Excited about your upcoming visit and want to make sure to get the most of your first Aruba trip? Here are a few tips to help you do just that: A great starting point is to get to know all about Aruba. You will find handy tips about currency, drinking water, cellular use, you name it its there.
Entry requirements for Aruba
Persons who are considered a tourist are those who travel to Aruba for one of the following purposes: vacation and relaxation, sport, health reasons, family matters, study, religious purposes or a business visit. During their stay in Aruba tourists are not allowed to work.
Upon arrival in Aruba a tourist must have:
A passport that is valid upon entry and for the duration of stay in Aruba. If the tourist holds a passport from a visa required country (list A), he/she must have a valid visa sticker in his/her passport.
A completely filled-in and signed Embarkation and Disembarkation card (ED-card);
A valid return- or onward ticket;
The necessary documents for returning to the country of origin or to a country that he/she has the right to enter, for example a valid residence permit (temporary or permanent), a re-entry permit or a (entry) visa;
If so requested, the tourist has to be able to prove to the satisfaction of the migration officer that he/she has a valid reservation for an accommodation in Aruba (e.g. hotel or apartment) or that he/she owns property in Aruba (a residence, condominium, apartment, timeshare apartment or a pleasure yacht moored in Aruba with a length of at least 14 meters (46 feet) measured at the nominal water line);
If so requested, the tourist has to be able to prove to the satisfaction of the migration officer to dispose of adequate financial means to provide for hotel expenses (if applicable) and living expenses during his/her stay or that he/she has a declaration of guarantee from a legal resident of Aruba.
Required vaccinations and certificate of proof for required countries.
The Ministry of Health of Aruba established that, as of March 1, 2018, the requirement for the Yellow Fever Vaccine proven by an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) will enter into force for all passengers entering the island from endemic areas.
The vaccine is mandatory for all passengers arriving from Central American, Latin American and African (high risk) countries.
The final authorization for admission to Aruba remains with the migration officer at the border-crossing/port of entry. The migration authorities at the border-crossing/port of entry have the authority to grant or refuse admission. Admission can be refused if not all admission requirements are fulfilled by the time of entering Aruba or if the tourist has been blacklisted. Holding a valid visa for Aruba does not guarantee entry to Aruba.
When is the best time to visit Aruba?
We often get asked “when’s the best time to come”? Well, any time really! Find out the best time of year to visit Aruba (also budget-wise). Oh yes and you know that getting to Aruba involves flying, so prepare for that and be at your airport on time. You definitely do NOT want to miss your first flight to Aruba!
A snack is also a good idea since the closest flights (from the US) are about three to four hours and we all know there’s no banquet on the plane these days. A tip about leaving Aruba (not that you want to think about that yet) is that there is US pre-clearance, so you go through passport control in Aruba and once back in the US you don’t have that hassle. Cool, right?
Things to see and do while you are there
So now the fun starts. Here are some suggestions (some people don’t get past the first one on this list, but being your first time try to do some of the other stuff too!):
Hit the beach!
You’re inevitably going to be hypnotized and drawn to the white sand and blue clear water. Don’t resist it. Aruba has beaches of all shapes and sizes. Oh and remember that sunscreen! Aruba’s sun is powerful, even if it is overcast you will get red without sunscreen.
Watch a sunset
Aruba’s sunsets are spectacular. We even have a schedule of sunset times we drew up for those boys and girls who want to be romantic around that time. You can use it too 🙂 A very nice way to enjoy the show is on a sunset sailing cruise.
Take a guided island tour
This is the best way to get to see the sights. There are plenty of really good day tours.
Do your own island discovery and get to see the sights
If you want to get out and about on your own, rent a 4×4 and it will get you pretty much anywhere. You’ll be happy to know that Google Maps works pretty well if you have a smartphone and can help you get back if you’re lost. But Aruba’s not that big anyway. Here are some of the great sights you won’t want to miss.
Have a great meal at Aruba’s fine restaurants
It’s not like we need to suggest this really, but there are some places that have become icons in terms of dining out in Aruba. El Gaucho restaurant (think juicy steaks) and Driftwood (think fresh seafood) are two of these and are definitely ones for the list. That list is long though and you’ll need more than two so take your pick here. Reservations are highly recommended!
