Calling Codes

Aruba's area code and country code is 2978.

To avoid the expense of international calling from hotel rooms, look for a Setar Teleshop, located in Palm Beach restaurants, in Oranjestad, and in San Nicolas. AT&T access is available locally. Cellular phones are available for rent.

The official currency of Aruba is the Aruban florin, which is divided into 100 cents. Silver coins are in denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents, one florin, 2 1/2 florins and 5 florins. The square shaped 50-cent "yotin" coin is probably Aruba's best-known coin.

Most banks open from 8am until noon and from 1:30pm to 4pm. Some remain open over the lunch hour. Stores generally stay open from 8am to 6:30pm, Monday through Saturday. Some observe siesta from noon to 2pm. When cruise ships are in port, many stores will open on Sunday.

Voltage/Current: 110V AC; 60Hz

Electrical Plugs: Plugs are flat with either two or three pins.

Electrical Conversion: A converter/transformer is necessary for travelers with appliances from Europe, Asia, and other locations with different electrical standards.

Air Ambulance: 829197
Ambulance: 115
Fire: 115
Police: 11100 or 824000
Hospital: 874300

The Setar Teleshops in Oranjestad at Royal Plaza Mall and the central Post Office provide fax and cable services.

Every Caribbean island speaks its own hybrid form of the mother tongue, and many of them strive to elevate these so-called dialects to a national language. But nowhere does there exist an allegiance to such an unusual way of speaking as in Aruba and its fellow Dutch Antilles islands. Their Papiamento combines the words and patterns of many peoples. Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish, French, and English are most notable. There's also African and Indian influences detectable. In Aruba, Spanish is more predominant by virtue of the island's proximity to South America.

Portuguese slave traders first brought Papiamento to the islands from the west coast of Africa. The name Papiamento itself means "jibber jabber" in its own language. Today the language is spoken by all classes throughout Aruba.

Yet Dutch remains the official language, regardless of the fact that many children do not learn the language until they go to school. Students often also learn English, Spanish, and German. Most islanders speak some E nglish, but learning the native language is fun and easy if you've had any experience at all with foreign languages. Many resorts offer lessons.

New Year's Day: January 1
Betico Croes' Birthday: January 25
National Anthem and Flag Day: March 18
Carnival Monday: Monday before Ash Wednesday
Good Friday: Friday before Easter
Easter Sunday: in mid-March or early April
Easter Monday: Monday after Easter
Queen's Birthday: April 30
Labor Day: May 1
Ascension Day: August 15
Christmas Day: December 25
Boxing Day: December 26

Aruba lies in the Atlantic Time Zone (GMT/UTC minus four hours). The island does not switch to daylight-saving time.

Airport Skycap/Porter: 1 florin per bag
Bars: 10 to 15 percent added automatically to the tab at hotel bars
Haircare/Personal Services: 10 to 20 percent
Hotel Bell Desk: 1 florin per bag
Hotel Housekeeping: 11 percent added automatically to your bill
Hotel Room Service: 10 to 15 percent added automatically to your bill
Restaurants: 10 to 15 percent added automatically to the tab at hotel restaurants
Parking Attendant/Valet: 1 to 2 florins
Taxis: 10 to 20 percent

Major car rental agencies that operate on the island include Hertz, Avis, and Budget. Several local agencies also rent cars, jeeps, and motorcycles, including Optima, Toyota, Economy, and Sunshine. Rates begin at about US$30 a day and US$170 a week. Since car theft is a growing concern on Aruba, check with your rental agent about insurance coverage for stolen vehicles.

For airport transportation and quick trips from the hotel to downtown, taxis are the way to go. Tour buses are more practical for half-day or all-day touring. Several tour companies are available.

Taxis in Aruba are unmetered; rates are fixed by the government. Verify the rate before the ride. Taxis are readily available at downtown stands. To call a taxi from your hotel, dial 22116 or 21604.

Arubus operates Monday through Saturday throughout the island. Bus stops are found in Oranjestad behind the government building on Zoutmanstraat and across from the fruit market on the pier. Buses also stop in front of various hotels and at other points, including San Nicolas.

If you want to do more than play on the beach, renting a car is a good idea in Aruba. Foreign and international driver's permits are accepted, if valid for two years. Driving is on the right side of the road. Roads range from wide and well-paved to washboard. L.G. Smith Boulevard, the island's main thoroughfare, is easy to drive and generally in good condition. Avoid downtown driving during rush hours and when cruise ships are in port.

For wilderness and off-road exploring, a jeep and four-wheel drive are advisable. Learn the international road signs before driving. Turning right on a red light is prohibited.

Australia: Citizens of Australia need a va lid passport and a return ticket to enter Aruba. No special vaccinations are required to visit Aruba. Visitors may stay for a maximum of three months without a visa.

Canada: Citizens of Canada need a valid passport, an official birth certificate with a picture I.D., or a certificate of naturalization with a picture I.D. to enter Aruba. No special vaccinations are required to visit Aruba. Visitors may stay for a maximum of three months without a visa.

France:Citizens of France need a valid passport and a return ticket to enter Aruba. No special vaccinations are required to visit Aruba. Visitors may stay for a maximum of three months without a visa.

Germany: Citizens of Germany need a valid passport and a return ticket to enter Aruba. No special vaccinations are required to visit Visitors may stay for a maximum of three months without a visa.

Ireland: Citizens of Ireland need a valid passport and a return ticket to enter Aruba. No special vaccinations are required to visit Aruba. Visitors may stay for a maximum of three months without a visa.

Japan: Citizens of Japan need a valid passport and a return ticket to enter Aruba. No special vaccinations are required to visit Aruba. Visitors may stay for a maximum of three months without a visa.

United Kingdom: Citizens of the U.K need a valid passport and a return ticket to enter Aruba. No special vaccinations are required to visit Aruba. Visitors may stay for a maximum of three months without a visa.

United States: U.S. citizens need a valid passport, an official birth certificate with a picture I.D., or a certificate of naturalization with a picture I.D. to enter Aruba. No special vaccinations are required to visit Aruba. Visitors may stay for a maximum of three months without a visa.

Light, casual clothes are appropriate almost everywhere in Aruba. Dressier wear is advisable for some of the more elegant restaurants, clubs, and casinos. Wearing swimwear on the street and in stores and restaurants is inappropriate.

Bring lots of outdoor summer wear--swimsuits, light shorts, T-shirts, and sports apparel. A hat and sunglasses will protect you from sun and dust. Don't forget the sunscreen; Aruba is near the equator and the sun is intense, especially when reflected off the sand and water. For cool evenings, bring a light jacket or sweater. Bring an umbrella and slicker during the rainy season. If you plan on dunes sliding, you'll need sturdy long pants and sneakers. Water sports enthusiasts can bring their own equipment or rent what they need.

Winter is high season in Aruba, when visitors arrive in throngs to escape northern climes. Carnival takes place the week before Lent begins, in February or March, bringing a flurry of visitors and Arubans who have moved elsewhere. The Grand Parade culminates the festivities on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. Old Mask Parade and the burning of King Momo in effigy mark the end of Carnival on Mardi Gras night.

Summer and fall are quieter. Trade winds keep the island in near-constant temperatures of about 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (22C-28C) year-round. The island's pleasant climate and its location outside the hurricane belt make it a desirable summer destination. Aruba sponsors a series of cultural and sports activities and festivals to draw visitors in the off-season, including the Hi-Winds Windsurfing Pro-Am Grand Prix World Cup Event in June and the International Theater Festival in September. November through February is the rainy season, when brief showers occur.