Aruba car rental is important if you plan on doing some exploration of the island on your own. If you are considering any activities outside of the main resort areas (High Rise and Low Rise hotels) you should think about renting a vehicle.
Road conditions are good, and traffic, while heavy in downtown Oranjestad, is not as difficult to navigate. As in the U.S., cars drive on the right side of the road.
Aruba car rental prices average about $150-$180/wk for compact, $225-$300/wk for full-size, $275-$400/wk for SUV (including Jeep rental). Please note that all are estimates and vary by time of year and car rental company.
When we were there, we rented a 12 passenger van on the first day. We were traveling with 6 of our wedding guests from Chicago. There were 8 of us, plus all that luggage, and of course, my dress and the tuxedos, that needed transportation from the airport to the Boardwalk.
The next day, we returned the van and rented a jeep for the remaining 9 days of our trip. The Best Man, Jim, also rented a Jeep. Most of the wedding activities were within walking distance of our hotel, but, having rental cars (or in our case, Jeeps) available made it very convenient when we wanted to hit the town.
Some travelers may find that car rental is unnecessary. If you plan on spending most your Aruba vacation on the beach near your hotel, and only plan on venturing outside the resort area occasionally during your stay, using taxis and buses can save you money.
If you are thinking about spending a few days exploring the island, consider renting a car for three days, since Aruba car rental agencies often have 3-day specials.
The following are some of the most popular local and international agencies:
Carnaval Rent a Car - 297-582-5295
Economy Car Rental - 297-583-0200
Explore Car Rental - 297-582-7202
Thrifty Car Rental - 297-583-5335
National - 297-582-5451
Hertz - 297-582-1845
Dollar Rent-a-Car - 297-582-5651
Budget Rent-a-Car - 297-582-5423
Avis - 297-582-8617
Bus
There are buses that run from the main station in Oranjestad going to the resort areas, to Malmok, and to Arashi. There is also one that runs to San Nicholas on the South East side of Aruba.
Find the complete Aruba bus schedule here.
Taxi
Taxi rates are set by the government and are based on destination and number of passengers. Drivers should each carry a rate card. Here are some examples:
Between the airport and High Rise hotels = about $20.
Between the airport and the Low Rise hotels = $10-$17.
Between downtown Oranjestad and High Rise hotels = $7-$9.
Between downtown Oranjestad and Low Rise hotels = $6-$8.
*NOTE: This does not include gratuity. Please remember to tip your driver.
Another thing to remember is that in Aruba, it is not customary to "hail a cab" on the street as it is in many U.S. cities.
Taxis are readily available in front of hotels or other tourist destinations. However, if you're planning an off-the-beaten-track excursion, you may want to arrange to have the same driver return at a set time. This will help you avoid the difficulty of finding or calling another driver. When you're out to dinner, most restaurants will be happy to make the call for you.
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