ARUBA

180 sq. kilometres of pure nature EXCHANGE RATE FEB2018

ARUBAN FLORIN EURO ARUBAN FLORIN ƒ = 0,45 = 2,22 ƒ

AMERICAN DOLLAR ƒ = 0,56 = 1,79 ƒ

DOMINICAN PESO = = ƒ 27,23 RD$ 0,04 ƒ

VENEZUELAN BOLIVAR = = ƒ 5,59 Bs 0,18 ƒ

COLOMBIAN PESO TABLE OF CONTENTS ƒ = 1.585,2 = 0,00063 ƒ Who lives here 5 How things work 5 What you’ll need to get in/out 6 WEATHER

How to move around 6 The climate in Aruba is tropical wet and dry, with temperatures around 25ºC throughout the year, so, generally speaking, any time is good for travelling there. Must-sees… 8 However, you have to know that the highest temperatures are recorded between May and October and the lowest ones between December and March. …and must-tastes 9 As for the rain, the wet season is between October and December, but rain levels are always low. In terms of hurricanes, even though it is not a risk area, they may Where can I exchange my currency? 10 form from time to time as in 2017, when the island suffered the devastation of Hurricane Irma. How much is… 10

Travel tips 11 77º F / 25ºC What if I get ill? 11 Be careful with… 12 Who to turn to… 12

Must-take pics 13 JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Discounts for your trip 14 © Copyright Global Exchange Group | For further information: blog.global-exchange.com further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global blog.global-exchange.com further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global WHO LIVES HERE?

_ Aruba has a population of 105089 inhabitants, 52.6% of which are 105 089 women and 47.4% are men. INHABITANTS _ The country has an area of 178,9 sq. km. _ In terms of religion, most of the population is Catholic (around 81%), but you may also find practicants from others religions such as Protestantism or Judaism. _ The official languages in Aruba are Dutch and Papiamento, but around there you can also hear other languages such as English or Spanish. _ The demonym of its inhabitans is “Aruban”.

47,4% 52,6%

HOW THINGS WORK

_ The capital of Aruba is Oranjestad, with 33 000 inhabitants. _Aruba is 25 km to the north of Paraguaná peninsula, northeast from Venezuela, south from the Caribbean Sea, east from Los Monjes archipelago and the Guajira A CURIOUS MIX OF Peninsula and west from Curaçao. _ It’s a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands —along with Curaçao, Saint Maarten and the Netherlands—, but it keeps total control over its CARIBBEAN COLORS own matters, except those relative to national defense, citizenship, foreign affairs and extradition. It has its own laws, constitution, government and official currency. and European colonial architecture. This is just one of the many attractions of Aruba, an autonomous coun- _ The Head of State is the current monarch of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander try that belongs to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Moreover, during your stay you will discover the traces of the Netherlands, who is represented in the islands by Aruba's governor, chosen left by the Caquetio Indians, who lived there, or what the Gold Route left behind. Maybe, this way you will for a period of six years. The Head of Government is the Primer Minister who forms understand the legendary connection between “Aruba” and “Red Gold”. the executive power along with the Council of Ministers. _ The legal tender in the country is the Aruban florin (ISO: AWG), but you can also pay with euros and US dollars in many places. _ The GDP amounted —in 2011— to 2584 billion US dollars. _ The inflation rate in 2016 was at 0.8%. ARE YOU READY? _ The sectors of economic activity in this country are: the principal one is the tertiary sector, with, approximately, 66.3% of the total GDP, followed by the © Copyright Global Exchange Group | For further information: blog.global-exchange.com further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global secondary sector, with a 33.3% and finally the primary sector, with 0.4% of the GDP. blog.global-exchange.com further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global 4 5 WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO BY TAXI _The taxi’s base rate is 10 Aruban florins (5.6 US dollars; 4.6 GET IN AND OUT euros).

_ If you want to travel to Aruba you will need a valid passport and maybe a valid visa depending on your country of origin. Check which countries’ citizens need a visa in the Aruba’s tourism website. _ The “ED-card” or immigration card, which will be handed in to you at the airline _ The main bus company in Aruba, run by the government, is that takes you there, but you can also download it beforehand at this link. BY BUS Arubus, with around 29 vehicles running. You will also find _ A round-trip plane ticket or a transit ticket. minibuses and private vans connecting to San Nicolaas, Santa Cruz or Noord. _ Documents proving that you can get back to your home country or will enter another one. _ The main station of Arubus is located in the centre of Oranjestad. _ The booking confirmation of the place where you will be staying in Aruba. _ If you want to go from Oranjestad to the beach and hotel _ Documents proving that you have means to pay lodging and subsistence expenses areas, you have to take line 10, 10A or 10B. arising from your stay in the country. _ Arubus operates from 3:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., 365 days a _ For further information, check the document supplied in Aruba’s tourism website. year. _ A single ticket for the bus costs 2.25 Aruban florins (USD 1.3; EUR 1), and a double ticket costs 4 Aruban florins (USD 2.2; EUR 1.8).

BY TRAM _ There is a tram line in Oranjestad that connects the city HOW TO MOVE AROUND centre with the port (2.7 kilometres, from Welcome Plaza to Plaza Comercio).

The most common and simple ways for moving around Aruba are by car, by taxi or by bus. Hereafter, we will explain you all the options available:

BY PLANE _The country’s principal route of access is Queen Beatrix International Airport, located in Oranjestad. This airport BY BOAT _Aruba is an usual stop for cruise ships plying the Caribbean. has daily flights to several cities of the United States, to Venezuela, Colombia, Perú, Brazil and most of the European _ There are three ports in the island: Barcadera, Oranjestad, countries. and San Nicolaas. _ Despite Aruba's location, close to Venezuela and to other islands of the Netherlands Antilles, there is no public transport across the sea. Only private boats can make this trip. BY CAR _ The car is the most economic and efficient way to move around Aruba. _ Most of the roads are paved, including those in the coastal areas, but they are less common in the island’s interior. _ They drive on the right side of the road. _ All the road signs are written in English. _ You can rent a vehicle with companies such as Budget, Alamo or Avis. © Copyright Global Exchange Group | For further information: blog.global-exchange.com further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global blog.global-exchange.com further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global

6 7 1

2 MUST-SEES… ... AND

3 MUST-TASTES 1) Oranjestad. It is the capital of Aruba and there you will find multiple exclusive shops for a shopping day, sales carts, 1) Bati bread, a bread made of corn flour. restaurants, nightclubs and museums among many other 2) The famous stew, one of the most typical dishes of this attractions. Moreover, you can amaze yourself with the country that is made with beef (carni di baca stoba), bright colours of its buildings that mix the essence of the chicken (galina stoba), kid (cabrito stoba) or seafood (keshi Caribbean with the Dutch colonial architecture. yena). It is usually served with arroz moro and black beans 4 2) Eagle beach. One of the most famous beaches in Aruba, a or with corn puree. must-visit if you are looking for peace and calm. 3) Keshi yena, which consists of a gouda cheese stuffed with 3) Pam beach. Another of the famous beaches in Aruba and chicken and vegetables. also the most lively one - its waters are the calmest thing 4) Pastechi, sweet bread stuffed with meat, fish or shrimps. that you will find in it. This beach can be proud of having the biggest hotels and the highest number of tourists. 5) Seafood soup, cooked with the freshest seafood. 5 4) Arikok National Park. It is a protected area that covers, 6) Bami goreng, one of the Aruban dishes in which you can approximately, 20% of the island’s surface and it is located see the influence of other countries. In this case, it’s fried on its eastern coast. There you will find nature at its purest. noodles. 5) Aruba Natural Bridge (or what is left of it). Until 2005, this 7) Nasi goreng, also with oriental influence, is an Indonesian- bridge, naturally formed out of coral limestone, was an style rice dish. important tourist attraction. Nowadays, even though it 6 8) Dutch pea soup, made with this ingredient, meat, potatoes collapsed, it still is a place to visit. and onion, among other things. 6) Noord. It is one of the most populated cities in Aruba and 9) On of the local beers, Balashi, the only one produced from there you can visit the California Lighthouse or the Saint desalinated seawater and without artificial additives. Anna`s Church, the oldest one in Aruba, as well as Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. 10) Aruba Ariba, a cocktail made of the local liquor Coecoei, vodka, rum, banana cream, grenadine and fruit juice. 7) San Nicolaas. A town that, despite being the second largest 7 one in Aruba, is very quiet. In Zeppenfeldstraat you will find a beautiful pedestrian crossing or an art gallery where you can spend some time. 8) The Sea Star Park. This huge marine park has 20 aquariums and 3 big pools with sea lions, flamingos and sharks. 8 9) Fortein and Guadirikiri caves. There you can enjoy the drawings of the Caquetio Indians, from the Arawakan tribe, who were Aruba’s first inhabitants. 10) Huliba cave. It is also known as the Tunnel of Love because its entrance has a heart shape. You will need a flashlight to explore its 100-metres long tunnel. 9

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8 9 WHERE CAN I EXCHANGE TRAVEL TIPS

MY CURRENCY? _ 2018 National Holidays in Aruba are: 1St January (New Year’s Day); 2nd April (Easter Monday); 10th May (Ascension Day); 25th December (Christmas Day) and 26th Decembre (Boxing Day). You can exchange your money worldwide through our website. _ In Aruba the standard voltage is 120 V and plugs have two flat or round pins or You can also change your currency at Queen Beatrix International Airport three flat pins. Arubaisland in the Caribbean Sea. _ Business hours depend on the place where you want to go shopping. Shops open from Monday to Saturday, from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 18.00; while shopping malls open from 10.00 to 18.00. Banks, for their part, open from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 16.30, Monday to Friday. Most of the restaurants open from 8.00 to 14.00 and from 18.00 to 23.00. HOW MUCH IS… _ Leaving a tip is common, but restaurants usually add a 15% to the bill for the service. A single ticket for public transport: AWG 2.25/ USD 1.3/ EUR 1. _ A beer in a pub: AWG 2.5/ USD 1.4/ EUR 1.14. _ A coffee at a cofeeshop: AWG 1.5/ USD 0.8/ EUR 0.7. _ A small bottle of water: between 3 and -4 AWG (1.7–20 USD/1.5-2 EUR). A little of fuel: AWG 1.83/ USD 1/ EUR 0.8. WHAT IF I GET ILL? _ A packet of cigarettes: AWG 9/ USD 5/ EUR 4. _ Renting a two-room apartment in an average area (price per month): AWG _ If you travel to Aruba from a country with yellow fever risk you will need 1200/ USD 670/ EUR 547. to prove that you are vaccinated against that disease. Check which are those countries in this list. _ Eating at an average restaurant: AWG 8/ USD 4.5/ EUR 3.6. _ At the moment, the Caribbean area is exposed to the Zika virus, so pregnant _ A menu at a fast food restaurant: AWG 15/ USD 8.4/ EUR 6.8. women are advised not to travel to areas like this by the European Centre for _A dinner at an average restaurant: AWG 10/ USD 5.6/ EUR 4.6. Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). A ticket to the movies: AWG 16/ USD 8.9/ EUR 7.3. _ Sanitary and hygiene conditions are generally good. _ A drink at a nightclub: between 12 and 15 AWG (6.7–8.4 USD/5.5-6.8 EUR). _ Even though the healthcare system in Aruba is public, it is strongly recommended _ A taxi from the airport to some touristic zone such as Eagle Beach: between 36 to arrange good travel and health insurance in order to avoid having to pay any and 45 AWG (20-25 USD/16-21 EUR). expenses that may result from any kind of assistance. _ According to Health authorities, the most important thing is to protect yourself from mosquito bites, because these insects transmit dengue fever, Zika and chikungunya diseases. © Copyright Global Exchange Group | For further information: blog.global-exchange.com further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global blog.global-exchange.com further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global

10 11 BE CAREFUL WITH... MUST-TAKE PICS ... water. It is recommended to drink only bottled or boiled water, particularly in rural areas. Vegetables should also be boiled before consumption. ... hurricanes. Although Aruba lies outside the hurricane belt that affects the Atlantic and whose hurricane season is from 1st June to 30th November, this country could be affected as it happened in 2017 with Hurricane Irma. If you want more information about it, you can check the National Hurricane Center website. ... keeping a minimum security. Even though Aruba is considered as one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean, minimum incidents can happen anywhere.

WHO TO TURN TO...

_ I need to call the country: dial the prefix +297. _ If I have an emergency: Police, fire department and ambulance: 911 - I need to address immigration matters: Departamento di Integracion, Maneho y Admision di Stranhero (DIMAS) Wilhelmina straat 31-33 Oranjestad, Aruba Tel: (+297) 522-1500 Fax: (+297) 522-1505 Email: [email protected] Call center: (+297) 522-1590 For making an appointment: (+297) 522-1502 California Lighthouse Fax, short stays department (visa): (+297) 522 to 1501 _ Other reference sources: Aruba's tourism website. World Bank. Lonely Planet. _ I need to exchange currency: You can easily do it with Global Exchange. Check our website.

Typical fauna, the iguana © Copyright Global Exchange Group | For further information: blog.global-exchange.com further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global blog.global-exchange.com further information: | For Group Exchange © Copyright Global

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14 15 Travel money services

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