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.

For complete information about Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix including an airport guide, map and history, visit www.airportaruba.com

Aruba has had its own currency since 1986.  The Aruban florin, which is divided into 100 cents, is equivalent to US $ 0.55.  (To convert to US dollars, just divide the florin price in half and add 10%.)  The current exchange rate is Afl. 1.78 to the U.S. Dollar. 

U.S. dollars are widely accepted in Aruba, and banks may exchange other foreign currency.  Retail stores, hotels and restaurants usually use the rate of 1.80 while supermarkets and gas stations use the 1.75 rate.  

Banking hours are generally Monday through Friday / 8 am – 4 pm.  Some stay open until 5 pm on Friday.  (The Caribbean Mercantile Bank branch at the airport is open daily from 8 am – 4 pm Monday – Thursday; 8 am – 5 pm Friday for full banking services / Saturday and Sunday from 10 am – 6 pm for change only.) 

Travelers with ATM cards bearing the CIRRUS or Plus System network logos can withdraw cash in U.S. dollars (at some locations) or Aruban florins.  Home bank accounts will be debited in dollars at a favorable exchange rate, and a service charge will apply.  Before departing for Aruba, verify whether your PIN number will work in Aruba by calling 1-800-4-CIRRUS or 1-800-THE-PLUS.  

ATM machines are available throughout the island.  Travelers checks and major credit cards are widely accepted.  Personal checks are not accepted.  Travelers who have ATM cards with Cirrus, MasterCard, Maestro or Visa logo can withdraw cash at more than fifty locations at hotels, malls, gas stations and hotels as well as at local banks.

For more information, call or visit Aruba Bank, Caribbean Mercantile Bank or RBTT Bank.

Aruba is on Atlantic Standard Time year-round.  This is one hour later than in the northeastern United States when the clocks there are turned back in the fall for Daylight Savings Time. When the clocks are moved forward in the spring, Aruba has the same time.

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.

Instituto Medical San Nicolas (IMSAN)
Dr. Rudy Engelbrecht Building
Pastoor Hendrikstraat 10, San Nicolaas, Aruba
Tel: (297) 524-8833       

IMSAN is a medical center equipped with a reputable medical staff and modern equipment. Consulting hours for general practitioners are Monday to Friday 8am to 12pm / 3pm to 5pm. Emergency assistance is available 24 hours, seven days a week.

For on-site medical care, the Medical Mobile Team can be reached by calling 584-0500.  This service, provided by registered doctors specifically for tourists in the hotel area, includes medical consult, treatment and prescriptions.  If an ambulance is required, the medical mobile team can make arrangements and treat the patient until the ambulance arrives. This service is for such ailments as falls, sprains, abrasions, lacerations, burns, ear infections, tonsillitis, urinary tract infections, ear infections, and bites, eliminating waiting time in the hospital or a physician’s office.  For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. 

IMSAN also has a diabetic center which consists of a nurse, dietitian, podiatrist, needing no referral of a doctor. 

Emcare Medical Services
Playa Linda Beach Resort
Tel (297) 743-4200 / www.emcarearuba.com

Emcare operates a clinic located on the property of Playa Linda, providing 24/7 care for tourists by qualified nurses and physicians.  In case of emergency, the patient will be referred to the local emergency room or for advanced medical care.  Various hotels and timeshare resorts work on a contractual basis with Emcare.  Physicians are available for house calls and to prescribe medication.  Medical consulting, prescriptions, pharmacy services, laboratory services and patient transport can be arranged.  Patients can be seen at the clinic as well.

NOTE:  Your U.S. medical insurance is not accepted in Aruba. 

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 but be aware that there will be roaming charges. Please contact your local service provider before traveling to Aruba.  It is possible to rent a cell phone at the airport arrivals terminal; cell phone rentals require proper identification such as a passport, and a deposit is usually required.

Aruba is equipped with WIFI technology and has 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 where you are staying or contact SETAR at 525-1000.

To see hotspots that provide WIFI click here

SETAR offers card-operated and coin-operated phones. If you want to stay in touch with your family and friends abroad while on vacation, you can call prepaid from one of these booths. Public Phone Cards are available at more than 100 locations on the island.  

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 in or near hotels, along the high-rise strip and downtown. The phones have instructions on how to place the calls. For credit card calling, dial 188 free of charge and a multi-lingual international operator will assist you. No prepaid card is needed.

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 various SETAR Teleshops. Cards such as the Ventaha card 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.