|
Documents
|
|
DOCUMENTS/PASSPORTS: Please refer to this site for the most current information regarding international travel: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_3013.html
|
|
Language
|
|
Papiamento (a mix of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and English) is the national language. English and Spanish are widely spoken.
|
|
Time Zone
|
|
Late October to early April, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). Aruba's time for the remainder of the year is the same as EST.
|
|
Currency
|
|
Aruba's currency is the florin, denoted by the letters "Afl", divided into 100 cents. The rate of exchange with the U.S. dollar is approximately Afls 1/77 for cash and Afls 1/79 for checks. U.S. currency and most major credit cards are widely accepted.
|
|
Electricity
|
|
110 volts. same as the United States.
|
|
|
|
Beaches
|
|
Aruba stands out as having the best beaches, all of which are public and free. There are good, sandy beaches on both sides of the island although fewer on the eastern side which is rough and not so good for swimming. Windsurfing is one of the more popular water sports in Aruba.
|
|
Climate
|
|
The climate is tropical, but not extreme, with median and almost constant temperature of 82degF. Rainfall averages about 18" a year, with October, November, December and January accounting for most of it. Even then the rain tends to be erratic and to come in short bursts, and it is rare for the sun not to shine most of the day. Aruba is outside the hurricane belt and usually only experiences fringe effects of nearby heavy tropical storms, if any at all.
|
|
What To Wear
|
|
With Aruba's tropical climate, you will be comfortable in casual summer clothes plus some light evening attire for restaurants, nightclubs and casinos (men might need a light jacket for some of these places). Bathing suites are not permitted in shopping and business areas.
|
|
Duty Free Allowances
|
|
Persons 18 years of age or older are allowed to bring up to 2 liters of liquor and 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 200 grams of tobacco to Aruba. You may bring home US $600 worth of duty-free articles, based on the retail value. You may include 200 cigarettes, one fifth of liquor plus a second bottle of local liquor per person over 21 in your duty-free exemption. Articles accompanying you up to US$1000, in excess of your personal US$600 exemption, will be assessed at a flat 10% rate of duty. These articles must be for personal use or for use as gifts and not for resale.
|
|
