Oranjestad Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Oranjestad, Aruba |
| 👥 Population |
35,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
60-100 Mbps on SETAR Fiber |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
Aruban Florin (AWG), fixed at 1.79 AWG to 1 USD. USD is accepted everywhere. |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Drinkable (World-class desalination plant) |
| 🔌 Power |
127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US Standard) |
| 📶 SIM Card |
SETAR or Digicel (approx. $30 for 10GB) |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Aruba Bank, RBC Royal Bank; Revolut/Wise work for ATMs |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Airbnb, BlueAruba Rentals, Perle d'Or |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Yes, cards widely accepted; cash needed for small vendors/buses |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Wacamaya Apartments, Karibu Aruba (starting $1,500/month) |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Pista Q Hostel ($45/night), Hostel Room Aruba ($35/night) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Eagle Beach or Palm Beach (high-rise district) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Oranjestad East or Ponton (quieter, more residential, better value) |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
The Hub Aruba (Sasaki Weg), $25/day or $300/month |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Santos Coffee with Soul (Manchebo), Island Grind |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Atech Conference (Annual tech summit), Aru-Networking meetups |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Expats in Aruba Facebook Group, Happy Hours at Renaissance Marketplace |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
Aruba Taxi App (Official rates apply, no Uber/Lyft) |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Green Bike Aruba ($15/day), Wheels 2 Go |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Surfside Beach (Walking distance from Oranjestad center) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Aruba Airlines, Divi Divi Air |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
American Airlines, JetBlue, KLM |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
Route 1 (Main island artery connecting north to south) |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
Arubus Terminal (Zoutmanstraat) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
Arubus Smart Card ($5 for 2 rides, day pass $10) |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Arubus (Lines 10, 1, 7) covers the entire west coast |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital (Sasaki Weg) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Island Yoga (Noord), Happy Buddha Aruba |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Body & Soul Fitness ($12 day pass), Life Duty Fitness |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Quickie Lickie Laundromat (Multiple locations, $2/lb) |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
Food-Aruba.com, Bento |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Keshi Yena (Stuffed cheese ball) |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
One Happy Bowl (Renaissance Marketplace), Eduardo’s Beach Shack |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Hopi Bon (Shaved ice), Bright Bakery |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Super Food Plaza, Ling & Sons Food Market |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Bula Aruba, Amazon (International shipping to freight forwarders) |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
GroceriesToGo Aruba |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Renaissance Marketplace and Weststraat |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Balashi Brewery (Behemoth local lager) |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
The Wine Room (LG Smith Blvd) |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Lola Taqueria, Local snack trucks near Surfside |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Yemanja Woodfired Grill, Barefoot Restaurant |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
California Lighthouse, Bushiribana Ruins |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
National Archaeological Museum Aruba |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
Fort Zoutman (Aruba's oldest building) |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Alto Vista Chapel |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Aruba Carnival (February/March), Soul Beach Music Festival |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
San Nicolas (Art Capital/Murals district - 20 mins away) |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
Cas di Cultura |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Local Market across from Cruise Terminal |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Live Jazz at The Sopranos Piano Bar |
| 🎨 Street Art |
San Nicolas Mural Walk |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Cosecha Aruba (Workshops) |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Etnia Nativa (Appointment only) |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
Stadhuis (City Hall) |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
Papiamento Language |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Bubali Bird Sanctuary |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Arikok National Park (20% of the island) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
Linear Park (Coastal trail from Oranjestad to Airport) |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Hooiberg (Haystack Mountain) stairs |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Bubali Plas |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Generally discouraged; use designated BBQ pits at Arashi Beach |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
Post Aruba, DHL Express |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
SETAR Store, Digicel Center |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Aruba Table Tennis Association (Dakota) |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Enseñansa pa Empleo (Papiamento/Dutch courses) |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Biblioteca Nacional Aruba |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Centro di Bario Playa Pabao |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
Cyber Luck Aruba |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Wind Creek Crystal Casino, Seaport Casino |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $4,800/m² ($192,000 for 40m²) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $3,500/m² ($140,000 for 40m²) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $4,500/m² ($270,000 for 60m²) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $3,200/m² ($192,000 for 60m²) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. $4,200/m² ($336,000 for 80m²) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. $3,000/m² ($240,000 for 80m²) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
22% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
10% |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Worldwide income for residents; One Happy Workation program offers simplified entry |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
52% |
| 🧾 VAT |
7% BBO/BAVP/BAZV tax |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
Yes, standard Dutch-based alignment |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
Annual Land Tax (Grondbelasting) approx 0.4% of value |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
3% to 6% Transfer Tax (Overdrachtsbelasting) |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
One Happy Workation allows 90-day stays (extendable to 180) with minimal local tax liability for remote workers. |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING ORANJESTAD