Aruba Currency
Like the country, Aruba currency is as vibrant and unique with square shaped coins and colorful notes. The official Aruba currency is the Florin which is divided into one hundred cents. The letters “Awg” denotes the Florin but is also widely known as “Afl”.
The Aruba currency of silver coins are in denominations of five, ten, twenty-five, fifty cents, one florin, two and one half florins, and five florins. Aruba’s probably best known-coin is the square-shaped fifty-cent “yotin” which many souvenirs are made of and even the coin itself makes a unique gift for close friends. Aruba currency of banknotes is issued in denominations of ten, twenty-five, fifty, one-hundred, and five-hundred Florins.
In the world market, the Florin fluctuates with the dollar, with current exchange rates of Afl 1.77 to the US dollar, checks are at Afl 1.78, and Afl 1.34 to the Canadian dollar. Shops and hotels rate of exchange ranges from Afl 1.75 to Afl 1.80 per US dollar. The US dollar is widely accepted in Aruba, and banks may exchange other foreign currency.
For visitors using Traveler’s Checks, they are widely accepted in restaurants, stores, and hotels, and there is no charge for using them. Major credit cards are also accepted in most businesses, but personal checks are usually not accepted.
Cash may be acquired with Visa, Master Card, and American Express cards at banks, credit card offices, some casinos, and through Western Union. ATM cards and credit cards are accepted by ATM’s of RBTT Bank, Caribbean Mercantile Bank, Banco di Caribe, and Aruba Bank. The ATM card must have either a Visa Plus or Cirrus logo. Instructions in ATM’s are usually given in English, Spanish, Dutch, and Papiamento, and cash dispensed is usually in local currency.
Travelers using ATM cards with Maestro, Cirrus, or Plus System network logos will be able to withdraw cash in Aruban Florins and home bank accounts will be debited in dollars at a reasonable exchange rate and service charge will apply as well. It is always important to verify with your bank if your PIN number will work in Aruba before departing for Aruba.
Banking hours in Aruba is Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. till noon, and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Nearly all bank branches remain open during lunch. The branch of Aruba Bank at the airport opens daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except on official holidays.
Credit card and traveler’s check representatives can also be found in convenient areas of Aruba. American Express representatives include S.E.L Maduro and Sons, located at Rockefeller Street, 1 Oranjestad. For Visa and Master Card representative include Caribbean Mercantile Bank, Aruba Bank, and Interbank. These representatives operate from Mondays through Fridays on normal banking hours.
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