Visiting Aruba

Here is some helpful information on what you need to know to get to Aruba, what to do while you are in Aruba and what you will need to do to go home from Aruba.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Travel to Aruba

Getting to Aruba.

Airline Reservations:

• Make reservations from your local airport (for example: DFW) to AUA (Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix, Aruba International Airport).

• MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR PASSPORT: https://www.usa.gov/passport Be sure to sign your passport before going to the airport.

• These are some of the airlines flying from the US into Aruba: American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines

Car Reservations (No, there is no Uber or Lyft on Aruba but there are reasonable priced taxis): Amigo, ACE Rent a Car, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Fox Rent A Car, National, Sixt and Thrifty

Before You Leave For Aruba:

• Determine what you are going to do for a cell phone. Donna and I have one phone we have set up for international calling, texting and data. It is good to have at least one phone set up for this if you are going try and get around the island on your own.

• SETAR is the local phone carrier. We have not tried it ourselves but have been told you could wait a longggggggggg time to get a phone from them in one of their stores.

• Check with you credit card companies to determine if they need to be aware you are travelling to an international location or to a location where they are not use to seeing you make charges. Additionally, some credit card companies will charge you an exchange rate on foreign purchases although many credit card companies no longer apply these fees.

• At most places they will accept credit cards and US dollars. Where they accept credit cards they normally ask you if you want to be charged in US dollars or Aruban florins.

• I would suggest bringing some amount of cash.

Getting Into Aruba – One Happy Island:

1. Prior to flying you need to complete the Digital Aruba ED card and meet all Health Requirements. Information on this process can be found HERE

2. After disembarking the plane you will walk towards the Aruba Customs area. When you get to the passport security area there will be a person there directing you where to go. Click here for a map of the airport.

3. Next, you will go through passport security. For most US residents going into Aruba this is done at an automated station. The automated stations are sometimes finicky. If you run into problems the attendant may ask you to try another machine or may help you with the process.

4. Pick up any checked luggage.

5. Go to the Aruba Customs area where you will be required to put each bag, checked and unchecked, through an x-ray machine.,

6. Enter the main terminal area.

Things To Do In Aruba

Aruba is a desert island paradise with something for everyone. Whether you want to relax on pristine beaches, enjoy activities on and under the water, wager at the casinos, eat Caribbean food or shop and enjoy the nightlife, Aruba has something for everyone.

• Where to Experience Culture in Aruba - Non-Beach Activities

• 9 Best Outdoor Adventures in Aruba

• Beaches

• Snorkeling

• Scuba Diving

• Around Aruba Tours (Jeep, UTVs, 4wheeler, Catamaran – Snorkeling and Sunset, Pirate Ships)

• Snorkeling and Sunset Cruises with Sailaway Tour (highly recommended)

• De Palm Tours (Off Road, Sail and Snorkel, Island Tours, Sunset Cruise, De Palm Island, Submarine)

• Atlantis Submarine

• Kukoo Kunuku Party Bus

• On The Beaches – Jet Skis, Parasailing, Float Rides, Kayaks, and more

• Fishing and Sport Fishing

• Dining of all kinds: Aruba Local Cuisine, Beach Dining, Fine Dining, Casual, Romantic, On A budget, Seafood, Steakhouse, Italian

  • Dushi Bagels and Burgers - if you are in the Palm Beach area and looking for a quick meal or craving a burger this is a good spot. Outside the Playa Linda Resort overlooking the main street you can people watch while having a good burger or one of their other menu items.

• Casinos

• Best Places To Shop In Aruba

• And More: Natural Pool, Arikok National Park, California Lighthouse. Bubali Bird Sanctuary, Butterfly Farm, Donkey Sanctuary, Ostrich Farm, Philips Animal Garden, Flamingo Beach

Leaving Aruba

1. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time for the taxi to arrive and to get to the airport.  Take the taxi to the US Terminal.  The cost will be approximately $25 - $30.

2. Go to the ticketing counter for your airline.  You should be able to do automated check in.  Make sure you obtain paper copies of you boarding passes.  They are required at the security checks.  Electronic boarding passes are not adequate. 

3. If you have bags to check going to the airline representative at the ticket counter.

4. Leave the ticketing area to the left and follow the signs to the Security Area.  This is the Aruba Security area.  You will need to pick up your checked luggage after passing through the Aruba Security area.

5. Then you will head to the US Customs area where the gates are.  Here you will need to again turn over your checked luggage and go through the US Customs screening process. 

6. Board your plane.

7. When you reach your destination in the US you WILL NOT have to go through customs.  It will be just like landing from a domestic flight.

8. Make plans to come back again next year