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Banking hours: Mon-Fri from 8AM till 3:30PM. Airport: 7 days a week, 8AM tile 4PM. One of the most interesting coins in the world comes from Aruba - their 50c piece. Many souvenirs are made with the square 50 cent coin and the coin itself makes a unique gift for numismatic friends.

By the way, you can also withdraw money via ATM machines which are connected to the Cirrus network. Presently ATM's are accepted at ABN-AMRO Bank, Caribbean Mercantile Bank, and Aruba Bank. The card must either have a Cirrus, Master Card or Visa logo. ATM's outside the U.S. accept only 4 digit PINs. Cash is dispensed in local currency.

Money transfer: Western Union Money Transfer Service offers fast, secure and convenient money transfer service to more than 60 countries. For more information, please call (297) 582-4400 on Aruba.

CREDIT CARD &
TRAVELER'S CHECK REPRESENTATIVES

American Express
S.E.L. Maduro & Sons, Rockefellerstr, 1, Oranjestad, Tel. (297) 582-3888, office hours 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Closed on official holidays. Services include personal check cashing, refunds, exchange and replacement of American Express Traveler checks, American Express Card replacement service, report of lost or stolen American Express Cards.

Visa/Master Card
Aruba Bank, Caribbean Mercantile Bank and Interbank. Services available to cardholders include cash advance, report of lost or stolen Visa / Mastercard. Either your passport or two other valid identifications are required.

Aruba Bank N.V. also accepts Discover Card for Cash Advance.

The Aruba Banks listed above can also dispense US currency.

Bank at the Airport
Caribbean Merchantile Bank is located at the Queen Beatrix International Airport, is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

Climate:
Yearly averages: Temperature 82 degrees Rainfall 17"; Humidity 76%; Water temperature 80 degrees; Wind speed 16 mph. Daily sunshine: More than 8 hours.

Currency:
The Aruban florin is a sound currency, backed by gold and foreign exchange. The official rate at which banks accept U.S. Dollars is Af. 1,77 and checks at Af. 1,79. Traveller's checks are widely accepted. The exchange rate fluctuates between Af. 1,75 to Af. 1,80.

These rates are subject to change, of course. The Aruban florin, like the dollar, is divided into 100 cents and there are coins of 5, 10, 25 and a 50 cent square coin, pictured above. There is also a one florin coin.

If you're into coin collecting, please take time to visit the Numismatic Museum. Located on Zuidstraat #27, behind the Police Department, the museum offers an interesting collection of local coinage. It's open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to Noon, and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Phone 28831.

Drivers license:
Both International and foreign drivers licenses accepted.

Drinking water:
Distilled and purified seawater from the tap. Don't be afraid to drink the water in Aruba. It's no doubt much purer than what you get at home. And just because it's distilled, don't think that it will have a funny taste. Tap water is very good and warm, which makes it nice for showering off when you come in from the ocean, or right out of the pool.

Electricity: 110 V AC - 60 cycles. No need to bring fancy adapters if you're from the USA or any other country which uses 110 volts and 60 cycles. Your hair dryer, shaver, curling iron and charger for your video camera will all work here.

Entry requirements: For U.S. and Canadian citizens, proof of citizenship and return ticket. A U.S. driver's license won't do. Bring your passport if you have it. If not, a birth certificate will work.

U.S. Immigration: Passengers flying from Aruba to the U.S. pass immigration before departure. This is such a great deal, because when you return, the Immigration lines in the U.S. will be long. All you need to do is tell the Immigrations agent at your destination that you just came from Aruba. You'll speed past the lines and right on down to luggage claim and Customs.

Languages: Papiamento and Dutch, English and Spanish widely spoken.

Population: 81,500

Location: 15 miles from Venezuela and 2090 miles from New York. 12 degrees north latitude and 70 degrees west longitude, outside the hurricane belt.

Size: 20 miles long by 6 miles wide, 70 square miles. Highest elevation is 617 feet, Mount Yamanota.

Store hours: 8 AM - 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. Shops open on Sunday and holidays when cruise ships are in port.

Time: Atlantic standard time.

Traffic: Moves on the right; international signs.