The island of Aruba is part of the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea, and lies about 12 degrees north of the equator, approximately 29km (18 miles) off the Paraguaná Peninsula of Venezuela. One of the Lesser Antilles islands, Aruba is about 30 km (19 miles) long and about 8 km (5 miles) wide with an area of 193 sq km (75 sq miles). The island's population is about 112,000. The capital is Oranjestad, named after the Dutch Royal House of Orange.
Antilles is the term used for the whole of the West Indies except the Bahama Islands. Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico form the Greater Antilles. The Lesser Antilles, extending in an arc from Puerto Rico to the northeastern coast of South America, include the Virgin Islands, Windward Islands, Leeward Islands, southern group of the Netherlands Antilles (including Aruba), and, usually, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. More information click here
Weather and Climate
Aruba is situated 12 degrees 30' north of the equator. The weather is tropical but not extreme, with a median and practically constant temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius). Rainfall averages about eighteen inches a year, with October, November, December and January accounting for most of it. Even then rains tend to be erratic and in short bursts. It is important to mention that Aruba lies south of the general hurricane paths and usually only experiences fringe effects of nearby tropical weather. Nonetheless it is not unknown that tropical systems form close by and do have their effects on the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao). For the most part, Aruba's blue-green sea is calm and clear on the island's popular beaches, with visibility in some areas reaching depths of over a hundred feet. Exception to this is the sea that beats against the rugged northeast coast and tends to be wild with high, thundering waves resulting in jagged rock formations and shapes. One such shape was the Natural Bridge (the Caribbean's highest) carved out of coral cliffs, which collapsed on September 2nd, 2005.
Trade winds cool the island, making lying in the sun on one of the many beaches much more tolerable although care should be taken since this is deceptive - the sun is strong, in particular between 11am and 2:30pm and the use of sunscreens is strongly recommended especially for fairer-skinned people. More information click here
Extension of stay after admission
If a tourist wants to stay longer then the number of days granted by the immigration officer on the ED-card upon admission, he or she can apply at the office of Dimas for an extension for up to 180 days if applicable. The form for tourist stay extension is available at the office of the DIMAS, and can also be downloaded from DIMAS Aruba. An application for an extension of stay can be filed at the DIMAS from Monday to Thursday, from 2:30PM-4:00PM. There is no filing fee for a tourist extension application.
The following documents have to be presented:
original application form for extension of tourist stay;
copy of the profile page and all the written and stamped pages of the petitioner's passport, valid for at least another 3 months when the extension is applied for;
copy Embarkation-Disembarkation card (ED-card);
copy valid return ticket;
copy of travel insurance (medical and liability) valid for the duration of the extended stay;
if the petitioner is not staying at his own private residence or at a hotel/resort, he needs to present a declaration of guarantee from a resident of Aruba who will act as guarantor for their stay.
Anyone wanting to stay longer than 180 days in Aruba will need a residence permit and will not be considered a tourist.
