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Aruba is one of the most popular destinations for both cruise and land base tourists.
It is well loved due to its amazing white sand beaches with turquoise waters and warm weather.
Additionally, the island is safe.
In this article, we answer your burning question which is whether Aruba is in the United States as well as provide essential travel tips for the island.
Is Aruba In The United States?
Aruba is not in the United States. It is an independent country which is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Aruba has landmass of 69.5 square miles with the highest point of elevation being Mount Jamanota which stands at 620 feet. The official language of the territory is Dutch.
Where Is Aruba In Relation To The United States?
Aruba is located 2,325 miles from the United States of America. The flying time from Miami International Airport is three hours and from New York to Aruba is four and a half hours.
According to Britannica, it is located 30 miles Northwest of Curacao and 18 miles North of Venezuela.
Is Aruba a US Virgin Island?
Aruba is not a US Virgin Island. The US Virgin Islands are overseas territories of the United States of America (USA) which has a landmass of 133 square miles. The four major islands are St Croix, St Thomas, St John and Water Island. Furthermore, there are about 50 smaller islets and cays.
What Caribbean Islands are US Territories?
The principal Caribbean islands that are US territories are St Thomas, St John and St Croix which are part of the US Virgin islands and Puerto Rico.
As overseas territories of the United States, no passports are required for US citizens to enter and exit the islands.
Furthermore, the US dollar is the official currency of all the territories.
From the US Virgin islands, ferry services are readily available to the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
However, US citizens are required to have passports for entry into the BVI.
Puerto Rico is significantly larger than the US Virgin islands being 3,515 square miles consisting of 143 islands, cays and islets.
Citizens of these US territories however do not have voting rights in the US congress and cannot vote in the presidential elections.
Travel Tips For Aruba
Aruba is located outside the hurricane belt and therefore the chance of a hurricane making landfall is rare.
The hurricane season in the Caribbean begins June 1 and ends November 30 annually.
Aruba is very windy due to its location near the equator which makes it an excellent spot for kite surfers.
The official currency of Aruba is the Aruban Florin. It was introduced on the island in 1986, replacing the Netherlands Antillean Guilder.
It is pegged to the United States (US) dollar at a rate of USD$1 to AFL$1.79. Nonetheless, US dollar is widely accepted for financial transactions.
The most famous beach on the island is Eagle beach. It is located in Oranjestad, the island’s capital city and is over 1000 metres long. Additionally, Eagle Beach is the widest beach in Aruba.
There is no Uber or Lyft in Aruba. Nevertheless, there are numerous ways to get around the island which includes free trolley, public transportation, taxis, car rental and scooter rental.
As a major tourist destination, there are numerous direct and non-flights from major international cities available.
There are no ferry services available from Aruba to the neighboring islands of Bonaire and Curacao. However, direct and non-stop flights are available via Insel Air daily.
To explore the breathtaking desert like scenery of the island, be sure to visit the Arikok National Park.
The destination has the presence of numerous luxury and high end brand present such as Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton and Gucci. These are located in Renaissance Mall in the capital city, Oranjestad.
One advantage of vacationing in Aruba is the presence of US customs and immigration. Therefore, once you arrive in the United States you collect your bags.
Nightlife on the island is concentrated in the South Beach area. There are numerous restaurants and bars due to the multicultural nature of the island.
Spanish, English and Papiamentu is also spoken in Aruba in addition to Dutch.
Final Thoughts
We trust that you found the content shared above informative and clarifies your question whether is part of the United States.
It is truly a lovely island with lots to do and explore. We are confident that you will enjoy your time on the Happy Island.
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