Money and payments
Cards and cash
Major credit cards are accepted at most establishments while personal checks are normally not accepted.
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Americas · CaribbeanOutline guideCountry of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Photo: David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Aruba is a desert Caribbean island, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Located off the coast of Venezuela, this flat, river-less island is renowned for its white sand beaches. Along with its neighboring Dutch islands of Bonaire and Curaçao, it forms the ABC Islands.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Aruba.
Cards and cash
Major credit cards are accepted at most establishments while personal checks are normally not accepted.
Dutch, Papiamento
Languages spoken are Dutch (official), Papiamento (also official, it's a creole of Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch), Spanish, and English (widely spoken).
Mobile networks
Because of its location near the Equator, Aruba is hot and humid. Visitors from farther north unaccustomed to such conditions will need to liberally apply sunscreen and stay hydrated to avoid heat stroke.
Nature is very cherished by the Aruban people. 18% of their island is dedicated to the Arikok National Park.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital
Noord is in the northern part of the Caribbean island of Aruba.
Palm Beach (Aruba) is a beach resort on the island of Aruba, part of the Netherlands Antilles. Palm Beach is renowned for its two-mile long strip of beach on the Northwest end of Aruba, and is home to many water sports, piers, beach bars, restaurants, shops, and hotels.
Savaneta is a city in Aruba.
Public transport and paid services in Aruba.
By bus
5 florins. You can take bus to the far end of the island, have lunch at St Nicholas, and see how the majority of the 116,000 islanders actually live.
By car
Like most Caribbean islands, Aruba's transportation network consists primarily of two-lane paved roads.
By car hire
Although the island has a half-decent transport system, you can take life on this laid-back island at a pace that suits you by using a car hire vehicle.
Driving in Aruba
S. drivers need to remember is that there are no turns on red. Also, there are several roundabouts (circles), which can be frustrating to some drivers but are quickly gotten used to.
By taxi
Taxis are available at the airport and at hotels. The cost is about $31 from the airport to Palm Beach.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Aruba.
Finding apps for Aruba…
Other ways to travel:Traffic rules
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Oranjestad · International · AUA
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Oranjestad
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 27° | 27° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 28° |
| Avg. low | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 27° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 29 | 15 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 21 | 26 | 27 | 51 | 94 | 90 | 60 |
| Humidity | 79% | 78% | 79% | 81% | 83% | 83% | 83% | 81% | 81% | 81% | 80% | 79% |
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Budget
$80
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$215
Per person, per day
Luxury
$570
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $40 | $120 | $330 |
| Food and drink | $20 | $50 | $120 |
| Local transport | $10 | $20 | $50 |
| Activities | $10 | $25 | $70 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2021). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Aruba Aruba is generally a safe destination for travelers. Petty crime is most likely to occur in popular tourist locations. Stay aware of your surroundings. Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, such as theft of unsecured property or vehicle break-ins. Crime rates are low. However, armed robberies occur at businesses storing large amounts of cash or involved in drug or gang activity. It is illegal to bring guns, ammunition, and even spent shells or casings into Aruba without prior written authorization. You may face arrest and detention for long periods of time. Review our Travel Guidance for Aruba to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Aruba.
ItinerariesThis itinerary details travelling downstream on the Amazon from Iquitos via Tabatinga, Manaus, Santarém, Santana/Macapá to Belem.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyLighthouses are structures that are prominent by day and lit at night to help sailors navigate, with complementary roles: to warn them to stay away, or to indicate safe passage and the way into harbour.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThis article is about a specific kind of music festivals. There are other events also called so, not covered here.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureScuba diving is an activity in which you swim underwater for extended periods using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, hence the acronym scuba.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsSince the 1970s, air travel has become more and more affordable in many parts of the world thanks to the liberalization of air travel regulations, growing competition, increasing efficiency of airline operation, and…
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsRetiring abroad can let you live cheaply in an interesting place; you are not all that likely to actually find paradise-on-earth or the fountain of youth, but you might get close enough to enjoy yourself immensely.
Wikivoyage
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