Can you go to Aruba with just a birth certificate?

1) By Cruise There are two types of cruises to Aruba. The first is the closed-loop cruise which starts and ends at a U.S. port. In such a case, you can board the ship without a passport book. Instead, you would use WHTI-compliant documents like passport cards and birth certificates.



No, you cannot enter Aruba with just a birth certificate in 2026. All U.S. citizens arriving by air are strictly required to have a valid U.S. Passport Book that is valid for the entire duration of their stay. While "closed-loop" cruises (starting and ending at the same U.S. port) occasionally allow a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, the Aruban government and major airlines strongly recommend a passport for all travelers to avoid being denied boarding. Additionally, in 2026, all visitors must complete the Online ED Card (Embarkation-Disembarkation) before arrival and pay a $20 Sustainability Fee (introduced in 2024). Relying on a birth certificate for international air travel is a high-risk mistake that will likely result in you being turned away at the airport. Ensure your passport has at least one blank page for the entry stamp to satisfy Aruban migration officers.

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International travel standards dictate that all passengers must have valid passport books, regardless of age. So, if you're flying in and out of Aruba, you must have a passport.

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When entering our country, a current passport is required of all passengers. American, Canadian, and EU citizens do not require visas, nor do most South Americans, e.g. Colombians and Venezuelans.

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U.S. citizens do not need a passport to travel between the U.S. and these territories:
  • American Samoa.
  • Guam.
  • Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
  • Puerto Rico.
  • U.S. Virgin Islands.


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In place of a passport, you can use WHTI-compliant documents like passport cards, trusted traveler's cards, and NEXUS cards. While these allow you to travel to these regions by sea and road, they are not acceptable for international flights.

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Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements Upon arrival in Aruba, you must have: a U.S. passport valid for the duration of your stay; a completed Embarkation and Disembarkation Card (ED-Card); a return or onward ticket.

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Aruba Customs regulations allow incoming visitors to bring articles for personal use. Persons 19 and over can also bring in 2.25 liters of wine, 3 liters of beer, or 1 liter of liquor and 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, and or 250 grams of tobacco.

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Overall, Aruba is expensive. Being an island in the Caribbean it's easy to spend a ton of cash on expensive resorts, flashy dinners, and high-cost cocktails. But, a trip to Aruba really doesn't have to cost you too much money. You can travel to Aruba on a budget.

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The best time to visit Aruba is from mid-January through May. Those months mark the heart of Aruba's dry season and the island's long stretch of comfortably warm, sunny days. The island lies in the far south of the Caribbean, below the hurricane belt, the region most affected by seasonal storms.

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Laptops should be taken out of their bag and should be placed in a tray for screening. It is illegal to take out any conch shells, sea stars, turtle eggs and/or any form of coral. No liquids, gels, and/or aerosols are permitted except when packed in a clear transparent resealable 1 quart (1 liter) size plastic bag.

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For budget travelers, planning ahead is essential. On average, a budget traveler can expect to spend around $100 to $150 per day in Aruba, including accommodation, transportation, food, and activities. It's important to research activities and their costs in advance to create a budget that works for you.

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Aruba is very happy to be welcoming visitors to our One Happy Island once again. All travellers to Aruba are subject to health requirements and protocols. Please read the information on the following pages carefully if you are travelling to, visiting, or leaving Aruba.

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Aruba, officially the Country of Aruba, is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands physically located in the mid-south of the Caribbean Sea, about 29 kilometres north of the Venezuelan peninsula of Paraguaná and 80 kilometres northwest of Curaçao.

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U.S. citizens are generally required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to The Bahamas, as well as proof of anticipated departure from The Bahamas. Those traveling to The Bahamas on a cruise may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document.

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