Aruba - Passports and Visas, Currency, Electrical, Airports and City guide

New Phase One facilities opened 01 September 1999. Now 2 terminals - one of 3 floors & devoted solely to US passengers.

Full service US Customs & Immigration facilities clearing US-bound passengers before departure. 

New US departure hall with 42 check-in stations.

New Phase Two retail shops & restaurants plus new baggage claim now open

Jeeps, scooters, & bicycles may be rented for getting around.  Cars & motorcycles also rented at airport, plus limos service is available. 

Taxi fares to/from Airport:Airport to Oranjestad US$6.00.  Eagle Beach US$8.00. Palm Beach US$12.00.  Airport to motel $12-$14.  Hotel to Oranjestad $6-$7. Taxis should have fixed price schedule for most destinations on the island. Here everyone drives on right-hand side of road. Taxis are common, rated, & established by government. Tipping usually 10%.

Airport taxes: High. Aprox. $30

Tax & Customs: Duty free: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 2 litres of alcoholic beverages; 250ml of perfume (if more is taken, whole dutiable); gifts to value of AFL100.

Regions & Resorts of Aruba

Aruba, One of the 'ABC' Dutch islands, Bonaire and Curacoa the others, situated in southern Caribbean, 15 miles off coast of Venezuela. 19 miles long & 6 miles wide.

Western shores with white sandy beaches. Between, dry desert landscape. Southern, leeward side of island famous for long stretches of powdery white sand beach, while northern coast features rugged and dramatic landscape and secluded coves ideal for swimming. Northern cliffs formed by Atlantic Ocean.

Sightseeing & Leisure on Aruba
Exploring Aruba

Golf:

Tierra del Sol at northwest tip of island is Aruba's first world-class course. 18-hole, par 71 course designed by Robert Trent Jones. Reservations necessary. (297) 860-978. Fax. (297) 860-671.

Aruba Golf Club: Unusual 9-hole course with oiled sand greens.

Our Aruba 'Best Deal' Packages & Top Caribbean Golf Courses

Horseback Riding:

Rancho Daimari - 860-239
Rancho del Campo - 820-290
Rancho el Paso - 863-310

Sightseeing:

Fort Zoutman And William III Tower. Oldest building in country, this Dutch fortress now houses Historical Museum, where Caiquetio artefacts from prehistoric past now on display alongside of remnants from colonial period & items of local interest. 

Bushiribana. On northern coast midway down island lie abandoned gold mines that were centre of gold rush during C19th. Nearby ruins of old pirate castle that some say goes back to 1499, year that Alonso de Ojeda landed here. 

Hooiberg. Shaped like haystack (Hooiberg means Mt.Haystack in Dutch), looms prominently from middle of island. At 541 ft, not tallest 'mountain' (Mt.Yamanota and Mt.Arikok at 617 & 577 ft respectively both taller), but most accessible. See across to coast of Venezuela on clear day.

Natural Bridge. Coral formation 25 ft high & 100 feet long, carved out by thending surf over the centuries.

Boca Prins. Join locals in dune sliding. Sneakers & strong pair of jeans needed. 

Casi Bari And Ayo. North of Hooiberg, strange geological formation of large diorite boulders looks dumped here in a pile. Scientists have not been able to explain how these rocks got here. 

Arikok National Park:Surrounding Mt.Arikok near centre of island is natural preserve which features some of oldest Arawak drawings plus trails that showcase Aruba's great variety of plants & animals like divi-divi & kwihi trees, rare & exotic cactuses, aloe, tropical flowers, birds, & iguanas. Part of Aruba Natural Preserve - 25% of island. 

Fontein And Guadiriki Caves. In interior of island, where ancient Indian paintings & petroglyphs carefully preserved. 

Cunucu. Papiamento word for ‘countryside,’ Cunucu is rugged, rambling interior generally flat but punctuated by all kinds of vegetation. Small pastel houses fenced in by cactuses line roadside. 

Daimari.  Near site of first gold discovery, functioning coconut plantation.

Bubali Bird Sanctuary. 80+ species of migratory birds from herons &egrets & cormorants to coots & gulls, skimmers, terns, &ducks nest in/around 2 interconnected man-made lakes. 

California Dunes. Named for offshore wreck of famous ship, isolated northwest tip of island features some of most spectacular scenery, with large rolling sand dunes & old stone lighthouse; however, closed to public. Diving here recommended only for most experienced. 

Entertainment & Night Life on Aruba

Dozens of restaurants offering every kind of international cuisine, from Argentinian to Italian to Thai. Savour fresh local seafood. Or sample Aruban specialties with names like "scavechi," "sopi di jambo" and "keshi yena," with maybe some "dushi di tamarijn" for dessert. Afterward, dance to beat of local Aruban band. Enjoy some live nightclub entertainment.  Take bar-hopping tour to island's favourite local hangouts.

11 casinos from casual to glamorous. In addition to blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, baccarat, & hundreds of slot machines, Aruba's casinos offer Caribbean Stud Poker.

Many comfortable, charming & exciting nightspots with dancing, entertainment, and lively action-filled casinos. Most hotels have special night of entertainment. Tropical nights, beach barbecues & cocktail parties always available. Attractions at hotels & nightclubs feature water ballet, international entertainers, fashion shows, local dance groups, limbo & fire dances, steel bands, discos & beat of local bands. Action in casinos constant & atmosphere charged with excitement.

Legal agefor both drinking & gambling is 18 years. Not widely enforced. You will not usually be "carded".

Discos & Dancing 
Cheers Cafe Bistro Port Of Call Marketplace L.G. Smith Blvd 17 011-2978-30838  
Chesterfield Night Club:Zeppenfeldstraat 57 San Nicolaas 011-2978-45109 
Club City One: Italiestraat 42 Eagle Beach Tel: 011-2978-33888/33688 
Cobalt Club: Royal Plaza 213 L.G. Smith Blvd. 94 Oranjestad 2978-38776/38381 
Iguana Lounge: La Cabana All Suite Beach Resort & Casino J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 250 Eagle Beach 011-2978-79000 Fax: 011-2978-77208/75474

Dancing and Local Entertainment
Alhambra Shopping Bazaar: J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 93 Tel: 011-2978-63500 
Music Hall: J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 77 Wyndham Aruba Beach Resort & Casino Tel: 011-2978-64466/64470 
Oasis Lounge / On the Rocks:Aruba Palm Beach Resort & Casino J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 79 Tel: 011-2978-63900 
Jardin Brasilien: Americana Aruba Beach Resort J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 83 Tel: 011-2978-64500 
Desires Nightclub - Live Band: Aruba Sonesta Resort & Casino @ Seaport Village L.G. Smith Blvd. 9 Tel: 011-2978-36000 
Live Band Best Western Manchebo Beach Resort J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 55 Tel: 011-2978-23444 
Live Band Show: Bushiri Bounty All-Inclusive Beach Resort L.G. Smith Blvd. 35 Tel: 011-2978-25216 
Pelican Terrace - Live BandDivi Aruba Beach Resort J.E. Irausquin 45 Tel: 011-2978-23300 
Royal Cabana Casino: La Cabana All-Suite Beach Resort & Casino Tropicana Showroom J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 250 Tel: 011-2978-79000 
Sun Club: Costa Linda Beach Resort J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 59 Tel: 011-2978-38000 

Cocktail Lounges

Alfresco Lobby Bar: Hyatt Regency Aruba J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 8 5 Tel: 011-2978-61234 

Eating Out on Aruba:

Aruba's restaurants cater to wide variety of tastes and feature such specialties as French, Indonesian, Argentinean, Japanese, Dutch, Italian, & Latin American cuisines. Authentic Aruban cuisine offered at many establishments. Try "scavechi" (marinated fried fish) served with "funchi," Aruban version of polenta. During high season, reservations suggested.

Tipping: 10% - 15% for service usually added to bill automatically.

De Olde Molen. Old windmill  built 1804 in Holland, reconstructed 1960. Moderately-priced restaurant specializes in continental dining.

Shopping on Aruba

Oranjestad is where most stores & boutiques located. Also at major hotels & airport. Major shopping centres - Alhambra Shopping Bazaar, Atrium, Bubali Shopping Centre, Palm Beach Shopping Center, Port of Call Marketplace, Royal Plaza, Seaport Marketplace, Seaport Village Mall, Strada Complex I & II, & Sun Plaza Mall.

Other major shopping areas - Centro Commercial, in Noord, & San Nicolas Shopping District.

Stores on main streets open 8 am. - 6 pm. Mon thru Sat, although some closed for lunch noon - 2 p.m. Shops in malls & shopping centres open 9:30 am. To 6 pm. Some stores open on Suns & holidays when cruise ships in port.

Duty-free shopping at airport or at specified duty-free establishments, but tariffs at other stores still low at 3.3%, & many bargains in European porcelain, jewellery, perfumes, & clothing.