Can You Use US Money in Aruba?
Travelling to Aruba and wondering if you need to exchange your dollars before you land? Here’s the simple answer: yes, you can use US money in Aruba almost everywhere.
Why are US dollars accepted in Aruba?
Although the island’s official currency is the Aruban Florin (AWG), the US dollar plays such a big role in everyday life that it’s practically a second currency. That’s because:
- Aruba’s economy is heavily linked to tourism from the United States.
- The florin is pegged to the dollar at a fixed rate (about Afl. 1.79 = USD 1.00).
- Many businesses price goods in both florins and dollars to keep things simple for visitors.
So whether you’re paying for a taxi, buying groceries, or settling your hotel bill, USD is almost always accepted.
Will you ever need Aruban Florins?
In short, sometimes. For most tourist-focused purchases, dollars are fine. But:
- Small local shops and food stalls might prefer florins.
- You could receive change back in florins even if you paid in dollars.
- Public buses and smaller services are easier to pay in local currency.
Tip: ATMs in Aruba dispense both US dollars and florins, so you can decide which works best for you.
Everyday money tips for Aruba
- Bring smaller bills: Large USD notes aren’t always easy to break.
- Check the price label: Many restaurants and stores show prices in both USD and AWG.
- Card-friendly island: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, so cash isn’t always necessary.
- Exchange isn’t urgent: No need to hunt for exchange desks before your trip — your dollars will be fine.
Enjoy your holiday
You don’t need to worry about converting all your cash before visiting Aruba. US dollars are widely accepted, and the fixed exchange rate makes it straightforward to switch between dollars and florins when needed.
If you’re supporting family in Aruba, Paysend makes it easy to send money straight to cards and bank accounts – so your loved ones can spend in dollars or florins without extra hassle.
The educational materials on this site are provided for informational purposes only and do not reflect the opinions of Central Bank of Kansas City, Member FDIC. Educational materials may contain links to content on third-party websites, which are provided for your convenience; please note that linked sites may have a privacy and security policy different from our own, and we cannot attest to the accuracy of information.
The Central Bank of Kansas City does not guarantee nor expressly endorse any particular business, product, service, or third-party content.
Últimos artículos
Sending money abroad should feel simple, but if your international transfer is delayed or not received, it’s natural to wonder what went wrong.
International money transfers can be delayed, held, or returned for several reasons, most commonly due to compliance checks, missing information, processing cut-off times, or intermediary bank reviews. Industry reporting suggests that while the majority of transfers complete successfully, a small but meaningful share requires manual handling or additional processing, which can cause delays.
It’s important to understand that international money transfers involve multiple institutions, compliance checks, and settlement systems. Because of this, delays or exceptions are not unusual and are typically linked to process or regulatory requirements rather than technical failures or user mistakes.
With that in mind, this guide explains why international transfers may not be received as expected, how often this happens and what you can realistically do next.
Tras los terremotos que afectaron a Venezuela el 24 de junio de 2026, Paysend elimina su comisión de envío para el dinero que se manda a Venezuela durante dos semanas, del 25 de junio al 9 de julio de 2026, para que puedas apoyar a tu familia y amigos sin pagar comisión. La tasa de cambio aplica de forma habitual y siempre verás el costo total antes de enviar.
