Aruba Tourism Authority:
Public Relations
L.G. Smith Blvd. 172
Eagle, ArubaDutch Caribbean
Phone: International code +(297) 823777
Fax: International code +(297) 834702
Email: ata.pr@aruba.com

GREATER NEW YORK:
USA Aruba Tourism Authority
1000 Harbor Blvd.
Weehawken, NJ 07087
Phone: 1-800-TO-ARUBA
Phone: (201) 330-0800
Fax: (201)330-8757
Email: ata.newjersey@aruba.com

ATLANTA, GEORGIA:
USA Aruba Tourism Authority
The Pinacle
3455 Peachtree Rd. NE, 5th floor
Atlanta, GA 30326-3236
Phone: (404) 89-ARUBA
Fax: (404)873-2193
Email: ata.atlanta@aruba.com

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS:
USA Aruba Tourism Authority
5901 North Cicero
Suite #301
Chicago, IL 60646
Phone: (773)467-8170
Fax: (773)202-9293
Email: ata.chicago@aruba.com

Ft. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA:
USA Aruba Tourism Authority
1 Financial Plaza, Suite 136
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33394
Phone: (954) 767-6477
Fax: (954)767-0432
Email: ata.florida@aruba.com

Aruba Convention Bureau
One Financial Plaza, Suite 136
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33394
Phone: (954) 767-3395
Fax: (954) 767-0714
Email: ata.acb@aruba.com

HOUSTON, TEXAS:
USA Aruba Tourism Authority
10655 Six Pines Drive - suite 145
The Woodlands, TX 77380-3416
Phone: (281) 362 1616
Fax: (281) 362 1644
Email: ata.houston@aruba.com

CANADA:
Aruba Tourism Authority
5875 Highway #7, Ste. 201
Woodbridge, Ontario L4L 1T9
Canada
Phone: (905) 264-3434
Phone: 1-800-268-3042 (ON and PQ)
Fax: (905) 264-3437
Email: ata.canada@aruba.com

ARGENTINA:
Aruba Representative
Argentina
UTG International Group Inc.
Advertising Marketing
Communications
Av. Cordoba 859 Piso (1054)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Phone: (54-11) 4311-8053
Fax: (54-11) 315-2015/2020
Email: ata.argentina@aruba.com

COLOMBIA:
Aruba Tourism Authority
Calle 100 # 8A-49, Torre B
Edif. World Trade Center
Bogota, Columbia
Phone: 571-6292890/79
Fax: 57-1-611-2929
Email: ata.colombia@aruba.com

GERMANY:
Aruba Tourism Authority, Germany
Mailing Address: Posfach 1204
D-64333 Seeheim, Germany
Phone: 49-06257-962921
Fax: 49-06257-962919
Email: ata.germany@aruba.com
Web site: http://www.aruba.de

NETHERLANDS:
Aruba Tourism Authority
Schimmelpennincklaan 1
2517 JN - The Hague,The Netherlands
Phone: 31 (70) 302-8040
Fax: 31 (70) 360-4877
Email: ata.holland@aruba.com

UNITED KINGDOM:
Aruba Tourism Authority UK
The Copperfields,
25 Copperfield Street, London, SE1 OEN
Phone: 020 79281600
Fax: 020 79281700
Email: geoff@saltmarshpr.co.uk

VENEZUELA:
Aruba Tourism Authority
Ctro Cuidad Comercial Tamanaco
Torre C - Piso 8, Oficina C-805
Chuao, Caracas, Venezuela
Phone: (582) 9591256/1264
Fax: (02) 959-6346
Email: ata.venezuela@aruba.com

Entry Requirements/Customs:
When visitors arrive by air to Aruba, most are pleasantly surprised to find a huge, modern international airport, rather than a more typical "Caribbean style" facility.

With the improvements that have now been completed, Aruba’s airport is positioned to be a major hub within the Caribbean. What was once a traditional airport has been transformed into a sprawling facility, complete with spacious passenger check-in and luggage areas.

The departure tax for Aruba is US $34.25 (It is usually included in the purchased airline ticket).

To enter Aruba as a tourist the following rules are applicable:
A: By "tourist" is meant any person who visits Aruba for the purpose of recreation, sports, health, family reasons, study, religious purposes or business and does not take up any gainful occupation during his or her stay in Aruba.
B: Visitors from Canada must have in their possession ONE of the following documents:
1. A valid Canadian passport.
2. Canadian citizens born in Canada must have a (miniature) birth certificate, a (miniature) baptismal certificate and a valid driver's license as a photo identification.
3. Canadian citizens born outside of Canada must have either an original Certificate of Naturalization or a (miniature) Certificate of Proof of Canadian Citizenship.
4. Canadian residents for whom no visa-requirements are applicable for Aruba must have a national passport or a Canadian Immigration Identification Certificate (C.I.I.C.) with a landing stamp in the national passport or a Certificate of Identity.
5. Canadian residents for whom visa-requirements are applicable for Aruba, must travel with a valid national passport with a landing stamp in the passport provided with a visa for Aruba or a Canadian Immigration Identification Certificate with a visa for Aruba.

On request of the immigration Official, one should be able to present sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay in Aruba.

C: Nationals of the countries listed below need a visa to enter Aruba: Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria, Armenia, Iraq, Peoples Republic of China, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Belarus, Kirghiztan Syria, Cambodja, Korea (North), Tajikistan Cuba Libya, Turkmenisten, Dominican Republic, Mauretania, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Ghana, Mongolia, Vietnam, Haita, and Myanmar.

Applications for a visa can be done through the Aruba Tourism office.
Applications can take from two to four weeks.

D: Nationals from the following countries are allowed to stay in Aruba for maximum stay up to three months without visa. Australia, Canada, Chile, Commonwealth of Bahamas, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Licehtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Slowak Republic, Switzerland, U.S.A. Nationals of E.U. countries.

E: Visitors entering Aruba from the United States of America must have in their possession ONE of the following documents.
1. A valid USA passport
2. For USA citizens born in the USA a genuine (original-official state issued) birth certificate with a raised seal and a photo ID.
3. For USA citizens born outside the USA a genuine (original) Certificate of Naturalization with a raised seal and photo ID.
4. A resident of the USA (Non USA citizens) , for whom NO visa requirements are applicable for Aruba, must have a re-entry permit or an Alien Registration Card (Green Card).
5. A resident of the USA (Non USA citizen) for whom visa requirements ARE applicable for Aruba must travel EITHER with a valid national passport (provided with a visa for Aruba) OR a re-entry permit (provided with a visa for Aruba) OR and Alien Registration Card (Green Card).
6. A return ticket to travel elsewhere outside Aruba

Nationals of the United States are allowed to stay in Aruba for maximum stay up to three months without a visa. Applications for a visa can be done through the representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Embassy or Consulate) or directly through the Department of Foreign Affairs in Aruba.
Telephone: 297-834705
Fax: 297-838108

Visitors wishing to work and/or reside in Aruba for a number of months must have a previous written permit from the ministry of Justice at the Department for Public Order and Security (DOOV). This permit must be arranged by the future employer of the "visitor". Telephone: 297-843322, Fax: 297-8435346

USA Customs Regulations:
Significant benefits for international travelers are included in the customs Publication No. 512, titled "Know Before You Go".

You will receive a customs Declaration on board your plane or vessel as you return to the United States. To enter the United States, you must fill out the identification portion. Families returning together may prepare a joint declaration, with children claiming the same exemption as adults (except for liquor). Children born abroad who have never lived in the U.S.A. are considered nonresidents for Customs purposes. YOU MAY DECLARE ORALLY all items acquired abroad and brought back with you, whether purchased or given to you as gifts, if their total value does not exceed $600. State the price actually paid for each article in the U.S. currency or its equivalent in country of acquisition. Repairs or alterations to articles taken abroad and returned must be declared, whether paid for or provided free of charge. State the fair retail value of acquisitions not purchased. YOU MUST DECLARE IN WRITING your acquisitions when:
You have exceeded the personal, liquor, or tobacco exceptions explained hereunder.
You bring in items for business purposes or for someone else.
You send home items acquired in the U.S., Virgin Islands, American Samoa or Guam or you are asked to do so by the Customs Inspector.

Exemption from Duty:
IF YOU HAVE NOT claimed this exemption within 30 days, you receive an exemption from duty on the first $600 worth-fair retail value where acquired of all personal and household good you obtain abroad and bring back with you. Limitations on alcohol, tobacco and perfume are listed below.

Goods shipped for personal use may be imported free of duty and tax if the total value is not more then $200. This exemption does not apply to perfume containing alcohol if it is valued at more than $5 retail, to alcoholic beverages, or to cigars and cigarettes.

IF YOU DO NOT MEET THE 30-DAY TIME REQUIRMENTS, you may bring in $200 or less of items for your own personal or household use, free of duty and Federal tax. However, if you exceed $200, all your items become dutiable and receive no exemption.

Tobacco, Alcohol:
IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE $600 EXEMPTION, you may include 100 cigars and 200 cigarettes, regardless of your age. Cigarettes may be subject to state or local tax. If you are 21 or older, you may include 1 Liter (33.8 fl. Oz.) of ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, if it is allowed by the state in which you arrive. Liquor can not be mailed into the United States. Individual states can impose their own laws, so your point-of-entry could affect your liquor allowance.

Please contact U.S. Customs at (212) 466-5715 regarding importing food, alcohol, cigars and tobacco. For other items please call (212) 466-5650.

Customs enforces the laws of the state in which you arrive. State laws differ as to quantity you may bring in. Some differ regarding personal possession and shipment of liquor. Some states do not allow individuals to import more liquor then listed, even by paying tax. Check with the state liquor authorities for current practices prior to departure.

Duty-Free Items:
PERSONAL BELONGINGS: Present proof of prior possession such as a receipt pf purchase, bill of sale, insurance policy, or jeweler’s appraisal. You may take foreign-made items bearing serial numbers (e.g. cameras, watches, tape records) to a Customs Office for registration before leaving the U.S.A.

Duty:
The Congress of the United States has set the resident exemption at $600 to simplify the international traveler’s re-entry into the United States. The next $1000 in items is dutiable at a flat 10% rate, bringing the total possible duty on purchases valued at $1400 to $100. Families living in one household and returning together may combine their purchases on joint declaration and multiply their exemptions accordingly. Families must prepare a joint declaration in order to get the flat duty rate. GIFTS YOU SHIP FROM ABROAD, if worth $100 or less in fair retail value where shipped, can be received in the U.S. free of duty and tax if the same person does not receive more then $100 in gift shipments in one day. Mark the package "UNSOLICITED GIFT" and indicated contents and retail value. Duty cannot be prepaid. You do not declare gifts you have shipped.

CULTURAL TREASURES, ART, OR ARTIFACTS, especially pre-Columbian: Check with U.S. Customs and the country of export for special requirements.

Every effort has been made to indicate essential requirements. However, all regulations of Customs and other agencies cannot be covered in full. For Customs leaflets write U.S. Customs, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW Room 2131 Washington, D.C. 20229 or call (202) 927-6724.

Canada Customs Regulations:
1. After 24 hours absence or more (any number of times per year), you may bring in good to the value of $50 (except tobacco products and alcoholic beverages). A written declaration may be required.
2. After 48 hours absence or more (any number of times per year), you may bring in good to the value of $200. A written declaration may be required.
3. After 7 days absence or more (one every calendar year), you may bring in good to the value of $750.00. A written declaration will be required.
4. Any person aged 16 or over may include up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco. Of course, the dollar value of these goods form part of your personal exemption.
5. If you meet the age requirements set by the province or territory through which you re-enter Canada, you may include up to 1.5 liters of wine, 40oz. Of liquor or 24 cans of beer.
6. Original works of art valued at $20 or more are duty free.

Aruba Customs Regulations:
Besides articles for personal use, persons over 18 are allowed one fifth of liquor and 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250 grams of tobacco.

Currency:
The official currency of Aruba is the Aruban florin, which is divided into 100 cents. Silver coins are in denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents, one florin, 2 1/2 florins and 5 florins. The square shaped 50-cent "yotin" coin is probably Aruba's best-known coin.

The florin fluctuates with the dollar on the world market. U.S. dollars are widely accepted in Aruba, and banks may exchange other foreign currency.

Banking hours:
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Most bank branches remain open during lunch. The Aruba Bank branch at the airport is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on official holidays.

Atm/Bank Hours:
Money transfer: Western Union Money Transfer Service offers fast, secure and convenient money transfer service to more than 60 countries. For more information, please call (297) 8-24400.

Credit Cards:

American Express:
S.E.L. Maduro & Sons, Rockefellerstr, 1, Oranjestad, Tel. 23888, office hours 8:00 - 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Closed on official holidays. Services include personal check cashing, refunds, exchange and replacement of American Express Traveler checks, American Express Card replacement service, report of lost or stolen American Express Cards.

Visa/Master Card:
Aruba Bank, Caribbean Mercantile Bank and Interbank. Services available to cardholders include cash advance, report of lost or stolen Visa/Master Card. Either your passport or two other valid identifications are required.

Aruba Bank N.V. also accepts Discover Card for Cash Advance.

The Aruba Banks listed above can also dispense US currency.

Bank at the Airport:
Caribbean Merchantile Bank is located at the Queen Beatrix International Airport, is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

ATM machines:
Travelers with ATM cards bearing the CIRRUS or Plus System network logos can withdraw cash in Aruban florins. Home bank accounts will be debited in dollars at a favorable exchange rate, and a service charge will apply. Before departing for Aruba, it's important to verify whether your PIN number will work in Aruba by calling 1-800-4-CIRRUS.

Languages:
In Aruba, the people speak, write and read English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamento fluently. Many also speak French and German.

Papiamento was developed in the neighboring island of Curacao in the 1500's to enable African slaves to communicate with their owners. In addition to their own language, Portuguese and Spanish missionaries, Dutch merchants, South American traders and Indians added additional words.

Dutch is the official language of Aruba due to the fact that Aruba is a Dutch colony. All documents and government papers are in Dutch and lessons at school are also given in Dutch. Papiamento is the native language, only spoken on the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao). Most of the inhabitants speak Papiamento at home or on the streets with friends.

English is recognized as an international language and all inhabitants of Aruba are obliged to learn English as early as the 4th grade in primary school. Spanish is also taking on equal importance since Aruba is located just off the South American Continent. Spanish is also taught as early as the 5th grade of primary school. French is taught in high school as an optional language.

Health:
When people plan their vacation destination, an important consideration can be the availability of good medical care in the event of an illness or accident. Those concerned about these health issues can rest assured when considering Aruba.

Many Hotels are equipped with handicapped facilities and tourists have the possibility of renting a large assortment of healthcare products such as wheelchairs (both standard and electric) walkers, crutches, bed pans, concentrators, scooters etc.

Aruba is well equipped to handle virtually every medical problem. In unique cases where the island’s own medical services do not cover the emergency, a patient can be quickly airlifted to nearby facilities (ie. In Curacao).

Aruba boasts the Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital, a medical facility equipped with reputable medical staff, 280 beds and modern equipment. The hospital, opened in 1976, is located across from Punta Brabu Beach, and is within walking distance of some of the hotel district. It functions as a general hospital with established ties to the U.S., Colombian, Venezuelan, Puerto Rican, and Dutch hospitals for specialized treatment and care.

Electricity:
Rarely is there a power failure and the island has decided to adopt the North American voltage standard of 110 A.C. (60 cycles), the same as in the United States and Canada. The TV standard is NTSC so your home video camera will also play back on the hotel's TV sets or large screen projectors.

Climate:
Tropical. Aruba is outside the hurricane belt! The island boasts year-round great weather and cooling trade winds.