Article • Aruba, Caribbean
How to Best Travel to Aruba
Last Updated On: August 17, 2023
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UPDATE MARCH 24th 2022: Great news! Travelers are no longer required to present a COVID-19 negative test result or proof of vaccination to enter Aruba. One happy island just got happier!
We all know that travel hasn’t been the same since COVID. You either have to quarantine for 20 days once you land, need to be fully vaccinated, AND show a negative covid result within 48-72 hours. Or, some borders are still completely closed.
But I am here to say, don’t worry there is hope. Not every destination is going to give you a headache only thinking about traveling there. If you are looking for a place to unwind amidst white soft sandy beaches with straightforward travel restrictions, then we have the place for you: Aruba.
When we chose to travel to Aruba, we were simply craving a place to escape from our everyday life. A place to recharge, unplug and most importantly be by the ocean. When dreaming of the Caribbean most people think of Jamaica or the Bahamas, but we were looking for a destination that was fairly easy to get to from America and would still provide us with pristine beaches and a touch of adventure.
Entering Aruba from the States is so simple. All you need is a negative COVID test to get in and a negative COVID test to get back to the US. There are a few nuances so make sure to keep reading to find a step-by-step guide on how to travel safely to Aruba during COVID.
Imagine, all that separates you from sipping piña colada’s on one of the softest sand beaches in the Caribbean is a negative COVID test. What are you waiting for, book your trip now to paradise!
Disclaimer: All the information in this article applies to travelers coming from the United States. The information is provided as guidance only and is accurate at the time of publishing. Always check government websites and airline materials before booking and traveling. Here are some helpful links: Aruba Government, Sherpa Travel Restrictions, CDC Statement.
Where is Aruba?
If you are like us, you probably didn’t know that Aruba even existed let alone its unmatched beaches and beauty. Aruba is located in the southern part of the Caribbean just north of Venezuela. Temperatures are around the low 80s all year round and it is the sunniest island in the Caribbean.
Not only is Aruba easy to travel to during COVID, but it is also off the Hurricane belt, which means it is pretty safe to visit any time of the year. At this point, there really isn’t anything stopping you from the perfect escape to paradise!
You might have already searched for Aruba on the map and saw that it is a pretty small island (19 miles long and 6 miles wide). Despite its petite size, Aruba still offers a great variety of unique activities, from exploring the Arikok National Park and water tours to divine cuisine.
How to get around Aruba?
Getting around Aruba is fairly easy and due to its small size, it doesn’t take long to get from A to B. If you are planning on exploring more of the island than just the beach in front of your resort, then we recommend renting a car (or a Jeep) for the duration or a portion of your stay.
There is no Uber or Lyft on the Island and the taxis are pretty pricey. Expect to pay up to $15 for a 10-minute ride depending on your location. The good thing about Aruba’s taxi system is that the cab drivers can’t really rip you off since they have a standard price they charge based on the pickup and dropoff location, which is regulated by the government.
Be aware that on top of these high prices, they have extra fees for everything. For example, if you are switching hotels and traveling with your luggage you will be charged $2 per bag, if you book a ride on Sundays every fare costs $3 more and the same applies to rides before 7 am or after 11 pm.
There are buses that connect the south and the north part of the island, which makes it pretty easy to get from downtown Oranjestad to the most popular areas including Palm Beach and Eagle Beach. One way is $2.60 and has to be paid in cash either once you get on the bus or once you get off the bus. You can also purchase a roundtrip fare from certain stops for $5.
Step to Step Guide For How To Travel To Aruba During Covid
Now that you’ve already booked your ticket, let’s dive into the step-by-step instructions on how to enter Aruba during COVID.
1. Get a COVID-19 test
The first step on your journey to the beautiful island of Aruba is to get a COVID test. I don’t know about you, but getting a COVID test has become a part of our everyday life. But if this is your first time, not to worry it is a very straightforward process. If you are not sure where to find a testing location, here is a list of testing centers across the US.
- When scheduling your COVID test, it has to be within 3 days to 12 hours before your departing flight to Aruba (the last leg of your trip).
- Make sure your test results have the following listed:
- Your name as it appears on your passport
- The Date the test was collected
- One of the following: “COVID-19”, “SARS-CoV-2” or “Coronavirus”
- The type of Molecular test or Molecular test brand name (PCR test is the most common, but here is a list of all the tests accepted in Aruba)
- How the test was taken: “Nasal”, “Nasopharyngeal”, “Mid-turbinate”, “Combined Oral/Nasal”, “Combined Oral/Nasopharyngeal”, “Combined Oral/Mid-turbinate” swab
Your test result: “Negative”
We called ahead before our test to verify that all of this information would be listed on our results to avoid any problems entering Aruba.
2. Apply for the Aruba Online ED Card
The Aruba Online ED card is mandatory for all travelers to Aruba, including minors and infants, and can only be filled out 3 days prior to your arrival. So dust off that passport and be ready to answer some questions about you, your flight/hotel, health information, etc.
Quick Tip: I would suggest waiting until you get your negative COVID test results so the process is seamless, otherwise you will have to show it once you arrive in Aruba. Also note that you will be required to purchase travel insurance through the Aruban government, even if you already have some. It is a flat fee of $15 and will be the last step of the ED card process.
After completing the online travel qualification form, you will receive a confirmation of your application to the e-mail address you provided with a PDF attached that says you are qualified to board your flight to Aruba.
3. Prepare for your arrival in paradise
Now that you have received your ED Card Number, download the Aruba Health App to your device and follow the instructions to set up your account. The process is straightforward and once complete, you will have a QR code to show upon arrival. I would recommend screenshotting your code, just in case you don’t have service when you land.
Plus by using the app you will be put into the pre-approved health lane, which means shorter lines and a seamless arrival so you can enter paradise as quickly as possible! Lastly, to be on the safe side, I would suggest printing all of the documentation mentioned within this article.
4. Get another COVID test while in Aruba
This step is important if you want to return back to the States and should not be missed. Within 3 days of your departure back to the States, you will have to get a COVID test. Getting a COVID test in Aruba is almost easier than in the States. There are so many locations throughout the entire island where you can simply walk in and walk out in less than 5 minutes.
Even some hotels provide COVID tests right onsite. We stayed in Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort they had it available right onsite! The resort offers two types of tests: an antigen test for US$50 and a PCR test for US$125.
Once you get your negative COVID test results, download the VeriFly app and walk through the process to get you ready to head back to America. You can do this up to 4 hours before your flight. We missed the deadline so we just had to show our negative COVID results and the CDC Passenger Attestation.
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In addition to the new stipulations about COVID, the regular requirements for entry still apply so be sure to have the following:
- A passport that is valid for six months beyond the date of departure
- A valid return/onward ticket
- The necessary documents for returning to the country of origin or to a country that he/she has the right to enter, (ie. residence permit, a re-entry permit, etc)
- A valid reservation for accommodation in Aruba (e.g. hotel or apartment)
- Proof of adequate financial means to provide for hotel expenses (if applicable) and living expenses during your stay
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