How to get around Aruba

Getting around

Queen Beatrix International Airport is two and a half kilometres from Oranjestad and offers United States border preclearance, so flights to the US arrive as domestic. Before flying in, every visitor completes the online Embarkation/Disembarkation card -- the tourism authority's official entry form -- within seven days of travel, and shows the approval to the airline. Arubus, the state bus company, runs from stations in Oranjestad and San Nicolas along the hotel coast and across the island for US$2.60 or 4.50 florins a single, US$5 for a return card and US$15 for a day pass, sold at resort gift shops. Taxis must be registered and are not metered: agree the fare in local currency before setting off and use licensed cabs only.

Driving is easy on an island of 70 square miles whose roads the tourism authority calls safe and modern and the Canadian advisory calls good, with the caveats that many drivers ignore the traffic laws, animals stray onto the road and the signs differ from North America's. An international driving permit is needed alongside the licence, rental firms may require two years' experience and a higher minimum age, and the drink-drive threshold is just over half of England's. Paid AruParking spaces in Oranjestad operate Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. A tram runs through the capital's shopping street.

Verified against Arubus N.V., September 2026.

Entry

Passport valid for the duration of the stay; no visa for up to three months (the Canadian advisory says 90 days in 180); a completed and signed Embarkation/Disembarkation card filled in online within seven days before travel, with the approval shown to the airline, also required for transit; customs may ask for a return ticket; overstaying or working without a permit is illegal; declare anything dutiable. The tourism authority says the details of a sustainability fee are being updated and to check its page before travelling.

Buses

Arubus: single trip US$2.60 / AWG 4.50; return card US$5 / AWG 8.75; day pass US$15 / AWG 26.25; return cards and day passes at resort gift shops; stations in Oranjestad and San Nicolas.

Taxis and cars

Taxis registered and unmetered; agree the fare in local currency first; licensed cabs only. Cars rented at the airport; international driving permit plus licence; rental conditions may include two years' experience and a higher minimum age; drink-drive limit just over half England's; animals on the road; different signs. AruParking Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Insure boats, jet skis and vehicles and get the liability terms in writing.

Airport

2.5 km from Oranjestad; US preclearance.

Money

Aruban florin pegged at 1.79 to the US dollar; US dollars widely accepted.

Emergency numbers

Police 100; ambulance 911; fire 911; coastguard 913. No Canadian office on the island.

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Sources & verification Covers the sourced claims on this page.

Checked against Arubus N.V. — Arubus fares: single trip US$2.60 or AWG 4.50, return card US$5 or AWG 8.75, day pass US$15 or AWG 26.25; passes sold at resort gift shops, Arubus fares: single trip US$2.60 or AWG 4.50, return card US$5 or AWG 8.75, day pass US$15 or AWG 26.25; passes sold at resort gift shops (September 2026).
Checked against Aruba Tourism Authority — Roads are described as safe and modern, cars can be rented at the airport, taxis, public transport and hotel shuttles are easy to find on an island of 70 square miles, and the AruParking paid spaces operate Monday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., The Aruba ED Card is the official online entry form, completed before travel to speed the airport process; travel insurance is recommended but not required; the tourism authority is updating the details of a sustainability fee, The Aruba ED Card is the official online entry form, completed before travel to speed the airport process; travel insurance is recommended but not required; the tourism authority is updating the details of a sustainability fee, Roads are described as safe and modern, cars can be rented at the airport, taxis, public transport and hotel shuttles are easy to find on an island of 70 square miles, and the AruParking paid spaces operate Monday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (September 2026).
Checked against Global Affairs Canada — Major roads are in good condition but many drivers ignore traffic laws, animals stray onto roads and signs differ from Canada's; taxis must be registered; buy insurance when renting motorboats, jet skis and vehicles and get the liability terms in writing; the island is a drug-trafficking hub and drug penalties are severe; the currency is the Aruban florin and US dollars are widely accepted, No visa for tourism or business up to 90 days in a 180-day period; a completed and signed Embarkation/Disembarkation card, filled in online within seven days before travel, is required to enter; customs may ask for a return ticket, Major roads are in good condition but many drivers ignore traffic laws, animals stray onto roads and signs differ from Canada's; taxis must be registered; buy insurance when renting motorboats, jet skis and vehicles and get the liability terms in writing; the island is a drug-trafficking hub and drug penalties are severe; the currency is the Aruban florin and US dollars are widely accepted, Emergency numbers: police 100, ambulance 911, firefighters 911, coastguard 913; there is no Canadian government office in Aruba; the island is in an active seismic zone (September 2026).
Checked against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad) — Aruba is a drug passageway from South America and there can be drug-related violent crime; carrying ID is a legal requirement, a copy of the passport suffices; all drug offences carry severe penalties, so never carry a package for anyone; drivers need an international permit as well as their licence and rental firms may require two years' experience; drink-driving at just over half England's limit brings fines and possible prison; taxis are unmetered, so agree the fare in local currency first and use licensed cabs only, Passport valid for the duration of the stay; up to three months without a visa; the embarkation card must be completed up to seven days before arrival and its approval shown to the airline, and also for transit; overstaying or working without a permit is illegal; declare anything dutiable, Aruba is a drug passageway from South America and there can be drug-related violent crime; carrying ID is a legal requirement, a copy of the passport suffices; all drug offences carry severe penalties, so never carry a package for anyone; drivers need an international permit as well as their licence and rental firms may require two years' experience; drink-driving at just over half England's limit brings fines and possible prison; taxis are unmetered, so agree the fare in local currency first and use licensed cabs only (September 2026).