Aruba is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations you can go to. A true eternal summer paradise, its beaches, historical sites, and natural attractions all make for a vacation that you will remember for years to come. But before you start packing your bags, it’s crucial to brush up on some tourist etiquette tips. You can find bad tourists anywhere, and they bring an array of issues with them, including environmental damage and disrespect towards the local culture and residents. Indeed, tourism drastically affects the everyday lives of Aruban locals–for better or worse–so it’s your responsibility to be respectful towards the people and the island itself during your stay. Here’s a quick guide to being a good traveler during your Aruba vacation.
1. Support Local Businesses
Aruba’s economy relies heavily on tourism, so its citizens appreciate when tourists support local businesses. One of the ways you can do so is by booking accommodations directly with vacation rental properties or with locally operated vacation travel agencies instead of big online travel agencies operated outside of Aruba.. VacationAruba, for example, is a locally owned provider that can connect you with beautiful rental condos, apartments, beach houses, and even luxury beachfront villas. By booking with VacationAruba, you’ll be able to rent your dream vacation home while also supporting the Aruban people and the island’s economy.
Besides your accommodations, make sure you choose local businesses and shops whenever you can. Look for hole-in-the-wall restaurants for the opportunity to try local cuisine. And instead of buying generic souvenirs in the airport stores, look for smaller local souvenir shops. These hold unique, sometimes even handmade, souvenirs to take home to your loved ones.
2. Do Your Research
Learning about Aruba’s social, cultural, and societal norms is essential to show proper respect to the locals. It’s also a good idea to look up its regional laws, as you don’t want to accidentally violate any. For example, did you know that Aruba has a ban on sunscreens with oxybenzone? Oxybenzone can damage the reef systems found in the waters around the island, so only reef-safe, mineral-based sunscreens are allowed to be used.
While it’s helpful to plan ahead, don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers before you arrive. Traveling often comes with unexpected questions, whether it’s about local customs or finding the best authentic food spots, or even understanding how to get around. In those moments, having access to local insight can make all the difference. Our team at VacationAruba will be more than happy to assist you during your stay, offering recommendations and advice based on firsthand experience.
3. Don’t Make Comparisons
Culture differences between Aruba and your home country are inevitable, but the last thing you want to do is make unnecessary comparisons. What may seem strange to you is perfectly normal to the locals, and to compare the two will only negatively affect the experience for both yourself and the island’s citizens. Likewise, it’s not always a good idea to say aspects of Aruba are better than your home country, either. Instead, appreciate Aruba for what it is. It’ll make your trip much more eye-opening, and you may come home with new perspectives that you haven’t considered before.
4. Respect the Environment
Aruban locals take great care of their home island, and it’s important to do your part as a tourist to ensure that it remains as beautiful as it is now. It’s easy to take care of the environment during your stay; just remember not to litter or vandalize, especially historical sites. Also look into greener modes of transportation in Aruba, such as buses and bicycles.
Aruba also has laws in place to minimize environmental damage. Besides the ban on sunscreens with oxybenzone that we mentioned earlier, the Aruban government also established a ban on single-use plastics. You won’t be able to find single-use bags, utensils, or other such items while on the island, and bringing your own is strictly prohibited. Instead, bring a reusable non-woven bag or canvas bag instead.
5. Go off the Beaten Path
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean, Aruba, unfortunately, suffers from the consequences of overtourism. These include issues such as overcrowding, environmental damage, and damage to the local infrastructure.
While you’re certainly not discouraged from going to the most popular tourist attractions on the island, you can also look into the hidden gems of Aruba that don’t see as much foot traffic. Diversifying your itinerary not only enriches your understanding of the island but also helps reduce crowding in the areas that receive the most foot traffic. Alternatively, try booking your vacation during Aruba’s off-season, which falls from May to November. There will be fewer tourists crowding the more famous tourist spots, so you can enjoy as much of the island as you want. Plus, as a bonus benefit, tickets in some attractions tend to be cheaper during the off-season.
Practice Good Tourist Habits in Aruba
The locals of Aruba notice and appreciate visitors who respect their home. As long as you do proper research and treat the island as you would treat your own home country, you’ll surely be welcomed with open arms. Plus, practicing good tourist habits will help preserve the beauty of the One Happy Island for generations to come, allowing even more people to visit and form their own unforgettable memories.