5 reasons why Aruba is the safest island in the Caribbean

It’s always crucial to stay out of perilous situations. When travelling, it will make your holiday that much more enjoyable knowing that you’re in a secure environment. You may have heard that the United Nations names Aruba as one of the safest Caribbean islands, but in February 2024, the UK Foreign Office also named it the safest island in the Caribbean. 

So in this blog post, we will break down some of the reasons as to just why Aruba is the safest Caribbean island for a holiday. 

Common Crimes

Like any other country in the world, Aruba has some bad apples within its community of locals and visitors alike, but the vast majority of people on the island are great human beings. Compared to most other countries, Aruba is quite secure, but not even Aruba is entirely crime-free. The most common unlawful acts that take place here are petty theft and robbery, drug use, and underage drinking. Law enforcement takes the few crimes that do take place here very seriously and are actively working to keep the number of incidents to a minimum.

Transportation Safety 

Getting around the island is as simple as it is safe. Most traffic rules here are the same as they are for you back home. If your driver’s license is issued by a country that is a member of the Geneva Convention, you are allowed to use it to drive in Aruba. Road signs may seem unfamiliar, but you should be fine if you review a chart of signs to get familiar with them before you travel.

Public transportation is also well-regulated and accessible. The public bus known as Arubus runs through all the primary areas of the island. Single ride fare can be paid or roundtrip cards can be purchased as well.

If you plan to travel by taxi, you will be pleased to learn that taxi fares in Aruba are government regulated to keep it fair for everyone involved. 

For visitors with limited mobility, there are also transportation services that cater to their specific needs. LiteLife Medicab offers professional door-to-door transportation with skilled drivers.

Weather Safety      

Aruba is perfectly located outside of the hurricane belt. Many other Caribbean islands are not as lucky. When planning an Aruba vacation, you do not have to worry about the time of year you would like to travel in, and check that against Hurricane season because we never get directly hit by them. At the very most, we experience some heavy rain as a hurricane passes nearby. Some streets will flood a bit, but this never lasts long as the water quickly evaporates due to our constant perfectly warm weather.

Health Safety

Aruba has two large medical centers. The Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital and the ImSan Medical Institute. These two centers treat a wide variety of ailments and conditions. If a certain condition cannot be treated here, helicopters are on 24/7 standby to airlift patients to the nearest capable medical center.

There’s a wide range of pharmacy/drugstore combinations on the island as well. We call them “botica”. They sell a multitude of over-the-counter medicine, supplies, and vitamins. They are not able to fill a prescription by a doctor from a different country, but they can help you find a local doctor that can write a prescription for you if needed. Also, there will always be at least one pharmacy open on each side of the island on Sundays and Holidays to ensure everyone’s safety.

For travellers with special needs, many hotels offer (wheelchair) accessible rooms. A short list of these hotels can be found here.

Terrorism Safety

No terrorist activity has taken place in Aruba since the Second World War but this does not mean that government officials and law enforcement have let their guards down. Security at the airport is very rigorous and police patrol all neighborhoods.

There is a section of our police corps that is dedicated especially to the beach too. This section makes sure all beachgoers are safe and they also keep an eye out for any funny business at our most popular attraction (which is exceptionally rare, so don’t worry!).

Why Visit Aruba?

Let’s explore some of the many reasons why Aruba is such a great island to visit. If you are reading this, chances are you’ve already heard of the incredible beaches with beautiful white sand and the constant great weather. Not that those aren’t reason enough to hop on the next flight over here, but there is so much more. Keep reading!

Aruba is Safe

As established in the sections above, and proven by the UN report, Aruba is one of the safest Caribbean destinations. We have a low crime rate, transportation is well regulated, and medical care is readily available. Aside from that, the Aruban people are known for their friendliness. People of over 90 nationalities and all walks of life coexist peacefully here. Because the community is so diverse, we are used to treating people different from us with respect. If you ever happen to find yourself in a pickle while visiting the One happy island, don’t hesitate to ask for help, because local Arubans are friendly and compassionate people! Most of us speak a minimum of 4 languages and it’s virtually guaranteed that someone will be willing to take the time to help you out.

Aruba is Convenient

Aruba travel is made as easy as possible to accommodate the many visitors we get every day. There are over 100 direct flights weekly from several major cities in North America and a direct flight from the UK with British Airways. 

The island is also home to some of the Caribbean’s best hotels and vacation rentals, offering a huge variety of lodging options, ranging from budget-friendly room rentals to ultra-luxurious private villas. Accommodations are secure and comfortable, which is one of the main reasons why Aruba has so many repeat visitors who would tell you that they feel right at home whenever they visit. Whether you choose for all-inclusive packages or renting a cozy apartment by the beach, you can rest assured that you will be well taken care of.

Aruba is Exciting

There are so many fun things to do on the One happy island! From making Aruba your relaxing honeymoon destination and lazing by the pool all day, to meeting the friendly furry four-legged locals while hiking through the Arikok National Park. You will never be bored in Aruba! In fact, visitors of all ages will find that Aruba has something to offer that’s sure to keep them entertained, smiling and happy throughout their stay. Family vacationers may be interested in visiting Philips Animal Garden or the Ostrich Farm, while adventurers can explore the depths of the Caribbean Sea during a diving session. Variety really is our strong suit!

10 Safety Tips for Travellers

Below are some tips you can use to make sure your trip is as safe as possible.

1. Scan a copy of your passport and save it on your phone. Although a copy is not enough to get you through customs, it is always convenient to have a form of identification on you at all times. If you keep your passport locked away in a hotel safe, you can still access all your identification details.
2. Don’t keep all your cash in one place. Debit and credit cards are increasingly popular payment methods for travelers, but there will always be some who prefer good old-fashioned cash. If you happen to lose your purse or wallet, you won’t have to worry about losing all your money due to a single incident.
3. Leave unnecessary personal documents at home. If your wallet is lost or stolen, it’s not just money you need to worry about. Identity theft is very possible if the perpetrator happens to find all your legal documents. Before you get on that plane, double check your wallet and see what documents can be left at home.
4. Keep a note with any important medical details and emergency contact information with you at all times. If something were to happen to you while you were on vacation, and there is no one else around that could explain your medical situation, it would be a big help to first responders and bystanders.
5. Tell someone at home about your travel plans and itinerary. If for some reason you lose contact with the home front (i.e. power outage), your contact person will know where you are.
6. Stay alert! Even the safest Caribbean countries have some bad apples. Keep an eye on your personal belongings and your surroundings.
7. Make a note of all the emergency phone numbers at your travel destination.
8. If you take any kind of medication, make sure you pack more than enough. As mentioned before, pharmacies on the island cannot readily fill prescriptions from foreign doctors. If you run out of medication on your trip, getting a new prescription can cut into precious Aruba time!
9. Get travel insurance. Peace of mind is priceless. Even when traveling to safe Caribbean islands like Aruba, mishaps can still occur. Most travel policies will cover a wide range of incidents.
10. Read posts like this one before your trip! Be sure to familiarize yourself with your destination so you can make educated decisions about your vacation and have lots of fun while staying safe.

Book Your Aruba Holiday Now!

With all that you’ve just read, you can rest assured that picking Aruba for your upcoming Caribbean holiday is a great choice. Not only is Aruba the safest Caribbean Island to visit, but it’s also the most fun. Book now!