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local Monday 25 august 2025

Basic driving rules on Aruba: Roundabouts

(Oranjestad)—Have you
ever felt confused when
you’re driving on the high-
ways or backstreets of
Aruba? Then we present a
simple guide to some of the
basic rules of Aruban traf-
fic, along with some tips for
things to look out for.

Speed limit
Legally, the speed limit on
the four-lane highways is
80 km/h. This speed limit
also counts for the main
roads that are connected
to the highways. The mini-
mum speed is 50 km/h.
Most people drive around
60 km/h on the main roads
and about 70 km/h on the
highways. There are also ar-
eas that indicate a speed
limit on a sign; these are
usually around populated
and school areas.

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