A large number of
ATM machines are spread throughout the
island, so there is no need for you to worry about
availability of the currency. A great thing about Aruba is
that you can pay with USD, you do not have to change in the
local Aruban Florin. You may get Aruban money back as change.
The Central Bank of
Aruba
does not permit coin change to be given in any other currency
than the Aruban currency; the exception is in the casinos. You
may drop your leftover coins in the charity box at the
airport.
There are several banks on Aruba that can offer you their
services. Banking hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. non stop,
Mondays through Fridays. The Caribbean Mercantile Bank has a
location at the airport, which is also open on weekends from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aruba Bank in the Mainstreet is open on
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Telephone
Services:
For dialing direct calls from Aruba, the code into the
international circuit is 00 followed by the country code, area
code and the number. For assistance, call 121.
Aruba's International telephone country code is 297. To direct
dial Aruba from the U.S., the code is 011-297- plus the number.
(recently a number has been
added to al existing phone numbers in Aruba. For all regular
and fax numbers the number "5" has to be placed to the front
of the old number. For all Cell, Primo and GSM phones the
number "9" has to be placed to the front of the old number.)
You can use the public phones (with Aruban calling cards) that
are placed all over the island.
Unfortunately, it is not possible yet to use your foreign cell
phone in Aruba, due to the specifics of the telephone net in
Aruba. If you want to rent a cellphone, there are several
places where you go.
Post
Office:
The Central
Post Office is located diagonally across from San Francisco
Church in Oranjestad. Open from Mondays to Fridays from 7.30
a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. The Post office at
the Royal Plaza Mall in Oranjestad is open from Mondays to
Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 6.45 p.m.
Clothing
tips:
It is
advisable to use cotton and light clothing, since the
temperatures in Aruba are very high. If you go shopping, it is
generally not allowed to enter shops or casino’s in your
bathing suit. If you’re going on a sailing trip, or if you’re
going out at night, sometimes the wind can make it bit chilly,
so bring a light vest or blouse.
Drinking
water: There is no need to buy bottled water, Aruba’s
water from the tab is praised for its excellent quality and
taste. Aruba’s drinking water flows from the world’s second
largest desalinization plant. It is not only perfectly pure
and safe to drink, it’s also very delicious.
Electricity: Aruba has the same voltage standard as in
North America (110 volts AC). Therefore, European appliances
(that use 220 volts) generally cannot be used in Aruba (unless
you have a converter).
Taxis:
Rates, set by the Government, are based on destination rather
than mileage traveled and are for the total number of
passengers in the car or van. (Click
here for Taxi Rates)
Gasoline:
Gas pumps
for your rental car register in liters: 1.06 quarts to 1
liter. One gallon is 3.78 liters. Prices at gas stations are
in Aruba florins converted at Afl. 1.75 to US$1.00. It is not
usually the custom to pump gas for oneself, please check if
the attendants are to pump gas or if it is a self-service gas
station.
Safety:
Aruba has
always been considered one of the safest destinations in the
Caribbean, however incidents may occur. Please do not provide
temptation by leaving your valuables unattended on the beach
or in your rental car.
Room Taxes:
Generally, there is an 11% service charge on room rates. Most
hotels also apply a 6% government tax.
Service Charge: Most Aruban restaurants maintain a
service charge of between 10 and 20%.
US Customs and US Immigration:
Both the US immigration office as the US customs office is
present at the Queen Beatrix International Airport. This is a
rather unique combination to have these two US government
department present at a non-US Island. |
