Although Aruba is a smaller island country within the Caribbean, it’s a popular destination for many types of travelers.
Popular for its abundance of watersports, deliciously fresh seafood, and gorgeous white beaches, as well as breathtaking landscapes and architecture, Aruba is a destination not to be missed.
As it is a Caribbean island, many people assume that it may have similar crime rates to destinations such as the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, but they couldn’t be more wrong!
Aruba is actually one of the safest destinations to travel to within the Caribbean, and most visitors experience hassle-free trips. That said, there are some things to be aware of when traveling, so let’s take a look at some tips and things to keep in mind to ensure your visit to this beautiful country goes smoothly!
Crime in Aruba
Most visitors to Aruba don’t experience any trouble, however petty theft and street crimes still occur. There are instances of violent crimes taking place in the country, however, these are mostly in association with drugs, and so this rarely affects tourists.
If you’re planning on visiting the main tourist areas of Aruba, these are generally very safe and low in crime, but you should still remain vigilant and take sensible precautions.
Are Resorts in Aruba Safe?
As Aruba is typically a safe island to travel to in the Caribbean, it will come as no surprise to learn that some of the safest areas are within the resorts and resort towns.
Resorts and gated communities are some of the safest places to stay on the island, due to the higher security available on the properties.
How to Stay Safe in Aruba
When it comes to staying safe in Aruba, here are some precautions you should take, just to ensure you don’t get into any trouble:
- Avoid Remote Areas at Night
Whilst Aruba is generally a very safe place to visit, it’s important to remember that as with anywhere else, opportunistic crime is likely to happen at night. This is particularly important if you’re a solo traveler or female.
Staying in busy areas at night means you’ll be less likely to be the victim of aggressive theft or violence. Whilst busy areas for tourists run the risk of more pickpocketing, there will be less danger to your safety if you stay around the crowds.
- Ensure Valuables are Kept Safe and Secure
Be sure that if you’re traveling with valuables, don’t leave them in your vehicle whilst unattended, and don’t take them with you to the beach or pool.
Leaving them out in the open is an invitation for opportunistic thieves, especially in public areas.
If you’re traveling with valuable items on you, it’s important to either keep them in a locked and secure compartment of your vehicle (but not for too long!), or, ideally, on your person. Otherwise, leave them in the safe back at your resort.
- Keep Your Bags Secure
As one of the biggest issues you may face in Aruba is pickpocketing, it’s important to ensure that your bags are secure whenever you head out. Be sure that they’re fully zipped, and kept close at all times.
Try to avoid handbags that just have a handle, instead, it is best to opt for cross-body bags and fanny packs that cannot be easily snatched.
Is Aruba Safe for Solo Travelers?
Aruba is considered to be one of the safest destinations within the Caribbean, and for this reason, it’s a good choice of destination for any solo travelers looking to visit the area.
Relatively safe for both males and females traveling solo, it is of course still a good idea to adhere to a few tips to ensure your safety whilst traveling in Aruba.
- Make Friends and Talk to People
Meeting new friends is one of the best pastimes of many people’s solo travels. That said, it’s also a great way of staying safe. Arranging to do things in a group with fellow travelers can help keep you safer than if you were traveling alone 100% of the time.
Talking to people, such as the staff at your resort, can help keep you safe. If you let them know that you’re traveling alone, they may be able to offer some tips to help you out or advise you about group activities or tours that you may wish to join.
- Be Mindful of How Much You Drink
When you’re traveling alone, it’s especially important to be vigilant of your surroundings. This is something you really need to keep in mind if you like to go out drinking.
Whether you’re having a cheeky cocktail alone at a beach bar, or hanging out with some new friends from your resort, it’s important to ensure you don’t overdo it and are still alert. This is particularly important if you’re out of your resort, as you may struggle to find your way home if you are too inebriated.
- Keep in Touch With Your Loved Ones Back Home
Keeping in touch with family and friends back at home is an excellent way of staying safe whilst in Aruba. Check in with them regularly, so that if anything bad happens, they will notice quickly, and be able to alert the relevant authorities if they cannot get in touch with you.
It’s also a good idea to give them some of your travel details, such as the resort you’re staying at, and when you’re expected to return home.
- Join in With Group Activities and Excursions
Joining in with organized activities at your resort, or going on group trips and excursions is an excellent way to make new friends and see more of the country safely.
This way you can see all the amazing sights, without the fear of getting lost or having your rental car break down!
Is Aruba Safe for Female Travelers?
As one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean, Aruba is one of the destinations we would recommend most for females wanting to visit the Caribbean.
If you’re looking for the perfect place to go for a bachelorette party, girls holiday, or just a solo vacation, Aruba is one of the best spots in the whole of the Caribbean if you’re a woman.
Even though there is a low crime rate though, this doesn’t mean the country is crime-free. Be sure to follow these tips to ensure your safety when traveling to Aruba as a female.
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings When Drinking
Whilst this one goes for any type of traveler, it’s important to stay vigilant whilst drinking. Never leave your drink unattended, and don’t accept pre-poured drinks from strangers in order to avoid instances of spiking.
Spiking is not particularly common in Aruba, so you’re not as much at risk as you may be in other Caribbean destinations. That said, it’s important to keep in mind that this kind of crime can happen to anyone, anywhere.
- Don’t Give Away too Much Information
This one is especially important if you’re a solo traveler, but it’s important to never give away too much information about yourself whilst on vacation anywhere.
Locals in Aruba are generally very friendly and helpful, however, you don’t want to risk your personal information getting into the wrong hands.
For this reason, it’s important not to share information such as the name of your hotel, your room number, or your upcoming travel plans with people you don’t know.
- Be Firm and Polite With Men if They Give you Unwanted Attention
Whilst violent crimes and sexual attacks are quite uncommon in Aruba, it’s important to shut down any unwanted advances from men immediately.
Getting Around Aruba Safely
In Aruba, the public transport is known to be safe and reliable. It’s a great way to get around the island and see the sights.
If this isn’t your thing and you want a little extra security in knowing exactly where you’re going, then traveling as part of an organized tour group may be the better choice for you.
So is Aruba Safe?
Overall, Aruba is one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean. Whilst it’s important to still keep in mind and adhere to standard travel safety tips, it’s much easier to relax a little in this beautiful country, knowing that crime rates are low, and you’re likely to be safe during your travels.
If you’re a solo traveler or a female, this is one of the best Caribbean islands to visit to ensure your safety whilst on a beautiful beach vacation.
Need help planning your trip to Aruba? Head on over to our contact page, where you can get in touch with one of our trusted travel advisors, to help you plan your dream getaway.