Tourist tax in Aruba A complete guide

In our tax guide, we outline everything you need to know about Aruba’s tourist tax: a system built for sustainability and effortless travel. The Sustainability Fee supports essential infrastructure improvements, while the Environmental Levy helps protect Aruba’s unique natural environment.

Is there a tourist tax in Aruba?

Yes, Aruba has implemented a multi-tiered tourist tax system to support sustainability and infrastructure. On January 1, 2023, the tourist tax, known as the Tourist Levy, was set at 12.5% of nightly room rates. Additionally, a US $3 per person per night Environmental Levy applies to all overnight stays.
In 2024, Aruba introduced a Sustainability Fee of US $20 per person for air travelers, effective July 1, collected via the online ED Card platform. This fee supports projects like wastewater treatment upgrades, with exemptions for children under 8, cruise passengers, Aruban residents, and repeat visitors within the same calendar year.

In 2025, these tax rates remain in effect, ensuring continued funding for environmental and tourism initiatives. Aruba also has a special tax called Bijzondere Belasting Verblijf (BBV)  that needs to be paid on stays in Aruba’s hotels, lodgings, and timeshare resorts. Timeshare owners pay a fixed fee per stay, varying by unit type (AWD 17.90-44.75), instead of nightly rates, while non-owners pay AWD 5.37 per night per occupied room

For tourists

Why is there a tourist tax in Aruba?

Aruba's tourist tax system, including the Tourist Levy, Bijzondere Belasting Verblijf, Environmental Levy, and Sustainability Fee, funds vital sustainability and infrastructure projects. The revenue supports sewage water treatment plant upgrades, infrastructure development, and environmental conservation to protect Aruba’s biodiversity. With rising tourism numbers, these taxes ensure visitors contribute to maintaining Aruba’s sustainability, balancing economic growth with ecological preservation against challenges like rising sea levels and coral reef degradation, benefiting both locals and travelers.

Rate of the tourist tax in Aruba

Aruba’s tourist tax system funds sustainability and infrastructure with multiple levies, including the Bijzondere Belasting Verblijf (BBV), a special tax on stays in hotels, lodgings, apartments, and timeshare resorts.Timeshare owners pay a fixed fee per stay. Exemptions apply to Aruban residents, children under 8, cruise passengers, and repeat visitors.

Accommodation type	Foreign tourists			Timeshare Owners (per stay)
	Tourist tax		BBV*	Tourist tax	BBV*
	With meals	Without meals
Studio	6.50%	12.50%	AWG 5.37	AWG 24.66	AWG 17.90
One bedroom apartment	6.50%	12.50%	AWG 5.37	AWG 26.72	AWG 26.85
All other accommodation types	6.50%	12.50%	AWG 5.37	AWG 30.82	AWG 44.75

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Frequently asked questions from tourists

• Who needs to pay the tourist tax in Aruba?

  All overnight visitors and air travelers must pay Aruba’s tourist taxes, including room levies and entry fees.Timeshare owners pay a fixed special levy per stay, varying by unit type, instead of nightly rates. Exemptions apply for residents, cruise passengers, and repeat visitors

• How much is the tourist tax in Aruba?

  Aruba’s tourist tax system includes several levies. It includes a  tourist tax per room at 12.5% levy, BBV at AWD 5.37 per night or fixed for timeshares per stay (AWD 17.90-44.75), and a US $20 Sustainability Fee, with exemptions. 

• Is the tourist tax included in the price of my booking?

  No, the tourist tax is not typically included in the price of the booking. It is charged separately and must be paid at the accommodation when you arrive or during checkout. Accommodation providers will issue a separate receipt for the tax.

• What is the tourist tax used for?

  Aruba’s tourist tax funds sustainability, infrastructure, and tourism promotion. Revenue supports sewage treatment upgrades, environmental conservation, and the Aruba Tourism Authority’s marketing efforts.

• Do children have to pay the tourist tax in Aruba?

  Children under 8 are exempt from Aruba’s US $20 Sustainability Fee for air travelers, effective since July 1, 2024. No exemptions are noted for other tourist taxes, BBV or environmental fee.

For hosts

Guest registration in Aruba

Guest registration in Aruba is mandatory for all travellers. It can be done via the mandatory online ED Card, is managed by the Aruban Immigration Authority. All travelers must complete it on the official platform (edcardaruba.aw) within 7 days before arrival to obtain travel qualification.

How Trippz can help you?

Handling of tourist tax

• Remittance of tourist tax

  In Aruba, hosts and hotels are responsible for collecting and remitting tourist taxes, including the Tourist Levy on room rates, Environmental Levy per person, and Bijzondere Belasting Verblijf (BBV) or fixed fees for timeshares.Monthly tax returns and payments must be filed with the Departamento di Impuesto by the 15th of the following month, even if no tax is due. All operators must register with tax authorities to ensure compliance. Non-compliance may result in penalties, so accurate collection and timely filing are essential for smooth operations.

• Keeping your administration for tourist tax

  It’s crucial to maintain accurate records of the tourist tax you collect as a host or hotel operator in Aruba. While specific retention periods for tourist tax records are not detailed in the provided search results, general tax regulations suggest keeping records for a reasonable duration, typically aligned with audit timelines. Verify the exact requirements with the Departamento di Impuesto. Well-organized documentation, including guest details and payment receipts, ensures compliance during audits and inspections.

• Tourist tax when renting through an online booking platform

  If you’re renting your property through platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com in Aruba, you remain responsible for collecting and remitting the tourist tax. Although some platforms, like Airbnb, may automatically collect and remit certain taxes on your behalf in specific jurisdictions, it’s crucial to confirm how taxes are managed and ensure compliance with local regulations. Verify that your listings comply with Aruba’s requirements, stay informed about any tax obligations not covered by the platform, and keep detailed records of all amounts collected and remitted.

• Short-term rental registration requirements in Aruba

  In Aruba, short-term rental (STR) registration requirements are evolving as the government finalizes new regulations to ensure a level playing field with traditional accommodations. Currently, STR hosts must register with the Tax Authorities to comply with tax obligations like the 12.5% Tourist Levy, BBO (7% on services), and BBV (varying rates by room type). A mandatory registration and licensing system is forthcoming, overseen by the planned Aruba Quality & Hospitality Authority (AQHA), requiring permits, annual fees, and adherence to health and hygiene standards. Future policies may include guest limits and digitized licensing processes to maintain quality and safety standards for vacation rentals.
  
  
  

Frequently asked questions from hosts

• Do I need to collect the tourist tax from all guests?

  Yes, as an accommodation provider in Aruba, you must collect tourist taxes, including the 12.5% or 6.5% Tourist Levy from all overnight guests. The Bijzondere Belasting Verblijf (BBV) at AWD 5.37 per night per room or fixed rates for timeshares also applies, with exemptions for Aruban residents registered in the Civil Registry.

• How do I remit the collected tourist tax?

  You must remit collected tourist taxes, such as the Tourist Levy and BBV, to the Departamento di Impuesto monthly, with payment due by the 15th of the following month, even if no tax is due. Confirm exact schedules and procedures with the Tax Authorities via their official portal or contact.

• What details do I need to store for tourist tax compliance?

  Keep detailed records of all tourist taxes collected, including guest stay dates, tax amounts (e.g., 12.5% Tourist Levy, BBV rates), and payment receipts. While specific retention periods aren’t detailed in the search results, general tax practices suggest at least 5 years. Verify with the Departamento di Impuesto for exact requirements.

• Do I need to register my property to collect the tourist tax?

  Yes, all accommodation providers, including short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com, must register with the Aruba Tax Department to obtain a personal number for tax filing. A mandatory licensing system via the upcoming Aruba Quality & Hospitality Authority (AQHA) will also require permits. Register via the Tax Department’s BOI portal.

• What happens if I don’t collect or remit the tourist tax?

  Failing to collect or remit tourist taxes in Aruba can result in penalties, including fines up to 100% of the tax due for gross negligence. Non-compliance may also lead to legal consequences or criminal charges. Ensure accurate collection, timely remittance, and proper records to avoid issues with the Tax Authorities.

Trippz: the authority on tourist tax

Tourist tax is set locally and rates change without warning. Trippz tracks every change and keeps the data current, which is why travel platforms and property software, including Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia, rely on Trippz to calculate tourist tax and register guests in every market they serve.

How Trippz stays current

Trippz checks tax rules jurisdiction by jurisdiction against official municipal and national sources. When a rate or rule changes, the update happens automatically rather than on a periodic review cycle. This is the same monitoring that travel platforms and software vendors depend on to stay accurate everywhere they operate.

One tax engine, every market

Send a location, get the applicable rate, instantly and correctly calculated. Travel platforms and property software embed this calculation directly into their own product, so every booking is taxed correctly without building or maintaining a rate engine in house. It is the same logic behind every rate on this page.

Explore Trippz for Platforms

Frequently asked questions about Trippz

• How can platforms and software vendors use Trippz?

  Trippz provides tourist tax content and a ready made calculation engine through one API. Platforms and software vendors add accurate tax calculation to their product without maintaining a rate database in house. Guest registration and authority connections are available as a separate capability for those who need it.

• How does Trippz keep tourist tax rates current?

  Trippz checks the jurisdictions it covers against official sources and updates rates automatically when a city or country changes them.

  
  

• Which countries and cities does Trippz cover?

  Trippz maintains tourist tax data across a wide range of countries and cities. See the full overview in our tourist tax guides.

• Is Trippz's data and infrastructure secure?

  Yes. Trippz is SOC1 Type 2 and SOC2 Type 2 certified and GDPR compliant, so platforms and software vendors can embed tourist tax calculation without adding security or compliance risk of their own.

• Who uses Trippz for tourist tax?

  Trippz provides tourist tax data and calculation to travel platforms and property software across Europe, including Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia. The same infrastructure that powers stays booked through the biggest platforms in travel is available to any platform or software vendor through the API.