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Perfect weather, gorgeous beaches, shimmering
seas, duty-free shopping, and friendly Dutch West Indies hosts
shouting "Bon Bini" (welcome) will greet you upon
arrival in Aruba. The island will capture your heart as you
experience friendly hospitality in the hotels, dive centers,
restaurants, casinos, and shops throughout the island.
Diving in Aruba is famous for the spectacular shipwrecks and
interesting coral formations that dominate Aruba’s underwater
realm. This includes the 400 foot Antilla wreck, which is the
largest wreck in the Caribbean.
Most of Aruba’s dive sites lie along the protected western and
southern coasts, a short distance from the hotels along the
famed Palm Beach. Aruba’s waters are rich in exotic marine life,
including stingrays, moray eels, manta rays, barracudas and
yellow tail. A large, shallow sand plateau surrounds Aruba making
boat travel the most convenient method of reaching the off-shore
reefs. Interesting coral formations are found from shallow water
depths of 20 to 100 feet, with little or no current and flat
surface conditions.
Climate 75 - 85F 24 -29C Water Temp 75 - 82F 24 - 28C Visibility
50 - 100+ ft 15 - 30+ m
Dive
Services
Accommodations
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The
Boardwalk Vacation Retreat Aruba
Bakval 20
Palm Beach
Aruba
Ph. 00 297 5866654
Fax. 00 297 5861836
theboardwalk@setarnet.aw
http://www.arubaboardwalk.com
The Boardwalk is a charming island-style small hotel with
several beautifully designed 1-bedroom & 2-bedroom
casitas (little villa's) located only 150 yards from Aruba's
best swimming and beach area at world famous Palm Beach. |
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Travel
& Tips
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From
U.S.A.
Atlanta
- Delta
(daily, 2 X Saturday)
Boston
- American
Airlines
(twice per week - June-Oct.) - (4x per week - Nov.-Dec.)
Charlotte
- US
Airways
(Daily)
Chicago
- United
Airlines
(Saturdays)
- American Transair (Saturday)
Miami
- American
Airlines
(twice daily)
New York
- American
Airlines
(JFK daily)
- Delta
(JFK Saturdays)
Newark
- Continental
(Daily)
Philadelphia
- US
Airways
(daily)
San Juan
- American
Airlines
(daily)
Washington (Dulles)
- United
Airlines
(Saturdays)
Note: All cities above feed on scheduled airlines through
their key hubs. A number of cities also have scheduled charter
flights available - check with your travel specialist.
From
UK
London
- British
Airways
(daily, overnight stop at JFK)
- Delta
via Atlanta (daily with overnight stop)
- Continental
(via Newark three times a week with overnight stop)
Manchester
- British
Airways
(via London.overnight stop at JFK)
- Continental
(via London with overnight stop)
- Delta
(via London with overnight stop)
From
Canada
Toronto
- American
Airlines
via Miami
- US
Airways
via Phildelphia
- Delta
via Atlanta
- Air
Canada
(Saturdays December-April)
- Continental
via Newark (daily)
Montreal
- American
Airlines
via Miami
- US
Airways
via Philadelphia
- Delta
via Atlanta
Quebec City
- American
Airlines
via New York
From
Within Caribbean
Bonaire
- Dutch
Caribbean Airways
- American
Eagle
(3 x per day)
- Royal
Aruban Airlines
Curacao
- Dutch
Caribbean Airways
- Royal
Aruban Airlines
Jamaica
- Dutch
Caribbean Airways
Dominican Republic
- Dutch
Caribbean Airways
Trinidad
- Dutch
Caribbean Airways
St. Maarten
- Dutch
Caribbean Airways
Suriname
- Dutch
Caribbean Airways |
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Entry
Requirements
The Department of State and Homeland Security have announced
a "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative" in which
they are proposing to require all U.S. Citizens, Canadians,
citizens of Bermuda and citizens of Mexico to have a passport
or other accepted secure document to enter or re-enter the
U.S. by January 1, 2008.
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S.
citizens, traveling by air between the United States and
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean,
and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport,
Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S.
citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico,
Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by
land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present
a valid passport or other documents as determined by the
Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative
changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State
and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements
as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided
to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards
for land/sea entries.
- All visitors must hold sufficient funds for their stay
in Aruba as well as return or onward ticket and other documents
required for their next destination (visa etc.). Non compliance
may result in refusal of passenger upon arrival.
- Tourists are not allowed to engage in any paid activity
in Aruba.
C: Nationals of the countries listed below need a visa to
enter Aruba:
Afghanistan , Haiti, Palau Islands, Albania, India, Papua
New Guinea, Algeria, Indonesia , Peru, Angola, Iraq, Philippines,
Armenia, Iran, Qatar, Azerbaijan , Ivory Coast, Romania,
Bahrain, Jamaica, Russian Federation, Bangladesh, Jordan,
Rwanda, Belarus , Kazakhstan, Solomon Islands, Benin, Kenya,
Samoa (west), Bhutan, Kyrgyz, Sandi Arabia, Burundi, Kiribati,
Sao Tome and Principe, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kuwait, Senegal,
Botswana, Laos, Seychelles, Bulgaria, Lesotho, Sierra Leone,
Burkina Faso, Lebanon, Sudan, Cambodia, Liberia, Somalia,
Cameroon, Libya, Sri Lanka, Cape Verde, Macedonia , South
Africa, Central Africa Republic, Madagascar, Swaziland,
Chad, Malawi, Syria, China, Mali, Tajikistan, Colombia,
Maldives, Taiwan (Republic of China), Comoro, Marshall Islands,
Tanzania, Congo Democratic Republic , Mauritania, Thailand,
Congo, Mauritius, Turkmenistan, Cuba, Micronesia, Togo,
Djibouti, Morocco, Tonga, Dominican Republic, Moldavia,
Tunisia, Egypt, Mongolia, Turkey, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique,
Tuvalu, Eritrea, Myanmar (former Burma), United Arab Emirates,
Ethiopia , Namibia, Uganda, Fiji Islands, Nauru, Ukraine,
Gabon, Nepal, Uzbekistan, Gambia, Niger, Vanuatu, Georgia,
Nigeria, Vietnam, Ghana, Northern Mariana Islands, Yemen,
Guinea, North Korea, Yugoslavia (Serbia Montenegro), Guinea-Bissau,
Oman, Zambia, Pakistan, Zimbabwe
All Visa applicants should submit the following supporting
documents:
· A completed and signed application form
· 2 photographs
· A valid passport
· Proof of economic solvency: the last three monthly
bank statements
(must be original), bank letter alone will not suffice.
· Employment letter showing salary, position, total
time on job, guarantee
of employment upon return
· If self employed, excerpt of the company’s registration
from the Chamber
of Commerce
· If you are visiting family or friends, a letter
of invitation
· Flight and Hotel reservations
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. In both cases, applications for tourist-visas will
be handled with priority in order to facilitate the tourist
as much as possible.
In other cases, the entire procedure might take up to four
weeks and the visa will be handed over to the interested
party by the Dutch Embassy and/or Consular Officials in
the country where the application has been done or by fax
if the application has been done directly through the Department
of Foreign Affairs of Aruba.
J.E. Irausquinplein 2-A, Oranjestad
Tel: (297) 583-4705, Fax: (297) 583-8108
D: Nationals from the following countries are allowed to
stay in Aruba for maximum stay up to three months without
visa. · (The actual maximum period that is granted
depends on having sufficient means):
Andorra, Japan, Antigua and Barbuda, Latvia, Argentina,
Liechtenstein, Australia , Lithuania, Austria, Luxembourg,
Bahamas, Macao: holders of S.A.R. Passport, Barbados, Malaysia,
Belgium, Malta, Belize, Mexico, Bolivia, Monaco, Brazil,
The Netherlands, Brunei, Nicaragua, Bulgaria, New Zealand,
Canada, Norway, Chile, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Poland, Croatia,
San Marino, Cyprus, Portugal, Czech Republic, Panama, Denmark,
Singapore, Dominica, St. Christopher and Nevis (St. Kits
and Nevis), Ecuador, St. Lucia, El Salvador, St. Vincent
and the Grenadines, Estonia, Slovenia, Finland, Slovakia,
France, Spain, Germany, South Korea, Greece, Sweden, Grenada,
Surinam, Guatemala, Switzerland, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago,
Honduras, United Kingdom , Hong Kong: holders of the B.N.O.
Passport, Uruguay, Hong Kong: holders of the S.A.R. Passport,
Vatican, Hungary, United States of America, Iceland, Venezuela,
Ireland, Israel, Italy.
E. Holders of a Laissez-passer (also if not traveling on
duty) issued by the United Nations.
Permission to work in Aruba. Visitors wishing to work and/or
reside in Aruba for a number of months must have a formal
working permit, or residence permit issued by the Ministry
of Justice (Department of immigration and Naturalization
(D.I.N.A.). The future employer of the person concerned
is responsible for the application of the working permit.
Further information and application forms for written permits
can be obtained free of charge at the aforementioned Department.
(Ministry of Justice, c/o Department of Immigration and
Naturalization (DINA). Voldellaan 6-D Tel. (297) 582-8500
/ (297) 585-8592, Fax (297) 585-8593
F: 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 US government issued refugee passport OR a re-entry
permit (provided with a visa for Aruba).
6. A return ticket to travel elsewhere outside Aruba
G. For those not mentioned under B or F: A valid passport.
Getting
Around
Taxis
Rates, set by the Government, are based on destination rather
than mileage traveled and are for the total number of passengers
in the car or van.
Rental Cars
There are a number of international and local rental agencies.
It's nice to be able to explore the entire island at your
leisure. But many of the roads are rugged and not suitable
for a car. Make sure that your spare tire is full of air
before heading out into the rough rugged terrain. Many 4-wheel
drive rentals often have no roof, so make sure you put on
sun block because the sun shines brightly in Aruba! 4-wheel
drive vehicles are numerous but they are often hard to get
because they are used for "Jeep Safari" tours
that are popular sightseeing day trips.
- Arubans drive on the right-hand side of the road.
- The minimum age of 21-25 and the maximum of 65-70 vary
slighty by company.
- International driving license or any valid license held
for at least two full years is required.
- Unlimited mileage; rates subject to change without notice.
- Deposit of US $500 or open signed credit card.
- Towing service available.
- Windsurf roof racks upon availability and upon request.
- Pick up service available, with some exceptions, at the
cruise terminal.
- Insurance recommended, but does not cover if the driver
is intoxicated in a car accident.
Scooters and motorcycles are also available and lots of
fun. A regular driver's licence is all you need! Helmets
are supplied.
Gasoline
Gas pumps for your rental car register in liters: 1.06 quarts
to 1 liter. One gallon is 3.78 liters. Prices at gas stations
are in Aruba florins. It is not usually the custom to pump
gas for oneself, please check if the attendants are to pump
gas or if it is a self-service gas station.
Buses
There is inexpensive and reliable daily bus service between
all the districts and the hotel areas. Check at your hotel
for schedules and hours. The main bus station is located
in downtown Oranjestad across from the waterfront shops
and restaurants.
Helpful
Information
Telephone Services: For dialing direct calls from Aruba,
the code into the international circuit is 00 followed by
the country code, area code and the number. For assistance,
call 121.
Aruba's International telephone country code is 297. To
direct dial Aruba from the U.S., the code is 011-297-plus
the number.
You can use the public phones (with Aruban calling cards)
that are placed all over the island. Unfortunately, it is
not possible yet to use your foreign cell phone in Aruba,
due to the specifics of the telephone net in Aruba. If you
want to rent a cellphone, there are several places where
you go.
Mail Services
The Central Post Office is located diagonally across from
San Francisco Church in Oranjestad. Open from Mondays to
Fridays from 7.30 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.
The Post office at the Royal Plaza Mall in Oranjestad is
open from Mondays to Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 6.45 p.m.
Dress
Aruba is tropical and very warm. You should bring light,
casual clothing. It is generally not allowed to enter shops
or casino’s in your bathing suit. Evening's lower temperatures
and breezes may warrant a light jacket if you chill easily.
Water
There is no need to buy bottled water, Aruba’s water from
the tap is praised for its excellent quality and taste.
Aruba’s drinking water flows from the world’s second largest
desalinization plant. It is not only perfectly pure and
safe to drink, it’s also very delicious.
Electricity
Aruba has the same voltage standard as in North America
(110 volts AC). Therefore, European appliances (that use
220 volts) generally cannot be used in Aruba (unless you
have a converter).
Safety
Aruba has always been considered one of the safest destinations
in the Caribbean, however incidents may occur. Please do
not provide temptation by leaving your valuables unattended
on the beach or in your rental car.
Room Taxes
Generally, there is an 11% service charge on room rates.
Most hotels also apply a 6% government tax.
Tipping/Service Charge
Most Aruban restaurants maintain a service charge of between
10 and 20%.
Shopping
Shops are open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 12 noon
(many closing for lunch) and from 2 PM to 6 PM. Some stores
close Tuesday afternoons. The Alhambra Bazaar is open until
midnight. Bargaining on prices in Aruba is not considered
polite - even in the many bazaars. What to look for - china
and crystal, clothing and accessories, leather goods, jewelry,
local crafts, food (Edam and Gouda cheese and Dutch chocolates). |
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