Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
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The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
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This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Aruba’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
Aruba is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It sets and enforces its own entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Netherlands Embassy in the UK.
Passport validity requirements
If you’re visiting Aruba, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Visa requirements
You can visit Aruba for up to 3 months without a visa.
To stay longer (or to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Aruban government’s entry requirements.
It’s illegal to overstay the entry period or to work without a work permit.
You must complete an embarkation card up to 7 days before you arrive. You’ll need to show proof of approval to travel to your airline before you can fly.
Applying for a visa
Apply for a short-term or long-term Caribbean visa for Aruba.
Vaccine requirements
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Aruba guide.
Customs rules
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Aruba. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Travelling through Aruba
If you’re travelling through Aruba, you need to fill in the embarkation/disembarkation card.
Terrorism
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Terrorism in Aruba
Although there is no recent history of terrorism in Aruba, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Crime
Protecting your belongings
There is a risk of petty theft and there are occasionally incidents of street crime.
To reduce the risk to yourself and your belongings:
- avoid walking in remote areas at night
- do not take valuables or cash to the beach
- do not leave bags in your vehicle
- make sure purses and bags are closed and not easy to grab
Aruba is used as a drug passageway from South America to Europe and North America. There can be drug-related violent crime.
Laws and cultural differences
Personal ID
It’s a legal requirement to carry ID. Always keep a copy of your passport with you.
Illegal drugs
There are severe penalties for all drug offences. Do not leave bags unattended or agree to carry a package for anyone.
Transport risks
Road travel
If you’re planning to drive in Aruba, see information on driving abroad.
You’ll need to have both the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.
Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as 2 years of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.
Drink-driving is a serious offence in Aruba. If you are tested and found to have just over half of England’s legal limit of alcohol in your system, you may get a fine and possible imprisonment.
Taxis
Taxis are not metered. To avoid being overcharged, agree the fare in local currency with the driver before you set off. Only use licensed taxis.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
Hurricanes
The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. Most hurricanes pass to the north of Aruba, which has no record of a recent major hurricane. There are occasional tropical storms.
Monitor local news and check the World Meteorological Organization weather reports for Curaçao and St Maarten and US National Hurricane Center.
Before you travel check that:
- your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
- you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Emergency medical number
Call 911 and ask for an ambulance.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Vaccine recommendations and health risks
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
See what health risks you’ll face in Aruba.
Medication
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
Health insurance cards
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is not valid in Aruba. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
Travel and mental health
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
Emergency services in Aruba
Ambulance and fire: 911
Police: 100
Coastguard: 913
Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
Refunds and changes to travel
For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
- where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
- how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim
Support from FCDO
FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
Help abroad
See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
Help in the UK
You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
Find out about call charges
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