I will be staying at the Divi Golf and Beach resort in May. This is my first vacation in my entire life, so I am very inexperienced in travel. I live in Ontario, Canada, what kind of currency do I bring with me to Aruba? If I want to make purchases, such as dinner, internet access in the hotel room, items at a store, etc., what do I pay with - Canadian money? Will they handle the exchange rate?

I'm sure one of the Canadian members can answer about the currency. But I wanted to say that, for a new traveler, you certainly picked an ideal spot to start. You'll be able to get your feet wet (in both senses) very easily in Aruba.

Aruba Trip Reports

I usually convert CDN into US before I go. I did change CDN at one of the banks in Aruba but they charged an additional fee over and above the regular banking fees. In general, your CDN bank will charge an additional fee of around $5 per transaction if you use the ABM machine.

I wondered why so few had posted an answer and now realize you have posted in the airlines forum instead of the general forum.

I asked a Canadian friend from another board and he agrees with L Krantz. Here is what he said:

"We always, always, always take U.S dollars to Aruba.

As a matter of fact, we have a US dollar bank account. Every payday I put a little bit in there, then whether we're going to Maui or Aruba ( as we will be two weeks from this Saturday), we get travellers cheques in US dollars and some US cash.

Lee, it's a wonderful thing that our Canadian dollar is so strong now. However, when it comes to international travel, especially in the Caribbean, the US dollar, even when it is quite weak like it is now, is still the best currency to carry. "

Aruba Trip Reports

Do most of you use travelers checks, cash machines or credit cards?

Just a quick response...we had our credit card shut down while we were there. We forgot to inform them we would be out of the country. I guess that was good....for our protection. We found the ATM's very convienient.

Cindyo
Daughters on Rennaissance Island
"LETS GO RED SOX "

Boat ride to Rennaissance Island

Next Aruba trip in

I use a equal amount of US$$, American Express Travel Checks in US50's, and a credit card. US$$'s needed for bus fares, cab fares, casino bets, tips, small items, donut shop, bagel shop, subway shop. Those last 3 places are next to the Alhambra Casino which is a short walk from your resort. The Divi operates a free golf cart type suddle to the casino. Local restaurants will have menus in English and accept any of the 3 items.