The Caribbean Island of Aruba has beautiful beaches, clear water, and a laid-back island feel. You will need cash to get around Whether you’re soaking up the sun on Eagle Beach, exploring Oranjestad’s colorful streets, or diving into the island’s rich marine life. Many places will take U.S. Dollars, but it can save you money to know about ATMs and other ways to get local cash. This guide tells you everything you need to know about Aruba’s ATMs and cash, such as withdrawal fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and available cards. This will help you have a stress-free sunny vacation.
Where to find ATMs in Aruba?
ATMs are widely available in Urban Areas (Oranjestad, Noord), in city centers, shopping malls (e.g., Renaissance Mall, Palm Beach Plaza), and near bank branches (e.g., Aruba Bank, Banco di Caribe). You will also find many ATMs in tourist areas (Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, Arikok National Park) and near popular beaches. ATMs are available at Queen Beatrix International Airport. But if you are moving further away from the main streets, you will find is hard to get any ATMs.
Best ATMs to use in Aruba for foreigners
When it comes to ATMs, Aruba does not have many options. The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Aruba are those owned by popular banks such as:
- Aruba Bank
- RBC Royal
- CMB Bank
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards.
There are no international banks in Aruba and there are no known Global ATM Alliance member banks or All Points network banks in Aruba.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
A few ATMs in Aruba might ask if you want to accept or decline the conversion. This is also known as “With or Without Conversion” or “Charge in AWF.”
- If you press “Accept,” the ATM will change your money at the rate that it sets. If you choose “Decline,” the ATM will use the standard exchange rate for that bank or card (Visa, Master, etc.).
- If you click “Accept,” you will also have to pay the ATM an extra 1% fee to change the money.
So, choose “Decline/Without” Conversion or “Charge in AWF” to avoid extra fees.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Aruba
Yes, ATMs in Aruba accept majority of the foreign debit and credit cards.
ATM operations
Opening hours: Most ATMs are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, especially those that are not inside bank offices. Those inside bank offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some of its offices and ATMs are open late on Friday and early Saturday morning.
ATM names: Most of the ATMs will have signs with the bank’s name that are easy to see. They might specifically say “ATM,” but it is possible they don’t either.
PIN type at ATMs: Most ATMs will accept PINs with 4 numbers. Some machines may be able to accept longer PINs, but it is best to use a 4-digit PIN.
Language options at ATMs
Aruba ATMs typically present Papiamento, Dutch, English and Spanish as the primary languages. If you’re not familiar with it, live translation via Google Translate’s camera function can be handy but go ahead cautiously as translations may not be perfect.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Aruba?
ATMs dispense cash in the local currency, Aruban Florin (AWG), and some also offer US Dollars.
ATM withdrawal limits in Aruba?
ATMs in Aruba have maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of US$ 300 (if withdrawing cash in US Dollars) or ƒ 500 to ƒ 1,000 (if withdrawing cash in Aruban Florin). ATMs typically do not have daily withdrawal limits so you can use the ATM multiple times if you need to withdraw more cash.
ATM Fees in Aruba
Aruba has some of the highest ATM Fees in the world! There are no fee-free ATMs in Aruba. Bank ATMs in Aruba charge US$ 5.3 to US$ 10 as ATM fees per transaction to foreign card holders. So, you can use the ones with lower fees.
Aside from the ATM Access Fees, there may be other fees to take out cash in Aruba. These are:
1. ATM’s charges for currency conversion (accept or decline conversion)
2. Your bank’s fees to use the card abroad. Check with your bank to see what the fees are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Aruba
Use lower fee ATMs in the country and the ATM Fee Saver app to find them.
Opt for Decline Conversion during transactions.
Consider fee-free cards from your home country.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Aruba?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs in Aruba on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Aruba. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you figure out exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Aruba.
Safety at ATMs
Aruba is known for having a low crime rate, which makes it a pretty safe place for people to visit. Tourist spots, hotels, and shopping malls are popular places to find ATMs. Even though ATMs are safe, it is best to use them during the day and in places with a lot of people. Pay attention to your surroundings and quickly lock up your cash after taking it out. Keep an eye on your card transactions through your bank’s app on a regular basis, do not use public Wi-Fi for banking, keep your card visible during transactions, and carry an extra card.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Aruba takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may be able to return your card. You can also contact the bank’s helpline, but they usually resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs in Aruba?
No, there are no fee-free ATMs in Aruba. Be prepared to pay anywhere between US$ 5.3 to US$ 10 as ATM Fees per transaction to withdraw cash here.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted?
Absolutely yes! You can usually use cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs in Aruba
Bitcoin ATMs
At present, Aruba does not have any Bitcoin ATMs. However, residents and visitors can explore online platforms for cryptocurrency transactions.
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Aruba
Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs here.
Citibank: No, Citibank does not run ATMs.
Barclays: No, Barclays does not have ATMs.
HSBC: No, HSBC does not run ATMs.
Standard Chartered: No, Standard Chartered does not have ATMs here.
