FAQs

Question

What is Aruba like?

Answer

The Aruban slogan is "One Happy Island," and we find that it lives up to the name! People are very friendly and welcoming. Aruba is a very small island: only about 19 miles long and six miles across at its widest point. Tourism currently drives the Aruban economy, which is evident from the many hotels, docks for cruise ships in the capital city of Oranjestad, and heavy American influence. The local culture is an interesting blend of Latin American and Dutch influences; while Aruba independently manages its internal affairs, it remains a constituent country of the Netherlands. The local language is Papiamento. It is a desert island outside of the hurricane belt, so it rarely rains and you'll find lots of cacti away from the beach. Aruba boasts the highest return visitor rate in the Caribbean!

Question

What about the pandemic?

Answer

We are thrilled that vaccinations are making travel safe again. Please monitor CDC guidance and Aruba travel requirements in advance of your trip.

Question

What activities are there in Aruba?

Answer

Aruba has TONS of activities in addition to relaxing on the beach. Tubing rides and jet skis are available on demand on all the beaches. Through your hotel concierge, you can book UTV or ATV adventures through Arikok National Park, horseback riding, and snorkel or scuba cruises. Many families with children also enjoy the Butterfly Farm and the Donkey Sanctuary. Our recommended hotels typically offer small arts and crafts activities for kids, and the all-inclusive resorts occasionally have performers (magic, dance) on site. For a night out on the town, there are many nice restaurants and also casinos (Thaddeus and Anna once won $70 at one of them, but otherwise don't know much about the casino scene!).

Question

Do I need to exchange foreign currency?

Answer

No, Aruba accepts U.S. dollars and credit cards are widely available. ATM fees are high in the airport and elsewhere so we recommend withdrawing cash in advance for cabs, tips, and street vendors. $100 per adult would be plenty, but everyone is different so you may wish to bring more to err on the safe side.

Question

How much is a cab to the airport?

Answer

Cab fares are fixed from the airport. The one-way cab fare from the airport to the low-rise hotel area (where all of our recommended hotels are located) is a fixed rate of US$30.

Question

Should I rent a car?

Answer

You probably don't need to book a rental car. If you do decide you want one, you can always book one for a day or two through your hotel. You can easily take cabs to/from the airport, we will offer some transportation options for our wedding ceremony and reception, and companies that offer activities/excursions typically include round-trip transportation for tourists. If you are not staying at an all-inclusive resort and want to go to the grocery store, you can take a cab or coordinate with the bride and groom, who will have a rental car throughout the wedding week. However, a rental car of your own can be nice if you intend to go out to dinner frequently or want to get away from the tourist spots and explore the island on your own terms. Rates are very affordable, as low as $30 per day.

Question

What is the dress code for the wedding ceremony and reception?

Answer

We don't have a strict dress code for any portion of our wedding, but we recommend a "dressy beach" vibe when you're picking clothes. Maxi dresses or lightweight button downs are nice options. Most importantly, make sure that your shoes are comfortable for walking in - or taking off! - in the sand, and that you can dance in your outfit.

Question

Any packing tips?

Answer

Bring more sunscreen than you think you'll need. Even if you're not usually a reader, it's nice to have a fun book for the beach, and/or some Sudoku, crosswords, word searches, etc. Pack a reusable cup or water bottle, and a travel mug for some coffee on the beach. Hotels provide soap and basic shampoo, but if you have long hair you'll be happy to have some nice hair conditioner from home (the salt water does a number on it). If you're not staying at an all-inclusive resort and you're planning on cooking some meals in your room, we recommend bringing a cheap salt & pepper shaker, coffee and coffee filters, peel fruit (Aruban customs will allow you to bring some apples and oranges) that won't get mashed, and favorite snacks (crackers, candy, nuts, cookies, and trail mix all travel well). We have previously stuck a small cooler into our checked bag with a couple of frozen Trader Joe's meals in it, and everything has made it the distance just fine!

Question

What do I NOT need to bring?

Answer

Hotels will provide you with beach towels. You don't need any electrical outlet adapters; they're all Americanized. The bride and groom will bring some beach toys and games to share!

Question

Are you registered? Where?

Answer

We have chosen not to have a registry and prefer not to receive any wedding gifts. Your travel to celebrate with us is a gift in itself!