Life in Aruba

One Happy Island

In the warm waters of the Caribbean sea lies Aruba, our One Happy Island.
Aruba is located in the mid-south of the Caribbean Sea, about 29 km north of Venezuela and 80 km northwest of Curaçao. It measures 32 km long from its north-western to its south-eastern end and 10 km across at its widest point. In 1986, Aruba acquired a separate status within the Kingdom of The Netherlands and formally separated itself from the other islands of the Netherlands Antilles. Today, Aruba remains a constituent country of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. The local currency is the Aruban florin (AWG).

The population of Aruba consists of over 110,000 residents, which includes over 90 nationalities. Most Aruban people speak four languages: the native language of Papiamento, Dutch, English, and Spanish. These inhabitants are warm and friendly, and are willing to help you; because of this, you will feel right at home here! Last but not least, the weather is very pleasant.

The daily temperatures hover around 29/31 degrees Celsius (84/88°F) throughout the whole year. The temperature only drops a few degrees at night which means that you can still sit outside. Moreover, during the summer months, Aruba has only a few days of rain. During the rainy season from October to December there can be some rainy days.

Working permit

Anyone who wants to work in Aruba needs a work permit. When wanting to work in the healthcare industry in Aruba the first step is to register yourself at the DVG (Health Department). After that, the hospital will be able to request a work permit at DIMAS. This is the government agency charged with implementing the immigration policy and issuing work permits. As soon as you receive your permit, you will be able to register at the Censo (the Population Register), and AZV, our national health insurance. The AZV insurance is a general medical insurance for every citizen living in Aruba for them to have benefits and easy access to medical care. For more information on how to obtain your working permit, please look on www.dimasaruba.aw.

Accommodation

When the working permit is acquired, it is time to find a suitable accommodation. There are a few aspects to think about when deciding which accommodation fits you best. An important aspect is the location where you would like live. Aruba is a relatively small island, however, it is always nice to have an accommodation near your workplace. The hospital is located in the Northern part of Aruba, near Eagle Beach. Nevertheless, other parts of Aruba such as Santa Cruz or Paradera are also lovely. Living on the Eastern part of Aruba, where accommodations can be more affordable, is also an option. It would take you then about 35 minutes to reach the hospital from for example San Nicolas. Secondly, what kind of accommodation are you looking for? In Aruba, there are multiple types of accommodation, for instance, houses, apartments and student accommodations. Aruba has specialized real estate agencies and brokers who can inform you about different offers. They can also help you with the Aruban procedures and legislation.

Transportation and Safety

On Aruba, having a car is advisable. There is public transportation, however, it does not drive everywhere and anytime. A car gives you the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want. It is possible to buy a car or to rent one. Aruba is known to be one of the safest island in the region. Nevertheless, this does not mean that proper caution isn’t advised. It is always important to stay attentive.