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LOCAL Monday 22 SepteMber 2025

Did you know about… Basic driving rules on Aruba

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