Aruba customs help?
 

Someone please help! My husband and I are looking into going to Aruba for a November vacation. When we priced a vacation through Funjet vacations, at the end where it gives the price, one of the product advisories read that effective 4/19/03 Aruba customs closes at 5:15pm, and that any passenger not cleared through customs by 5pm would not be allowed through. The flight wouldn't land until 6:15pm! I emailed Funjet, and received a reply that we would have to stay night number 1 in the airport if we weren't through customs by 5pm. I called Funjet and was told it would not be a problem. So which is it? Does anyone know? Please help! There is no way I'm spending a night in the airport! Thanks!

did ya try arubatourism.com?

even if ya can't find the answer, ya can get some tel #'s to try

>)

What did you find out? Surely it cannot be true that anyone who lands in Aruba after 5pm has to stay at the airport until the next morning.

Hi I would love to hear the answer to this question also.
Please reply

Sorry everyone, I still don't know the answer. I emailed Aruba's airport several days ago, and am still waiting for a reply. I'll let you know what I find out.

I would love to know the answer to this one. Can anybody help?

Of course I am just guessing but it would be in Aruba's interests to have customs and immigration people awaiting any flights. I cannot believe that FunJet (which I believe handles mostly charters and is direct flights, no?) cannot answer that question for you as to the arrangements they have made with the airline for arrivals post 5:15. Maybe this is just a temporary change due to the slower off season and there are no planes landing after that time until the traffic picks up again. Surly the Tourist Board would have an answer for you - or even a travel agent.

Several reguar airlines have flights scheduled to arrive after 5pm--AA from MIA and SJU,close to 9pm,daily.Dutch Caribbean has a flight in from Curacao at around 7pm.Plus,even tho it would be at a seperate facility,the KLM 747 departs at 9.20pm 5 times a week..I would surmise that the FJ info is outdated.

We're planning a trip to Aruba in September, and I was concerned after reading this original post. So I went to arubatourism.com, as suggested, found the 800-number, called it, and was told "As long as flights are coming in, customs has to stay open." The woman I spoke with says she has never heard of customs closing at a specific time, and doesn't know why that information would be out there. Hope this helps. If you find out anything different, please let us know!

I got a response from Aruba customs this morning. The 5pm deadline refers to departure from Aruba to clear the US authorities. I learned you clear the US authorities while still in Aruba as opposed to returning to the US. So there is the answer everyone. Thanks for all your help!