VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
According to TOP-MEDICAL-SCHOOLS, the island of Aruba belongs to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In order to get to the island, you need to apply for a visa at the Embassy of the Netherlands. Submission of documents for a visa is carried out at the visa center by appointment.
To obtain a visa, you must submit the following documents:
– one application form filled out and signed by the owner;
– 1 up-to-date, age-appropriate passport photo. If the child included in the passport is included in the questionnaire, his photo is also required;
– Passport valid for at least 3 months after return;
– a copy of the first page of the passport;
– a copy of all pages (except empty ones) of the internal passport;
– hotel reservation for the entire period of stay;
– proof of solvency: bank statement or account statement no more than 3 months old;
– booking a ticket with closed dates or a copy of an electronic ticket;
– for a business visa: the original invitation to the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba from a legal entity, registration at a conference or congress;
– certificate from the place of work on the letterhead of the company indicating the position, date of employment, average monthly salary and information about the next vacation; for entrepreneurs – registration of an enterprise in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry + a copy of the TIN;
– for students and schoolchildren – a certificate from an educational institution with permission to be absent during a given period of time;
– for foreigners – a copy of the Russian entry-exit visa or residence permit + registration, valid for at least 3 months after returning from the Netherlands;
– minors traveling with one of the parents – a notarized permission to leave from the parent (parents) who does not accompany the child. If the child is traveling accompanied by a third person, then the power of attorney must contain a clause on the adoption by this person of parental authority for the duration of the trip;
– for pensioners – the original pension certificate (or a notarized copy), an extract from a bank account or a certificate from the place of work of one of the relatives indicating the position, salary (at least 20,000 rubles) and an application for sponsoring a trip, a copy of the sponsor’s internal passport.
When applying for a visa, a consular fee of 35 euros is charged, the maximum validity of a visa is 30 days.
You can import and export local currency in unlimited quantities, it is worth remembering that the Aruba florin is an inconvertible currency, so it is impossible to exchange it in other countries.
Persons over 15 years of age are allowed to import duty-free up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, up to 1 liter of spirits or 2.25 liters of wine or 3 liters of beer, as well as personal effects and gifts in the amount of up to 100 florins.
It is forbidden to bring weapons and explosives, drugs and narcotic medications into the island. Without special permission, the export of objects and things of historical and artistic value, especially those found at the bottom of the sea, is prohibited.
Aruba, Netherlands, embassy website: http://www.mfa.nl/mos-ru/home
Embassy in Aruba, Netherlands
Aruba, the Netherlands, embassy in Moscow
Aruba Island is a possession of the Netherlands, so the Dutch consulate located at 6, Kalashny pereulok, deals with issuing visas here
Phone: (495) 797-29-00
Fax: (495) 797-29-04
Visa Application Center of the Netherlands in Moscow: 127030, Struggle Square, 15/1.
Phone: (495) 781-87-42
Phone for information: (495) 797-29-79 from 14:00 to 16:30
Fax: (495) 797-29-72
Aruba, Netherlands, Embassy website: http:/ /www.mfa.nl/mos-ru/home
Religion in Aruba, Netherlands
The majority of the believing population of the island are Catholics, about 8% are Protestants. There are adherents of Hinduism, Confucianism and Judaism.
Transport in Aruba, Netherlands
The best way to get to Aruba is by plane.
The cities and resorts of the island are connected by a network of bus routes, but it is best to travel around Aruba by car. In order to rent a car, you must have an international driver’s license, a driving experience of at least 2 years, and be over 21 years old, but not over 70 years old.
Plant and Animal World in Aruba, Netherlands
Forests, of which there are very few, are mainly distributed in the western part of Aruba. They are represented by thickets of milkweed, cacti, various thorny bushes and the vatapana or divi-divi tree. In the east of the country there are wastelands with isolated cacti.
The animal world is extremely poor, mainly domestic animals that were brought by Europeans live here.
Minerals in Aruba, Netherlands
Once upon a time, a gold deposit was discovered in Aruba, but it was worked out. Now there are no minerals on the island.
Banks in Aruba, Netherlands
Banks are open on weekdays from 8:00 to 16:00 with a lunch break from 12:00 to 13:30. At the local airport, the bank branch is open daily from 8:00 to 16:00.
Money in Aruba, Netherlands
The national currency of the island of Aruba is the Aruba florin. 1 florin is equal to 100 cents. The Aruba florin is pegged to the US dollar. Now in circulation are banknotes of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 florins and coins of 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1, 2.5 and 5 florins. Florin cannot be exchanged outside the island.
US dollars are accepted everywhere.
You can exchange currency at bank offices. Credit and traveler’s checks are accepted for payment in most shops and hotels. ATMs are located everywhere, they issue local currency, dollar ATMs can only be found in the capital.
Rate: 10 Aruba Florin (AWG) = 5.04 USD
Political State in Aruba, Netherlands
The island of Aruba is a federal subject within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Internal self-government and legislative activity is carried out by a unicameral parliament – Staten. Executive power is concentrated in the hands of the Council of Ministers, which is headed by the Prime Minister. Issues of foreign policy and defense are decided by the representative of the Queen of the Netherlands – the Governor General.
Population in Aruba, Netherlands
The current local residents of Aruba are the descendants of the Arawak Indian tribes who lived here and visiting Dutch and Spaniards.
Language:
The official language of the island is Dutch. Many locals speak the Papiamento language, which was formed from Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, English and Indian dialects. English and Spanish are also widely spoken.
Cuisine in Aruba, Netherlands
The basis of local cuisine is dishes from seafood – shrimp, lobsters, lobsters, deep-sea fish, various shells and algae. Of the national dishes, the most interesting are shrimp with greens; pies stuffed with meat, shrimp or fish; meatballs “bitterball”; stewed lamb “stoba”; bean fritters “kala”; pea soup “ervten-soep”; meatloaf “ayakas”; fish meatballs “crokeshi”; fish soup “sopi-di-squeak”; pea-grain porridge “tutu”; caramel dessert “kesio”; pudding di coco coconut pudding and ponche creme rum punch.
From alcoholic beverages, first-class beers are produced here, including the world-famous Balashi variety.
Communication in Aruba, Netherlands
Everywhere on the streets of the island there are payphones, with which you can call anywhere in the world. They work with phone cards, which are sold at post offices, telephone company offices, supermarkets, newspaper and tobacco kiosks, as well as at gas stations and mini-markets. You can call to another country from the post office or from the hotel, only such a call will cost more.
In order to call Aruba, you need to dial 8 – 10 – 297 – the subscriber’s number, there are no long-distance codes on the island.
In order to call to Russia, you need to dial 00 – 7 – area code – subscriber number.
Emergency Phones in Aruba, Netherlands
Rescue Service – 911
Fire Department – (297) 582-11-08
Department of Public Order and Security – (297) 584-33-22
HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS
January 1 – New Year’s Day
January 25 – Cros Day
March 18 – National Anthem and Flag
Day April 30 – Queen’s Day
May 1 – Labor Day
May 5 – Ascension Day
December 25 – Christmas
Carnivals in Aruba are very colorful. The main carnival takes place in February, a few weeks before Lent. At this time, parades, masquerades, musical performances, dance events and parties are held on the streets of the city.
After the New Year holidays, on January 7, a parade of torches, a parade of old masks and a solemn burning of an effigy of a folklore character – King Momito are held.
At the end of April, the Summer Jam festival is held, accompanied by a carnival and performances of jazz bands, at the end of June, the Dera Gai Harvest Festival is held, on December 5, St. Nicholas Day, known worldwide as Santa Claus, is celebrated.
USEFUL THINGS Swimming
is best in designated areas, because the open sea has strong undercurrents, in some areas underwater rocks come close to the surface of the water, and the inhabitants of the sea are also sometimes aggressive.
SHOPS
Aruba has very low taxes and duties. Food is exempt from value added tax and is very low for some types of consumer electronics and perfumes. Aruba has many boutiques of famous brands of clothing, so Aruba is known as a great place for shopping.
Tipping Tips
are usually already included in the bill in most hotels and restaurants, but in cafes and bars, tips are left at the discretion of the client (about 10% of the amount indicated on the bill). It is not customary to leave a tip for taxi drivers.
NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
The locals lead a measured way of life and usually do not rush anywhere. They are friendly and accommodating.
ELECTRICITY
110V, 60Hz;
HEALTH
There are no special vaccinations required to enter the country, but doctors recommend vaccination against hepatitis A and polio. Be sure to take out medical insurance before you travel.
Tap water should not be drunk, it is better to use bottled water.
