Aruba
Business meetings are usually somewhat formal by Caribbean standards, probably as a result of the strong Dutch influence on the island's business community. Office hours are normally 0800-1200 and 1300-1630 Monday to Friday
Aruba has a low crime rate and violent crime is very rare. There has been a slight increase in personal property thefts. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers often operate where tourists tend to gather and normal security precautions are to be observed at all times. There is violent crime amongst members of the illegal drugs world, but this rarely affects tourists. The main tourist areas are generally safe, but take normal precautions and, for example, do not wander alone off the main roads, especially at night. Never take valuables to the beach. Make sure purses and handbags are closed and not easy to snatch.
The majority of hotels are in the Palm Beach and Eagle Beach resort area on the southwest coast, offering accommodation of a very high standard. Many of these luxury hotels have beach frontage and their own swimming pools, plus extensive sport, entertainment and shopping facilities. Rates are much lower in the summer, which is the island's low season
Aruba has a modern telecommunications network. Long distance calls can be placed from any telephone or from SETAR (Aruba's Telecommunications organization) locations around Aruba. AT&T customers can dial 800-8000 from special phones located at the airport and at the cruise ship docking area. From other phones dial 121 to contact the SETAR international operator to place a collect or AT&T calling card call. Cellular phone rental is also available (Call 297 820005)
Electricity is 110 volts AC, 60Hz.
110 volts AC, 60Hz.
A,B,F
Not much food is grown locally, but the variety in the local cuisine is extensive. There is a very wide range of international cuisine and several of the more famous fast-food chains have premises on the island. National specialties:
• Grouper sandwich: this fish inhabits shallow to mid-range reefs and is a white, sweet, mild-tasting fish. Fried in a proper batter, grouper is the main ingredient of many a lunch sandwich.
• Keshi Yena has its roots in Aruba’s Dutch influence: cooks take a wheel of Gouda cheese, pack the hollowed-out center with a
spicy meat mixture of either chicken or beef, and then bake the whole concoction to be eaten year-round but particularly at Christmas.
• Lamb or goat stew (stobà).
• Cala (bean fritters).
• Pastechi are meat- or cheese-stuffed turnovers.
• Take a bite of ayacas, which are leaf-wrapped meat rolls.
• The delicious sopi di pisca (fish chowder) makes the most of the elements.National drinks:
• There is no national drink as such but, as ever in the Caribbean, all alcoholic punches and cocktails will usually be given a ‘kick’ with a liberal dose of rum.
Legal drinking age: 18 but it should be considered that such age restrictions are not usually endorsed. Tipping:
Hotels add a 15 per cent service charge to any food or beverage bill. Restaurants may add 15 per cent service to the bill; if not, 10 to 15 per cent is normal. Taxi fares do not include tips, but there may be charges for luggage and tips are well appreciated.Nightlife
There is one drive-in and one indoor cinema screening current American, European and Latin American films. The highlight of Aruba’s nightlife, however, is the casinos, of which there are 11, open from 1100 until the early morning. It is possible to take a dinner cruise. There are several bars and discos in Oranjestad, as well as nightclubs offering revues and live music. Themed nights and limbo dancing are a local specialty.
