Currency

• ATM machines
• Opening a bank account
• Banking hours
• Credit Card & Traveler's Check Representatives
• Bank at the Airport
• Safety alert

Check daily exchange rates directly from the Central Bank of Aruba.

Aruba's currency is the florin denoted by the letters 'Awg.' but also widely known as 'Afl.' The official rate at which banks accept U.S. dollar banknotes is Awg. 1,77 and checks at Awg. 1,78. The rate of exchange granted by shops and hotels ranges from Awg. 1,75 to Awg. 1,80 per U.S. dollar. U.S. Dollars are widely accepted in Aruba, and banks may exchange other foreign currency.
Traveler's checks are widely accepted and there is no charge for using them in hotels, restaurants and stores. Major credit cards are accepted at most establishments while personal checks are normally not accepted.

The Aruban florin is divided into 100 cents and there are coins of 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, 1 florin (100 cents) as well as the 5 florin coin. The square shaped 50 cent "yotin" coin is probably Aruba's best-known coin.

Banknotes are issued in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 florins. Many souvenirs are made with the square 50 cent coin while the coin itself makes a unique gift for numismatic friends.

Cash may be obtained with MasterCard, Visa and American Express cards at credit card offices, banks, in some casinos and via Western Union. ATM cards and credit cards are accepted by ATMs of Aruba Bank, Banco di Caribe, RBTT Bank, and Caribbean Mercantile Bank. The card must have either a Cirrus or Visa Plus logo. ATM instructions are normally given in Dutch, English, Spanish and Papiamento. Cash is normally dispensed in local currency.

ATM machines

Travelers with ATM cards bearing the CIRRUS, MAESTRO or Plus System network logos can withdraw cash in Aruban florins. Home bank accounts will be debited in dollars at a favorable exchange rate, and a service charge will apply. Before departing for Aruba, it's important to verify whether your PIN number will work in Aruba by calling 1-800-4-CIRRUS.

Opening a bank account

You may open a bank account on the island but some restrictions may apply. Normally a recommendation from your bank at home and/or a letter from a recognized professional such as an accountant or lawyer is required. It is also possible for foreigners to buy a house or property in Aruba and in such a case it is recommended that a lawyer or a notary, who under Dutch Law is a Doctor of Civil Law, (not merely a person authorized to witness documents), advises you so as to protect your interests and supply you with the correct information regarding your purchase.

Banking hours

Weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Some banks close during lunchtime (12:00 - 1:30 p.m.). Some are open longer on Fridays (until 5 or 6 p.m.).

Credit Card & Traveler's Check Representatives

American Express

S.E.L. Maduro & Sons
Rockefellerstr, 1
Oranjestad
Phone +297 582 3888
office hours 8:00 - 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Closed on official holidays. Services include personal check cashing, refunds, exchange and replacement of American Express Traveler checks, American Express Card replacement service, report of lost or stolen American Express Cards.

Visa/Master Card

• Aruba Bank
• CMB (Caribbean Mercantile Bank)
• RBTT

Services available to cardholders include cash advance, report of lost or stolen Visa/Master Card. Either your passport or two other valid identifications are required.

The Aruba Banks listed above can also dispense US currency.

Bank at the Airport

Caribbean Mercantile Bank is located at the Queen Beatrix International Airport, is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

Safety alert

Recently the so-called skimming has become a criminal practice on Aruba that you should be warned about. International organized crime has found new ways of stealing your money. Skimming is the practice of altering an ATM machine with real looking card readers. The machine reads your card and pin-code. Later a copy of your card is used by the criminals, sometimes already in another country. Make sure to keep your receipt, and face the camera (which almost all ATM on the island now have). In a dispute the bank still has three months of video data to check whether you actually withdrew money at a certain place and time.