Aruba to kickstart holidays from July – will Britons be able to go?

Greg Dickinson
·4 min read
Aruba's beaches have been empty to international tourists since mid March - iStock
Aruba's beaches have been empty to international tourists since mid March - iStock

The Caribbean island of Aruba is preparing to reopen to international visitors on July 1, as the country lays out its exit strategy from lockdown.

Aruba has been closed to overseas arrivals since March 16, shortly after the island nation recorded its first cases of coronavirus.

The government went on to roll out strict lockdown measures for residents; there is a curfew from 10pm to 5am (originally 9pm to 6am), which comes with a fine of AWG 10,000 (US$5,000) for anyone who violates the rule.

However, the lockdown has helped to contain the virus; Aruba has recorded 101 cases of Coronavirus and 3 deaths, and now the Minister of Tourism Dangui Oduber has announced the country is preparing to reopen its borders.

Aruba’s economy will gradually reopen in the coming weeks, with the plan of being completely open by June 15. However, Oduber stressed that the July 1 date for the return of tourism is tentative, and depends on the local covid-19 situation being under control. It will also depend on other health and safety protocols that will need to be introduced, and collaboration from the island's business owners working in the tourism sector.

Prior to the pandemic, Aruba welcomed more than 20,000 visitors per week. Under the new plans, they are looking at around 2,000 visitors per week – just 10 per cent of its usual capacity. Jetblue, American Airlines, Spirit, Copa and Avianca are said to be on board with Aruba’s plans to reopen this July.

Not everyone is happy with the announcement of reintroducing international tourism, according to a report by Visit Aruba News. “There have been indications of mixed feelings on the part of the Aruban community,” they wrote, “with many Arubans concerned that this step would be premature and could bring all Aruba’s efforts to contain the virus locally to naught.”

Under the government’s phased return to a “new normal”, certain businesses have been allowed to reopen with a maximum of 15 people allowed inside their premises. As of May 18, businesses will be allowed to reopen with a maximum of 50 people inside. On June 1, the number goes up to 125 and then from June 15 onwards, any restrictions will be defined at a later point.

Prior to the pandemic, Aruba welcomed up to 20,000 visitors per week - iStock
Prior to the pandemic, Aruba welcomed up to 20,000 visitors per week - iStock

While the Foreign Office advice is for British nationals to avoid all but essential travel, Aruba is one of the few countries that does not have an explicit FCO travel advisory. However, the hopes of British citizens getting overseas this summer were this week scuppered when the prime minister confirmed anyone arriving back into the UK will be subject to a 14-day quarantine.

As it stands, there are no direct flights scheduled between the UK and Aruba for July. Tui is still offering holidays to Aruba on its website. The next direct flight (not part of a package holiday) is on October 1, operated by Tui, flying from Gatwick to Oranjestad with a return the following Thursday costing a total of £738.

Once the government lifts its travel advisory, there is nothing to stop Britons from booking a trip to Aruba so long as they are happy to self-isolate on return. Anyone booking a trip to Aruba should also bear in mind that the global pandemic is subject to change – quickly and without warning – so there is the possibility that you could end up having to go through the arduous process of seeking a refund if your holiday were to be cancelled.

While Aruba's tourism chiefs will be feeling tentatively hopeful following the noises made by airlines like Jetblue and American, the full return of tourism will depend on when the cruise industry, which has been struck hard by the coronavirus pandemic, finally reboots. Cruise tourism is a major part of the Aruban economy, with over 800,000 passengers welcomed annually. You can see a full list of when cruise lines plan to resume operations here.

Describing the island in normal times, Telegraph Travel’s Nigel Tisdall says: “Visitors can expect a full-blown holiday circus delivering gorgeous beaches, friendly service, a wide choice of excursions and a coastline boasting high-rise hotels, two golf courses and 13 casinos.

“Dig around and there's also engaging natural attractions such as the Arikok National Park, which conserves a fifth of the island, while products made with locally-grown aloe vera are a top buy.”

For more information on when holidays will restart, see our country-by-country guide.