Aruba Travel Information and Reviews

Aruba Information

---

Palm Beach and Eagle Beach, together stretching for seven miles, constitute one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful shorelines.

The southwestern coast with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters is the most popular spot. World-famous Palm Beach boasts high-rise hotels and casinos, while Eagle Beach offers picnic areas and low-rise hotels.

Arashi Beach is a perfect place to swim and snorkel because of its clear waters and gentle currents. Visit Baby Beach, which is ideal for children.

Windsurfing is a popular sport here, and with its constant year-round trade winds, which average 15 knots, it’s a prime sailing destination.

A rugged countryside dotted with mysterious caves and natural formations, is easily explored as the island’s small size makes it nearly impossible to get lost.

Here you will find world-class shopping – jewellery, watches, perfume, cosmetics, china, crystal, linens and designer fashions. Diners can sample a range of cuisines, from Creole and Indonesian to French. The casinos, which are open from early afternoon until late at night are worth a visit.

Explore Aruba’s countryside – see the 100 foot-long Natural Bridge carvedout of coral rock by the rough surf. At the centre of the island is Hooiberg, with a stairway ascending its 541-foot peak, from which you can sometimes see Venezuela.

For nightlife Aruba offers dancing, cabaret show and 11 casinos to choose from.

Aruba Practical Information

---

Aruba Public Holidays

New Year's Day (01Jan); Official Holiday in memory of G F Betico Croes (25Jan); National Anthem & Flag Day (18Mar); Good Friday (14Apr); Easter (16Apr); Easter Monday (17Mar); Queen's Day (30Apr); Labour Day (01May); St. John's Day (24Jun); Christmas Day (25Dec); Boxing Day (26Dec); New Year's Eve/Bank holiday (31Dec).

Aruba Visa and Passport

U.S. Citizens:

• A valid U.S. passport
• USA citizens born in the U.S. must have an original or Government certified and a photo I.D.
• Naturalized U.S. citizens must have an original Certificate of Naturalization with a raised seal and a photo I.D.
• A U.S. resident must have a re-entry permit to the U.S. or an Alien Registration Card (Green Card)
• A resident of the USA for whom visa requirements are applicable for Aruba must travel either with a national passport or an Alien Registration Card.
• A resident of the USA for whom no visa requirements are applicable for Aruba must have a re-entry permit or an Alien Registration Card

Citizens of Canada:

• A valid Canadian passport
• Canadian citizens born in Canada must have a "Miniature Birth Certificate", a "Miniature Baptismal Certificate" or a "Miniature Certificate of Proof of Canadian Citizenship"
• Canadian citizens born outside of Canada, must have either an original Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of Proof of Canadian Citizenship
• Canadian residents for whom visa requirements are not applicable for Aruba must have a National passport or a Canadian Immigration Identification Certificate with a landing Stamp in the national passport or a Certificate of Identity
• Canadian residents for whom visa requirements are applicable for Aruba, must travel with a valid national passport with a landing stamp in the passport provided with a visa for Aruba or a Canadian Immigration Identification Certificate with a visa for Aruba

All other countries not mentioned, must possess a Valid Passport and a return ticket.

Nationals that DO require a visa If you hold and travel on a passport of one of the countries listed below, you need a visa to enter Aruba:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Democratic Republic, former Zaire), Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia-Montenegro), Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory coast: côte d'Ivoire, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazachstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea - North Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia (former Republic of Yugoslavia), Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mariana islands: Northern Mariana islands, Marshall islands, Mauretania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar (former Burma), Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Northern Mariana islands, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Russia: Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa (West), Sao Tome & Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan (Republic of China), Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arabic Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia: Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia-Montenegro), Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Papers needed (besides a valid travel document) to enter Aruba: A valid passport (with a visa for Aruba) or other recognized travel document, AND A return airline ticket or an onward ticket to travel elsewhere outside Aruba, AND The necessary documents for returning to the country of origin or for further travel elswhere (e.g. visa), AND Sufficient funds to cover the intended stay in Aruba

Aruba General Information

---

Aruba Area
75 sq miles (193 sq km)

Aruba Capital
Oranjestad

Aruba Currency
Aruban florin

Aruba Head of state
HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

Aruba Language
Dutch, Papiamento

Aruba Main exports
Oil products, animals

Aruba Population
100,500 (via UN, 2006)

Aruba Prime minister
Mike Eman

Aruba Radio
Radio Kelkboom, Hit 94, Magic 96.5, Canal 90

Aruba Telephone codes
1-297

Aruba Television
ATV, Tele Aruba

Aruba The press
Diario Aruba, Bon Dia