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Getting There
Scheduled air service to Aruba from the United States expanded dramatically at the end of 2000.
| American Airlines once dominated the route, but Continental, Delta, United, and US Airways have joined the fray. There are no nonstop flights from Canada, but American, Continental, and Delta have connecting service. Although the number of flights generally increases during the high season, airlines may alter service depending on demand (and their own financial condition). Don't assume the flights mentioned below will be offered when you're ready to book. |
Charter flights offer an alternative for both Canadians and Americans. If you've booked a package through a large tour operator, your flight might be a charter anyway. Charters serve Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Hartford, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and Toronto.
American Airlines (www.aa.com) once dominated scheduled service from the United States to Aruba. It now offers a daily nonstop flight from New York's JFK airport (flight time is about 4 1/2 hr.), two daily nonstops from Miami (2 1/2 hr.), and one daily nonstop from San Juan, Puerto Rico (1 1/2 hr.). Flights from Boston leave four times a week during the high season and twice a week the rest of the year. These nonstops take just under 5 hours.
Continental Airlines (www.continental.com) leaves daily from Newark (5 hr.) and on Tuesday and Saturday from Houston (4 1/2 hr.). Service from both cities is nonstop.
Getting Around
By Rental Car
It's easy to rent a car in Aruba. Decent roads connect major tourist attractions, and all the major rental companies honor valid U.S. and Canadian driver's licenses. Most major U.S. car-rental companies and a variety of reputable local operators maintain offices at the airport and at major hotels; others have free delivery and pick-up service. There's no tax on car rentals, but even if you purchase a collision-damage waiver, you're responsible for the first $300 to $500 worth of damage. Rental rates for cars, usually Suzukis, Toyotas, Chryslers, Fords, or Volkswagens, vary from season to season and from dealer to dealer. Gas is expensive compared to North America. All service stations charge the same price, and there's no discount for self-service.
Is it necessary to rent a car? It depends. If you want to explore the island, go ahead and get one for a day or 2 or 3; many of the local agencies have 3-day specials. If you have no intention of leaving your resort except to dine, gamble, and shop, it's cheaper to take cabs or the reliable buses.
To rent a car, try Avis, Kolibristraat 14 (tel. 297/582-8617 in Aruba; www.avis.com); Budget Rent-a-Car, Kolibristraat 1 (tel. 297/582-5423 in Aruba; www.budgetrentacar.com); Dollar Rent-a-Car, at the airport (tel. 297/582-5651 in Aruba; www.dollarcar.com); Hertz, Sabano Blanco 35 (tel. 297/582-1845 in Aruba; www.hertz.com); National, at the airport (tel. 297/582-5451 in Aruba; www.nationalcar.com); or Thrifty Car Rental, at the airport (tel. 297/583-5335 in Aruba; www.thrifty.com). During the high season, expect to pay $40 to $65 per day for a compact car, $75 to $80 per day for a four-wheel-drive vehicle. During the low season, rates drop to $30 to $45 for a compact, $60 to $85 for a Jeep.
For a better deal, try one of the reputable local agencies, such as Explore Car Rental, Schotlandstraat 85 (tel. 297/582-7202; www.explorecarrental.com); Economy Car Rental, Bushiri 27 (tel. 297/583-0200; www.economyaruba.com); or Carnaval Rent a Car, Belgiestraat 2 (tel. 297/582-5295; www.carnavalrent.com). You can make reservations online; look for online specials.
Driving Hazards
Most of Aruba's roads are pretty good, but the traffic signs leave much to be desired. Few streets outside of Oranjestad are marked, and signs to major tourist attractions look as if they were made by neighborhood kids decades ago. Try to keep your eye on the road, though, because iguanas and goats pose unusual traffic hazards. Arubans are considerate, cautious drivers for the most part, although they seem to drive either too fast or too slowly. For a small town, Oranjestad has big-city traffic much of the day.
By Bus
Aruba has an excellent public bus system, with regular, reliable service. Buses run roughly every half-hour from 6am to 6pm and every hour from 6pm to midnight, Monday through Saturday. On Sunday and holidays, service is less frequent: every hour between 6am and 6pm, every 2 hours between 6pm and midnight. Same-day round-trip fare between the beach hotels and Oranjestad is $2; a one-way ride is $1.15. Have exact change. Schedules are available at the Arubus office (tel. 297/582-7089) at the central terminal on Zoutmanstraat in Oranjestad, but your hotel's reception desk will know when buses pass by. You'll seldom wait more than 20 to 30 minutes for the next coach. The trip into town takes 10 to 20 minutes. There's a stop in front of most hotels.
By Taxi
Taxis are unmetered but rates are fixed, and every cab has a copy of the official rate schedule. Tell the driver where you're going and ask the fare before you get in. Hailing a taxi on the street is difficult, but you'll find plenty of cabs at hotels. To return to your resort from dinner, have the restaurant call for a car. The dispatch office is inland from the Low-Rises at Pos Abou z/n, behind the Eagle Bowling Palace on the Sasaki road (tel. 297/582-2116). Tip 15% to 20%. Because it's next to impossible to find a taxi in remoter parts of the island, ask the driver who dropped you off to return for you at a certain time. Most drivers speak good English and are willing, even eager, to give you a tour of the island. Expect to pay $35 per hour for a maximum of four passengers. Following are rates for the most common routes:
From High-Rise hotels: $4 to $8 to Low-Rise hotels; $6 to $8 to Noord restaurants and Oranjestad; $17 to $18 to the airport
From Low-Rise hotels: $4 to $8 to High-Rise hotels; $6 to $8 to Noord restaurants and Oranjestad; $14 to $16 to the airport
From Oranjestad hotels: $6 to $8 to Low-Rise hotels; $8 to $9 to Noord restaurants and High-Rise hotels; $10 to the airport
Surcharges are added on Sunday ($1), holidays ($3), and after midnight ($2). The minimum fare is $4. Waiting time is $8 per 15 minutes. Shirtless, wet, or damp passengers are not allowed, and you're charged $50 for seat damage from wet clothing or sharp objects. U.S. bills in denominations larger than $20 are not accepted.
By Motorcycle & Moped
Because Aruba's roads are good and the terrain is flat, mopeds and motorcycles are another transit option. They're available at George's Cycle Center, L. G. Smith Blvd. 136 (tel. 297/582-5975), and Nelson Motorcycle Rental, Gasparito 10A, Noord (tel. 297/586-6801). Scooters rent for $30 per day, motorcycles for $45 to $100. For $150 a day or $95 for 4 hours during the high season ($100 or $85 in the off season), you can go hog wild and rent a Harley (HOG members get a $10 discount during the high season). Call Big Twin Aruba, L. G. Smith Blvd. 124A (tel. 297/582-8660; www.harleydavidson-aruba.com).
| Melcor Cycle Rental, Bubali 106B (tel. 297/587-1787), in front of the Adventure Golf Club, rents scooters for $32 per day. Prices for dirt bikes and street bikes begin at $45 per day. These are cash prices; add a 4% handling charge if you use a credit or charge card. You can also find rentals at Semver Cycle Rental, Noord 22 (tel. 297/586-6851), where bikes begin at $25 per day. |
Banks
Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8am to noon and 1:30 to 3:45pm. Oranjestad and Noord, the town inland from Palm Beach, have many branches. You can find ATMs at the airport, in Oranjestad, and at several hotels in the Low-Rise and High-Rise areas.
Business Hours
Stores are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday through Saturday; some close for lunch between noon and 2pm. Shops in the malls and shopping centers have slightly different hours, from 9:30am to 6pm. When cruise ships are in port, some stores in Oranjestad open on Sunday and holidays. Office hours are generally Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Currency
The coin of the realm is the Aruba florin (AFl), but U.S. dollars are universally accepted.
Documents
Bring your passport or original birth certificate.
Drinking
The legal age for both drinking and gambling is 18.
Electricity
Like the United States and Canada, Aruba uses 110 volts AC (60 cycles). No transformer or adapter is needed, so feel free to bring your electrical gadgets from home.
Emergencies
As in the United States, dial tel. 911 for police, medical, and fire emergencies.
Language
The official language is Dutch, but practically everybody speaks English. The language of the street is Papiamento, the local tongue that combines various European, African, and indigenous American languages. Spanish is also widely spoken.
Medical Emergencies
Dial tel. 911, contact your hotel's reception desk, or go to the Horacio Oduber Hospital, L. G. Smith Boulevard, near Eagle Beach (tel. 297/587-4300).
Safety
Aruba is one of the Caribbean's safest destinations. Don't leave your valuables unattended on the beach or in an unlocked car, though. You wouldn't at home.
Taxes & Service Charges
The government of Aruba charges a 6% room tax and a $36 airport departure tax (included in the price of your ticket). Hotels and restaurants often add service charges of 10% to 12%.
Telephone
To call Aruba from the United States, dial 011 (the international access code), then 297 (Aruba's country code), then 58 (the area code) and the five-digit local number. Once you're in Aruba, dial only the five-digit local number for locations on the island. AT&T customers can dial tel. 800-8000 from special phones at the cruise docks and at the airport to get service; from other phones, dial tel. 121 to place a collect or AT&T calling card call. International phone calls from hotels are exorbitantly expensive, about $1.50 a minute. There are no toll-free numbers; you'll pay $1.50 per minute even if you're dialing an 800 number. MCI's access number in Aruba is tel. 800-8888. Sprint's access number throughout the Caribbean is tel. 001-800/877-8000.
Time
Aruba is on Atlantic Standard time year-round. For most of the year, the island is 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard time (when it's noon in Aruba, it's 11am in New York, 10am in Chicago, and 8am in Los Angeles). When the United States is on daylight saving time, the time in New York and Aruba is the same.
Water
The water, which comes from the world's second-largest desalination plant, is pure and absolutely safe to drink.