Noord Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 👥 Population |
Approx. 21,500 |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
Average 100 Mbps (Fiber available via SETAR) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
Aruban Florin (AWG), fixed to USD at 1.79. 1 USD ≈ 1.79 AWG. USD accepted everywhere. |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Drinkable (World-class quality from Balashi desalination plant) |
| 🔌 Power |
120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (North American standard) |
| 📶 SIM Card |
SETAR or Digicel (Approx. $35 for 10GB data) |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Aruba Bank, RBC Royal Bank; Cards widely accepted (Visa/Mastercard) |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Airbnb, VRBO, and local property managers like Aruba Happy Rentals |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Yes, cards accepted widely; cash only needed for small local buses |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb, Casibari Properties (Starting at $1,500/month for studios) |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Aruba Harmony Apartments (Approx. $85/night) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Palm Beach (High-rise hotel area, walking distance to everything) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Alto Vista or Bubali (Quieter, more residential, better value) |
| 🏙️ City |
Noord, Aruba |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
Green Zone Coworking (Palm Beach Plaza, $25/day or $300/month) |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Island Yoga Cafe ($5-15 for bowls/coffee, excellent Wi-Fi and power outlets) |
| 💼 Networking Events |
ATECH Conference (Annual tech event); Aruba Chamber of Commerce seminars |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Expats in Aruba Facebook Group; Friday night mixers at Moomba Beach |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
Aruba Taxi (Official app); No Uber/Bolt. Minimum fare approx. $10 |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Green Bike Aruba ($15 for 24 hours); Wheels 2 Go (Scooters approx. $45/day) |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Palm Beach (Walking distance); Arashi Beach (5 min drive) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Aruba Airlines |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
American Airlines, JetBlue, KLM |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
Route 1 (Main highway connecting Noord to Oranjestad and San Nicolas) |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
Arubus Terminal Oranjestad (10 min from Noord) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
Arubus Smart Card ($10-20 top-up; single ride approx. $2.50) |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Arubus (Lines 10, 10A, 10B connect Noord to the capital) |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital (Located in Oranjestad, 8 min from Noord) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Island Yoga (Founded by Rachel Brathen, $20 per class) |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Next Level Gym (Palm Beach, $60/month); Body Zone ($15 day pass) |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Quickie Lickie Laundromat (Bubali, $15 for wash/dry/fold service) |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
Food-Aruba.com or Thuisbezorgd.aw |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Keshi Yena (Stuffed cheese ball, approx. $22 at local eateries) |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Eduardo’s Beach Shack (Palm Beach, $12 Acai bowls) |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Gelatissimo (Palm Beach, $6 for handmade gelato) |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Super Food Plaza (Bubali) - massive selection and fair prices |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Bol.com (via forwarders) or Boolchand's for electronics |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Super Food Plaza Online Ordering; Groceries To Go Aruba |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
The Lazy Turtle and Gusto Nightclub (Palm Beach area) |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Balashi Brewery (Tours available for approx. $20) |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
The Wine Room (near Noord, over 80 wines by the glass) |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Chalo's Grill (Noord, $10-15 BBQ platters) |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Gianni's Ristorante Italiano (Palm Beach, high-end pasta) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
California Lighthouse (Entry $5) |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
National Archaeological Museum (Oranjestad, free admission) |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
Alto Vista Chapel (Historic pilgrimage site, free) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
St. Anna's Church (Noord, historic 18th-century structure) |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Aruba Carnival (February/March); Hi-Winds Windsurfing Event (July) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
San Nicolas Mural District (30 min drive from Noord) |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
Cas di Cultura (Aruba's National Theater in Oranjestad) |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Local Market Noord (Next to Courtyard by Marriott) |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Sopranos Piano Bar (Palm Beach, nightly live music) |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Palm Beach Village murals |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Aruba Local Cooking Classes (organized via private chefs in Noord) |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Etnia Nativa (Art and heritage tour/gallery by appointment) |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
Old Dutch Windmill (De Olde Molen, relocated from NL) |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
Papiamento language and colonial Dutch architectural influences |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Bubali Bird Sanctuary (Free, overlooks wetlands) |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Arikok National Park ($15 entrance fee, 20 min drive) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
Palm Beach Boardwalk (Fitness trail along the coastline) |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Casibari Rock Formations (Panaromic island views, free) |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Bubali Plas (Observation tower available) |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Prohibited on beaches without a specific permit from DOW |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
Post Aruba; DHL Noord Office |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
Boolchand’s (Technical support for Apple/Windows) |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Centro Deportivo Betico Croes (Local sports hall) |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Enseñansa pa Trabao (Papiamento and Dutch courses) |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Biblioteca Nacional Aruba (Oranjestad, 10 min drive) |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Centro di Bario Noord |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
The Arcade at Palm Beach Plaza |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Stellaris Casino (Marriott Resort, Palm Beach) |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $4,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $192,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $140,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $4,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $270,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $192,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $4,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $336,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $240,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
22% (Standard rate) |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
10% (Can be reduced under tax treaties) |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Resident-based taxation (Worldwide income); non-residents taxed on local income |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
52% |
| 🧾 VAT |
7% (Sales tax known as BBO/BAVP/BAZV) |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
No specific CFC rules, but general anti-abuse provisions apply |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
Yes, ranging from 0.4% to 0.6% of value over $67k deduction |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
Land transfer tax (Overdrachtsbelasting) of 3% or 6% depending on value |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
One Happy Workation program (90-day visa-free stay for remote workers) |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING NOORD