Will my phone work in Aruba?

Aruba, my cell phone, ooh I wanna take ya. You may have already moodboarded the best beachside selfie spots and saved the trendiest restaurants, but there’s still one thing left to sort out: will my phone work in Aruba?  Read on to find out how you can stay connected during your getaway. 

Can I use my phone in Aruba?

Yes. Virtually all modern smartphones can be used in Aruba. Your phone can connect to local networks for calls, texts and data. But, and it’s a big-but, look into your carrier’s roaming options before you take off. Most US carriers offer international roaming options you can purchase before or during your trip, but things can get expensive fast – like multiple dollars per minute fast. And most only alert you to these costs once you’ve arrived (but some carriers *ahem* offer international roaming add-ons at super low rates, just sayin’). Compare these rates against local Aruban carriers when building your budget.

Will a SIM card from Aruba work in a U.S. phone?

Yep. Aruban SIM cards should work in most unlocked U.S. phones. If you need to brush up on “How to tell if a phone is unlocked,” we’ve got you covered. Now, let’s say you compared roaming rates and you don’t want to go with your U.S. carrier. You can either buy a prepaid physical Aruban SIM card or an Aruban eSIM data plan. We recommend the eSIM option. You’ll be all set the moment you arrive, and if your phone is dual-SIM compatible, you can run a local eSIM while still using your regular SIM, which lets you use your U.S. phone number. If not, you can still use a local Aruban SIM, but your friends back home won’t be able to reach you from your U.S. number (Aruban phone, who dis?).

Tips for using U.S. cell phones in Aruba

There are the obvious travel faux pas, like using flash in a museum or bringing a selfie stick literally anywhere, then there are the less-obvious ones for your mobile data. A little pre-planning can help minimize your usage and your bill.

Connect to Wi-Fi when you can

Wi-Fi doesn’t grow on trees, but it is publicly available in a lot of places. Take advantage of free Wi-Fi to avoid using data, but be careful. Since these spots are touristy, there may be a risk of identity theft or hacking, so make sure you’re using proper phone security protocols.

Download content for offline use

When you find a safe Wi-Fi spot, take the opportunity to download any maps, guides and media that you’ll need later. That way, you can avoid eating into your data and, more importantly, getting totally lost. 

Use Wi-Fi Calling

Did you know most phone plans include Wi-Fi Calling? It’s exactly what it sounds like: As long as you have a safe, secure connection, you can make calls over Wi-Fi. You can easily turn it on in your phone’s settings menu.

Turn on airplane mode

Rule of thumb: put your phone on airplane mode while out and about. Making airplane mode your default setting will avoid accidental data usage. Even if it’s on, you can still connect to Wi-Fi and use any other function that doesn’t require data.

Pause auto downloads and background app refresh

Push notifications, auto downloads, and app updates are quietly draining your data as we speak. No one needs that on their trip. Head here for a refresher on background app refresh and learn how to optimize your phone behind the scenes. 

Pick up a portable battery & local adapters

Nothing kills the vibe faster than a dead battery. Turns out using your phone as a GPS, camera, payment method and flashlight really takes a toll on the poor thing. Snag a portable battery/charger at the airport.

Luckily for us Americans, Aruba has the same electrical system as the U.S. (Fox yeah), but it would be wise to still get an adapter. While Aruba uses Type A and B outlets, they also use Type F outlets. It may be a good idea to call your hotel or host to confirm which one they use.

Where to next?

Got any more room in that suitcase? Perfect. Because we have your Caribbean tour covered, whether your travels take you to the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas or Puerto Rico. And for you frequent flyers, be sure to check out our Minternational Pass. Think of it like a passport for your wireless plan which gives you talk, text and high-speed data to over 180 countries (note: a Minternational Pass cannot substitute a real passport).

Click below to see if your next destination is covered.