Oranjestad Travel Guide
Aruba's capital, Oranjestad, is the first stop for most visitors. Its small harbour, once reserved for schooners and fishing boats, now attracts cruise ships from all over the world, and the island's Queen Beatrix airport is located just south of the city. Despite the thousands of tourists that pour into the town it has managed to retain its traditional charm.
Oranjestad's downtown streets are lined with pastel-coloured Dutch colonial houses with ornate gable roofs. The orange-coloured façades not only point to the capital's name, but to the island's connection to the Netherlands and William of Orange, a Dutch monarch instrumental in the gaining of Dutch independence
A highlight in Oranjestad is the Archaeological Museum, with exhibits on Aruba's original Arawak inhabitants. In the restored 18th-century Fort Zoutman, the Museo Arubano displays Aruba's pre-European and colonial eras. The fort itself is one of Oranjestad's most popular attractions, built in 1796. It played a pivotal role in battles between Curaçao and British troops in 1803. In the late 1800s, the Willem III tower (named after the Dutch king at the time) was added to act as a lighthouse.
Enthusiastic shoppers will find central Oranjestad packed with boutiques, shopping complexes and glitzy 24-hour casinos. However, it is possible to escape this tourist zone and discover the more authentic town with its lively, if slightly run-down bars, where visitors can enjoy a quiet beer and meet the locals.
Things to do in Oranjestad
Arikok National Park
Arikok National Park encompasses a significant chunk of the interior and a long stretch of the northern coast. The park has miles of well-marked hiking trails and this, for most, is the best way to discover it. Between the towering cacti and the contorted divi-divi trees lie the best preserved Indian cave paintings on the island, deserted plantation houses, and the ruins of an old gold mine. There are also two ancient Aruban adobe huts, made entirely from materials found on the island, which have been carefully restored using traditional building techniques. The huts give a fascinating insight into the life of Arubans before they were able to import many useful materials into the country.
Getting Around
Hiring a car is a great way to get around the island, and many companies offer three-day specials for such excursions; however, travellers planning to stay on or near a resort will quickly find they don't really need a car. Aruba has a good bus system that connects most hotels with downtown Oranjestad, running roughly every 30 minutes from 8am to 6pm and every hour from 6pm to midnight, Monday through Saturday. Taxis are also available (although hard to hail, so it's best to have the hotel or restaurant call for one), and are a preferable mode of transport after dark. There are no meters but drivers have a list of official fares.
Oranjestad Climate and Weather
Oranjestad has a tropical climate with average daily highs reaching 86°F (30°C) year-round. The temperature never gets too high due to the cooling trade winds, but the best time to visit Oranjestad is in peak tourist season between mid-December and mid-April. Rainfall is infrequent, but likely to occur between October and January, if at all.
Aruba travel info
Electricity
Electric current in Aruba is 127 volts, 60Hz. Flat two and three-pin plugs are standard.
Language
The official languages in Aruba are Dutch and the native Papiamento. English and Spanish are taught in school and are also widely spoken. Some French is also understood.
Money
The official currency is the Aruban Florin (AWG). The Florin is tied to the US Dollar. US currency is accepted everywhere and other major currencies can be exchanged at banks. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted and there are ATMs in Oranjestad.
Tipping
A 10 or 15-percent tip is usually included on restaurant, bar and room service bills in Aruba. Otherwise, a tip should be added, usually 10 to 20 percent depending on the service. There is an 11-percent room tax on hotel bills. Taxis should be tipped around 15 percent and porters expect a tip of US$1 per bag.
Health
There are no special health requirements for visitors to Aruba, but travellers coming from yellow fever infected countries need an immunisation certificate. Aruba has experienced occasional outbreaks of dengue fever, a flu-like illness transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes that favour densely populated areas. The use of insect repellent is advised. Visitors are warned that some types of fish, including some tropical reef fish, are poisonous when eaten, even cooked. Medical care is good in Aruba, which has one hospital, and four modern medical centres spread over the island. Health insurance is recommended; food and water are considered safe.
Safety
Crime is not a major problem in Aruba and most visits are trouble-free. However, visitors are still advised to take common-sense precautions, such as locking valuables in the hotel safe and taking care when walking home at night. Swimmers should be aware that there are strong ocean currents and should avoid swimming off the island's northern end.
Local customs
Arubans are incredibly friendly and welcoming, but it's important to respect the local culture, and to be patient and to embrace 'island time'. Topless sunbathing is not allowed.
Doing business
Oranjestad is the main business centre in Aruba and the focus for the island's growing international financial services. English is considered to be the language of business. Meetings are generally held in formal settings such as offices or conference centres; smoking and chewing gum are not acceptable. Handshaking is customary for introductions between both men and women; female business associates should be treated with as much respect as men and often hold high positions in companies. Punctuality for meetings is required. Business hours are 9am to 5pm.
Duty free
Travellers to Aruba do not need to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, one litre of alcohol and gift articles to the value of AWG 400.
Communications
The international dialling code for Aruba is +297. Visitors with unlocked phones can purchase local SIM cards and all of the destination's resorts and hotels offer WiFi, as do many of its cafes and restaurants.
Passport & Visa
All passports must be valid for period of intended stay. It is highly recommended that travellers always have six months' validity on their passports after departure. Visitors must hold sufficient funds, onward or return tickets, and all documents for next destination. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers travelling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. Travellers departing from the USA must present a valid passport to immigration authorities. Most visas can be extended up to a total of 180 days per calendar year.
Entry requirements
United States passport holders must have a passport valid for period of intended stay. A visa is not required for stays of up to 30 days.
UK nationals require a passport valid for period of intended stay and may stay for 30 days without a visa.
Canadian nationals require a passport valid for period of intended stay. A visa is not required for stays of up to 30 days.
Australian nationals require a passport valid for period of intended stay, but no visa for stays of up to 30 days.
South African nationals must hold a passport valid for period of intended stay, and a visa. Holders of a valid multiple entry 'C' or 'D' visa issued by a Schengen member state can stay for up to 30 days without a visa.
Irish nationals require a passport valid for period of intended stay, but no visa for stays of up to 30 days.
New Zealanders require a passport valid for period of intended stay, but a visa is not needed for a stay of up to 30 days.
Useful contacts
Aruba Tourism Authority, Oranjestad: +1 800 862 7822 or www.aruba.com
Emergencies: 911Embassies / consulates in other countries
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Aruba): +1 202 244 5300.
Royal Netherlands Embassy, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Aruba): +44 (0)20 7590 3200.
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Ottawa, Canada (also responsible for Aruba): +1 613 237 5030.
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for Aruba): +61 (0)2 6220 9400.
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Aruba): +27 (0)12 425 4500.
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Dublin, Ireland (also responsible for Aruba): +353 (0)1 269 3444.
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand (also responsible for Aruba): +64 (0)4 471 6390.
Embassies / consulates in Aruba
US Consulate General, Curacao (also responsible for Aruba): +599 (0)9 461 3066.
British Consulate General Amsterdam, Amsterdam (also responsible for Aruba): +31 70 427 0427.
Consulate of Canada, Curaçao (also responsible for Aruba): +599 (0)9 560 9936.