Aruba 365
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Aruba 365
The little things that make a big difference. Insider knowledge from people who know Aruba best.
The Aruban florin (Afl or AWG) is the local currency. It is pegged at about Afl 1.79 to US$1, so the rate barely moves. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, though your change may come back in florins.
| Service | Suggested Tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | A service charge of around 10% is often already added. Leave a little extra for good service. |
| Hotel housekeeping | US$2 to 3 per day, left in the room |
| Taxi drivers | Not expected, but rounding up is appreciated |
| Tour guides | US$5 to 10 per person for a half or full day tour |
| Resort staff | US$1 to 2 for a bellhop, pool attendant, and so on |
| Boat and dive crew | A few dollars per person after a good trip |
Papiamento is the everyday local language, and along with Dutch it is an official language used in government and schools. English and Spanish are widely spoken too, especially in tourist areas, so visitors get by easily. A few words of Papiamento always earn a warm smile.
Staying connected in Aruba is easy, most hotels and restaurants have free WiFi, and mobile data is widely available.
Pick up a Digicel or Setar prepaid SIM in Oranjestad for a tourist data bundle. Bring your passport to register it.
Services like Airalo and Holafly offer eSIMs, activate before you land. Starting at around US$5.
Free WiFi at most hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Speed varies, generally good in Oranjestad and the Palm Beach resorts, patchier in remote areas.
Aruba sits south of the hurricane belt and stays warm, sunny, and dry almost year-round, holding close to 28°C (82°F). Daytime highs are usually 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F) with overnight lows around 25 to 27°C (77 to 81°F), and a constant trade-wind breeze keeps it comfortable.
The sunniest, least humid stretch and peak tourist season. Reliable beach weather, with slightly higher prices and more visitors.
A touch more rain, usually as brief overnight showers rather than washouts. Aruba lies outside the main hurricane track, so direct storms are very rare.
Lightweight clothing, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a light layer for the steady trade winds, comfortable walking shoes for exploring Oranjestad and Arikok National Park, and water shoes for rocky snorkeling entries. The local supply is 110V to 127V with US-style two-pin sockets, so US travelers usually need no adapter, while visitors from Europe and the UK should bring one.
Greetings matter (a friendly “bon dia” or “bon tardi” goes a long way, even in shops)
Music is life (tumba, dande, and calypso set the soundtrack)
Island time (life runs at a relaxed pace, so build in some flexibility)
A true melting pot (Dutch, Caribbean, Latin American, and Indigenous Caquetio heritage all shape island life)
Dress code (casual is fine; cover up over swimwear when away from the beach)
Heritage (Fort Zoutman in Oranjestad is the island's oldest building, dating to 1798)
Ask before photographing locals, especially in residential neighborhoods
Celebrations (Aruba Carnival, running from January into the weeks before Lent, is the biggest cultural festival)
Start exploring the best destinations and beaches in Aruba.