Aruba – the most recent key dates for your trip
Area: 180 km²
Population: 106,113 (July 2011 estimate, CIA)
Population density: 590 residents per km²
Population growth: 1.436% per year (2011, CIA)
Capital: Oranjestad (30,710 residents, 2006)
Highest point: Mount Jamanota, 188 m
Lowest point: Caribbean Sea, 0 m
Form of government: Aruba achieved internal independence within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1986 and is an equal part of the kingdom alongside the Netherlands Antilles and the Netherlands proper. The constitution dates from 1986. The parliament (states) is made up of 21 members who are elected every 4 years.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Mike Eman, since October 30, 2009
Head of State: Queen Beatrix since April 30, 1980, represented by Governor General Fredis Refunjol since May 1, 2004.
Language: According to directoryaah.com, the official language in Aruba is Dutch. English and Spanish are also widely spoken. Papiamento (language with roots in Dutch, English, Portuguese, Spanish and Indian languages) is also spoken. Few residents of Aruba speak a little German as well.
Religion: The majority of the population (82%) is Roman Catholic. There are also Protestants (8%), as well as Hindus, Muslims, Jews and Confucians.
Local time: CET -5 h. There is no daylight saving time change in Aruba.
The time difference to Central Europe is -5 hours in winter and -6 hours in summer.
International phone code: +297
Internet ID:.aw
Mains voltage: 110 V, 60 Hz.
Geography and Map of Aruba
Aruba is located 30 km from Venezuela and is the smallest of the so-called ABC islands (together with Bonaire and Curaçao). It is located in the far west of this group and is also the geographically last island in the Antilles.
Aruba is mostly flat, about 30 km long and no more than 9 km wide. At 188 m, Mount Jamanota is the highest point on the island. In the west of Aruba you can find miles of white beaches, the east, on the other hand, is characterized by a lonely, windy and sometimes bizarre rocky coast.
Arrival Aruba
Airplane: Lufthansa and KLM in cooperation with other airlines offer direct flights from Frankfurt, Vienna and Zurich, from Zurich also Swiss International to Aruba, from Vienna Aruba is also connected with other airlines by Austrian Airlines. Air France flies from Paris to Aruba (with a stopover in the USA).
South American destinations can be reached from Aruba with Aerolina Argentinas, Aeropostal, Avianca and Surinam Airways.
The American Eagle line connects Aruba with destinations in the Caribbean.
Airports: Reina Beatrix International Airport (AUA) is located approximately 3.5 km southeast of Oranjestad. Both taxis and buses drive into the city, and rental cars are also available.
Ship: Known as a duty-free island with plenty of shopping opportunities, Aruba is a popular destination for many cruises. The port of Oranjestad is served by cruise ships from the following lines: Barfoot Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises, Princess, Majestic Cruise Line, AIDA Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Hollans America Lines, Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Sea Cloud, Windstar Cruises and Hapag Lloyd Cruises.
Aruba visa requirements
Aruba is an overseas, autonomous area of the Netherlands. However, the same entry requirements do not apply as for the Netherlands.
Passport
is generally required for entry into Aruba. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the planned departure. An ID card is not sufficient to enter Aruba.
Visa
Citizens of EU countries (with the exception of Romania and Bulgaria) do not require a visa for a stay of a maximum of 3 months in Aruba. This applies to both tourists and business travelers.
Additional documents for entry: A return flight or “onward” ticket to another destination as well as all documents required to return to the country of origin or to travel to another country.
Entry with children
For accompanying children, the same visa requirements apply as for their parents.
Germany: a separate passport for children is necessary. Child ID cards are no longer issued in Germany, existing child ID cards remain valid until the expiry date.
Austria: Children in Aruba need their own passport.
Switzerland: Children need their own passport.
Money in Aruba – updated information
Local currency : 1 Aruban florin is equal to 100 cents
Currency abbreviation : AFl, AWG
There are banknotes in circulation to the denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 Aruba florins. Coins are valued at 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents, as well as 1, 2.50 and 5 Aruba florins.
Exchange rate
Currency converter at OANDA
Currency Exchange: The Aruban florin is pegged to the US dollar with a fixed exchange rate. You can pay with US dollars almost everywhere, and sometimes you get change in US dollars as well. Other currencies can be exchanged in banks. There are ATMs in Oranjestad where cash can be withdrawn in local currency. Aruba Florins can only be exchanged in Aruba.
Credit Cards: most credit cards are accepted
ATMs: there are in Oranjestad, at the ATMs of the ABN-AMRO bank you can withdraw both US dollars and Aruba florins.
Travelers Checks: Issued in US Dollars or Euros is recommended.
Foreign exchange regulations: The import and export of the local and foreign currency must be declared.
Bank opening times : Mon – Fri 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. The airport branch of the Caribbean Mercantile Bank opens daily (except on public holidays) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Important addresses in Aruba
Aruba Tourism Authority : RJ Schimmelpennincklaan 1
NL 2517 JN The Hague
Telephone: 0031 70 302 8046, Fax: 0031 70 360 4877
mail: [email protected]
Opening times: Mon – Fri 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The tourist office is also for Germany and Switzerland and Austria responsible.
General Plenipotentiary Minister of Aruba: RJ Schimmelpennincklaan 1, NL-2517 The Hague
Telephone: 0031 70 356 6200, Fax: 0031 70 345 1446
email: [email protected]
Aruba Tourism Authority: 172 LG Smith Boulevard, Eagle
Telephone: 005 82 3777, Fax: 0055 83 4702
email: [email protected]
Outside the Netherlands, Aruba does not have its own embassies or consulates. The interests of Aruba are represented through Dutch diplomatic missions.
Germany, Switzerland and Austria have no diplomatic missions in Aruba, the respective embassies in The Hague (Netherlands) are responsible.
