Aruba
Travel tips for Aruba: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.
Cash and cards
Cards widely accepted. While credit cards are accepted at almost all restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores, recent travelers advise carrying cash (USD is fine) for taxis, tipping, beach bathroom fees, and small vendors.
Try the food
- Keshi Yena: A large round of Gouda or Edam cheese stuffed with a savory mixture of spiced meat, olives, capers, and raisins, then baked until melted.
- Pastechi: A deep-fried, half-moon pastry filled with savory ingredients like cheese, beef, chicken, or fish.
- Funchi: A thick, polenta-like cornmeal mush often fried until crispy on the outside and served as a hearty side dish.
Say it in Dutch
- Hello: Hallo
- Thank you: Dank u
- Please: Alstublieft
- Excuse me: Pardon
- How much is this?: Hoeveel kost dit?
- The bill please: De rekening alstublieft
- Yes / No: Ja / Nee
- Goodbye: Tot ziens
Essentials
- Plugs
- Type A / Type B / Type F
- Voltage
- 120V, 60Hz
- Driving
- Right side
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Emergency
- 911 (general emergency, ambulance, fire), 100 (police)
- SIM tip
- Purchase a Setar or Digicel prepaid SIM card at the kiosks just outside the arrivals hall at Queen Beatrix International Airport, or install an eSIM prior to travel for immediate connectivity.
Etiquette
A 10 to 15 percent service charge is often automatically added to restaurant and hotel bills, but leaving an additional small tip for exceptional service is customary and appreciated.