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Time Zone
Aruba is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, which is four hours behind GMT, ie Britain in winter, and five hours behind Europe. During the winter it is an hour ahead of the eastern seaboard of the USA.
Aruba has no daylight saving time, so when the clocks change in summer the island is five hours behind Britain, six behind Europe and on the same time as the eastern seaboard. |
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Tour Operators
Many US and Canadian wholesalers and a handful of tour operators (UK and Europe) offer Aruba in their programmes. On DefinitiveCaribbean we will be picking out the best of the travel organisers for you - operators that are Caribbean specialists and give the best levels of service, in all price ranges. They put the holidays together that may subsequently be sold to the public via travel agents. We are currently researching the best options.
In the UK and Europe, all tour operators should be bonded for your financial protection. They sell flight inclusive holidays under licence from government bodies such as the Civil Aviation Authority (UK). Some travel agents also have the required bonding and licences to put together flight inclusive holidays, and there are a few Caribbean specialists among them.
Message to Tour Operators, Wholesalers and specialist travel agents:
We invite any travel organiser working as a Caribbean specialist with a programme to Aruba to contact us if we are not already in communication with you. Initially please email us for further details.
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Tourist Information
For tourist information when on the island head for the Aruba Tourism Authority, PO Box 1019, 172 LG Smith Bd, Oranjestad, t 582 3777
There is also a small but useful office in the airport and one at the cruise ship terminal.
Outside Aruba overseas representatives can be found at
Canada
5875 Highway 7, Suite 201, Woodbridge, Ontario, L4L 1T9, t 905 264 3434, t 800 268 3042
UK
The Saltmarsh Partnership, 25 Copperfield Street, London, SE1 0EN, t 020 7928 1600
USA
New Jersey - 1000 Harbour Bd, Weehawken, NJ 07087, t 201 330 0800, t 800 862 7822
Florida - 1 Financial Plaza, Suite 136, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33394, t 954 767 6477
There is also a general freephone number for visitor information, t 1 800 TO ARUBA
Please see below for a promotional video of Aruba.
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Weather
The weather of Aruba is tropical but not extreme, with an average temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The island lies outside the hurricane belt, so there is virtually no threat of tropical storms and the rainfall averages only 16 inches a year. Unlike many of the other Caribbean islands, Aruba is flat and dry with a desert landscape.
Trade winds cool the island, making sunbathing much more tolerable although care should be taken due to the strength of the rays. From January to March, the trade winds provide ideal windsurfing conditions off the windward coast. The sea off the leeward coasts is generally very calm, and visitors can count on ideal conditions for scuba diving, snorkelling and swimming. |
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What to Pack
Consider taking the following when heading out to the Caribbean:
Sun protection including high factor sun cream, sunglasses, hat/cap and a lightweight shirt/blouse/t-shirt for the beach; suitable beach and walking shoes; mosquito repellent containing DEET suitable for use all day; cream for insect bites; beach mat/towel. There may be rain, so take appropriate waterproof clothing.
Lightweight cotton is generally the best clothing, casual for the daytime, though you may want something a little more elegant for the evenings. You may wish to pack a lightweight wrap or jacket and the evenings sometimes feel cool after the heat of the day.
It shouldn’t be a problem getting batteries or camera film in Bonaire, but you may wish to take spares in case. Also bring an electrical adapter if needed and you may want to bring a small torch. Any prescription medication that needs to be taken on a regular basis should be carried in your hand luggage, and should remain in its original packaging for clear identification by Customs should they need to check contents.
Don’t forget your passport, driving licence and insurance (medical and travel) documents.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Definitive Caribbean is very grateful for the photographic contributions we received for the Bonaire Island Guide. Contributions came from the Tourism Corporation Bonaire.
Picture Editors, Alexander Gray & Will Orr |
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