Antisocial Tourist

If you’re planning a trip to the beautiful island of Aruba, there are a few entry requirements you need to be aware of. In addition to needing a valid passport, Aruba requires all tourists to complete an Embarkation and Disembarkation Card. This is called the Aruba ED Card, which was introduced in 2020.

The Aruba ED Card was free for all visitors until recently. As of July 1, 2024, a new sustainability fee will be added to all tourists completing the Aruba ED Card. This guide covers everything you need to know about the new sustainability fee and current entry requirements. Keep reading so we can make sure you start your vacation off right!

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Aruba Entry Requirements

First and foremost, all travelers visiting Aruba must have a valid passport and it must be valid for the duration of your stay. Some countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, but Aruba is not one of them.

Depending on your nationality, you might also need a visa to visit Aruba. If you hold a passport from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or most European countries, you do not need a visa. Always check the latest visa requirements on the official government website, as policies can change frequently.

And lastly, all travelers must complete an Aruba ED Card within 7 days of arrival to the island, regardless of age. This can be done online here (👈save this link). The Aruba ED Card has recently introduced a sustainability fee of $20 for anyone arriving by air. The sustainability fee is part of Aruba’s efforts to maintain its pristine environment and ensure sustainable tourism. The fee is paid when you apply for your Aruba ED Card.

Aruba ED Card

One of the most important steps in your travel preparation is filling out the Aruba ED Card, which stands for Embarkation and Disembarkation Card. This online form is mandatory for all visitors and can be completed up to 7 days before you arrive on the island.

The process is straightforward: visit the Aruba ED Card website (👈save this link), fill in your personal details and travel information, and answer some health-related questions. Once submitted and assuming there are no issues, you will receive a confirmation email with an attachment. This attachment will feature a big green check mark and a QR code. Print it or save it to your phone to show to airport staff before boarding the plane and upon arrival on the island.

Prior to July 1, 2024, there was no fee associated with the Aruba ED Card. As of July 1, 2024, a $20 sustainability fee has been implemented. Once you submit your ED Card, you will be emailed two links — one with your green check mark and one to pay the fee. This new process is still being refined, so expect some changes and improvements throughout the year.

Visitors will only be required to pay the fee once each calendar year, so repeat travelers will not pay the fee each time they visit if it falls within the same year. Children under 8 years old, cruise ship passengers, Aruba residents, and certain Aruban students are exempt from the fee.

The Sustainability Fee

Aruba’s new sustainability fee is $20 per person for all visitors (8 years and older) arriving by air. This fee is in addition to an environmental tax that the island already charges (typically included in your accommodation charges). Many popular travel destinations have introduced similar fees in recent years.

You’ll pay the fee when you submit your Aruba ED Card, which must be done online within 7 days of arrival to the island. You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Apple Pay. Cash payments on arrival are not being accepted because the fee must be paid before checking into your flight.

The Aruba government has stated that the revenue from the sustainability fee will be used to upgrade and expand the island’s wastewater treatment facilities. The fee will also support other sustainability initiatives, such as beach clean-ups, coral reef preservation, and renewable energy projects.

Arriving in Aruba

If you’ve landed in Aruba, it means your ED Card was approved and you have your green check mark — you couldn’t have boarded the plane without it. Once you land, you’ll deplane and walk down a long hall to passport control, where you’ll have your photo taken.

Next, you’ll proceed through immigration where you’ll show the green check mark from your Aruba ED Card again. After clearing immigration, you’ll collect your luggage and go through a final security check. If you only have carry-on luggage, proceed directly to the final security check. The entire process usually takes about an hour. You can read more about what to expect here.

Immediately past the final security check is the exit door that leads to the outside. Here you’ll find plenty of different transportation options to get you from the airport to your hotel. We suggest renting a car! You’ll find the car rental center directly in front of you when you exit the airport. If you’re not renting a car, you can pre-book a private transfer, join a shared transfer shuttle, use your hotel’s shuttle, hop in a taxi, or take the public bus.

Departing Aruba

You do not need the Aruba ED Card to depart the island. And while it’s nice not to stress about the ED Card at the end of your vacation, the departure process from Aruba can be brutal. The arrival process usually takes about an hour, but the departure process can take up to four hours!

Departures take significantly longer for Americans especially, because all U.S. citizens go through customs in Aruba. This eliminates the need to go through customs when landing back in the U.S., but it adds time to the departure process. Departing also involves more luggage checks, which extends the time compared to arriving.

To avoid the stress of long lines, we use Aruba’s VIP Airport Service to fast-track our departure. This service lets you skip all the lines and includes access to the airport’s VIP lounge. When you arrive, a personal guide will be waiting to escort you to your gate, and they’ll get you there in about 45 minutes (sometimes less)!

How to Get Around Aruba

Getting around Aruba is a breeze, especially if you rent your own vehicle! Driving on the island is very straightforward. There are no major highways or confusing signs, and they drive on the right side of the road, just like in the U.S. Most parking around the island is free too.

When you rent your car, your rental company will give you a map of the island with basic street signs and their meanings. Speed limits are posted in kilometers, but your car’s speedometer will match. Arubans also drive on the right side of the road, just like the in the U.S.

If driving isn’t your thing though, Aruba does have plenty of other options. You can choose from a wide variety of different transportation options to get you from the airport to your hotel, and from there, you can use taxi services or the public bus to get around the island. Most Island Tours also offer hotel pick-up and drop-off!

Where to Stay in Aruba

There are so many great places to stay in Aruba! It really comes down to what type of traveler you are. Aruba has a great selection of beachfront properties, all-inclusive resorts, boutique hotels, and budget-friendly options.

The best resorts in Aruba are found on the island’s northwest side, on Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. Eagle Beach is known as the “low-rise” area and Palm Beach is known as the “high-rise” area. Aruba’s airport and the cruise port are located further south in the downtown Oranjestad area, but we only recommend staying there if you’re staying at the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort.

We’ve stayed all over the island — in the high-rise area, the low-rise area, inland, and even in the small fishing town of Savaneta. There are just so many beautiful beaches and so many things to do in Aruba, that you really can’t go wrong no matter where you stay!

Here are a few of the best places to stay in Aruba:

Best Eagle Beach Option — Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa
Best Palm Beach Option — Playa Linda Beach Resort
Best Luxury Option — JOIA Aruba by Iberostar
Best All-Inclusive Option — Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort
Best Boutique Option — Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba
Best Off the Beaten Path Option — Serene by the Sea
Best Budget Option — Aruba Lagunita
Best Kid-Friendly Option — Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club

Best Time to Visit Aruba

Aruba has perfect 80-something-degree weather year-round and sits outside the hurricane belt, so you can visit anytime without worrying about hurricanes (amazing, right?). Aruba is also known for its strong trade winds, making the weather feel even more pleasant.

There is no official rainy season in Aruba, although rain chances do increase from late October to early January. The rain showers are typically hard downpours that occur overnight. If it does rain hard during your trip, consider renting a UTV and riding through the mud puddles! We did this one year and it’s one of our best memories on the island.

Aruba’s high season is from December to April when many visitors are trying to escape from the cold, so Aruba’s popular resorts are typically priced higher during these months. You’re more likely to find lower rates between May to November. We usually stay inland for budget reasons, and we’ve found that non-resort prices are pretty consistent year-round.

What to Do in Aruba

There are tons of fun things to do in Aruba! Whether you want to experience an island jeep tour, Baby Beach, the Natural Pool, the world-famous beaches, or the incredible oceanfront restaurants, Aruba has something for everyone.

We’ve been to Aruba many times, and just when we think we’ve done it all, we’re surprised by a new adventure. We truly understand why Aruba is the most revisited island in the Caribbean. Here are some of the most popular activities in Aruba:

Aruba Adventure Tours

Other Aruba Experiences

Final Thoughts: Visiting Aruba

Navigating Aruba’s entry requirements is straightforward with the right preparation. The new sustainability fee may be frustrating to some, but it’s a crucial step towards preserving the island’s natural beauty. Don’t let the fee deter you from visiting paradise.

Aruba is our favorite place in the world, and nothing could stop us from returning. Plus, the fact that repeat visitors only need to pay the fee once a year is a thoughtful offer from Aruba’s tourism board. So book the flight, complete the Aruba ED Card, pay the small fee, and enjoy your vacation. You won’t find another island as magical as Aruba!

Aruba Resources

Need a place to stay? Head here!
Ready for an island experience? Find one here!
Interested in fast-tracking the airport? Look here!
Considering a car rental? Click here!
Want to book an airport transfer? Book it here!
Looking for Aruba’s entry requirements? Here you go!
Visiting from another country? Stay Connected!

Thank you for reading our post! We hope it helps you plan the perfect trip! Check out our other guides here and follow us on Instagram (@AntisocialTourist) or on Facebook to see our latest adventures!