One Happy Island in the southern Caribbean
Aruba is a small island in the southern Caribbean, just north of Venezuela, and an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. With its sunny, dry climate, white-sand beaches and friendly, multilingual people, it is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, with more repeat visitors than almost anywhere else.
Aruba at a glance
- Capital: Oranjestad
- Area: about 193 km²
- Population: about 109,000 (2025)
- Languages: Papiamento and Dutch (official), English and Spanish widely spoken
- Currency: Aruban florin (AWG), fixed at 1.79 to the US dollar; US dollars are accepted almost everywhere
- Climate: warm and dry all year, around 27–31°C, outside the main hurricane belt
- Electricity: 120 volts, American-style plugs
- Tap water: safe to drink, produced by desalination
- Driving: on the right
Get to know Aruba
- Geography and climate – size, landscape and weather
- History – from the Caquetío to Status Aparte
- Famous Arubans – leaders, heroes and athletes
- Culture – language, music, food and traditions
- Population – over 100 nationalities
- Government – autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Aruba and the ABC islands – Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao
- Aruba and tourism – how One Happy Island grew
Towns
- Oranjestad – the colourful capital
- San Nicolas – Sunrise City and its street art
Practical information
- Entry requirements – ED card and Sustainability Fee
- Healthcare – hospitals and insurance
- Police and emergency numbers – 911 and 100
- Moving to Aruba – permits and registration
- Buying real estate – rules for foreign buyers
- Getting married – requirements and locations
- Shopping – malls, markets and local products
- Nightlife – bars, clubs and casinos
- Photography spots – ten places to take your camera
- Education – university and medical schools
- Animal welfare – shelters and foundations
Plan your trip
- Where to stay – hotels, resorts and apartments
- Where to eat – restaurants by area
- Things to do – activities, tours and attractions
- Events – festivals throughout the year
Last updated: September 2026.
