Shopping

Aruba's shopping ranges from modern stores in glitzy shopping malls with gleaming stainless steel fixtures to small "mom & pop" shops off the beaten track. The bustling shopping area in Oranjestad is centered along the waterfront of L.G. Smith Boulevard. Upscale shops stock exquisite jewelry, watches, perfumes, designer clothes and footwear as well as t-shirts, sunglasses, beach & resort wear.
© Red Sail Sports
Look for Royal Plaza Mall, Renaissance Mall & Marketplace as well as many smaller shopping centers along the Boulevard and side streets.

You will be pleasantly surprised to find a wide selection of hand crafted items made by native Arubans. Quite often the process of producing them is carried on right in front of your eyes, on the beachfront and at concession stands set up along the harbor.

The wharf at Oranjestad's colorful harbor side can be a bargain hunter's dream. Paintings, T-shirts, photographs (some of them historical), pottery and jewelry are all set up along the Boulevard. Transactions are carried out in both dollars and florins, and bargaining is expected.

Several new and interesting large shopping complexes have transformed the high rise hotel strip along Palm Beach into a shopper's paradise. Look for the shops opposite Playa Linda Beach Resort as well as the newest Paseo Herencia Mall featuring a cozy plaza surrounded by spectacular free standing buildings in the typical Aruban style.

An outdoor ampitheater features nighttime local artists perfomances and "liquid fireworks" shows from a central fountain.
© Paseo Herencia Mall
Stores in the downtown areas are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, although some are closed for lunch between noon and 2 p.m. Shops in the malls and shopping centers are open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some stores are open on Sundays and holidays when cruise ships are in port.

Aruba is an island with historical roots in Holland. Icons such as Delft pottery, windmills and wooden shoes are blended together with handicrafts that feature colorful Cunucu houses that can be seen throughout the countryside.

Aruba isn't actually a duty free port, however the duty is low enough that some excellent buys can be found here, especially on items such as jewelry, perfume, fashions and electronic equipment.
© Karen E. Booth
Please refer to our Customs information page for details.

Many malls feature wide open-air concept ceilings that allow the sun to shine in. They are all brightly lit at night, giving the downtown core a glowing neon display in vivid colors. Some have first class nightly live entertainment and casinos.
There are many jewelry stores located in most of the major hotel lobbies as well as the other malls on the island. Specialties include gold, diamonds, tanzanite and many other precious stones as well as watches from many of the well known manufacturers.



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