Just 14 miles (25km) north of Venezuela, Aruba is the smallest and most Western island of the Dutch Antilles, which, known locally as the ABCs, also include Bonaire and Curaçao.

With its miles of white, sandy beaches, turquoise-blue waters and guaranteed sun, Aruba is a great destination for sun-worshippers and a popular stop for cruise ship passengers. Over a million visitors arrive on this tiny island each year enticed by its luxury resorts, first-class restaurants, 24-hour casinos and excellent watersports facilities.

Most visitors stay either in the capital, Oranjestad, or just to the north in one of the many resort complexes on Eagle and Palm beaches. The remainder of the island is much less developed and in the arid interior there is nothing more substantial than cacti, divi-divi trees, contorted by the consistently strong trade winds, and herds of goats. For those who demand more than simply soaking up the sun there are plenty of activities available. There is good diving and snorkelling along the reef on the protected leeward coast and windsurfing is excellent a little further north at Fisherman's Hut. Deep-sea fishing can be arranged through many of the hotels.

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Basics

Time: Local time is GMT -4.

Electricity: Electric current is 127 volts, 60Hz. Flat two- and three-pin plugs are standard.

Money: The official currency is the Aruba Florin or Guilder (AWG), which is tied to the US Dollar. US currency is accepted everywhere and other major currencies can be exchanged at banks. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted and there are ATMs in Oranjestad. Travellers cheques are also widely accepted and it is best to have cheques in US dollars or Euros to avoid additional charges.

Currency Exchange Rates

AWG 1= US$ 0.56 £ 0.29 C$ 0.65 A$ 0.71 R 4.02 EUR 0.43 NZ$ 0.80

Note: This is not updated daily and should be used as a guide only.

Language: The official language is Dutch but English and Spanish are taught in school and are also widely spoken. Some French is also understood. Most islanders also speak the native language Papiamento at home or between friends.

Entry Requirements for Americans: US nationals require a valid passport. A visa is not required for stays of up to three months.

Entry Requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals require a valid passport and irrespective of endorsement, British passport holders may stay for a maximum of three months without a visa.

Entry Requirements for Canadians: Canadian nationals do not require a passport providing they have other documents with proof of identity, such as a birth certificate or a Certificate of Proof of Canadian Citizenship. A visa is not required for stays of up to three months.

Entry Requirements for Australians: Australian nationals require a valid passport, but no visa for stays of up to three months.

Entry Requirements for South Africans: South African nationals must hold a valid passport. A Certificate of Admission must be obtained before arrival, which is valid for a maximum of 14 days, with an extension of up to three months possible.

Entry Requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport, but no visa for stays of up to three months.

Passport/Visa Note: All passports must be valid for period of intended stay. Visitors must hold sufficient funds, onward or return tickets and all documents for next destination. From 23 January 2007 all US citizens travelling to and from Aruba by air will require a passport; by 1 January 2008 the requirement will be extended to include all land and sea border crossings as well.

Health: There are no special health requirements for visitors to Aruba, but travellers coming from countries in Africa or the Americas infected with Yellow Fever, aged over six months, need an immunisation certificate. Aruba has experienced occasional outbreaks of Dengue Fever, a flu-like illness transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes that favour densely populated areas, therefore the use of insect repellent is advised. Visitors are warned that some types of fish, including some tropical reef fish, are poisonous when eaten, even cooked. Medical care is good in Aruba, which has one hospital, the Dr. H.E. Oduber Hospital, with three classes of service for patients depending on the level of their insurance. Health insurance is recommended. Food and water are considered safe.

Tipping: A 10 or 15% tip is usually added to restaurant, bar and room service bills in most hotels, otherwise a tip should be added to the bill (usually 10-20% depending on service). There is an 11% room tax on hotel bills. Taxis should be tipped around 15% and porters expect a tip of US$1 per bag.

Safety: Crime is not a major problem in Aruba and most visits are trouble-free, however visitors are still advised to take common-sense precautions, locking valuables in the hotel safe and taking care when walking home at night.

Business: Oranjestad is the main business centre in Aruba and the focus for the island's growing international financial services. English is considered to be the language of business. Meetings are generally held in formal settings such as offices or conference centres; smoking and chewing gum are not acceptable. Handshaking is customary for introductions between both men and women; female business associates should be treated with as much respect as men and often hold high positions in companies. Punctuality for meetings is required. Banks are generally open from 8am to 4pm.

Communications: The international access code for Aruba is +297. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the United States). City codes are not required. International, direct and operator-assisted calls are possible worldwide. A GSM network covers the island. Cellular phones are available for rental and Internet cafes are widely available in tourist areas.

Duty Free: Travellers to Aruba over the age of 15 do not need to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars; 1 litre of distilled beverages or 2.25 litres of wine or 3 litres beer; and gift articles to the value of Af100. If goods per person exceed Af500 in value this should be declared on customs forms for clearance at the freight department.

Contacts

Aruba Tourism Authority, Oranjestad: +297 582 3777 or www.aruba.com

Royal Netherlands Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Aruba): +1 202 244 5300.

Royal Netherlands Embassy, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Aruba): +44 (0)20 7590 3200.

Royal Netherlands Embassy, Ottawa, Canada (also responsible for Aruba): +1 613 237 5030.

Royal Netherlands Embassy, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for Aruba): +61 (0)2 6220 9400.

Royal Netherlands Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Aruba): +27 (0)12 425 4500.

Royal Netherlands Embassy, Dublin, Ireland (also responsible for Aruba): +353 (0)1 269 3444.

Royal Netherlands Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand (also responsible for Aruba): +64 (0)4 471 6390.

US Consulate General, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles (also responsible for Aruba): +599 (0)9 461 3066.

Consulate of Canada, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles (also responsible for Aruba): +599 (0)9 466 1115.

Emergencies: 911

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Activities

Windsurfing

Aruba, blustered by the Caribbean winds, is regarded as one of the best places on earth to windsurf. As a consequence the island has attracted world famous instructors and windsurfing speciality shops to cater for exponents of this exhiliarating sport. Every year Aruba also hosts the 10-day Hi Winds Amateur World Challenge windsurfing tournament which attracts hundreds of professional windsurfers, amateurs and spectators in late June.

Scuba Diving

Aruba's underwater realm draws scuba and snorkelling enthusiasts intent on exploring its famed spectacular shipwrecks and fascinating coral formations. The island's dive sites include the largest wreck in the Caribbean, the renowned Antilla. The waters abound in exotic marine life. Most divers base themselves at hotels on Palm beach to access the best dive sites, which lie along the western and southern coasts. There are more than 40 sites serviced by numerous operators on the island. A shallow sand plateau stretches out to the offshore reefs, which are best reached by boat. Coral formations are in relatively shallow water and visibility and weather conditions are usually excellent. Beginners will find top-rated scuba schools on offer.

Deep Sea Fishing

A visit to the waterfront in Oranjestad is all it takes for deep sea fishing enthusiasts to hire themselves a private boat with captain and crew, for a day or a few hours, to set out to sea in search of game. The island's temperate offshore waters boast a wide variety of Atlantic game fish, including white and blue marlin, Barracuda, Shark, Blackfin, Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna. In high season charters may be difficult to come by, so it may be wise to book ahead through your hotel.

Golf

Golfing in Aruba is an experience that merges relaxed sporting enjoyment with a celebration of the island's wildlife. A world-class golf course, the 18-hole, par 71 Tierra del Sol, is situated on the northwest tip of the island. It was brilliantly designed by Robert Trent Jones II to take full advantage of its natural surroundings. Golfers take a swing watched by wild green parakeets perched on organ-pipe cactus, and lizards basking on the rocks. The fourth hole is alongside a saltwater salina inhabited by a variety of exotic bird species, while burros graze beside the fifth hole. Aruba's endangered burrowing owls perch on coral caves near the sixth. Those hoping to polish up their game can enjoy the course's popular "No-embarrassment Clinic", run over a half a day. Pro-golfers who like a challenge will find the course offers various wind conditions that make club selection an important factor. The terrain is dry, arid and flat, typical of a desert links. The Bermuda Grass fairways are kept in excellent condition and are fairly wide. Hazards include bunkers full of soft white Aruba sand; cacti; coral rock formations; and water hazards called "salinas" on holes 13, 14 and 15. The greens are planted with Bermuda Tif Dwarf grass, are fast and have no hidden breaks. Most putts are affected by the wind.

Horse Riding

Holiday-makers with a yen for horseback riding can indulge themselves in Aruba's topography, which provides plenty of adventurous and enjoyable excursions, from sand dunes to arid desert plains. Riding experience is not required to join a guided outing from one of the two main horse riding operators, Rancho Notorious and Rancho Del Campo. Most excursions take in the island's sights and landmarks, like the Arikok Hills, the lighthouse and natural bridge.