Our topography and vegetation are unusual for a Caribbean island. Divi-divi trees, easily recognized by their distinctive wind-sculpted shape, dot a landscape defined by miles of pristine white beaches and a rugged northeast coast.

The official currency is the Aruban florin, which is divided into 100 cents. Current exchange rates are Afl. 1.78 to the U.S. Dollar and Afl 1.50 to the Canadian Dollar. U.S. dollars are widely accepted in Aruba, and banks may exchange other foreign currency.

Atlantic Standard Time, which is one hour ahead of New York (except during Daylight Savings when the time is the same).

We have a first-class hospital just a few minutes from the hotel sector, and ALL hotels have a doctor on call 24/7. Drug stores cannot fill a prescription from a doctor who is not on the island, but will advise you on how to obtain one if necessary.

To see medical facility profile pages click here.

Visitors to Aruba who are in need of physical assistance may rent medical and home-health-care products and service via LABCO.

Your cell phone will work here. Please contact your local service provider about the features before traveling to Aruba.

Cell phone rentals require proper identification, such as a passport. A deposit is usually required.

Aruba is equipped with WIFI technology and has several hot spots throughout the island. Most of the hotel properties on the island now offer WIFI service at their properties. For more information, please check the profile page of the resort you are staying at or Setar N.V.

Local access numbers for America On-Line, Prodigy, CompuServe, AT&T, etc. are not available in Aruba and are all considered as long distance calls to the US.

To see hotspots that provide WIFI click here.

To make international calls, simply dial the outside country code and then the number. You can place a collect call or credit card call at any of the blue phones located mostly at the lobbies of your hotel and also in the downtown area. The phones have instructions on how to place the calls.

We recommend buying calling cards to make international phone calls. The calling cards can be obtained throughout the island at gas stations, mini markets, supermarkets and at various Setar teleshops. Cards, like the Ventaha usually vary between $5, $15, $20 and $30.

Our stores on the main streets are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, although some are closed for lunch between noon and 2 p.m. Shops in the malls and shopping centers are open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some stores are open on Sundays and holidays when cruise ships are in port.

Aruba isn't actually a duty free port, however the duty is low enough that it's possible to find some excellent buys here, especially on items such as jewelry, perfume, fashions and electronic equipment.

Citizens of the U.S. who have been out of the country for a minimum of 48 hours and who have not used their respective duty free allowance within 30 days are entitled to a $600.00 duty-free tax exemption. Families traveling together can pool their exemptions, meaning a couple with two children can bring back $2,400.00 worth of articles.

Canadian citizens who have been outside Canada for a minimum of 7 days are permitted a duty-free exemption of $500.00 Canadian dollars. Citizens are also permitted a duty-free exemption of $200.00 each time they are out of the country for more than 48 hours. Exemptions cannot be pooled with spouse and/or children.