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Aruba is frequently called a"shopper's paradise," with a wide variety of goods to whet the appetite of any seasoned shopper. Aruba sells both local goods and luxury imports at great prices. Depending on your shopping attitude, you can hit the local stores or find your favorite brands in one of Aruba's many modern shopping malls. As an additional bonus, most Aruban retailers accept credit cards and travelers checks with no hassle.
There are several important things to keep in mind when spending your money in Aruba. First, unlike other Caribbean locations, haggling is not customary in Aruba and is considered to be quite rude for the most part. There is no sales tax on goods, so the price tag represents the final price. Also remember that bringing Cuban cigars into the U.S. is strictly prohibited, and you can face serious trouble when coming through U.S. Customs if you attempt to carry them into the States. Last but not least, keep in mind the duty-free exemption maximums. For U.S. Citizens, this is $600 per person, and can be pooled for families traveling together; for Canadian citizens, the limit is Canadian $500, but may vary with the length of the visit.
Luxury Shopping
Airport departure lounge shops are probably the best place to look for discounted luxury items, although other locations on the island offer discounts of up to 25 percent. It is wise to do some research if you plan to make any big purchases, but Aruba generally offers enough of a discount on luxury items to make shopping there worthwhile.
Both The Royal Plaza Mall and Seaport Village Mall offer excellent selections of jewelry, crystals, perfumes and colognes, cosmetic goods, leather products and accessories, and other boutique items, in addition to Aruban souvenirs.
European designer brands, along with unique local designers like Agatha Brown of Les Accessories, are available throughout Aruba. The local jeweler Gandleman's is one of the most trusted retailers on the island. Electronics are also available at good discounts across the island. If you are looking for specific items, ask your hotel concierge for inside tips on the week's best buy.
Local Goods
The variety of Aruba's local goods make for an amazing shopping experience. Local arts, crafts, pottery, embroidered linens, aloe products, Dutch cheese, and souvenirs are all available at great prices across Aruba.
For the best in local art and artists, check out stores like Creative Hands and Just Local. The Tuesday evening Bon bini festival showcases local artists and craftsmen. Artistic Boutique and Art and Tradition Handcrafts both offer great Aruban art at amazing prices. Additionally, handicrafts vendors set up shop along streets and beaches, and are frequently working while selling!
Because aloe vera is native to the island, Aruba is the number-one spot for top-notch beauty products. From face masks to sunburn cream to moisturizing lotions, aloe products are refreshing and soothing - for both your skin and your pocketbook.
Last but not least, souvenir t-shirts, key rings, and other items are available at reasonable prices across the island. Merchandise frequently bears Dutch iconography such as windmills and wooden shoes due to Aruba's historical roots with Holland.
Shopping in Aruba is a fun experience and is full of great goods for tourists. Make sure to leave room in your budget - and your suitcase - for these fantastic finds.
