Aruba Healthcare System Guide
How the healthcare system works in Aruba — emergency numbers, GP access, vaccines, insurance and medical costs for visitors and expats.
Healthcare system overview
Aruba has excellent healthcare for a Caribbean island — a legacy of its status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Horacio Oduber Hospital (HOH) is the main public hospital — JCI-accredited. Dr Horacio E Oduber Hospital is modern and well-equipped. Multiple private clinics and doctors. English widely spoken. Complex cases evacuate to Curaçao, Colombia (Bogotá), or the Netherlands.
System type: Public hospital (HOH) + private clinics. Part of Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Emergency numbers & response
Dial: 911
Typical response time: 8-15 minutes (small island — 32km long).
Costs: HOH ER: AWG 100-500 ($56-280) for visitors. Admission: AWG 500-2,000/day ($280-1,120).
Call 911. HOH is the only hospital — 280 beds, JCI-accredited, covers all emergencies. Hyperbaric chamber available for diving injuries.
Seeing a doctor as a visitor
Private doctors and clinics — walk-in or appointment. Hotel doctor services available. Eagle Medical Centre and Centro Medico popular with tourists.
Typical wait: Private clinic: same-day. HOH outpatient: 1-3 hours.
Typical cost: Private GP: $40-80. Specialist: $80-200. Hotel doctor: $80-150.
Good across the island — Aruba is compact.
Vaccines for travel
Recommended: Routine vaccines, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Tetanus
No malaria. Dengue/Zika possible. Outside hurricane belt but UV intense.
Insurance & visa health requirements
Insurance required for visa: no
Public coverage for visitors: no
Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands but NOT the EU — separate entry requirements. US citizens: 90 days visa-free. ED card required (fill online before travel).
Documents to prepare:
- Passport
- Travel insurance
- ED card (Embarkation/Disembarkation card — fill out online before travel)
Typical medical costs
Private GP visit: $40-80
Emergency care without insurance: $100-1,000+
Medication: Pharmacies well-stocked. Botica (pharmacy) chain widespread. Prices moderate — higher than mainland South America but reasonable.
Pharmacies & medication
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm. Botica di servicio (duty pharmacy) for after-hours.
Over the counter: Good range. Dutch pharmaceutical standards.
Controlled substances: Dutch-based regulations. Carry prescriptions.
Things that catch visitors out in Aruba
- Aruba has JCI-accredited hospital — best healthcare of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao)
- English is widely spoken — virtually no language barrier
- Hyperbaric chamber available for diving emergencies — rare for a Caribbean island
- Part of Kingdom of Netherlands but NOT the EU — different entry requirements
- Island is tiny (32km long) — hospital is never more than 20 minutes away
Practical tips for travellers
- Horacio Oduber Hospital (HOH) — JCI-accredited, well-equipped for a Caribbean island
- Eagle Medical Centre — popular with tourists, English-speaking
- Hyperbaric chamber at HOH for diving injuries — ensure dive insurance
- Botica di servicio (duty pharmacy) for after-hours medication needs
- UV is extremely intense — SPF 50+ essential, reapply frequently
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