Aruba climate
According to best-medical-schools.com, Aruba is located in the southern Caribbean just 25 km north of the Venezuelan coast. The island is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and belongs to the Lesser Antilles.
Aruba has a moderately tropical climate. The average maximum temperature in Aruba with cooling trade winds is between 28 and 32 ° C. Between October and February the maximum temperatures stay a little below 30 ° C, in the remaining months they are a little over 30 ° C. The night-time minimum temperatures fall just below 25 ° C in winter, otherwise they stay just above the 25 ° C mark.
Usually it is quite warm in Aruba at noon and it can be windy at night. Most of the time, shorts and t-shirts are appropriate clothing on Aruba.
Aruba is influenced by the northeast trade wind, which, however, already rains its moisture on the “Leeward Islands” further north. The island is therefore quite dry, with an average of just over 25 mm of rain per month. Much of the precipitation falls from September to early December, mostly in the form of short, tropical showers.
Hurricanes rarely occur in Aruba during the Caribbean hurricane season, as the island is south of the main hurricane belt. Exceptions were in 2004, when Ivan’s foothills reached the island and knocked down trees, and in 1999, when Lenny damaged some of the island’s reefs.
Best time to travel to Aruba
The high tourist season is between mid-December and mid-April, but this is more due to the rather unpleasant weather in North America and Europe than to the weather in Aruba: it is warm and dry here almost all year round. The high season for cruise ships is from October to April.
It is therefore best to plan a visit outside of this time. The port cities are quieter and room prices have almost halved compared to the high season.
Aruba – traveling in the country
Ship: daily between 9 am and 6 pm there are ferries to De Palm Island every half hour
Car: All major international car rental companies have offices at the airport. A comparison with local car rental companies is worthwhile, as they can be cheaper. If you want to make a few forays into Oranjestad from your hotel, there is no need to rent a car. Smaller tours can be easily organized with taxis and buses. To explore the more distant points on Aruba, a car is necessary. Hotels can help arrange rental cars.
The minimum age for booking a rental car is between 21 and 25 years, depending on the company. A national or international driver’s license that has been valid for at least 2 years is required. Insurance should be taken out. Traffic on the right is on the right in Aruba.
The road network in Aruba is very good. Traffic in Oranjestad can be quite heavy during rush hour and after a cruise ship arrives.
Bus: The main bus station on Lloyd G Smith Blvd is in the center of Oranjestad. Buses run every 15 to 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. There are buses from Oranjestad to the airport every 30 to 60 minutes. Arubus buses run between San Nicholas in the southwestern part of the island via Oranjestad to the various resorts on the northwestern coast. Bus timetables can be obtained in hotels, tourist offices as well as in the tourist office.
Buses do not go to the more remote parts of the island or to Arikok National Wildlife Park.
Taxis are easy to find in front of hotels and resorts, the tariffs for certain distances are fixed, ask before you start your journey. Charter tours are priced at $ 45 an hour. A tip is expected for larger luggage.
Aruba: Health and Diseases
Vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria, and hepatitis A is recommended when traveling to Aruba. For a longer stay and backpacking trips, vaccination against hepatitis B and typhus is recommended.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers (older than one year) who have been in a yellow fever infection area within the last 6 days when entering the country. This certificate is not necessary if you have only stayed in the transit area in the yellow fever area, and transit passengers who fly on from Aruba on the same aircraft do not need a yellow fever vaccination.
Malaria
Malaria does not occur in Aruba.
Dengue fever
Mosquito-borne dengue virus infections occur in Anguilla. It is recommended to use mosquito nets and / or mosquito repellants to protect against insects.
HIV / AIDS
HIV / AIDS is found on numerous Caribbean islands, including Aruba (at the beginning of 2008 0.4% of the population was affected, source: UNAIDS). Caution is always advisable with holiday acquaintances.
Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis pathogens are found in some rivers and ponds, so avoid wading or swimming in these waters. However, in well-maintained pools that use chlorinated water, there is no risk of schistosomiasis.
hygiene
The milk offered in Aruba is pasteurized and therefore safe to drink. Poultry, meat, fruit and vegetables are also safe, but basic hygiene measures to prevent intestinal infections are recommended.
The tap water in Aruba comes from a seawater desalination plant and is usually safe to drink. Grocery stores also sell bottled drinking water.
Locally caught fish and seafood pose a risk of algae poisoning.
Medical supplies
The medical facilities in Aruba are very good. Hotels offer a 24-hour medical service, and doctors and dentists can be called to the hotel. The Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital with 280 beds has European standards with modern medical equipment and is also geared towards holidaymakers. There is a 24/7 emergency pharmacy in each island district. We strongly recommend taking out health insurance for travel abroad. This health insurance should also cover repatriation in the event of an emergency.
When traveling in Aruba, take a specially designed first-aid kit with you and protect it from high temperatures when you are out and about.
In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:
A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information and liability for any damage that may occur cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.
