Palm Beach Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ 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 |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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 |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING PALM BEACH