The +297 country code is for Aruba, a small island in the southern Caribbean about 18 miles off the coast of Venezuela. Unlike most Caribbean islands, Aruba has its own three-digit country code rather than being part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). This is because Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, not a British or US territory.
Aruba has about 110,000 residents and receives over a million tourists per year, mostly from the US. That tourism traffic drives a lot of international phone calls, whether visitors are calling ahead to book hotels or calling home during their trip. The Aruban diaspora in the Netherlands is also a major source of calls. The phone system is modern and well-maintained for an island this size.
Quick answer: Dial +297 followed by the 7-digit local number. Aruba phone numbers are all 7 digits with no area codes. Landlines start with 52 or 58. Mobile numbers start with 56, 59, 73, or 74. There is no trunk prefix.
How to call Aruba: quick reference
Aruba uses its own +297 country code, not the NANP +1 system. From the US, you cannot dial 1-297; you need the full international format.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +297 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-297-[local number] |
| UK | 00-297-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-297-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-297-[local number] |
| France | 00-297-[local number] |
Understanding Aruba phone numbers
Aruba keeps it simple: all phone numbers are 7 digits, no area codes, no trunk prefix. The first two digits tell you whether it is a landline or mobile.
Landline numbers
Landline numbers start with 52 or 58. The format is: +297 52X XXXX or +297 58X XXXX. Most businesses, hotels, and government offices are on landlines starting with 52. The 58 prefix is newer and used for additional fixed-line capacity.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers use several two-digit prefixes depending on the carrier:
| Prefix | Carrier | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | SETAR | +297 56X XXXX |
| 59 | SETAR | +297 59X XXXX |
| 73 | Digicel | +297 73X XXXX |
| 74 | Digicel | +297 74X XXXX |
| 66 | SETAR | +297 66X XXXX |
No area codes, no trunk prefix
The entire island uses one flat numbering plan. Local calls use just the 7-digit number. International calls add +297 in front. That is all there is to it.
Mobile carriers in Aruba
Aruba has two mobile carriers for an island of 110,000 people.
SETAR
SETAR (Servicio di Telecomunicacion di Aruba) is the government-owned national telecom. It operates the fixed-line network, mobile service, internet, and cable TV. SETAR has been around since 1986 and is the dominant carrier. It provides 4G LTE coverage across the island and handles the majority of both landline and mobile subscribers. SETAR mobile numbers start with 56, 59, or 66. If you are calling a business or government office in Aruba, you are almost certainly calling a SETAR number.
Digicel
Digicel launched in Aruba in 2007, bringing competition to a market that SETAR had to itself for two decades. Digicel mobile numbers start with 73 or 74. It offers 4G LTE and competes mainly on prepaid mobile plans. Digicel is popular with younger users and tourists who buy prepaid SIMs on arrival. Coverage is island-wide, which is not hard to achieve on an island that is 20 miles long and 6 miles wide.
Don't confuse +297 with nearby codes
Aruba's +297 sits near some other Caribbean and South American codes that can cause confusion.
| Code | Country | How to tell apart |
|---|---|---|
| +297 | Aruba | Three digits, 7-digit local numbers. |
| +599 | Curacao / Caribbean Netherlands | Aruba's sister islands. Different code entirely. |
| +58 | Venezuela | Only 2 digits. Venezuela is just 18 miles from Aruba. |
| +57 | Colombia | 2 digits. Aruba has a large Colombian community. |
| +299 | Greenland | 299 vs 297. Very different destinations. |
The most relevant confusion is with Curacao (+599). Aruba and Curacao are both part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and are geographically close, but they have completely separate country codes. If someone tells you they are on "the ABC islands" (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao), make sure you know which island before dialing.
Time zone considerations
Aruba uses Atlantic Standard Time (AST), UTC-4 year-round. No daylight saving time. During North American summer, Aruba is on the same clock as US Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
| Your time zone | Offset from AST | When it's 10:00 AM in Aruba |
|---|---|---|
| US East (EST) | AST +1h | 9:00 AM same day |
| US East (EDT, summer) | Same | 10:00 AM same day |
| US West (PST) | AST +4h | 6:00 AM same day |
| UK (GMT) | AST -4h | 2:00 PM same day |
| Netherlands (CET) | AST -5h | 3:00 PM same day |
| Australia East (AEST) | AST -14h | 12:00 AM next day |
Business hours are 8:00 AM to noon and 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Many businesses close for a lunch break. Banks close earlier, usually by 3:30 PM. Hotels, restaurants, and tourism businesses answer calls into the evening and on weekends.
Communication in Aruba
Languages
Aruba is multilingual. The official languages are Dutch and Papiamento (a creole language blending Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and African languages). Most Arubans also speak English and Spanish fluently. In a business context, you can conduct a phone call in English without any difficulty. Tourism industry workers switch between English, Spanish, and Papiamento constantly. Dutch is used in government and education.
Internet and messaging
WhatsApp is the primary messaging platform. It has near-universal adoption on the island. Businesses list WhatsApp numbers on their websites, and many prefer receiving inquiries via WhatsApp rather than phone calls. SETAR and Digicel both offer LTE data, and WiFi is available at hotels and restaurants. Facebook Messenger and Instagram DMs are also common for business communication.
Network quality
Call quality is good. SETAR's infrastructure is well-maintained, and the island's small size means coverage gaps are rare. Both carriers offer LTE, and most of the island has strong signal. Calls to Aruba connect reliably. The main issue is cost, not quality, since international calls to Caribbean islands carry higher per-minute rates than calls to mainland destinations.
The Aruban diaspora
Where Arubans settled
The largest Aruban diaspora community is in the Netherlands, particularly in and around Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague. Many Arubans move to the Netherlands for university and stay for work. There is also a smaller community in the United States, mainly in South Florida and the New York area. Within the Caribbean, Arubans sometimes relocate to Curacao or Bonaire, though those are considered part of the same kingdom.
Why they call home
The Netherlands connection drives most diaspora calling. Students call family, expats stay in touch, and business relationships between Aruba and the Netherlands generate regular phone traffic. Calls spike around Carnival season (usually February or March, a big deal on Aruba), Christmas, and Dia di Betico (January 25, a national holiday honoring the father of Aruban autonomy). The US tourism link also generates calls: Americans who vacation in Aruba repeatedly often develop personal relationships with hotel staff, restaurant owners, and tour operators that continue by phone.
Dialing examples
Calling a hotel in Oranjestad from the US
To call a hotel in Aruba's capital from a US mobile: dial +297 523 1234. The +297 is Aruba's country code and 523 1234 is the 7-digit local number (landline, starting with 52). From a US landline: 011-297-523-1234.
Calling an Aruban mobile from the Netherlands
To reach a SETAR mobile from the Netherlands: dial 00-297-56X-XXXX. The 00 is the Dutch international access code, 297 is Aruba, and 56X XXXX is the mobile number. Or from a mobile phone: +297 56X XXXX.
Calling Aruba from the UK
From a UK phone: dial 00-297-XXX-XXXX. Or use the + format: +297 XXX XXXX. The 7-digit number goes directly after the country code with no area code in between.
Common mistakes to avoid
Dialing 1-297 from the US
This is the most common mistake. Aruba is not in the NANP, so you cannot dial 1-297 like you would for Caribbean NANP islands (Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, etc.). Aruba has its own country code. From a US mobile, dial +297 directly. From a US landline, dial 011-297. If you put a 1 in front, your call will not connect.
Confusing Aruba with Curacao
Aruba (+297) and Curacao (+599) are both Dutch Caribbean islands, both part of the ABC islands, and people mix them up constantly. If someone says they are in "Curacao," dial +599, not +297. If they say "Aruba," dial +297. Bonaire, the third ABC island, uses +599 7 as its prefix within the Caribbean Netherlands code.
Adding an area code that does not exist
There are no area codes in Aruba. The entire island uses one flat 7-digit number system. If you see an Aruban number written as +297-8-XXXXXXX or +297-0-XXXXXXX, someone has added a digit that should not be there. Just dial +297 followed by the 7 digits.
Expecting US-level per-minute rates
Even though Aruba gets a million American tourists a year and is often marketed alongside US destinations, it is not a domestic call from the US. International rates apply. A hotel front desk call that you expect to be free could cost several dollars per minute on a standard US carrier plan.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is Aruba part of the US phone system?
No. Aruba has its own country code (+297) and is not in the North American Numbering Plan. You cannot dial 1-297 from the US. Use +297 or 011-297 from US phones.
What language do people speak in Aruba?
Papiamento is the most widely spoken everyday language. Dutch is the official administrative language. Most Arubans also speak English and Spanish fluently. You can conduct a phone call in English without any issue.
Can I buy a local SIM card in Aruba?
Yes. Both SETAR and Digicel sell prepaid SIM cards. You can pick one up at the airport or at shops in Oranjestad and the hotel zone. A local SIM gives you a +297 number and avoids roaming charges.
What is the difference between +297 and +599?
+297 is Aruba. +599 is Curacao and the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba). They are all part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands but have different country codes. Aruba gained its own code when it became a separate constituent country in 1986.
Does WhatsApp work in Aruba?
Yes, very well. WhatsApp has near-universal adoption in Aruba. Most businesses accept inquiries via WhatsApp, and it is the default messaging app for locals. Both carriers offer LTE data plans that handle WhatsApp voice and video calls without issues.
Looking for other Caribbean dialing codes? See our guides for Curacao (+599), Anguilla (+1 264), and Antigua and Barbuda (+1 268).