Emergencies in Oranjestad

Good to Know

• 911 covers ambulance and fire, while 100 is the main number for police — it's worth saving both, as they are not interchangeable.
• There isn't a dedicated official Aruba government safety app for tourists, so your hotel/accommodation front desk and local radio are the practical fallback for storm or emergency updates.
• If calling from a mobile phone, these emergency numbers work the same as from a landline, and English-speaking operators are generally available.
• U.S. travelers can enroll in the State Department's STEP program before arrival so the nearest U.S. Consulate (in Curaçao, which covers Aruba) can reach or assist you in an emergency.
• Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital is Aruba's only general hospital, so it serves as the default ER/trauma receiving point for the entire island, including Oranjestad.
• Bring a form of payment: foreign travel insurance is often not accepted directly, and visitors may be asked for cash, credit card, or a deposit before treatment — travel medical insurance that allows reimbursement afterward is strongly advised.
• For serious trauma beyond the hospital's capacity, patients can be airlifted to nearby facilities such as those in Curaçao via air ambulance.
• Dial 911 for ambulance/fire and 100 for police anywhere in Aruba, including Oranjestad.