The stores of Aruba are stocked with well-priced imported merchandise. Aruba is a "Shopper's Paradise," with perfume, liquor, linens, jewelry, watches, cameras, designer fashions, crystal and china among the luxury items available at excellent prices. Many stores also feature local handicrafts.

Most stores and boutiques are located in Oranjestad, but excellent shops can also be found at the larger hotels and at the airport. Aloe is abundant in Aruba and skin care products are manufactured right on the island.

Stores on the main streets are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, although some are closed for lunch between noon and 2 p.m. Shops in the malls and shopping centers are open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some stores are open on Sundays and holidays when cruise ships are in port.

Duty Free Shopping
Aruba isn't actually a duty free port, however the duty is low enough that it's possible to find some excellent buys here, especially on items such as jewelry, perfume, fashions and electronic equipment. Citizens of the United States who have been out of the country for a minimum of 48 hours and who have not used their respective duty free allowance within 30 days are entitled to a $600.00 duty free tax exemption. Families traveling together can pool their exemptions, meaning a couple with two children can bring back $2400.00 worth of articles. Canadian citizens who have been outside Canada for a minimum of 7 days are permitted a duty free exemption of $500.00 Canadian dollars. Citizens are also permitted a duty free exemption of $200.00 each time they are out of the country for more than 48 hours. Exemptions cannot be pooled with spouse and/or children.

Fashion
Forgot to pack for that unexpected special occasion? Lost your bathing suit at that midnight swim? Don't worry. Aruba has the finest fashions imported from around the world.

Handycrafts
You will be pleasantly surprised to find a wide selection of hand crafted items made by native Arubans. Quite often the process of producing them is carried on right in front of your eyes, on the beachfront and at concession stands set up along the harbor. The wharf at Oranjestad's colorful harbor side can be a bargain hunter's dream. Paintings, T-shirts, photographs (some of them historical), pottery and jewellery are all set up along the main street. Transactions are carried out in both dollars and florins, and bargaining is expected.

Jewelry
The island of Aruba got its name from the ancient gold miners. Aruba means "red gold" ("ore" for gold + "ruba" for red.) The miners have long since gone and now instead, the tourists come searching for gold. These days, they have a tendency to find it and more in the luxurious jewelry shops of Aruba.

Malls
The downtown harbourfront area of Oranjestad bursts with modern colorful malls that produce a distinctive architechtural trademark. The major shopping centers are the Alhambra Shopping Bazaar, The Atrium, Bubali Shopping Center, Palm Beach Shopping Center, Port of Call Marketplace, Royal Plaza, Seaport Marketplace, Seaport Village Mall, Strada Complex I and II, and Sun Plaza Mall. Many malls feature wide open-air concept ceilings that allow the sun to shine in. They are all brightly lit at night, giving the downtown core a glowing neon display in vivid colors. Some have first class nightly live entertainment and casinos.

Souvenirs
Aruba is an island with historical roots from Holland. Icons such as windmills and wooden shoes are blended together with handicrafts that feature colorful cunucu houses that can be seen throughout the countryside. T-shirts are popular with the tourists because they are well made, and some are considered designer fashion!