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Is it better to use florin or USD in Aruba?

Although Aruban florin is the best currency to use and the US dollar can be helpful at times too, exchanging currencies in the form of cash almost invariably leads to poor exchange rates for tourists (we've seen as high as 20% commissions, although the average is between 5% and 15% of the amount exchanged).



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US dollars are widely accepted, although some shops will not accept $50 bills or $100 bills due to worldwide counterfeiting. All major credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted. Personal checks from abroad are not accepted. The exchange rate for US dollars is Afl 1.77 for cash and Afl 1.78 for traveler's checks.

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Note: Since U.S. dollars are accepted almost everywhere in Aruba, prices are quoted in U.S. dollars throughout this guide. Arm Yourself with Small Bills -- Bring a bundle of small bills (if your currency is American dollars) to make for easy tipping and small purchases.

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Travelling with luggage If you enter or leave Aruba with more than AWG. 20,000,- in cash or securities, or the equivalent thereof in foreign currencies, you must notify this to the Customs Department (Departamento di Aduana). You'll need a *MOT form (*Unusual Transactions).

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Both are commonly-accepted forms of payment in Aruba, so it depends on your preference and the specific circumstances. Credit cards can be a convenient and safe way to make purchases, but having cash on hand is always a good idea, especially if you plan to visit less touristy areas.

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How much money will you need for your trip to Aruba? You should plan to spend around À586 ($325) per day on your vacation in Aruba, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, À122 ($68) on meals for one day and À58 ($32) on local transportation.

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However, if you're taking another currency along with you, the US dollar is a safe bet, as it's highly exchangeable at banks and currency exchange offices in Aruba, even if it's neither official nor used ubiquitously across the country. US dollars are widely accepted in Aruba alongside the guilder.

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In Aruba it's not mandatory to tip, but it's your choice if you do so. However, some restaurants and bars add service charge to your bill. Usually, this adds up to about 10 to 15 percent on food and beverages. If you really like the service, you can still tip, of course!

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In restaurants which do not automatically add the service charge, a tip of 15% - 20% is appropriate depending on the quality of the service you received. Upon receiving your bill, carefully review it to determine if a service charge has already been added.

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While credit cards are easy to carry and more secure than cash, you should always have some local cash on you when traveling. It's just good sense. Besides the fact that some local shops and vendors won't accept credit cards, having some cash provides a safety net in case your bank shuts off your card for any reason.

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A sand-free beach towel is one of the best items you can buy for the beach in Aruba. We all know how annoying it can be to come home from the beach and find sand in random places for days! So, why not invest in a sand-free towel? They're incredibly affordable, so it's worth packing 2-3 for a week on the island.

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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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