Currency Questions

[ralphf]

We are going to Aruba for first time in early November for one week. We usually travel to Hawaii and are not concerned with currency conversions. Will we always be offered to pay either dollars or florins including use of credit card? Do cab drivers also do this conversion for you. Do the cabs have a meter or do you negotiate a price? Do cab drivers accept a credit card? Is it advisable to carry cash or bring traveller checks? I'd rather have little cash and use a credit card. We're excited about going but have not had to deal with currency issue except for travelling to Europe which we have not done for a number of years. Please set me on right track. Thanks!

[abj]

the cabs we were in all took cash. nothing cost me more then $8 if i remember correctly.

[Arubalisa]

The US dollar is accepted everywhere, including taxi cabs.

Taxis accept cash, but do NOT accept credit cards.

http://taxiaruba.com/new/farelist.html
http://taxiaruba.com/new/policy.html Be aware of policies when traveling on Sundays, at night after midnight or to and from the airport.

Additional taxi info http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/taxi.html

Will we always be offered to pay either dollars or florins including use of credit card?

Use US dollars. No need to convert any of your cash to florins.

Do the cabs have a meter or do you negotiate a price?

There are no meters.
Taxi rates are regulated by the Aruban Government.
Print and take with you the fare list at the url above. Due to the high price of gas, some taxis have resorted to "making up" their own fares. Agree on the price before you step foot into the taxi in accordance to the fare you will have printed and taken with you. If they do not agree, and perhaps try to give you a "story" that fares have changed, it is just that, a "story". Fare changes have been proposed, but have not yet been approved by the government.

Do cab drivers accept a credit card?

No.

Is it advisable to carry cash or bring traveller checks?

If you are more comfortable with traveller checks, cash them as you need to at your resort's front desk. I have never heard of a taxi driver who accepted them. Pehaps some do.

I'd rather have little cash and use a credit card

Taxis do not take credit cards.

We're excited about going but have not had to deal with currency issue except for travelling to Europe which we have not done for a number of years. Please set me on right track. Thanks!

You will have zero currency issues. Go and enjoy!

[ralphf]

Thank you for such a quick reponse. I don't want to assume anything but is the cab fare list you provided in dollars?

[Chadd]

Last time I was down there several cab drivers tried to charge me more than the posted rates. It was much more common in my two trips this year than in years past.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by ralphf

Thank you for such a quick reponse. I don't want to assume anything but is the cab fare list you provided in dollars?

You are welcome. Yes, the fares are posted in US dollars.

~The only bad question, is the one never asked.~

The situation with the taxi drivers overcharging is unfortunate indeed. We are just lucky that our taxi driver friend Bully has promised to go on vacation in May next year instead of June when we are going to be in Aruba. Thank you Bully for that.

[TomFrederick]

>>> "Use US dollars. No need to convert any of your cash to florins."
----- Ditto. Around the resorts usually all prices are in US$.
Local fast foods, supermarkets, and gas stations will have prices in florins but they will convert and accept US$. Most restaurants have their menus in US$, casinos bets are in US$, bus fares are in US$, tours are in US$, ........ Most front desks where you are staying will cash American Express Travel Checks. Credit Cards are accepted most places. Bring a lot of US1$, and US coins as small shops, bagel shops, ..... run our of US small dollars and US coins and you will get florins in change at times.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by TomFrederick

Credit Cards are accepted most places.

If you use AMEX, carry a Visa or Mastercard as well, there are some places which do not accept AMEX.

[Edronenburg]

I am sure that you will feel more comfortable with all the reliable answers. The members of the site are the most friendly; helpful and courteous that you will find on any website. Hope you have an absolutely wonderful vacation.

[ash]

A friend from California just had a problem at the Chef's Table restaurant when her credit card was rejected. The problem was resolved quickly when we got back to the house and called them, but she had to rely on another friend to pay at the restaurant.
FYI - We all realized how important it is to carry more than one card when traveling. Also, we always contact our Credit Card company to let them know of our travel plans to Aruba because sometimes the cc company will reject the charge if it is used somewhere you don't normally charge! Then you have to rely on friends...