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local Tuesday 15 July 2025
Basic driving rules on Aruba: Roundabouts

(Oranjestad)—Have you used for exit 1 (left lane of
ever felt confused when highway), 2 and 3. The far
you’re driving on the high- left exit is used to only exit
ways or backstreets of on exit 3 (left lane of high-
Aruba? Then we present a way) and 4.
simple guide to some of the
basic rules of Aruban traf- “Las Americas” round-
fic, along with some tips for about
things to look out for. The Las Americas round-
about is located near the
Speed limit Talk of the Town hotel, west
Legally, the speed limit on from the airport round-
the four-lane highways is about. This roundabout
80 km/h. This speed limit may look like a regular
also counts for the main roundabout—and for the
roads that are connected most part, it is. However,
to the highways. The mini- when you are driving from
mum speed is 50 km/h. the east going in the direc-
Most people drive around tion of town, please take
60 km/h on the main roads note that there are two ex-
and about 70 km/h on the its on your right.
highways. There are also ar-
eas that indicate a speed When you’re driving to-
limit on a sign; these are wards this roundabout,
usually around populated to switch to the left lane Watty Vos Boulevard (the just have to keep an extra you’ll notice that the road
and school areas. on the high way before “paperclip” roundabout) eye open. becomes wider, splitting
nearing the roundabout Probably the biggest round- into two lanes. The right
The four-lane highways so you can take the path about on the island, the Airport roundabout lane is used to take the
contain the left-lane, also that leads you directly to “paperclip” roundabout Ah, yes. The infamous air- first and second exit on
known as the “fast” lane your exit. If your exit is on on the Watty Vos Boule- port roundabout. The fa- the right. If you want to exit
for each direction. Here is your right or if you’re going vard is one of the trickier vorite roundabout amongst straight ahead, you must
where vehicles can drive straight ahead, you can roundabouts that could— local, because of its easy drive on the left lane!
up to the maximum speed. keep driving in the right and has—caused con- (hard) lanes that never
However, legally it is not lane of the highway. fused among both tourists (always) cause confusion It’s always scary to drive in
permitted to drive for long and locals. However, once among drivers. Sarcasm new places where the traf-
periods of time on the left It’s also important to know you take a good look at it, aside, this roundabout can fic may look and work dif-
lane. This lane is primar- that vehicles about to en- it’s fairly simple. The basis be tricky to enter, especial- ferently, but once you get
ily designed for drivers ter the roundabout must is just the same as a regu- ly when you’re driving from it right once, you’ll get the
to switch lanes before a yield to those already on it. lar roundabout (left exit? the direction of the airport hang of it in no time. Ad-
roundabout, for example, A good rule of thumb is to left lane! etc.), but instead heading. When you’re driv- ditionally, all roundabouts
if your exit on the round- look out if someone is com- of having four different ex- ing away from the airport and roads on Aruba have
about is on your far left. ing from your left side. its like on a regular round- reaching the roundabout, signs and arrows painted
The general lane to drive about, now you have two you’ll be faced with three on the road to help guide
in—both at maximum and However, other round- extra; one on the right and lanes. The far right lane is you. So take your time,
minimum speed—is on the abouts can be quite tricky the other on the left side of to take the exit 1 out head- keep your eyes open and
right lane. to navigate… the roundabout. The rules ing east (right lane of high- don’t forget to wear a seat
don’t change at all, you way). The middle exit is belt!q
Roundabouts
Speaking of roundabouts, it
is important to know where
you have to enter and
drive on the roundabout to
make your exit. A good rule
of thumb is to count the ex-
its starting from your right
side. So, exit 1 would be
on your right; exit 2 would
be straight ahead; exit 3
would be on your far left
and exit 4 would lead to
the road paralleled to the
one you’re on, heading in
the other direction.

Most roundabouts have
these 4 exits, so they are rel-
atively simple. When you’re
driving on the four-lane
highway, it is important to
know when to switch to
the left lane to make your
exit: if your exit is on your far
left (exit 3), then you need