Aruba Travel FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Yes — a valid passport is required for all visitors to Aruba. US citizens cannot use a passport card or enhanced driver’s licence for air travel to Aruba. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay (many countries require 6 months validity beyond your travel dates).

The ED Card (Embarkation/Disembarkation Card) is a mandatory entry requirement for all visitors. Complete it online at edcardaruba.aw within 7 days of your flight. The official $20 Sustainability Fee is paid here. Don’t use third-party sites charging more. You’ll need your passport details, flight information, and accommodation address. Save the approval email on your phone.

No — US, Canadian, EU, UK, and Australian citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays. The ED Card is required but is not a visa. Most nationalities get a 30-day permit on arrival, extendable to 90 days.

Aruba’s Reina Beatrix Airport has a US Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance facility. When flying back to the US, you clear customs and immigration in Aruba before boarding — meaning when you land in the US, you walk straight to ground transportation without queuing at customs. This significantly speeds up the return journey.

Valid passport, completed Aruba ED Card (edcardaruba.aw, done within 7 days of travel, $20 fee), return ticket, and proof of accommodation. Some nationalities may also need additional documents — check with the Aruba government website for your specific passport.

The official currency is the Aruban Florin (AWG), pegged at a fixed rate of 1.79 AWG to the US dollar. However, US dollars are accepted everywhere in Aruba — hotels, restaurants, shops, taxis, and markets. You don’t need to exchange currency.

Yes — credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, shops, and most tourist businesses. Zeerovers fish shack, some local markets, and small food stalls are cash-only. Bring some small USD bills for these situations and for tips.

Budget travellers: $95–150/person/day (guesthouse, local food, public bus, free beaches). Mid-range: $200–350/person/day (Palm Beach hotel, mixed dining, one or two tours). Luxury: $500+/person/day (Ritz-Carlton, fine dining, private experiences). See the full Aruba budget guide.

Mid-to-high cost for the Caribbean. More expensive than Jamaica and the Dominican Republic; comparable to Turks & Caicos and St Barts but with more affordable options. The trick is knowing where to eat (Zeerovers, local spots) and staying in shoulder season (May–June or Sep–Nov) when hotel rates drop 25–40%.

Yes — tipping is expected at restaurants (15–20% when service charge isn’t included), for tour guides ($10–20 per person for full-day tours), and hotel housekeeping ($2–5/day). Always check your restaurant bill — many automatically add a 10–15% service charge. See the full Aruba tipping guide.

Yes — US dollars are accepted everywhere at the fixed rate of approximately 1.79 AWG. You’ll often receive change in a mix of AWG and USD. Credit cards are also widely accepted. The only exception is some cash-only local spots like Zeerovers.

From the US: American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta, United, Spirit, Southwest, and Frontier all fly direct to Reina Beatrix Airport (AUA). Direct flights from Miami take ~3 hours; from New York ~4.5 hours; from Atlanta ~4 hours. Air Canada and WestJet fly from Canada. KLM flies direct from Amsterdam.

Reina Beatrix Airport is approximately 15–20 minutes from the Palm Beach hotel strip by taxi. Taxi fare is government-regulated at approximately $25–35. Uber does not operate in Aruba.

Not essential, but strongly recommended for at least 2–3 days. Without a car, you’re limited to the Palm Beach hotel strip and organised tours. With a car, you can reach Baby Beach, Arikok National Park, Zeerovers, San Nicolas, Malmok, and Arashi independently. See the car rental guide.

Taxis in Aruba have government-set fares (not metered) — rates are posted at the airport and major hotels. Common fares: airport to Palm Beach ~$25–35; Palm Beach to Oranjestad ~$15–20. Tipping is optional (rounding up to the nearest $5 is common). Uber does not operate in Aruba.

Yes — Arubus (nicknamed the Dushi Bus) runs along the main coastal route from Oranjestad through Eagle Beach and Palm Beach for a few dollars per ride. Air-conditioned, runs regularly from around 6 AM to midnight. A practical and cheap option for getting between the main tourist areas.

Yes — a valid US (or EU, Canadian, UK) driver’s licence is accepted for rental cars in Aruba. Drive on the right side of the road. Speed limits are in kilometres per hour. Roads are generally good; a 4×4 is recommended for Arikok National Park and the Natural Pool road.

Eagle Beach consistently ranks as Aruba’s best beach — and frequently appears in global top-10 beach lists. Wider than Palm Beach, quieter, with the famous fofoti trees and calmer water. Palm Beach is better if you want full beach bar and water sports infrastructure. See the full Aruba beach guide.

Yes — the water on Aruba’s western coast (Palm Beach, Eagle Beach) is typically very clear and turquoise, with good visibility. The Caribbean Sea on this side of the island is calm and sheltered. The eastern and northern coasts are rougher (Atlantic-facing) but also clear.

Yes — all public beaches in Aruba are free to access. There’s no admission fee at any beach. Palm Beach and Eagle Beach have private beach chair operators (rental fee), but you can always bring your own chairs or sit on the sand for free.

Aruba’s western beaches (Palm Beach, Eagle Beach) have very little seaweed compared to other Caribbean islands. The island’s position and prevailing trade winds keep sargassum from accumulating on the main tourist beaches. This is a significant advantage over the Dominican Republic and some other popular Caribbean destinations.

Yes — Aruba has excellent snorkelling. Top spots: Boca Catalina (reef fish, sea turtles), Arashi Beach (healthy reef, turtles), Malmok (reef close to shore), and the Antilla Shipwreck (the largest in the Caribbean, accessible by snorkel tour). See the snorkelling guide.

Yes — Aruba is consistently one of the safest Caribbean destinations. Low crime rates, tourist-friendly infrastructure, and a stable government make it one of the most reliable Caribbean islands for all types of travellers including solo women, families, and senior visitors. See the full Aruba safety guide.

Yes — Aruba’s tap water meets European Union safety standards and is safe to drink. It’s desalinated seawater processed at one of the world’s oldest desalination plants. Bottled water is widely available but not necessary for health reasons.

No specific vaccinations are required for entry to Aruba for most nationalities. Standard travel precautions apply (ensure your routine vaccinations are up to date). Check with your doctor or travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before travel for the most current recommendations.

Yes, but Aruba has significantly fewer mosquitoes than many other Caribbean islands thanks to its dry climate and strong trade winds. Mosquito-borne illnesses (dengue, Zika) are present in the Caribbean including Aruba, but the risk is much lower than in wetter, more humid destinations. DEET repellent is recommended for evenings and any time in vegetation.

Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital in Oranjestad is a modern facility with well-trained staff. For serious conditions, US medical evacuation is the most comprehensive option — travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended. Several clinics and pharmacies serve the island.

Palm Beach for resort convenience, restaurants, and beach bars within walking distance. Eagle Beach for a quieter, more romantic atmosphere. Oranjestad (Renaissance area) for culture, marina access, and the private island with flamingos. See the full area guide.

Yes, but fewer than the Dominican Republic or Cancún. Main all-inclusive options include RIU Palace Aruba, Divi Aruba All Inclusive, and Manchebo Beach Resort (not full AI but meal plans available). Most Aruba hotels operate on a room-only or breakfast-included basis. See the all-inclusive guide.

For first-timers: Palm Beach gives you the most convenient access to beaches, restaurants, and activities. For couples/honeymoons: Eagle Beach area (Bucuti & Tara, Amsterdam Manor). For cultural interest: Oranjestad area (Renaissance Resort). See the complete where to stay guide.

Traditional Aruban dishes: keshi yena (chicken stuffed in Gouda cheese — the national dish), pan bati (cornmeal pancake), stobá (meat stew), sopi di pampuna (pumpkin soup), and zeerovers-style fried fish. See the full Aruba food guide.

Depends on what you’re looking for. Most theatrical: Screaming Eagle. Most romantic beachside: Passions on the Beach. Most unique setting: Flying Fishbone (tables over the sea). Best local food: Zeerovers or Gasparito. See all 57 reviewed restaurants at the Aruba restaurant hub.

Balashi is Aruba’s local lager, brewed since 1999. Light, crisp, and perfectly suited to beach drinking. It’s the island’s most popular beer and available everywhere. Most bars and restaurants also stock international beers.