Aruban Florin (AWG) Calculator

Aruba's Florin: Dollar-Pegged Caribbean Currency

The Aruban florin has been pegged to the US dollar at 1.79 AWG per USD since 1986, making conversion predictable for the island's predominantly American tourist base. Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located about 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean. The Centrale Bank van Aruba maintains the peg using reserves generated primarily from tourism, which accounts for the vast majority of economic output.

Aruba's "One Happy Island" branding has been remarkably effective. The island draws over a million visitors annually, with Americans making up roughly two-thirds of arrivals. Consistent sunshine (Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt), white sand beaches at Eagle Beach and Palm Beach, and a compact walkable downtown in Oranjestad make it one of the most popular Caribbean destinations.

The Peg in Practice

US dollars are accepted everywhere on the island without exception. Hotels, restaurants, shops, taxis, and tour operators all quote prices in either florins or dollars and accept both interchangeably. Many businesses post prices in USD since that is what most visitors carry. The practical difference between paying in florins versus dollars is minimal, though change may come in a mix of both currencies.

The peg has held steady for nearly four decades because the tourism-driven economy generates a reliable stream of dollar inflows. The island's small population of about 110,000 and limited import needs relative to tourist spending mean the trade balance is more than covered by tourism receipts and the Dutch government's financial backstop.

Island Costs

Aruba is not a budget destination. Resort hotels along Palm Beach and Eagle Beach cost 350 to 700 AWG per night ($195 to $391). A dinner at a popular restaurant in Oranjestad runs 50 to 120 AWG ($28 to $67). A snorkeling or diving excursion costs 80 to 160 AWG. A rental car for exploring the rugged northeast coast and Arikok National Park runs about 80 to 120 AWG per day.

At 1.79 AWG per dollar, divide AWG prices by 1.8 for a close estimate. Budget-conscious visitors save by choosing accommodations near Eagle Beach rather than the high-rise strip, eating at local snack bars (pastechi costs about 4 AWG), and visiting natural attractions in Arikok rather than paid excursions.

USD/AWG Conversion

USD/AWG = 1.79 means one US dollar buys 1.79 Aruban florins. Converting $1,000 gives you 1,790 AWG. Converting 500 AWG to dollars gives you roughly $279. ATMs from Aruba Bank and RBC dispense florins at the pegged rate. Credit cards are accepted at virtually every business. There is no practical need for exchange offices since the dollar works everywhere.

Natural Beauty Beyond the Resorts

While Palm Beach and Eagle Beach get most of the attention, Aruba's interior and windward coast offer a completely different landscape. Arikok National Park covers nearly 20% of the island and features volcanic rock formations, Arawak cave paintings, a natural pool surrounded by boulders where waves crash over the rocks, and hiking trails through desert terrain populated by wild donkeys, iguanas, and Aruban whiptail lizards. The park entrance costs about 20 AWG ($11) per person. The California Lighthouse at the island's northwestern tip provides panoramic views and is a popular sunset spot. Bushiribana Gold Mill ruins, left from a brief gold mining era in the 19th century, sit on the windswept north coast. These free and low-cost attractions balance the resort-heavy south coast and show a rugged side of Aruba that most visitors miss.

Arubas culinary scene goes beyond resort buffets. Local specialties include keshi yena (stuffed cheese), stobas (stews), pan bati (cornmeal pancakes), and fresh fish prepared in dozens of ways. Restaurants in the San Nicolas area, Arubas second city and a growing art district with colorful murals on nearly every building, offer these traditional dishes at lower prices than the tourist strip. The weekly Bon Bini Festival in Oranjestad showcases local music, dance, crafts, and food for free, giving visitors a taste of Aruban culture beyond the beach. Grocery shopping at local supermarkets and cooking in a vacation rental is another way to manage costs on an island where restaurant prices reflect the import-dependent economy.

The Aruba Aloe factory and museum, one of the oldest aloe processing plants in the world, offers free tours and sells locally produced skincare products at prices well below US retail for comparable quality.

Frequently asked questions