Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Arikok National Park - covers 20% of the island; desert landscapes and caves
- National Parks Nearby
- Arikok National Park ($15 entry for non-residents)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Malmok Beach Boardwalk - paved path popular for sunrise jogging/cycling
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Casibari Rock Formations - natural stairs to the top for 360-degree island views
- Birdwatching Locations
- Bubali Bird Sanctuary - observation tower near the Old Dutch Windmill
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Restricted on most public beaches; permitted during organized events at Surfside Beach
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Aruba and FedEx (Noord/Oranjestad branches)
- Tech Repair Services
- The Repair Shop (Noord) - specialized in iPhone/MacBook repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Noord Community Center (Centro di Bario Noord) - local sports facilities
- Language Classes
- Aruban Papiamento classes at Enseñanza pa Empleo (local government center)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Nacional Aruba (Oranjestad) - quiet rooms and public Wi-Fi
- Community Centers
- Centro di Bario Noord - hosts local sports and community gatherings
- Gaming Lounges
- Action Gaming (Oranjestad) - focused on PC and console gaming
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Stellaris Casino (Marriott) - open 24/7; largest casino in Aruba
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $240,000 for luxury condo)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $152,000 in Noord residential codes)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $330,000 near Palm Beach strip)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $210,000 in inland Noord)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $400,000 for high-end gated units)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $256,000 for detached villas)
- Corporate Tax
- Standard rate is 22%, though Special Zone regimes can lower this significantly
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Standard 15% rate, can be reduced via tax treaties
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents; One Happy Workation program allows 90-day stays tax-free
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 52% for income over AWG 147,796 (approx. $82,500)
- VAT
- BBO/BAVP/BAZV tax totals 7% (indirect tax applied to goods and services)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Aruba has measures to prevent tax avoidance by shifting income offshore
- Property Tax
- Annual tax based on value; first AWG 120,000 exempt, thereafter 0.4% per year
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer tax (Overdrachtsbelasting) is 3% for properties under $140k, 6% over
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- One Happy Workation program: 90 days stay, easy entry for US/UK/EU, no Aruban income tax for remote work
Essentials
- City
- Palm Beach, Aruba
- Population
- Approximately 5,000 residents; part of the Noord district (21,500)
- Internet Speed
- Aruba SETAR/Digicel average 100-250 Mbps on Fiber; 4G/5G widely available
- Currency & Banking
- Aruban Florin (AWG), fixed at 1.79 AWG to 1 USD. USD accepted everywhere
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and excellent quality (produced by W.E.B. Aruba desalting plant)
- Power
- 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- SETAR (approx. $30 for 10GB) or Digicel (approx. $25 for 15GB); available at Queen Beatrix Airport
- Banking for Expats
- Aruba Bank, RBC Royal Bank; USD/AWG mixed use; Revolut/Wise work at most ATMs
- Accommodation
- High-rise resorts (Marriott, Hilton), boutique hotels (Boardwalk Boutique), or luxury villas via Airbnb
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, credit cards (Visa/MC) accepted at nearly all restaurants and shops
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, or local agency 'Aruba Happy Rentals' (starting $1,500/month for studios)
- Budget Accommodation
- Aruba Hostels (approx. $40/night) or Pista Q ($60/night) in nearby Oranjestad/Noord
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Palm Beach High-Rise Strip (near J.E. Irausquin Blvd) for nightlife and beaches
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Noord (residential area behind Palm Beach) for quiet villas and lower long-term rates
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Workation Aruba (Noord) - approx. $25/day or $300/month for high-speed fiber access
- Best Cafe for Work
- Island Grind Coffee (Palm Beach Dr) - excellent Wi-Fi, AC, and premium Aruban roasted coffee
- Networking Events
- Aruba Digital Nomad Meetups (organized via Facebook groups); ATECH Conference annual events
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Aruba Facebook Group meetups at Moomba Beach Bar on Sundays
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Aruba Taxi (fixed rates set by government; e.g., $30 from Airport to Palm Beach). No Uber/Lyft
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Green Bike Aruba (share scheme, $15/day) or Skoot (Electric scooters, $25/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Palm Beach (calm waters) and Eagle Beach (voted #1 in Caribbean, 5 mins away)
- Top Regional Airline
- Aruba Airlines (Direct to Curaçao, Bonaire, and Miami)
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, JetBlue, KLM (Direct from Amsterdam/NYC/Miami)
- Highway Access
- Route 1 (Sasakiweg) connects Palm Beach directly to Oranjestad and the Airport
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Arubus Main Terminal in Oranjestad (connected to Palm Beach via Line 10)
- Public Transport Passes
- Arubus Smart Card ($10 startup) or Return Ticket ($5) for the L10/L10A routes
- Regional Travel
- Inter-island ferries are limited; mostly travel via Divi Divi Air or KLM to Bonaire/Curaçao
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital (Eagle Beach area) - 24/7 ER and modern facilities
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Girl Foundation / Island Yoga (Noord) - $20/class for island-renowned sessions
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Next Level Gym (Palm Beach) - modern equipment, approx. $75/month for residents
- Laundry Services
- Quickie Lickie Laundromat (Palm Beach/Noord) - wash/dry/fold services for approx. $2 per lb
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- OneAruba or Arubaeats (Delivery fees approx. $5-$10)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Keshi Yena (stuffed cheese ball) at Papiamento Restaurant ($28)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Eduardo's Beach Shack (Palm Beach) - Acai bowls and vegan tacos ($12-$18)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gelatissimo (Palm Beach Plaza) - Italian gelato in tropical flavors ($6)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Super Food Plaza (Bubali) - massive grocery store with Dutch/American products
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (shipping via MyMalls or Aeropost freight forwarders to Aruba)
- Grocery Delivery
- Super Food Plaza Online - delivery to villas for a $15 flat fee
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The High-Rise Strip (Sopranos Piano Bar, Gusto Nightclub, Moomba Beach)
- Local Brewery
- Balashi Brewery (tours available in Santa Cruz; try the 'Magic Mango' beer)
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Room (near Eagle Beach) - curated tastings and cheese pairings
- Street Food Stalls
- Lokalero Food Truck (Noord) - high-quality burgers and local snacks under $15
- Popular International Cuisine
- Gianni's Italian Restaurant (Palm Beach) - famous Cheese Wheel Pasta ($32)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- California Lighthouse (Hudishibana) - panoramic northern views ($5 entry)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Etnia Nativa (Noord) - private heritage gallery by reservation only
- Historical Sites
- Alto Vista Chapel (oldest chapel on island) and Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins
- Religious Sites
- St. Ann’s Church (Noord) - notable neo-Gothic altar from the 1870s
- Annual Events
- Aruba Carnival (February/March grand parades); Hi-Winds Windsurfing (July)
- Cultural Districts
- San Nicolas (Street Art Capital) - approx. 30 mins drive from Palm Beach
- Theater Venues
- Cas di Cultura (Oranjestad) - national theater for dance and drama
- Local Markets
- Aruba Farmers Market (Occasional Saturdays at Hyatt Regency gardens)
- Music Scene
- Bugaloe Beach Bar (Live salsa and jazz sunset sessions daily)
- Street Art
- San Nicolas Murals (Bernhardstraat area) - world-class graffiti from international artists
- Cooking Classes
- Cosecha Aruba - offers authentic Aruban craft and culinary workshops
- Art Galleries
- Terrafuse Aruba (Noord) - glass blowing and local ceramic art
- Historic Buildings
- City Hall (Stadhuis) in Oranjestad - restored colonial architecture
- Local Heritage
- Blue Horse Statues (Paardenbaai) - symbolizing historic horse trade in Aruba