It's not perfect, but Aruba is a relatively friendly destination for travelers with disabilities. The downside is that there are no wheelchair-accessible boats or taxis, which makes transportation and boat tours a challenge. In Oranjestad, the cruise-ship pier has a wheelchair ramp, as do many sidewalks around town. But once you leave Oranjestad or the immediate resort area, sidewalks are practically nonexistent. Aruba is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean, with low rates of petty and violent crime.
But the typical precautions are still valid. Aruba is an extremely friendly place, and pretty informal. But here are a few pointers to keep you in locals' good graces:. All of Aruba's resorts and hotels offer wireless internet access, as do many restaurants and cafes. Some accommodations also have computers for guest use. The police do not maintain a particularly visible presence in Aruba, but they are here. And they stringently enforce the island's laws:. As always, if you get arrested, your embassy can help you contact an attorney but cannot do not much else.
The civil code allows 'registered partnerships' for both same-sex and opposite-sex unions. For visitors, Aruba is an open and welcoming island, no matter your sexual orientation: resorts and hotels welcome all comers.
Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants. Although Aruba's official currency is the florin Afl , prices are often quoted in US dollars and you can pay for just about everything with US currency. Sometimes you will get change back in US dollars, at other times in Aruban florins. Post Aruba provides reliable international service. Expect mail to reach the US or Canada in a week or two and Europe in two or three weeks. The main post office is located in downtown Oranjestad, but there's also an outlet in the Palm Beach Plaza, which is next to the Paseo Herrencia mall.
Aruba has a 1. This sales tax is included in the 9. To call locally, dial the seven-digit number with no area code. To call internationally, dial the international access code 00 , plus the country code, plus the number. There's also 3G service. The main operators are Digicel www. Daylight saving is not observed. Public toilets are rare in Aruba. Even public beaches don't necessarily have public toilets β nearby restaurants and hotels will usually allow use of their restrooms often for a fee.
