Aruba Travel Overview
Important facts
Capital: Oranjestad
Official language: Dutch
Currency: Florin
Continent: North America
Last minute trips with price comparison
Windless haven of the Caribbean
Aruba is very popular with tourists on the American east coast, as the weather there is almost all year round and there are seldom storms.
Information Aruba
Aruba is a small island in the southern Caribbean. It is located north of the coast of Venezuela. With 193 km² the island is slightly smaller than the German city of Frankfurt am Main and slightly larger than Frankfurt an der Oder. The island is an autonomous administrative area of the Netherlands, similar to St. Maarten. It is an equal part of the Netherlands. The request for full independence was temporarily frozen by the Dutch government in 1990. At that time, Aruba started refining oil again, which was stopped in 2009. Since then, tourism has been the country’s most important source of income.
Vacation Aruba
Aruba is considered a Caribbean insider tip in Europe, as the island is largely spared from the forces of the Caribbean. The strong winds and storms leave the island on the left, but there is no calm on the island. The island is therefore particularly popular as a spot for surfers who rave about optimal surfing conditions all year round. However, as mentioned, there are no Harrikans there!
Rental cars are only rented out on the island from the age of 23. However, the island is so small that with a little patience you can reach every point on foot. It is best to do an island tour right at the beginning of your arrival so that you have covered all the highlights. Above all, you should see the capital, Oranjestad, before you dive into the waves or just enjoy your time on the beach.
ABC islands
The island is part of the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao), which are part of the Netherlands Antilles. Because of this close proximity to Holland, the islands can be easily reached by plane from Europe. The Dutch Caribbean Express flies from Curacao to Amsterdam and Cologne.
The island has meanwhile become the winter quarters of somewhat wealthier New Yorkers. Unfortunately the island is not exactly cheap to go on vacation there. It is now one of the more exclusive destinations in the Caribbean. However, if you have something Marie in your savings stocking, you should treat yourself to a vacation there. Because the island’s weather guarantee in the temperate tropicsis worth the trip.
Important facts
Capital: Oranjestad
Official language: Dutch
Currency
Currency (sub-unit)
Florin (100 cents)
ISO 4217 code
AWG / 533
Geography
Continent: North America
Geo coordinates: N 12 ° 31 ’16 ” W -69 ° -58′ -6″
Highest mountain: Mount Jamanota (188 m)
Total area: 193 km²
Mainland: 193 km²
Coastline: 69 km
Politics
Dependency: Netherlands since 1643
Economy
GDP purchasing power parity: $ 2,610,000,000
Inflation rate: 3.7%
Unemployment: 6.8%
Foreign debt: $ 469,000,000
Electricity consumption: 722 million KWh
Oil production: 2,500 million m³
Oil consumption: 6,700 million m³
Cultivation area: 10.53%
Demographic data
Residents: 71,900
Residents in cities: 48,300
Average age: 38.5 years
0-14 years: 19.5%
15-64 years: 68.2%
> 65 years: 12.3%
Population growth: 0.44%
Birth rate: 11.26 / 1,000 residents
Death rate: 6.68 / 1,000 residents
Ratio men / women: 0.93
Fertility: 1.79 children / woman
Infant mortality: 5.79 ‰
Life expectancy men: 75.95 years
Life expectancy women: 82.78 years
Country codes and abbreviations
ISO 3166 Alpha 2: AW
ISO 3166 Alpha 3: ABW
ISO 3166 numeric: 533
Top Level Domain: aw
IOC country code: ARU
UN / LOCODE: AW
Source: Abbreviationfinder
Communication
Telephone connections: 38,100
Transportation
Cars: 47,000
Health
Number of doctors: 100
education
Illiteracy: 3%
Religion
Main religious group: Christians
GETTING THERE
Arriving by plane
KLM (KL) (Internet: www.klm.com) flies directly from Amsterdam to Oranjestad, with feeder flights from several German, Austrian and Swiss cities to Amsterdam.
Other international connections to Aruba exist via Miami (USA) and Caracas (Venezuela).
Departure fee
If the airport fee of US $ 33.50-36.75 per person is not included in the ticket price, it will be paid at the check-in desk upon departure. Children under 2 years of age and travelers in transit (onward travel within 24 hours) are excluded.
Arrival by ship
Because Aruba is great for duty-free shopping, the island is a popular cruise destination. Ships of the following companies leave from the port of Oranjestad: Pullmantur Cruises (Internet: www.pullmanturcruises.com), Barefoot Cruises (Internet: www.windjammer.com), Majestic Cruise Line. Princess (Internet: www.princess.com), Norwegian Cruise Line (Internet: www.ncl.de), AIDA Cruises (Internet: www.aida.de), Celebrity Cruises (Internet: www.celebritycruises.com), Crystal Cruises (Internet: www.crystalcruises.com), Fred Olsen Cruise Line (Internet: www.fredolsencruises.com), Holland America Lines (Internet: www.hollandamerica.com) , Hapag Lloyd Cruises (Internet: www.hlkf .de), Sea Cloud (Internet: www.seacloud.com) and Windstar Cruises (Internet: www.windstarcruises.com).
ON THE GO
On the way by car / bus
The island’s road network is excellent. The signage corresponds to international standards. Oranjestad can be very busy on the streets during rush hour traffic and when a cruise ship arrives. Bus: Public buses run regularly between towns, the main bus station in Oranjestad and the hotels on Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. Timetables are available from tourist information offices, hotels, the Arubus station in Oranjestad or the tourist office. Regular bus connections from Arubus (Internet: www.arubus.com/) exist between San Nicholas in the south-west and the resorts along the north-west coast via Oranjestad. Taxi:The taxi office is located in Oranjestad (Pos Abao 41. Tel: (8) 2 21 16 / -16 04). Taxis do not have a taximeter, but the fares are fixed and should be inquired about before departure. The driver only expects a tip if he is helping with heavy luggage. A rental car is probably the best and easiest way to get to know the island. Almost all of the major car rental companies and some local companies are represented. Hotels are happy to help you arrange rental cars, minimum age: 21-25 years. You can also rent scooters, mopeds and bicycles. Documents: International driver’s license or driver’s license from your own country, valid for at least 2 years. Insurance is recommended.
Traffic regulations:
right-hand traffic ;
Turning right is prohibited when the traffic light is red.
Speed limits:
urban 40 km / h;
extra-urban 60 km / h
country roads 80 km / h.
On the go by train
A tram connects Oranjestad with the cruise terminal between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. daily.
On the way by ship
There are daily ferry connections to De Palm Island (every 30 minutes between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.) (Internet: www.depalm.com).