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Location
and size
Aruba is located in the heart of the southern
Caribbean, 15 miles (20 kilometers) off the
coast of Venezuela. It is 19.6 miles (30 kilometers)
long and 6 miles (9 kilometers) across, at its
widest point, with an area of approximately
70 square miles (184 square kilometers).
Time
Atlantic Standard Time one hour ahead of New
York except during Daylight Savings when the
time is the same.
Population
Aruba's population of about 100,000 inhabitants
is made up of a broad international mixture
of well educated people with a pleasant
nature and a zest for hospitality. The
modern Aruban is generally of mixed ancestry,
claiming Caquetio Indian, African and
European roots. However, the face of Aruba
is in continuous flux with the island,
drawing individuals from all over the
world. Today, the island claims over 40
different nationalities, which live and
work peacefully on the island.
The
population of Aruba is of mixed descent
and can trace its ancestry back to 40
different ethnic backgrounds from around
the world. The native language is a creole
dialect called Papiamento which is made
up of elements of Dutch, Spanish, English,
French, Portuguese, a number of different
African languages, and Arawak Indian.
Nearly everyone on the island is able
to speak English and Spanish, in addition
to Dutch, which is the official language
of Aruba.
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Lanuguage
Papiamento is a unique language which is only
spoken on the Dutch Caribbean islands. It was
considered a local dialect and of no significant
interest until the year 1995. Three years later
the Government decided to teach Papiamento officially
in the schools as a new language subject. Papiamento
books can be found in bookstores and the language
is quite easy to learn.
Entry
Requirements
For
more information please contact:
Departamento
di Integracion, Maneho y Admision di Stranhero
(DIMAS)
The Directorate of Alien Integration, Policy
and Admission
Wilhelminastraat 31-33
Oranjestad, Aruba
Tel: (297) 5221500
Fax: (297) 5221505
Call center: (297) 5221590
Appointment line: (297) 5221502
Fax short stay department (visa): (297) 5221501
Email: dimas@aruba.gov.aw
Currency
The Aruban florin is the standard currency of
the country, but U.S. Dollars are accepted everywhere,
including taxis, and can be expected to be returned
in change. Most of the larger hotels provide
currency exchange, if needed.
Banks
Banks are open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and
cash may be obtained at branches of the Caribbean
Mercantile Bank and the ABN-AMRO Bank with any
major credit card or with Cirrus network ATM
cards. Please note however that the ATM's dispense
only local currency.
| Banks
in Auba |
Aruba
Bank N.V.
Address: Camacuri 12
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 192
Phone: (297) 527-7725
Fax: (297) 527-7745
www.arubabank.com |
Aruban
Investment Bank N.V. /AIB Bank
Address: Wilhelminastraat 34/36
Phone: (297) 582-7327
Fax: (297) 582-7461
www.aib-bank.com |
Banco
di Caribe N.V.
Address: Vondellaan 31
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 493
Phone: (297) 583-2168
Fax: (297) 583-2422
www.bancodicaribe.com |
Caribbean
Credit Corp.
Address: L.G. Smith Boulevard 116-B
Phone: (297) 582-3949 / (297) 583-7511 /
(297) 582-1873 |
Caribbean
Mercantile Bank N.V.
Address: Caya G.F. Betico Croes 53
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 28
Phone: (297) 582-3118 / (297) 583-6533
Fax: (297) 582-4373 / (297) 584-3535
www.cmbnv.com |
Caribbean
Mercantile Credit Company N.V.
Address: L.G. Smith Boulevard 116
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 601
Phone: (297) 582-1873 / (297) 586-0593 /
(297) 584-6804
Fax: (297) 582-5116 |
Centrale
Bank van Aruba
Address: J. E. Irausquin Blvd. 8
Phone: (297) 525-2100 / (297) 525-2101
Fax: (297) 583-2251 / (297) 583-7473
www.cbaruba.org |
First
National Bank of Aruba
Address: Caya G.F. Betico Croes 67
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 184
Phone: (297) 583-3221 / (297) 583-3224 /
(297) 586-0005
Fax: (297) 582-1756 / (297) 582-3121 |
Interbank
Aruba N.V.
Address: Caya G.F. Betico Croes 38
Phone: (297) 583-1080
Fax: (297) 582-4058 |
Ohra
Hypotheekbank N.V.
Address: L.G. Smith Boulevard 62 Marisol
Building.
Phone: (297) 583-9666
Fax: (297) 583-9498 |
RBTT
Bank Aruba N.V.
Address: Caya G.F. Betico Croes 89
Mailing Address: P.O.Box 391
Phone: (297) 588-0101 / (297) 582-1515
Fax: (297) 582-1856 / (297) 583-9450
www.rbtt.com |
Sociale
Verzekeringsbank
Address: L.G. Smith Boulevard z/n
Phone: (297) 587-3158
Fax: (297) 587-2783 / (297) 587-2787 |
Western
Union
Address: L.G. Smtih Boulevard 142
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 656
Phone: (297) 582-2473 / (297) 582-4400
Fax: (297) 582-3012 |
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Customs
Regulations
Visitors 18 years of age and older may bring
into the country up to 2 litres of liquor, 200
cigarettes, 50 cigars, and 250 grams of tobacco,
in addition to those items which they plan on
keeping for personal use.
Medical/Health
Facilities
Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital in Aruba is
a 280 bed hospital equipped with reputable
medical staff and modern equipment. The
hospital, which opened in 1976, is located
across from Eagle Beach. Services such
as oxygen tanks and hemodialysis are available.
For more information contact:
Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital
Sasakiweg, Aruba
Tel: 297-587-4300 Fax (297) 587-3348
www.arubahospital.com
Centro
Medico
Dr.
Rudy Engelbrecht
Bernhardstraat 75
San Nicolas, Aruba
Tel: 297-584-8833 |
Hospitaal
Dr. H.E. Oduber
Address: L.G. Smith Boulevard z/n
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 569
Phone: (297) 587-4300
Fax: (297) 587-3348
www.arubahospital.com |
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Electricity
Electricity operates on 110 volts alternating
current, 60 cycles, and American appliances
should work without the need for converters
or adapters.
Communications
Aruba has modern international communication
facilities. For international telephone calls
(direct dial, person to person, or collect calls),
telex and telegrams, electronic mailgram and
mariphone calls, contact the hotel operator
or SETAR.
SETAR
located next to the Aruba post office at the
Irausquinplein or at SETAR Teleshop at Palm
Beach across from Hyatt Regency Aruba Beach
Resort & Casino or at SETAR Teleshop, Schelpstraat
(around the corner of Le Petite Cafe - Downtown,
Oranjestad).
Telephone
To direct dial to Aruba from the United States,
you must dial 011-2978 + the five digit number.
To direct dial from anywhere else you must dial
297 the seven digit number. From Aruba to the
US, dial 001+area code and number.
| Internet
Cafe's in Auba |
Central
Station
Address: De La Sallestraat 1, (Pit's Building
Loc.1)
Phone: (297) 582-6358 |
Seasons
Internet Café
Address: Wilhelminastraat 102
Phone: (297) 588-6936
Fax: (297) 583-7282 |
Victors
Internet Café
Address: Parkietenbos 2
Phone: (297) 588-2358 / (297) 588-2359 |
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Tipping
Gratuity of 10 - 15% is usually included on
your bill. At your own discretion, you may add
an extra amount for good service.
Drinking
Water
The water on the island has been desalinated
and purified, so it is safe for drinking.
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