If you're landing in Oranjestad thinking you need to hunt down a shady currency exchange booth immediately, take a breath. You don't. Honestly, one of the best things about visiting "One Happy Island" is that your greenbacks are basically local royalty.
The relationship between the US dollar to Aruba currency—officially known as the Aruban Florin (AWG)—is one of the most stable financial pairings in the Caribbean. Since 1986, the Florin has been pegged to the U.S. Dollar at a fixed rate of 1.79 AWG to 1 USD.
But wait. If you go to a supermarket or a gas station, you might see a sign that says 1.75. Or maybe a bank offers you 1.77. Why the gap? It's not a scam; it's just how the island breathes.
The Weird Math of the Aruban Florin
Aruba isn't like Europe where the Euro bounces around every morning based on what some guy in Brussels says. Here, the Central Bank of Aruba keeps things locked. However, the "street rate" is a real thing you need to know about.
Most shops and restaurants use an exchange rate of 1.75 Florins for every dollar. It’s a convenience fee, sort of. If you pay in USD, you’ll almost certainly get your change back in Florins. This is where most tourists get tripped up. You hand over a $20 bill for a $12 lunch, and suddenly your pockets are full of colorful Aruban paper and weird square coins.
Yes, square coins.
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The 50-cent piece in Aruba is a literal square with rounded corners. It’s cool, it’s a great souvenir, but it’s also money you can’t spend back in Miami or New York.
Why the US Dollar to Aruba Currency Peg Matters
Stability. That’s the short answer. Because the Aruban economy is so heavily reliant on American tourism, they can't afford a volatile currency. By pinning the Florin to the Dollar, they ensure that a gallon of milk or a jeep rental doesn't suddenly double in price because of a global market hiccup.
The Aruban Florin replaced the Netherlands Antillean Guilder decades ago when Aruba got its "Status Aparte" within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. They wanted their own identity, but they kept the smart financial move of staying tied to the greenback.
Cash vs. Card: What’s the Move?
You’ve probably heard people say "cash is king." In Aruba, that's only half true.
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Major resorts, high-end restaurants in Palm Beach, and jewelry stores will happily swipe your Visa or Mastercard. Most of the time, they’ll even ask if you want to be charged in USD or AWG. Always pick USD if your bank has a good foreign transaction policy; it saves you from the bank's own internal (and usually worse) exchange rates.
- ATMs: They are everywhere. Most will give you a choice: Do you want Florins or US Dollars?
- Small Vendors: If you’re hitting up a local pastechi stand or buying a coconut on the beach, have Florins. They’ll take dollars, but the "rounding down" to 1.75 will eat a few cents of your value every time.
- Tipping: Tips are expected in the service industry, and US Dollars are perfectly fine. No waiter is going to be upset about a $5 bill.
Common Misconceptions About Aruba's Money
I’ve seen people try to use Euros because Aruba is technically part of the Dutch Kingdom. Don't do that. You'll get a terrible rate, or they'll just point you toward a bank. While the island has Dutch roots, its wallet is firmly American.
Another thing: Don't confuse the Aruban Florin with the Caribbean Guilder used in Curacao or St. Maarten. They look similar, and the exchange rates are nearly identical (1.79), but they are not interchangeable. If you have leftover Guilders from a cruise stop in Curacao, you can't buy a Balashi beer with them in Aruba.
Maximizing Your Money: Actionable Tips
- Check your credit card's foreign transaction fee. If it’s 3%, you’re better off using cash for everything. If it’s 0%, swipe away.
- Use your Florins before you leave. You cannot exchange Florins back to Dollars easily once you’re back in the States. Most US banks don't even carry them.
- Watch the change. If you pay in USD, do a quick mental check on the change you get in Florins. Remember: $1 is roughly 1.75 to 1.80.
- The "Square Coin" Trap. If you have a bunch of 50-cent square coins, spend them at the airport newsstand. They are heavy, and unless you're a coin collector, they just take up space in your luggage.
At the end of the day, dealing with the US dollar to Aruba currency is probably the easiest part of your vacation. You don't need to be a math genius. Just remember that 1.75 is the standard shop rate, 1.79 is the official bank rate, and having a mix of both currencies in your wallet is the smartest way to navigate the island.
Next Steps for Your Trip
To stay ahead of your travel budget, call your bank today and verify if they charge a "Foreign Transaction Fee" for Caribbean territories. If they do, plan to withdraw a lump sum of USD at an Aruban ATM (which usually has a flat fee) rather than swiping your card for every small purchase. This simple move can save you $50 to $100 over a week-long stay.