|
|
| Watersports | Activities for Kids | Nightlife | Sightseeing | Scuba Diving | Other Things to Do |
|
Eagle/ Manchebo/ Druif Beach are commonly known together as Eagle Beach
(map) and have some waves. Here you can also feel the wind a little more than on Palm Beach. Eagle is wide, long and very white. Because of it's width and length it will be less crowded than Palm Beach. There is less boat activity, so the water is clearer. At times, Eagle Beach does have some waves.
Palm Beach is also long and white, but narrower and a lot less wind. Because the beach is narrower, it may seem crowded, but most of the resorts, have long stretches for spreading out. My husband and I have also discovered that the lack of waves here makes a wonderful way to spend an afternoon on a float. Definitely one of our favorite activities. You can rent them for about $5 a day.
Water all over the island is blue, warm and refreshing. Our personal preference for Palm Beach over Eagle Beach is activity. Here you are within walking distance of 6 casinos, some fantastic restaurants and the basics like Dunkin Donuts, Subway, TCBY and a Pizzeria. On Palm Beach you will also find loads of watersports: waterskiing, parasail, banana boats, sailboats, kayaks etc. All of
the hotels along Palm Beach, with the exception of the Marriott, are connected by a beachside walk way. top |
|
| 8% government tax on hotel rooms, plus an additional 11% service charge. Most restaurants & hotel services will also add a 15% gratuity to your bill. See Tipping. top |
| | Permanent Residence Permits | Work Permits | Relocation Information top |
|
Custom Sunrise Sunset Calendar
Sun or Moon Rise/Set Table for One Year Aruba is 12 30 N, 69 58 W & 4 hours west of Greenwich top |
| New York is 41 degrees North Latitude
Miami is 25 degrees North Latitude
Aruba is 12 degrees North Latitude which is also known as 12 degrees north of
the equator top |
|
|
Certified Megastore, Kong Hing Supercenter, Ling & Sons & Pueblo Food Center top |
| | Ask your hotel's front desk or concierge for the days of the week & time of
meetings. top |
|
|
18 years old. top |
|
From Francis Jacobs, the PR Coordinator of the Aruba Tourism Authority,
"I would like to explain a little bit about your concern. Topless in Aruba is not illegal, there is no law against it, but it's not permitted on public beaches. We have two private beaches where they accept to do so, which are The Renaissance island &
De Palm island. Manchebo Beach Resort deals a lot with European & they have a separated area where European go Topless, but they are not allowed to walk on the beach topless. Thank you so much for your interest on the island Aruba, & hope to see you soon."Perspective from Jamilie Geerman, an Aruban female in her twenty's,
"Well, I think it's disrespectful, & the elderly Aruban's think the same. I guess men don't care, & actually like it. But as women, we don't feel so comfortable with it, & feel it's disrespectful. Some on the other hand don't care. I say it's not allowed near La Cabana [a family resort on Eagle Beach] for example, & that it is very disrespectful for little kids. I don't care much for me, but for the little kids." As a side note, all Aruba beaches are public & children can be found just about anywhere on them on the island. Even on school days, it is part of the curriculum. top |
| Perspective from Jamilie Geerman, an Aruban female in her twenty's,
"About the clothing part, I say that if you are going to a nice
restaurant…you should stick yourself a little to the dress code, & avoid wearing
shorts. We see many tourists doing that, even to casino's like that. I know
everyone is up to decide what they wear where...so I guess it's up to the way
you are brought up also, but I would really like to see them wearing more
respectful when they go to a nice restaurant. I think shorts are out of place in
a nice & fancy restaurant. Living in the US I noticed that here they don't do
that much. Arubans look at that, & say, geez, look at how those tourists are
dressed with shorts, & sneakers or slippers in a fancy restaurant. What we also
think is disrespectful is when bathing suits are worn to some places. Just keep
yourself to the dress code while you are in Aruba. Dress something other than
beach shorts to a nice restaurant, we know that you are on vacation, but
still... you don't want to stand out that much in the crowd, & have us point at
you like "there are some tourists again"... "wearing shorts & sneakers to a nice
restaurant or casino"...... on the other side, some don't care & say, wear what
you please.... so there are different point of view. I say that you should wear
something a little nice, can be casual, but nice, to a fancy restaurant, & wear
shorts when you go to McDonalds & Subway." top |
|
How did the California area get its name?The original name of this area was Hudishibana. California was the name of a steamship shipwrecked of this wild coast in the middle of the night- September 23rd, 1891. The accident resulted in the death of one crew member- the ship's engineer.
Onboard there was a great deal of merchandise such as clothing, provisions & even furniture. All of these items were thrown overboard in an attempt to keep the ship afloat. As goods floated up to the shore it was picked up by locals & to be sold in the markets.
2 police officers from Curacao were called to Aruba to help stop the locals from stealing the goods as they floated ashore. Traveling to the northern edge of the island, they stopped & asked for directions. They were not aware that California was a ship, their orders were simply to help local police. The locals thought it amusing that the cops were looking for a "place" that no one had ever heard of. Thus the nickname & reason why this area has became known as California.
This was NOT the Californian. The Californian of Titanic infamy was sunk off the coast of Greece-Cape Matapan- during World War I. For more information contact the Aruban library. |
SS Californian From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Titanic & the "Mystery Ship"- Californian |
The Titanic The Californian
Titanic & the Californian
top |
|
|
There are two internet cafes in downtown Oranjestad. Some resorts also have kiosks for internet access for their guests. top |
|
| At this time, there are over 30 hotspots on the island. WiFi Aruba.com top |
|
| From your hotel room, you can receive access for a fee, instructions are here top |
|
The Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital is well appointed & up-to-date. The telephone number is 874300 & the direct telephone number for ambulance service is 115. Other medical resources such as oxygen rental & Kidney Dialysis are available from businesses on the island. Your hotel will have a list of available doctors & dentists on call.
Rentals:
Labco Medical/Home Healthcare Email
Avenida Milio J Croes 52
Phone 582 6651 or 583 1756
Fax 582 6567
Dialysis:
The
Posada Clinic offers dialysis with modern stations as you would find in the US. Reserve three months in advance. For information & reservations telephone 297-820840, fax 297-8356100. top |
|
|
In Aruba 110 volts, 60 cycles, the same as that of the USA. top |
|
| The Aruban Florin is the local currency linked directly to the United States dollar. Most prices are listed in US dollars. The US dollar is readily accepted all over the island. So are traveler's checks; there is no fee for using traveler's checks at hotels, restaurants & stores, but the local banks will charge a fee for changing traveler's checks (most hotels & casinos will gladly change them to cash for you). Major credit cards are accepted at most establishments, personal checks are not accepted anywhere on the island. Cash advances may be obtained with American Express, MasterCard & Visa cards at
credit card offices (Maduro & Sons, in town in front of the gas station on the boulevard, for American Express), in most casinos, at banks & at the Western Union office. top |
| Banking Hours
Banks are open from 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday.ATM locations ABN/AMRO Bank-
Playa Linda, Port of Call Mall- LG Smith Blvd, Sun Plaza Building- LG Smith Blvd, Seaport Market Place, Kong Hing Caribbean Mercantile Bank-
Mainstreet Oranjestad, Royal Plaza Mall, Renaissance Village Mall
American Express Office
Oranjestad office open Monday through Friday, report of lost or stolen American Express Cards, American Express Card replacement service, personal check cashing, refunds, exchange & replacement of American Express Traveler checks Visa/Master Card Services
Interbank, Caribbean Mercantile Bank, Aruba Bank. Cardholder services include report of lost or stolen credit cards & cash advances top |
|
|
Aruba is home to the world's second largest desalinization plants. The water is delicious, pure & safe to drink. Bottled water is any unnecessary expense. The plant is in Balashi. For tours phone the plant at 297-824700 for information. top |
|
| The official language of the island of Aruba is Dutch. The native language is Papiamento. Arubans speak English & Spanish as well. English & Spanish are mandatory in school from Fifth grade on up. Classes are taught in Dutch & French is mandatory for 2 years in HAVO & VWO (high school). So…many Arubans speak: Dutch, English, Spanish, French
and their native Papiamento. Papiamento
Papiamento is the local language, & is spoken on the islands of Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao. It is a language, not a dialect, & evolved from several older languages (Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, & even English) as all others have done throughout the history of the spoken word. It's a very melodic language with a rhythm of it's own. top |
| |
Religions represented on the island include Protestant, Jewish, Baha'I Faith, Catholic, Dutch Reform, Anglican, Catholic, Evangelical, Methodist, Baptist, 7th-Day Adventist, Church of Christ. Times & languages of services can be
verified by the concierge at your hotel. top |
|
|
Atlantic Standard Time, which is the same as Eastern Daylight Savings Time. In winter, Aruba will be one hour ahead of New York City & during the summer, Aruba will be the same time as New York City. Keep in mind, the time of arrival & departure on your airplane tickets corresponds to time in that specific destination. For example, during the winter flying to Aruba you will lose one hour that will then be gained on the flight
home. top |
|
From the US: 011 - 297+6-digit local number
From all other countries: Country’s International access code - 297 +6-digit
local number top |
|
Yes, if you have a GSM (Global System for Mobile Telecommunications) cell phone you can purchase a SIM-unlocked compatible card in Aruba to telephone the US. Check out
Telestial,
SETAR
or Digicel for a pre-paid SIM card.
Cingular/AT&T Customers can access information "Traveling Outside the US". You need to know if your
wireless device will work in Aruba. You also need to activate an
international roaming account.
Verizon Wireless
International calling to/from Aruba is available. Your phone must be activated for international dialing and accepting international calls. The programming must be done from your home calling area."I-DIAL
Making international calls, and roaming in most countries, requires international dialing capability (I-DIAL) on your account. You can make calls to and roam in some North American countries without I-DIAL; see
International Services for details. I-DIAL requires a minimum payment history and contract term, and a security deposit may be required. Failure
to maintain these requirements may result in I-DIAL suspension without notice. You can remove I-DIAL at any time by calling Customer Service. For South Korea, see the special instructions below."
top |
| Servicio di Telecommunicacion di Aruba (SETAR NV) Aruba's national telecommunication provider is the principal telecommunication company on the island. For info while on the island, you may dial 118.
SETAR has several Public Phone Booths around the island. SETAR offers Card-Operated and Coin-Operated Phones. If you want to stay in touch with your family and friends abroad while on vacation, you can call prepaid from one of these booths. Public Phone Cards are available at more than 100 locations on the island
Some SETAR Card Phone Booth Locations Include:
Airport, various locations
Arubus Terminal
Renaissance Mall & Marketplace
Most Resort Hotels
Additional Locations
Teleshop Locations Include:
complete list
SETAR Teleshop, Irausquin
SETAR Teleshop, Palm Beach
SETAR Teleshop, Royal Plaza
SETAR Teleshop, Santa Cruz
SETAR Teleshop, San Nicolas
You may also rent a cell phone:
Chapeau Aruba Cell Phone Rental
SETAR Mobile Phone Reservation Service
Fast Phone Aruba
Modo Won
Rent A Cell: Aruba
Digicel Aruba top |
|
| The abbreviation N.V. stands for Naamloze Vennootschap which is the Dutch terminology for a public limited liability company. |
Top |
|
Frequently Asked Questions About Aruba