Everything you need to know before you travel
Everything you need to know before you travel to One Happy Island: entry, money, phones, health, safety and local rules.
Entry
- Complete the online ED card and pay the Sustainability Fee
- You need a valid passport; check visa requirements for your nationality.
Money and tipping
- The currency is the Aruban florin (AWG), fixed at 1.79 to the US dollar. US dollars and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
- ATMs dispense florins and sometimes US dollars, depending on the machine.
- Many restaurants add a 10–15% service charge. If it is not included, a tip of 15–20% is customary.
- Housekeeping: a few dollars per day. Taxi fares are fixed; rounding up is appreciated.
Phones and internet
- The two mobile operators are SETAR and Digicel; both sell tourist SIM cards and eSIMs, also at the airport.
- Hotels, restaurants and the airport offer free Wi-Fi.
Electricity and water
- Electricity is 120 volts, 60 Hz, with American-style plugs. Visitors from the US need no adapter; most European visitors need a plug adapter.
- Tap water is produced by desalination and is safe to drink.
Health and safety
- Aruba is considered a safe destination: the US State Department advises exercising normal precautions (Level 1). Do not leave valuables in cars.
- Carry a copy of your passport.
- The sun is strong all year: use reef-safe sunscreen (sunscreen with oxybenzone is banned) and drink plenty of water.
- Emergency numbers: police 100, fire and ambulance 911
- Healthcare and hospitals
Local rules
- Smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces and many public areas.
- The legal drinking age is 18.
- Swimwear is for the beach; cover up in shops, restaurants and town.
Public holidays 2026
- New Year's Day (1 January), Betico Croes Day (25 January), Carnival Monday (16 February)
- National Anthem and Flag Day (18 March), Good Friday (3 April), Easter Monday (6 April)
- King's Day (27 April), Labour Day (1 May), Ascension Day (14 May)
- Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December)
Good to know
- Currency: Aruban florin (AWG), US dollars widely accepted
- Time zone: UTC−4, no daylight saving time
- Emergency: 911 (fire/ambulance), 100 (police)
- Official visitor information: aruba.com
Rules and details can change, so check official sources before you travel.
See also: plan your trip to Aruba.
Last updated: September 2026.