 (Curaçao), 58-212/600-3000 (after-hours emergency, Venezuela), 613/996-8885 (call collect to Ottawa)
US Consulate: 599-9/461-3066 (Curaçao)


HEALTH STANDARDS
Dr Horacio Oduber Hospital (tel 587-4300), located across from Punta Brabu Beach, is the only hospital on the island. Private clinics are also available, including Dr Rudy Engelbrecht/Centro Medico (tel 524-8833), who offers 24-hour emergency service, and the Posada Clinic Aruba (tel 586-6624 or 582-0840), which offers hemodialysis. Hyperbaric Oxygen Producing Environment/HOPE (tel 594-6461 or 730-7246), located in Oranjestad, has a hyperbaric chamber.

Health care standards are comparable to North America. Patients may be airlifted to facilities in Curaçao in unique circumstances. Your home medical program may not provide payment for medical services outside your home country. Obtaining adequate medical/travel insurance, including air ambulance coverage, and consulting a physician or travel medicine specialist six to eight weeks prior to your trip to determine health risks and necessary vaccinations is recommended.

Aruba resorts have a doctor and dentist on call. Contact your hotel front desk for more information or to make an appointment.

Many Aruba hotels and Aruba resorts can accommodate travelers with disabilities. Visitors may also lease/rent medical and health care products and services from LABCO (tel 297/582-6651; www.labcomed.com).

There are plenty of pharmacies; however, they are prohibited from filling prescriptions by doctors not residing on the island. Each district has one drug store that is open for 24 hours.  Aruba vacation activities should not be interrupted by not having enough medication.  Make sure that you have an adequate supply before you depart on your Aruba vacation.

For all emergencies dial 911.

ILLEGAL ITEMS
There are harsh penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs, and strict regulations for exporting or temporarily importing firearms.

For more information contact the Aruba customs department at 297/582-1800.

LANGUAGE
The official language is Dutch, but English and Spanish are widely spoken. On Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao the native language Papiamentu, a mixture of Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, French, English, Caribbean Indian and various African languages, is also spoken.

POSTAGE
The main post office, located at J E Irausquinplein 9 in Oranjestad, is open Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm (closed 12 noon-1pm). Additional post offices are located in the Royal Plaza Mall (tel 582-0360) in Oranjestad, San Nicolas (tel 584-5009), Noord (tel 586-0280) and Piedra Plat (tel 583-9965).

Airmail to North America can take one to two weeks and to the UK, two to three weeks. Courier service is also available.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Jan 1 New Year's Day
Jan 25 G F Betico Croes Day
Feb (varies) Carnival Monday
Mar 18 National Anthem and Flag Day
Mar/Apr (varies) Good Friday
Mar/Apr (varies) Easter Monday
Apr 30 Queen's Birthday
May 1 Labour Day
May (varies) Ascension Day
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Dec 26 Boxing Day

SHOPPING HOURS
Aruba travelers love to shop.  Stores are generally open Mon-Sat 8am-6pm except those in malls, which open at 9:30am, and some may close 12 noon-2pm. When cruise ships are in port some stores remain open on Sun and holidays.

TAXES
Hotels add a 19% government tax and service charge to all bills. This includes a 6.8% government tax and a 12.2% service charge and AHATA (Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association) fee.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The phone system on Aruba is modern and cellular and Internet services are available.

The country code is 297. Local phone numbers have seven digits. For local directory assistance dial 118 and for international directory assistance dial 121. To make an international call dial 00 + country code + area code + local number.

TEMPERATURES
The year-round average temperature is 82°F with low humidity. Perfect for all of the Aruba beaches all year long!

TIME ZONE
The Island is on Atlantic Standard Time year round, which is four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). During the summer the time is the same as on the east coast of North America and during the winter, the time is one hour ahead.