Aruba Travel Guide

☀️🌴 The best time to visit Aruba is January through September, when the weather is warm and sunny 🌞, rainfall is low 💨, humidity stays comfortable ✨, and there’s little risk of hurricanes 🌀❌. 🌺✈️ This season is perfect for beach days 🏖️, water sports 🤿, island adventures 🚤, and romantic getaways 💕—with beautiful weather almost year-round.

Before arriving in Aruba, travelers must complete the online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) Card at https://edcardaruba.aw 🌴✈️
You’ll enter passport, flight, and accommodation details and receive approval to show on arrival. Be sure to declare alcohol, tobacco, cash, or restricted items for a smooth entry 🧳✅

🚗🌴 Getting around Aruba is easy, with taxis 🚕, rental cars 🚙, buses 🚌, and ride services available island-wide. Driving is on the right, roads are well-marked, and distances are short. Visitors can use their home country driver’s license to rent a car, and many hotels help arrange transportation. Aruba’s public bus system (Arubus) is affordable and reliable for getting around 🏖️✨

🗣️🇳🇱🇬🇧 The official languages of Aruba are Dutch and Papiamento, but English is widely spoken, making travel easy and stress-free ✨. Visitors will hear English everywhere—🏨 hotels, 🍽️ restaurants, 🚐 tours, and 🚦 road signs. Many locals also speak Spanish 🌴😊, so language is never a barrier during your stay.

✈️🌴 Aruba is served by Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) in Oranjestad, the island’s main gateway for international flights 🌍, with direct service from many major U.S., Canadian, and European cities ✨.

🎒🚫 When packing, avoid weapons 🔫, pepper spray, illegal substances, and restricted items like fresh produce or plants 🌱. 🚁📸 Drones may require prior approval, and 💵📄 large amounts of cash should be declared at customs to ensure a smooth arrival 🧳✅

🛂✈️ Visitors to Aruba must have a valid passport 📘 that is valid for the duration of their stay and at least one blank page for entry stamps 🖊️. 🌍🇺🇸🇨🇦🇬🇧 Most travelers from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and many other countries do not need a visa for short stays ✅, but 📄🎟️ proof of onward or return travel is typically required upon arrival.

💉✈️ For travelers from the U.S. visiting Aruba, there are no required vaccines for entry ✅. It’s recommended to be up to date on routine vaccines such as MMR, flu 🤧, and COVID-19 🦠, and many travelers also choose Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B for added protection 💪. 🌍🟡 A yellow fever vaccine is not required when arriving from the United States.

💍🌴 Getting married in Aruba is easy and very popular for destination weddings. Couples must be on the island for a short waiting period (typically 1–2 business days) before the ceremony ⏳. A marriage license usually costs around $200–$250 USD, and passports, birth certificates, and (if applicable) divorce decrees or death certificates are required 📄🛂. Civil ceremonies can be arranged quickly, and many resorts and planners handle the paperwork—making it simple to say “I do” with ocean views 🌊. For planning info, visit https://www.aruba.com/us/things-to-do/weddings (tourism site), while legal licenses are issued through Aruba’s Civil Registry (DBSB).

🛍️🌴 Shopping in Aruba is fun and convenient, with top spots like Palm Beach and Oranjestad 🏖️🏙️ offering duty-free jewelry 💎, watches ⌚, designer brands 🛍️, souvenirs 🎁, and local crafts. Renaissance Mall features luxury boutiques ✨, while downtown streets and markets showcase handmade goods, aloe products 🌿, and island-inspired gifts—perfect for bringing home a piece of Aruba 🌊💛

🚫👕 In Aruba, camouflage clothing is not recommended and may be restricted for civilians. 🌿🚫 Marijuana remains illegal, even in small amounts, and penalties can be strict. 🚷🏖 Public nudity and topless sunbathing are not permitted on public beaches. 🔫⛔ Firearms, ammunition, pepper spray, and certain self-defense items are prohibited without special permits. 🚁📸 Drones may require prior approval, and violations can lead to fines or confiscation. 🍹🔞 The legal drinking age is 18.

📱🌴 Cell phone service in Aruba is reliable island-wide, with strong coverage in towns, resorts, and tourist areas 📶. Major U.S. carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile usually work with international roaming enabled 🇺🇸, and many European carriers also offer roaming plans 🇪🇺. To avoid high roaming fees 💸, travelers often choose a local SIM card from Digicel or Setar 📲 or use a travel eSIM for affordable data and calls during their stay 🌍