Aruba Travel Safety Tips You Need to Know

Aruba is a wonderful and warm island that tourists enjoy all year long. That doesn’t mean, however, that there aren’t warnings and dangers you need to take into consideration when you visit.

The State Department currently ranks Aruba at its lowest travel advisory: exercise normal precautions. Keep the following tips in mind when traveling around the island.

Take Care in the San Nicolas Area

While the San Nicolas has many wonderful art galleries and beaches and is typically safe during the day, the area does have a reputation for sex work, drugs, and car break-ins. It is the only place on the island where sex work is legal, and car break-ins are common. It is recommended you park next to the nearby oil refinery’s outer walls.

If you plan on visiting the area at night, you might want to go on Thursdays during one of the Caribbean Festivals, which attract plenty of tourists and locals alike. There is always more safety in numbers, and it’s a great way to enjoy all that the San Nicolas area has to offer while reducing any safety concerns.

Watch Out for Jellyfish

Whether you are on the beach or in the water, beware of jellyfish. Boat propellers tend to catch the jellyfish and scatter them in both locations. If you are sensitive to jellyfish stings then wear a wetsuit in the water, and you might want to bring Benadryl.

Keep Vehicles Off Sand Dunes

While it might seem like fun to use an off-road vehicle on the sand dunes, it isn’t permitted in Aruba. If you want to explore the dunes, walking is the better bet, or you can take a guided tour in an off-road vehicle instead. In addition, it is not uncommon for vehicles to become stuck in the sand. Keep in mind, there’s plenty of parking space on the flat areas around the dunes.

Baby Beach Water Is Deeper Than it Looks

Baby Beach is known for its shallow blue waters and tropical fish. It’s also a great place to snorkel and swim, but the depth can depend on the tide. There is a small island not too far off of the beach, where at low tide, the water level is about four feet deep, but once the tide comes back in, it increases to five or six feet deep. There is also an undercurrent that can make it difficult to swim back to shore from here.

If you are with children or are snorkeling near the island, make sure you find out when the high tide is before you make your way to the island. That way you can enjoy the views and warm water without the issue of getting back to shore safely.

Read on to learn what you need to know before your Aruba vacation.

Driving in Aruba

Cars drive on the right side of the road in Aruba and the driver is situated in the left front of the vehicle. City and suburban roads have a speed limit of roughly 18mph (30kph) to 37mph (60kph) respectively, while speeds on open roads can go up to 50mph (80kmh).

Weather

The typical climate in Aruba is warm and dry year-round, with temperatures between 70°F (22°C) and 100°F (38°C). The wet season runs from October through January and accounts for the majority of the island’s annual rainfall. Aruba, along with fellow ABC Islands of Curaçao and Bonaire, sit south of the hurricane belt that runs through the Caribbean, making them less likely to be impacted by major storms. However, heavy rains from nearby storms may impact Aruba during the Caribbean hurricane season from June through November.

Vaccinations

In addition to the routine vaccines recommended for all travelers, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends travelers to Aruba are up to date on the following vaccinations:

• COVID-19
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Measles
• Typhoid
• Yellow fever
• Rabies