Aruba Facts
1. Where Is Aruba?
Aruba is one of the lesser Antilles islands located in the Southern Caribbean Sea. Some of the islands that are part of the Lesser Antilles are the Virgin Islands, Saint Martin, Guadeloupe, Grenada, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Curacao and Bonaire. It is located north of the Venezuelan coast and is part of an island group together with Curacao and Bonaire (the ABC’s).
2. How Big Is Aruba?
Aruba is a tiny Dutch Caribbean island 9.6 miles long and 6 miles across for a total of 70 square miles and has a population of about 125,000 inhabitants.
3. How Many Beaches Does Aruba Have?
In total there are 17 beaches, but each has their own personality! This site describes several under ”Beaches”.
4. What’s The Aruban Currency?
The U.S. dollar is as widely accepted as the Aruban florin (AWG) or Dutch Guilder, and most items and services are priced in both currencies. The rate of exchange granted by shops and hotels ranges from Afl. 1.75 to Afl. 1.80 per US dollar.
The florin is pegged to the US dollar and therefore its value versus other currencies fluctuates with the US dollar.
Cash may be obtained with MC, Visa and AMEX at credit card offices, banks in some casino’s and via Western Union.
ATM machines are available for cards compatible with the Cirrus or Visa Plus system. ATM facilities exits at most banks, gas stations and popular supermarkets like Superfood. Instructions are normally given in Dutch, English, Papiamento and Spanish. Cash is normally dispensed in local currency. Some ATM machines also have US Dollars. The bank may charge a fee.
All major Credit Cards are accepted in most stores and restaurants.
5. What’s The Population of Locals And Their Language?
Aruba enjoys a diverse local population of Dutch/Aruban, Spanish, Asian and Americans. The official language is Papiamento and Dutch. Spanish and English are widely spoken as well with many Arubans speaking all 4 languages fluently which they learn from early elementary grades.
6. What’s The Climate Like?
If you are planning a trip to Aruba, you can count on plenty of sunshine and the least rainfall in the Caribbean. The weather is tropical but not extreme, with a median temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius). Aruba’s constant trade winds make the heat more bearable for many.There are occasional spurts of rain but it doesn’t last long and it cools things off a bit. Keep in mind that even though Aruba is HOT all year round, the ocean temperature is curiously cool and refreshing!
7. What Is The Aruban Culture?
Aruba’s is one of the most diversely cultural island. Today the Aruban population is mixed with people from the island, South America (mainly Venezuela and Colombia), China and The Netherlands and a huge American population now. Everyone feels “at home” and among family in Aruba and you’ll be amazed how many people are multi-lingual there.
8. How Safe Is Aruba?
Aruba is considered one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean and in general is very safe at any time of the day or night. But incidents can occur and it is always recommended to use common sense when traveling.
9. What Is The Aruban Time Zone?
Aruba is in the Atlantic Time Zone and is four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC -4). Aruba does not utilize Daylight Saving Time.
10. How Many People Visit Annually?
According to Aruban Tourism, approximately 2 million people visit Aruba each year with about 80% coming from the United States.
11. What Is The Sales Tax?
Tales Tax is 6.5%.
12. Who Runs Aruba?
Aruba is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As a constituent country, Aruba has an independent Constitution and operates under the political framework of a representative parliamentary democracy and separated into 3 branches: executive, legislative, and judiciary. It consists of the Governor, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, Parliament, and judiciary.
13. What Side Of The Street Do People Drive?
The right side.
14. What Is “Aruban” Food?
While you will find over 100 international restaurants from around the globe from Gernam to Italian, excellent Indonesian and plenty of American steakhouses, Aruba does have it’s own native food. One of the classic Aruban dishes to try is keshi yena, or a large, round ball of cheese served steamed or fried and stuffed with minced meat. Cool island soup is another must-try dish in Aruba. … Cala, a traditional dish made of bean fritters, is a common snack in Aruba, as is bolita di keshi.
15. Is It Safe To Drink The Water?
Yes. There is no need to buy bottled water in Aruba. … Since Aruba does not have any significant natural sources of fresh water, the water is distilled in the world’s second largest saltwater desalination plant. We drink it straight from the sink. It’s delicious and clear.
16. Can I Walk Barefoot On The Beach?
Yes. The unique crushed coral and shell composition of Aruba’s fine, powdery white beaches keeps the sand comfortably cool, even during the hours when the sun is most intense. That means long walks along the shoreline are perfect at any time of day…footwear not required!
17. Are gambling winnings taxed?
No.
18. What is “Easter Week”?
This is a decades old tradition (see page) where the locals use this time to be together on the beaches of Aruba. It’s quite amazing to see and a very special thing for them. They require permits and must be quiet and clean and are monitored. The set up tents along the outside of the beaches where they live there for a week.