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Aruba Travel Tips
As is the case with most countries abroad, planning a Caribbean wedding in Aruba will require you to deal with passport issues. Luckily, as most countries in the Caribbean, Aruba falls under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) so the process is not quite as arduous. All that the WHTI requires is that U.S. citizens show a valid U.S. passport, an onward or return ticket, and an embarkation and disembarkation card filled out (this card can be obtained upon arrival).
Airline & Rental Car Considerations for Your Destination Wedding in Aruba
Presently, US Airways, American Airlines, Delta and United have flights to and from Aruba. If you are accustomed to flying with a major airline or have mileage rewards it should not be a problem using them in your planning when considering a Caribbean destination wedding in Aruba because the airline selection is ample. Additionally, given the small size of the island of Aruba, there is only one international airport to choose from so the headache of determining which airport to go to that one finds elsewhere is not found in Aruba. Aruba is located off the coast of Venezuela so coming from New York, Chicago or Los Angeles, you would be looking at a 10-12 hour flight depending on the amount of layovers your flight has.
The cost of flights to Aruba does not fluctuate drastically from one time of a year to another. A destination wedding traveler booking a flight two months in advance from Los Angeles, Chicago or New York would be looking at a cost of around $450-550 per ticket and double that amount for first class. Conversely, if one books several months in advance, the price difference is minimal, as you would save $50 at the most. Consider what refund policy is in place when purchasing your tickets as plans can change and it is unfortunate to be stuck with a ticket you can’t use.
When planning a Caribbean destination wedding in Aruba, something that may enter your mind is whether or not you will be able to rent and drive a vehicle. There is little cause for concern here as the restrictions in Aruba are not particularly stringent. Having an international driver’s license or a valid driver’s license held for at least two full years will allow you rent a car and drive in Aruba.
As far as actually renting a car goes, there is a wide selection of rental car companies to choose from as in any other mainstream destination. With Economy Car Rental, Budget Rent-A-Car, Avis, and Value Car Rental servicing the area, among others, the process of renting a car should be as easy as it would be in a major city.
Destination Wedding Package Selection in Aruba
Aruba is a fairly popular destination for people considering a Caribbean wedding and as such, the options are quite good whether one wants an extravagant wedding or a more budget-conscious wedding. There are destination wedding packages that range from $400-800 on the lower end of the scale from places such as the Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort or the Manchebo Beach Resort. Each destination wedding package includes a wedding official, a wedding certificate, a table set-up, a bouquet and unlimited consultation with a wedding planner. On the higher end, one could look at a place such as the Aruba Marriot Resort & Stellaris Casino, which offers destination wedding packages that include a professional photographer, wedding cake, champagne, hair and makeup services, and a local band.
Planning a destination wedding in Aruba is a breeze thanks to the breadth of services available, the vast infrastructure for tourism, and the lack of stringent travel requirements. With a passport in hand and some prior planning, you can have a hassle-free destination wedding in Aruba no matter what your wants, needs, and budget are. |
