Aruba - Adventure Guide to Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao - page 140

TIP: The Central Bank of Aruba does not permit coin
change to be given in any other than Aruban cur-
rency; an exception is in the casinos. You may drop
your leftover coins in the charity box at the airport.

PHARMACY: Botica Eagle , near the hospital on L.G. Smith Blvd,

297-587-6103.
PHONES: To call Aruba from North America, dial 011-297 + the seven-
digit local number. The international access code is 011; the country code
for Aruba is 297; the local number has seven digits. To call Aruba from
Europe or most other countries, dial 00 (the international access number)
+ 297 + the seven-digit number.
On Aruba, dial only the seven-digit local number to reach local numbers.
Buy a phone card at hotel shops to make long distance and local calls on
public phones. AT&T long distance is available by dialing 800-8000. To call
internationally from Aruba, dial 00 plus the country code. (The country
code for the US & Canada is 1.)
International cell phones may be rented at many hotel reception desks.
Your cell phone from home will not work on the island.
POPULATION: 90,506 (2000 Central Bureau of Statistics).
PUBLICATIONS: These English-language magazines are available free
in hotel lobbies and at many tourist attractions: Aruba Nights , Aruba
Experience , Menu , and Aruba Food and Wine . Island news and current
events are listed in English-language newspapers, The News and Aruba
Today .
SAFETY: Aruba is considered safe. Take common precautions to avoid
theft, especially from cars parked at tourist attractions and beaches.
SHOPPING HOURS: If a cruise ship is in Oranjestad, many stores will
open on Sundays. Otherwise, shop hours are Monday-Saturday, 8:30 am-6
pm. Some stores remain open until 8 pm on select days. Some close for
lunch and siesta from noon to 2 pm.
TAXES: There is no sales tax. Hotels legally add a government tax of 6% to
room rates. Some add an 11% service charge. Restaurants often add a 10%
service charge. Departure tax to the US is $36.75 and usually included in
the price of your airline ticket.
TAXIS: 582-2116 or 582-1604.

TIME: Aruba is on Atlantic Standard Time (AST) year-round, which is
one hour later than Eastern Standard Time and four hours earlier than
Greenwich Mean Time. The island does not observe Daylight Savings
Time, so Aruba's time corresponds to Eastern Daylight Savings Time.
TOURIST INFORMATION: 800-TO-ARUBA (in the US & Canada);

www.aruba.com. Aruba Tourism Authority , L.G. Smith Blvd 172,
Oranjestad,

297-582-3777.