Florins or US dollars?

[snoopy5512]

Hi! This is my first time posting here.

I am going to Aruba with my husband in Nov. I am really excited and we are staying at the Tam. We do plan to eat out of the resort sometimes.

I am wonderin...how do you know when viewing a menu online if the prices are in Florins or US dollars, or any other money?

This would be really helpful when deciding where to eat.

TIA!

[Andrea J.]

i agree it would be very helpul if the restaurants posted in large letters US DOLLARS or FLORINS

lots of times it is simply $20.00 (twenty dollars) 20.00 afl florins

if prices look high on a menu (higher than what you expect) keep searching and you may be happy to find the afl notice.

i would say that many, if not most tourist restaurants list their menu in us $$.

andrea

[Liz - Aruba Lover]

I remember looking at Que Pasa's menu not that many years ago. The prices were too high so we didn't go there. Went to Rumba's instead. A few years later, I decided to go there anyway. Found out that their prices were in Aruban money. I told Peter (manager at the time) and said they had it that was as alot of their customers were Dutch and locals. Not they do have U.S. $. The only 2 restaurants that I can think of that show Aruban florins on their menu are Gostoso Portuguese Restaurant and B55 Restaurant.

[snoopy5512]

Thanks! That is helpful. I thought that most were US$, but saw another post saying that Gostoso was in Florin.

[Sunny Beaches]

As you are staying at the Tam, I would look at Windows on Aruba for a sunset dinner (it is enclosed & ac'd so for a night out of the wind) Classy, great food & service, and since you are staying at the Tam off their main menu $30pp also the golf cart will get you there, and they will call for a return pick-up. P.S. tell them your celebrating something for a free glass of bubbly!

[Arubalisa]

20.00 afl florins

I always look for two things

. instead of , == denoting Florins instead of US dollars

and

afl instead of $ or in few cases USD

[islandj]

Most of the "tourist" areas are in USD, if your not to sure always ask we are very nice in Aruba and would be happy to answer any of your questions. Keep in mind the exchange rate is adverage right now 1usd = 1.75 florin in most stores and resturants. That means 35florin = 20usd. Once your here you will get the hang of it no worries.

[JohnG]

I figured bringing my observations and comments of this old thread back to life was more appropriate than starting a new one . . .

I see posts where people seem to be picking using dollars over florins while in Aruba and I was curious as to why that is? Can you imagine if someone visiting the US from China tried to pay their dinner bill at Texas Roadhouse with yuan? YIKES talk about an international incident

I would think that if you are travelling in a foreign country, no matter how culture-centric to that particular visitor it might be, that using that country's currency whenever possible would be the appropriate thing to do (plus in all our travels over the years, I've always believed using foreign currency was always part of the adventure).

A caveat to my rambling is that the Aruban casinos almost always deal in US dollars (I believe this is primarily because all the slot machines are setup to accept US dollars so it's easier just to standardize on that currency) so that is the major exception.

I realize that the Aruban economy depends alot on US dollars and that they go out of their way sometimes to accept them but it certainly isn't difficult to get florins before you travel from most banks (of course there is a minimal service fee) and you can certainly get florins from Aruban ATM machines so I say when in Aruba, use florins when you can ! ! !

[Andrea J.]

respectfully i disagree.
but if you feel paying in florens is appropriate for you, than who am i to disagree.

most/many restaurants are in US dollars

most/many resorts are in US dollars

auto rentals most/many are priced in us dollars.

grocery stores are in florens

small mom and pop stores and gas stations in florens.

i say, why buck the system, pay in us dollars.
most if not all expect to be paid in us dollars.

[Arubalisa]

"Paying for Purchases
Aruba.com / Travel to Aruba / Tips for Tourists / What to Bring… What to Buy

US currency, major credit cards and travelers checks are widely accepted on Aruba. It is a good idea to contact your credit card provider prior to departure and advise them of your travel plans. Without doing so, overseas charges may be questioned or denied.

Some merchants may not accept US $ 50 and $ 100 due to worldwide counterfeiting. Personal checks are not accepted.

Banks are generally open from 8 am – 4 pm Monday through Friday, though some branches remain open later on Friday and on Saturday morning.

ATM cards with Cirrus, MasterCard, Maestro or Visa logo can withdraw cash at banks and more than 50 island locations."