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Here is some basic Aruba information that every tourist, vacationer, and even business traveler, should know before planning a trip to Aruba.
Geography: 19.6 miles long and 6 miles across, totaling 77 square miles/193 square kilometers. In comparison, Aruba is slightly larger than Washington, DC.
Location on Map: Aruba is located in the southern Caribbean Sea just off the coast of Venezuela. 12° 30’ north latitude; 70° west longitude • 1820 nautical miles from New York City • 990 nautical miles from Miami • 890 nautical miles from the equator.
Weather:
Year round temperature is about 80°F -85°F with very little seasonal variation. The hot temperatures are softened by northeasterly trade winds. Because Aruba is outside the hurricane belt, it is notorious for beautiful sunny weather for the perfect Caribbean beach vacation.
Time zone: Atlantic Standard Time year round (equivalent to Eastern Daylight Savings Time). They do not “change the clocks”.
Population: 96.104, Central Bureau of Statistics 2003
Currency:
The Aruban guilders/florins (AWG). At the time of this writing, (Nov. 2008) the exchange rate (U.S Dollar) is 1$ to 1.79 AWG. This rate has not fluxuated for over 5 years.
Water/Electric: Aruba’s water is distilled in one of the world's largest saltwater desalination plants, called WEB (Water and Electricity Bureau) - responsible for both the desalination of water as well as the production of electricity for the island. The electricity is North American voltage standard of 110 A.C. (60 cycles), the same as in the United States and Canada.
Telephone/Area Code: 297
Cell Phone/Internet:
Most U.S. Cell phones with worldwide capability will work in Aruba, however I have been told the international price to call back to the states is close to $2/minute. Most people with a need to call home during their vacation find it is more economical to rent a phone. If you bring a laptop, most hotels provide internet access for a small fee, making communicating by e-mail or Skype the most cost-effective.
Medical facilities: Aruba has a first class hospital just a few minutes from the hotel sector and an emergency room staffed 24 hrs. a day. We hope you won’t need to use it, but, unfortunately, my friend Vicky did, and she can attest to the facilities and service.
