Official Language
Dutch and Papiamento are the two official languages in Aruba since 2003 (though they have been spoken on the island since five centuries ago). However, many locals also speak Spanish and English. So, you won't have any problems communicating during your holidays.
Travelling With Pets From the USA
If you want to bring along your furry friend from America, the following apply:
- If it is a puppy, it must have been born in the U.S.
- The pet must have/bear an identification microchip.
- Your pet must have resided in America for no less than six consecutive months before exporting it to Aruba.
- If over 12 weeks old, the cat/dog must have a valid rabies vaccination.
- At the time of its rabies vaccination, the pet must already bear the ID microchip.
- If the pet has done its first rabies vaccine, it must enter Aruba within 30 days of its vaccination unless it is between 12-14 weeks old.
- You need to have a valid USDA endorsement/health certificate (your vet can help you with it) issued within 14 days prior to your arrival in Aruba.
- At least two business days before your travel date, you must send your USDA-endorsed health certificate and the application for an import permit (both scanned and in PDF form – no other format is accepted) to the Veterinary Services of Aruba.
- Once the Veterinary Services of Aruba receives and validates your documents, they will return your application with an “Official Approval” within two working days. You’ll have to download and print the document as you will be required to show it to the local customs officer when you arrive on the island.
You can download the application form for the import permit here: Scanned Document (bynder.com)
For more information or details on how to bring your pet to Aruba when coming from other countries, please email the Veterinary Services of Aruba ( vetservice@dvg.aw).
Code of Conduct
Clothing – Please note that topless sunbathing and nudity are not permitted. You should also wear proper attire when entering churches, hotel lobbies, and other public spaces.
Parking – Only park in the designated parking areas and not on sidewalks, beaches, in the ocean, or dunes (forbidden). Ensure you leave no valuables inside the vehicle when locking it.
Beaches & Marine Life– It is strongly advised not to start a fire or BBQ on beaches and dunes (or drive on them), or climb on (or hang items from) the Fofoti trees (they are protected). It is also not allowed to take coral or shells from the beaches (you’ll pay a hefty fine if caught). Finally, use only coral-friendly sunblock and please refrain from picking up starfish or feeding any marine life or the iguanas (you’ll see plenty of them around), especially human food or meat.
For Tranquil Beaches, Stray Away From the Cruise Ports
Eagle Beach is one of the most popular Aruba attractions (followed closely by Palm Beach and its amazing shores) and is considered a top beach on the planet. For that reason, you will see the most luxurious and exclusive resorts being built in the surrounding areas. Because of its smaller size, Eagle Beach is less crowded than its Palm Beach counterparts. However, it is hardly unlikely that you will be able to experience peaceful and serene moments by the sea in any of those places, especially during the time of the year when cruise ships come in tens every day.
Nevertheless, the beaches that are the furthest from the busy ports are superb options for more relaxed and laid-back seaside ventures. Spots on the Aruba coastline like Baby Beach and Rodger’s Beach are around half an hour away from Eagle or Palm Beach and entice just as much with their powdery white sand and crystalline waters as their celeb siblings. You may want to pack some snacks and a cooler, though, just in case you don’t find vendors nearby.
Definitely Plan a Day at Arikok National Park
Almost 20% of Aruba comprises a national park, which makes a visit to the Arikok National Park more than a necessary stop during your Aruba vacation. In fact, you will need more than a few hours to take in all the incredible desert landscape, impressive fauna, and rare bird and snake species of this natural masterpiece. The popular attraction is open daily from 08:00 to 16:00 with only a small entrance fee (admission fee is free for children below 17 years of age).
Aruba Cell Phone Service
Many cell phone providers have international plans that include Aruba. However, you might be charged with international service costs, so check with your provider before flying to the island. If you find the international service charges high, you can rent a cell phone (or even purchase a SIM card) from Setar or Digicel (both located at the Aruba airport).
Parking
You can skip the inconvenience of carrying change to pay for parking in and around the Aruba capital by getting a rechargeable card (SmartCard) for AWG15 (Aruban Florins). Note that the charge for 30 minutes is 1 AWG, which is $0.55, 2 AWG for parking for 90 minutes, and AWG 0.5 cents for every 15 minutes after those 90 minutes. You can get one from a hotel gift shop or a car rental agency in Aruba, while you can recharge it at any Arubus or Aruparking recharging station.
Kindly note that your car will be removed from the parking site (and you’ll be asked to pay a fine of AWG 75) by a tow truck in the following cases:
- You fail to pay for your parking space.
- You have parked in a space that bears a yellow mark.
- You have exceeded your paid time.
Final Notes:
- According to Aruba regulations, tourists are not allowed to take specific items back home with them. You can visit the official website of the Aruba airport for more information (https://www.airportaruba.com/inadmissible-items).
- Aruba has its own free, offline application (the Aruba Travel Guide) that provides details about the island’s attractions, alongside hotels, restaurants, shopping, trip itineraries, augmented reality with Aruba regions displayed in real-time, and many more. You can download it here: Aruba Travel Guide on the App Store (apple.com) or the Aruba Offline Map and Travel Guide - Apps on Google Play.
Official Language
Dutch and Papiamento are the two official languages in Aruba since 2003 (though they have been spoken on the island since five centuries ago). However, many locals also speak Spanish and English. So, you won't have any problems communicating during your holidays.
Travelling With Pets From the USA
If you want to bring along your furry friend from America, the following apply:
- If it is a puppy, it must have been born in the U.S.
- The pet must have/bear an identification microchip.
- Your pet must have resided in America for no less than six consecutive months before exporting it to Aruba.
- If over 12 weeks old, the cat/dog must have a valid rabies vaccination.
- At the time of its rabies vaccination, the pet must already bear the ID microchip.
- If the pet has done its first rabies vaccine, it must enter Aruba within 30 days of its vaccination unless it is between 12-14 weeks old.
- You need to have a valid USDA endorsement/health certificate (your vet can help you with it) issued within 14 days prior to your arrival in Aruba.
- At least two business days before your travel date, you must send your USDA-endorsed health certificate and the application for an import permit (both scanned and in PDF form – no other format is accepted) to the Veterinary Services of Aruba.
- Once the Veterinary Services of Aruba receives and validates your documents, they will return your application with an “Official Approval” within two working days. You’ll have to download and print the document as you will be required to show it to the local customs officer when you arrive on the island.
You can download the application form for the import permit here: Scanned Document (bynder.com)
For more information or details on how to bring your pet to Aruba when coming from other countries, please email the Veterinary Services of Aruba ( vetservice@dvg.aw).
Code of Conduct
Clothing – Please note that topless sunbathing and nudity are not permitted. You should also wear proper attire when entering churches, hotel lobbies, and other public spaces.
Parking – Only park in the designated parking areas and not on sidewalks, beaches, in the ocean, or dunes (forbidden). Ensure you leave no valuables inside the vehicle when locking it.
Beaches & Marine Life– It is strongly advised not to start a fire or BBQ on beaches and dunes (or drive on them), or climb on (or hang items from) the Fofoti trees (they are protected). It is also not allowed to take coral or shells from the beaches (you’ll pay a hefty fine if caught). Finally, use only coral-friendly sunblock and please refrain from picking up starfish or feeding any marine life or the iguanas (you’ll see plenty of them around), especially human food or meat.
For Tranquil Beaches, Stray Away From the Cruise Ports
Eagle Beach is one of the most popular Aruba attractions (followed closely by Palm Beach and its amazing shores) and is considered a top beach on the planet. For that reason, you will see the most luxurious and exclusive resorts being built in the surrounding areas. Because of its smaller size, Eagle Beach is less crowded than its Palm Beach counterparts. However, it is hardly unlikely that you will be able to experience peaceful and serene moments by the sea in any of those places, especially during the time of the year when cruise ships come in tens every day.
Nevertheless, the beaches that are the furthest from the busy ports are superb options for more relaxed and laid-back seaside ventures. Spots on the Aruba coastline like Baby Beach and Rodger’s Beach are around half an hour away from Eagle or Palm Beach and entice just as much with their powdery white sand and crystalline waters as their celeb siblings. You may want to pack some snacks and a cooler, though, just in case you don’t find vendors nearby.
Definitely Plan a Day at Arikok National Park
Almost 20% of Aruba comprises a national park, which makes a visit to the Arikok National Park more than a necessary stop during your Aruba vacation. In fact, you will need more than a few hours to take in all the incredible desert landscape, impressive fauna, and rare bird and snake species of this natural masterpiece. The popular attraction is open daily from 08:00 to 16:00 with only a small entrance fee (admission fee is free for children below 17 years of age).
Aruba Cell Phone Service
Many cell phone providers have international plans that include Aruba. However, you might be charged with international service costs, so check with your provider before flying to the island. If you find the international service charges high, you can rent a cell phone (or even purchase a SIM card) from Setar or Digicel (both located at the Aruba airport).
Parking
You can skip the inconvenience of carrying change to pay for parking in and around the Aruba capital by getting a rechargeable card (SmartCard) for AWG15 (Aruban Florins). Note that the charge for 30 minutes is 1 AWG, which is $0.55, 2 AWG for parking for 90 minutes, and AWG 0.5 cents for every 15 minutes after those 90 minutes. You can get one from a hotel gift shop or a car rental agency in Aruba, while you can recharge it at any Arubus or Aruparking recharging station.
Kindly note that your car will be removed from the parking site (and you’ll be asked to pay a fine of AWG 75) by a tow truck in the following cases:
- You fail to pay for your parking space.
- You have parked in a space that bears a yellow mark.
- You have exceeded your paid time.
Final Notes:
- According to Aruba regulations, tourists are not allowed to take specific items back home with them. You can visit the official website of the Aruba airport for more information (https://www.airportaruba.com/inadmissible-items).
- Aruba has its own free, offline application (the Aruba Travel Guide) that provides details about the island’s attractions, alongside hotels, restaurants, shopping, trip itineraries, augmented reality with Aruba regions displayed in real-time, and many more. You can download it here: Aruba Travel Guide on the App Store (apple.com) or the Aruba Offline Map and Travel Guide - Apps on Google Play.