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In Aruba, major credit cards are welcome and accepted everywhere, U.S. dollars are accepted almost as readily as local currency, and traveler's checks can be cashed with proof of identity.
| Aruba's souvenir and crafts stores are full of Dutch porcelains and figurines, as befits the island's heritage. Dutch cheese is a good buy, as are hand-embroidered linens and any products made from the native aloe vera plant -- sunburn cream, face masks, or skin refreshers. Local arts and crafts run toward wood carvings and earthenware emblazoned with Aruba: ONE HAPPY ISLAND and the like. As there's no sales tax, the price you see on the price tag is what you pay. However, do note that although large stores in town and at hotels are duty-free, in tiny shops and studios you may have to pay the value-added tax of 6.5%. Don't try to bargain. Arubans consider it rude to haggle, despite what you may hear to the contrary. |
Areas and Malls
Oranjestad's Caya G. F. Betico Croes is Aruba's chief shopping street, lined with several duty-free boutiques and jewelry stores noted for the aggressiveness of their vendors on cruise-ship days.
For late-night shopping, head to the Alhambra Casino Shopping Arcade (at L. G. Smith Blvd, 47, Manchebo Beach), a complex of buildings and courtyards designed like an 18th-century Dutch village, is open until midnight. About a dozen shops here sell souvenirs, leather goods, jewelery, and beachwear. From the outside, the complex looks Moorish, with serpentine mahogany columns, arches, and domes.
Although small, the Aquarius Mall (at Elleboogstraat 1, Oranjestad) has some up-market shops.
The Holland Aruba Mall (at Havenstraat 6, Oranjestad) houses a collection of smart shops and eateries.
Stores at the Port of Call Marketplace (at L. G. Smith Blvd. 17, Oranjestad, Aruba) sell fine jewelry, perfumes, duty-free liquor, batiks, crystal, leather goods, and fashionable clothing.
The Royal Plaza Mall (at L. G. Smith Blvd. 94, Oranjestad, Aruba), across from the cruise-ship terminal, has cafés, post office (open weekdays, 8-3:30), and such stores as Nautica, Benetton, Tommy Hilfiger, and Gandelman Jewelers. This is where you can find the Cyber Café, where you can send e-mail and get your caffeine fix all in one stop.
Five minutes from the cruise ship terminal, the Renaissance Mall (at L. G. Smith Blvd. 82, Oranjestad, Aruba) is where you can find the Crystal Casino. More than 120 stores sell merchandise to meet every taste and budget.
Clothing
If you're in the mood to splurge, Agatha Boutique (at Renaissance Mall, L. G. Smith Blvd. 82, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel: 297/583-7965) has some high-style outfits (some up to size 18), shoes, and bags by Aruba-based New York fashion designer Agatha Brown. Sample at least one of her five signature fragrances, derived from floral and citrus scents. Agatha herself is usually on hand to help choose the perfect outfit.
People come to Caperucita Raja (at Wilhelminastraat 17, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel: 297/583-6166for designer baby, children's, and junior clothes, as well as a wide selection of shoes. Outfits that cost $21 here sell for more than three times that amount at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Confetti (at Renaissance Mall, L. G. Smith Blvd. 82, Oranjestad, Aruba, tel: 297/583-8614) has the hottest European and American swimsuits, cover-ups, and other beach essentials.
Del Sol (at Royal Plaza Mall, L. G. Smith Blvd. 94, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/583-8448) is the place to buy beach accessories such as sun visors, and shirts and shorts that change colors in the sun.
A venerated name in Aruba, J. L. Penha & Sons (at Caya G. F. Betico Croes 11/13, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/582-4160 or 297/582-4161) sells high-end perfumes and cosmetics. It stocks such brands as Boucheron, Cartier, Dior, and Givenchy.
Menswear reigns supreme at La Venezolana (at Steenweg 12, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/582-1444). You'll find blazers and suits as well as jeans, belts, and shoes. Look for such names as Givenchy, Lee Jeans, and Van Heusen.
Moda Actual (at Caya G. F. Betico Croes 49, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/583-1202) rotates its reasonably priced, high-quality merchandise about every two months. Popular items include preshrunk cotton tank tops and T-shirts for men and women.
If the Aruban sun doesn't make your life sizzle, the sexy lingerie at Secrets of Aruba (at Seaport Village Mall, L. G. Smith Blvd. 82, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/583-0897) just might. The store also sells oils and lotions that aren't used for getting a tan.
As the many repeat customers will tell you, Sun + Sand (at Dutch Crown Center, L. G. Smith Blvd. 150, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/583-8812)is the place for T-shirts, sweatshirts, polo shirts, and cover-ups.
Wulfsen & Wulfsen (at Caya G. F. Betico Croes 52, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/582-3823) has been one of the most highly regarded clothing stores in Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles for 30 years. It carries elegant suits for men and linen cocktail dresses for women, and it's also a great place to buy Bermuda shorts.
Duty-Free Goods
At Weitnauer (at Caya G. F. Betico Croes 29, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/582-2790)you can find specialty Lenox items as well as a wide range of fragrances.
For perfumes, cosmetics, men's and women's clothing, and leather goods (including Bally shoes), stop in at Aruba Trading Company (at Caya G. F. Betico Croes 12, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/582-2602), which has been in business since the 1930s.
Little Switzerland (at Caya G. F. Betico Croes 14, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/582-1192 and at Royal Plaza Mall, L. G. Smith Blvd. 94, Tel : 297/583-4057), the duty-free retail giant, is the place to go for china, crystal, and fine tableware. You can find good buys on Omega and Rado watches, Swarovski and Baccarat crystal, and Lladro figurines.
Handicrafts
Art & Tradition Handicrafts (at Caya G. F. Betico Croes 30, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/583-6534 and Royal Plaza Mall, L. G. Smith Blvd. 94, Tel : 297/582-7862) sells intriguing souvenirs. Buds from the mopa mopa tree are boiled to form a resin colored by vegetable dyes. Artists then stretch the resin by hand and mouth. Tiny pieces are cut and layered to form intricate designs -- truly unusual gifts.
| The Artistic Boutique (at L. G. Smith Blvd. 90-92, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/588-2468 and Holiday Inn Sunspree Aruba Beach Resort & Casino, J. E. Irausquin Blvd. 230, Tel : 297/583-3383) is known for its Giuseppe Armani figurines from Italy, usually sold at a 20% discount; Aruban hand-embroidered linens; gold and silver jewelry; and porcelain and pottery from Spain.
Creative Hands (at Socotorolaan 5, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/583-5665)sells porcelain and ceramic miniatures of cunucu (country) houses and divi-divi trees, but the store's real draw is its exquisite Japanese dolls. |
Jewelry
Filling 6,000 square feet of space, Boolchand's (at Renaissance Mall, L. G. Smith Blvd. 82, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/583-0147) sells jewelry and watches. It also stocks leather goods, cameras, and electronics.
If green fire is your passion, Colombian Emeralds (At Renaissance Mall, L. G. Smith Blvd. 82, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/583-6238) has a dazzling array. There are also fine European watches.
Find one-of-a-kind silver pieces at Grace Silver & Beyond (Seaport Marketplace 13, L. G. Smith Blvd. 9, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/588-6262).
Gandelman Jewelers (at Royal Plaza Mall, L. G. Smith Blvd. 94, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/583-4433) sells Gucci and Rolex watches at reasonable prices. The store also has gold bracelets and a full line of Lladro figurines.
Kenro Jewelers (at Renaissance Mall, L. G. Smith Blvd. 82, Oranjestad, Aruba, Tel : 297/583-4847 or 297/583-3171) has two stores in the same mall, attesting to the popularity of its stock of bracelets and necklaces from Ramon Leopard; jewelry by Arando, Micheletto, and Blumei; and various brands of watches. There are also six other locations, including some in the major hotels.