Walking Safety - Aruba Forum (2024)

FAQs

How safe is Aruba to walk around? ›

Compared with other Caribbean destinations, Aruba enjoys a very low violent crime rate and it's considered a very safe place. There are also fewer tropical disturbances or natural disasters and has food and drinking water standards similar to the United States.

Is it safe to walk around Aruba at night? Walking around at night in Aruba can be safe, but we wouldn't recommend it. If you're a solo female traveler, it's a big no, unless you're with a group of friends or people you know you can trust.

Aruba's beautiful weather and mostly flat terrain, makes walking and hiking a pleasure for everyone. If you're looking to experience Aruba's monuments up close, a walking tour is the best way to do it.

Is Aruba safe for tourists 2023? Yes, Aruba is very safe for tourists in 2023. The crime rate is just as low as it's ever been, and the risk of natural disasters such as hurricanes is very low.

Is Aruba safe to travel alone? Aruba is one of the safest Caribbean islands and travelling solo in Aruba is so easy for women. That's why I've given it 4 out of 5 stars. Not only is the country open-minded and extremely tolerant but they are also very supportive of women.

This trail is great for running and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Round trip around Oranjestad, starting from the harbor. You walk on boulevards, along old and new parts of the city and through some parks.

Short-sleeve button-down shirts, t-shirts, and breathable shorts are ideal for men. Athletic shorts are a must for more casual days! Regarding whether or not to bring pants, you won't find many people wearing jeans in Aruba due to the heat.

Dress shorts are appropriate at most restaurants on the island as well. At our own restaurant at the beach, we describe our dress code as “casual elegance” in the evening. In casinos, casual clothes are the norm. Do keep in mind that the air-conditioning tends to be kept cold inside casinos.

Aruba is very laid back so smart casual is the usual theme. Clothing in lightweight natural fabrics i.e. linen, silk and cotton will work best. Essentials include t-shirts or camisoles, a sarong and shorts during the day as most people spend their time on the beach or visiting the markets.

One of the biggest things to avoid in Aruba is sunburn. It's important to protect your skin when visiting Aruba. Make sure to wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply as needed. The sun in Aruba will be stronger than what your skin is used to being only 9 miles from the equator!

Is it easy to get around Aruba without a car? ›

The best way to get around Aruba is by bus. Although, many visitors stay close to their resorts and respective beaches along the northwest coast. Fixed-rate Aruban cabs are another hassle-free way of getting around.

🍹 Can You Walk Around with Alcohol in Aruba? Yes, as we mentioned above, it is legal to walk around with alcohol in Aruba. The island does not have any open container laws that prohibit having open containers of alcohol in public places such as beaches, parks, and streets.

Taxis in Aruba are generally very well regulated and safe. However, occasionally you may experience a rude driver or be overcharged.

Drinking Water

There is no need to buy bottled water in Aruba. Aruba's tap water is pure and refreshing, meeting the highest standards of quality of the World Health Organization. Since Aruba does not have any significant natural sources of fresh water, the water is distilled in a saltwater desalination plant.

Crime: Crime against visitors to Oranjestad is not common, particularly violent crime. The most common crime committed against Oranjestad visitors is petty theft, so visitors should always keep their belongings close to them and remain alert to any suspicious activity occurring around them.

Eagle Beach and Palm Beach regions are very walkable, and Aruba is very flat, with lots of boardwalk and paved paths for cycling.

Well, Aruba's pros are its breathtaking tourist spots allowed by its beaches and geographical landscape. It's also a very clean island and very welcoming to tourists all over as it's a multilingual area.

Remember, prevention is key to minimizing mosquito bites. Aruba is generally considered to have a low mosquito population compared to many other tropical destinations. The island's arid climate and constant trade winds help mitigate mosquitoes' presence.

Stunning Arikok National Park makes up nearly 20% of Aruba, and Dos Playa is one of the park's most beautiful spots. Dos Playa (“two beaches”) has two dramatic coves set apart by a large limestone formation.

Five days seems to be the perfect amount of time to spend in Aruba, but a lot of people visit for a week or longer.

Is Oranjestad worth a visit? ›

Oranjestad is an incredible city that is definitely worth visiting. It has a vibrant culture and history, stunning beaches, and plenty of exciting activities to keep visitors entertained. The Dutch-influenced capital city of Aruba is home to breathtaking architecture, beautiful landscapes, and delicious cuisine.

Evening Wear

It's a good idea to pack a light jacket, sweater, or shawl for air-conditioned restaurants and casinos, or for nights that become cool and breezy. Men might consider bringing a sports jacket and slacks, but these are absolutely optional—in Aruba, comfort is key!

However, if you're staying off the beaten path or plan on exploring the island and/or participating in water activities, do your feet a favor and bring a pair of water shoes.

Light Jacket/Long Sleeve

Considering the consistent year-round temperature, long sleeves really aren't needed but I do like to have one or two with me. One of my favorite things about Aruba is that even at night, it's very warm! But sometimes after a day in the hot sun, a long sleeve just feels good.

Aruba's average temperature at night is 26oC. (79F i think)...so really dont think you need a sweater at night...during the day it is mostly 30oC (86F).... maybe when you are inside restaurants casino etc...

6:30pm is the norm if you're going to a restaurant with a sunset view and you want to see the sunset (like Passions or Flying Fishbone.) Otherwise, any time is a good time. In Aruba, we usually eat dinner anywhere between 8pm-9:30pm (we always eat late when we're on vacation.)

I would say the most popular dinner times are between 7pm and 8pm with the exception of those restaurants that have a sunset view (it's best to make reservations right away for those since everyone wants the same time for the view.)

Boca Catalina Beach is a bay beach where all ages can enjoy a bit of swimming, thanks to the calm waters and relative privacy. The beach itself sports soft, white sand, and the waters are calm and shallow enough for even small children to enjoy swimming.

What to Wear on the Plane to Aruba: Cute, Warm, & Comfy. Planes and airports are typically cold. My suggestion is to wear or pack a comfy sweatshirt or jacket to cuddle into to keep you warm in transit to Aruba. For your legs, a cute pair of leggings or comfy, lightweight pants should do the trick.

The best currency to take to Aruba is the local currency, the Aruban florin. US dollars are also highly exchangeable at local banks and currency exchange offices.

What is the etiquette in Aruba? ›

You should not wear beach attire anywhere but on the beaches or by the pool. Make sure to properly greet someone. Ask before snapping a picture of someone. Men should wear dress shorts or slacks to dinner, no jeans allowed in most restaurants.

The Aruba Island rattlesnake is one of the rarest rattlesnakes in the world! This species is rare because it only exists naturally on the small island of Aruba, where just 25 square kilometers of habitat remains undisturbed.

How much money will you need for your trip to Aruba? You should plan to spend around À586 ($325) per day on your vacation in Aruba, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, À122 ($68) on meals for one day and À58 ($32) on local transportation.

While Uber is not currently available in Aruba, there are plenty of other transportation options to get you around the island. Whether you choose to rent a car, take a taxi, hop on a bus, or join a guided tour, there is a mode of transportation to suit every budget and preference.

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 two or three; many of the local agencies have 3-day specials. If you don't plan to leave your resort except to dine, gamble, and shop, it's cheaper to take cabs or the reliable buses.

Rental cars are only cheaper than taxis when you use them both during the day and for dinner, or if for example you stay in the high rise area and go to a restaurant that is a considerable distance away on the other end of the island. Taxi fare for such a distance is about the same a day's rental charge.

Aruba is a country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. By Dutch law, you must always carry identification. You should have a copy of your passport with you at all times.

Upon arrival in Aruba, you must have: a U.S. passport valid for the duration of your stay; a completed Embarkation and Disembarkation Card (ED-Card); a return or onward ticket.

Aruban Laws to Know

You must be 18 to enter a casino in Aruba. Littering laws are strictly enforced and trash should not be left on the beach. All drugs and marijuana are illegal in Aruba. Most single-use plastics are banned on the island, including straws, utensils, cups, and bags.

The official local currency is the Aruban Guilder (AWG), fixed to the US dollar at approximately 1.80 AWG to 1 US dollar. US dollars are accepted throughout the Island. Local currency and US dollar ATM machines (Maestro/Cirrus) are situated all over the islands.

Is it safe to drive a rental car in Aruba? ›

Is it safe to rent a car in Aruba? Hiring a car to drive around Aruba is safe, but we always recommend you have insurance just in case. Basic third-party liability insurance is included when you rent a car in Aruba.

Best for Free Things to Do Because: Aruba Streetcar is a new, pollution free alternative to explore Aruba's capital and free of charge.

Food and Drink

Tap water is considered safe to drink. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

The Aruba Ariba is the signature co*cktail of the Caribbean island Aruba (also known as "One happy island") first created on the island in 1963. The perfect Aruba Ariba has vodka, local Aruban rum, fruit juices, Crème de Banana, Grand Marnier, and garnished with a cherry and an orange.

You can swim as late as you want...we always do. I think some of the resorts have pool hours. I remember way back we went swimming at about 11 at night at the Aruba Grand when it was around. It's great to come back from dinner and have a swim.

We recovered 1 species of amblypygid, 2 species of pseudoscorpions, 1 species of scorpion, and 76 species of spiders. Additionally, we compared species diversity between urban and natural areas.

Aruba Customs regulations allow incoming visitors to bring articles for personal use. Persons 19 and over can also bring in 2.25 liters of wine, 3 liters of beer, or 1 liter of liquor and 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, and or 250 grams of tobacco.

Solo Female Travel in Aruba. In general, Aruba is a very safe country to travel. In fact, it consistently ranks as one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. Petty crimes do exist, though.

Do you need a car in Aruba? It depends if you plan to explore outside of the resort area you're staying in. There are a number of public transportation options available in Aruba, such as trollies, taxis, and car rentals. If you plan to stay within the main tourist areas, public transportation should be sufficient.

Is it safe to take a taxi in Aruba? ›

Aruba taxi safety and complaints

Taxis in Aruba are generally very well regulated and safe. However, occasionally you may experience a rude driver or be overcharged.

Five days seems to be the perfect amount of time to spend in Aruba, but a lot of people visit for a week or longer.

Upon arrival in Aruba, you must have: a U.S. passport valid for the duration of your stay; a completed Embarkation and Disembarkation Card (ED-Card); a return or onward ticket.

You can use your U.S. license.

The island's official languages are Papiamento and Dutch, but most Arubans speak a minimum of four languages, including English and Spanish. You can drive with your state-issued license without worry.

It is illegal to take out any conch shells, sea stars, turtle eggs and/or any form of coral. No liquids, gels, and/or aerosols are permitted except when packed in a clear transparent resealable 1 quart (1 liter) size plastic bag. Liquids, gels, and/or aerosols in containers of 3.4 oz.

In Aruba it's not mandatory to tip, but it's your choice if you do so. However, some restaurants and bars add service charge to your bill. Usually, this adds up to about 10 to 15 percent on food and beverages. If you really like the service, you can still tip, of course!