The Aruba ED Card requires your resort name, full address, and accommodation type when applying at edcardaruba.aw. The $20 sustainability fee applies to all visitors, and you must complete the card within 7 days of arrival. This guide covers exactly what to enter for Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, and other resort areas across Aruba.
Every visitor entering Aruba – whether staying at a high-rise resort on Palm Beach or a boutique hotel in Oranjestad – must complete the Embarkation/Disembarkation Card before landing. The online system at edcardaruba.aw streamlines this process, but many travelers find the accommodation section confusing, especially when selecting between resort types or formatting addresses for specific areas.
What Resort Information the ED Card Requires
The Aruba ED Card asks for four accommodation details: resort name, full address, accommodation type, and optionally a booking confirmation number. You will find these fields in the “Accommodation” section of the application form at edcardaruba.aw.
Resort Name Field
Enter the full official resort name as it appears on your booking confirmation. Do not use abbreviations or informal names. For example, write “Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino” rather than “Hyatt Aruba” or “the Hyatt.” The edcardaruba.aw portal includes an autocomplete feature for major international chains – start typing and select the correct property from the dropdown if it appears.
If your resort does not appear in the autocomplete, type the full name manually. Smaller boutique properties and locally-owned resorts typically require manual entry.
Resort Address Field
The address field expects a format that includes the street name, area, and “Aruba” as the country. Here are examples for the most popular resort areas:
| Resort Area | Example Address Format |
|---|---|
| Palm Beach | J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 85, Palm Beach, Aruba |
| Eagle Beach | J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 47, Eagle Beach, Aruba |
| Oranjestad | Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard 82, Oranjestad, Aruba |
| Noord | Palm Beach Road 4, Noord, Aruba |
The J.E. Irausquin Boulevard is the main coastal road running along both Palm Beach and Eagle Beach – most resort addresses in these areas reference this street.
Accommodation Type Selection
The ED Card form provides four accommodation types in a dropdown menu:
- Hotel – Select this for all traditional resorts, all-inclusive properties, and branded hotel chains (Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, Riu, Divi, Barcelo, Holiday Inn, Bucuti and Tara, Amsterdam Manor)
- Apartment – For serviced apartments and aparthotels
- Vacation Rental – For Airbnb-style properties, VRBO listings, and unbranded rental units
- Private Home – When staying at a friend’s or family member’s residence
For the vast majority of resort stays, select “Hotel” regardless of whether the property is all-inclusive or room-only. The all-inclusive resort model does not change the accommodation type on the ED Card.
Booking Confirmation Number
This field is optional but recommended. Including your reservation or confirmation number from the resort helps immigration officers verify your stay. If you booked through a third-party site like Expedia or Booking.com, use the confirmation number from that platform. If you booked directly with the resort, use their reference number.
Not having a confirmation number will not prevent your ED Card from being approved, but including one can speed up immigration processing.
How to Enter Resort Details on the ED Card Form
Complete your resort information at edcardaruba.aw by selecting “Hotel” as accommodation type and entering your resort’s official name and full Aruba address. The entire process takes approximately 10-15 minutes online.
Step-by-Step Process
Here is the complete walkthrough for entering resort details:
- Navigate to edcardaruba.aw and create an account (or log in if returning)
- Enter your passport information – the system will scan your passport if you have a digital copy
- Fill in your personal details – name, date of birth, nationality
- Enter your travel information – airline, flight number, arrival date
- Navigate to the “Accommodation” section of the form
- Select “Hotel” from the accommodation type dropdown
- Begin typing your resort name – select from autocomplete if available
- Enter the full street address, area, and “Aruba”
- Add your booking confirmation number (optional)
- Proceed to payment – $20 USD via Visa or Mastercard
- Submit and save your confirmation PDF
The system will immediately generate an approved ED Card with a QR code. Save the PDF to your phone or print it for your resort check-in.
Autocomplete for Major Resort Chains
The edcardaruba.aw portal recognizes properties from major international hotel groups. When you begin typing a chain name, the system may auto-populate the full resort name and address. This feature works for:
- Hyatt properties (Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino)
- Marriott brands (Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Ritz-Carlton Aruba)
- Hilton properties (Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino)
- RIU hotels (RIU Palace Aruba, RIU Palace Antilles)
- Divi resorts (Divi Aruba, Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort)
- Barcelo properties (Barcelo Aruba)
Smaller independent resorts and boutique hotels may not appear in autocomplete. In these cases, type the full name and address manually.
Aruba Resort Areas on the ED Card
Aruba has five main resort areas – Palm Beach (high-rise), Eagle Beach (low-rise), Druif Beach (all-inclusive), Oranjestad (boutique), and Noord (vacation rentals) – each requiring specific address formatting on the ED Card. Knowing which area your resort is in ensures you enter the correct address.
Palm Beach High-Rise Resorts
Palm Beach is Aruba’s most popular resort district, featuring a 2-mile stretch of high-rise hotels along J.E. Irausquin Boulevard. This area attracts the largest concentration of international travelers and has the most recognizable hotel brands.
Major Palm Beach resorts include:
– Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino
– Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
– Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino
– Riu Palace Aruba
– Barcelo Aruba
– Holiday Inn Resort Aruba
For the ED Card, use the format: “[Resort Name], J.E. Irausquin Boulevard [Number], Palm Beach, Aruba”. Most Palm Beach resorts are located between numbers 55 and 103 on J.E. Irausquin Boulevard.
Eagle Beach Low-Rise Resorts
Eagle Beach sits just south of Palm Beach and offers a wider, less crowded beach with predominantly low-rise resort properties. This area is popular with couples and travelers seeking a quieter atmosphere.
Notable Eagle Beach resorts:
– Divi Aruba All Inclusive
– Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort
– Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort
– Eagle Aruba Resort & Casino
– Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa
Eagle Beach addresses also reference J.E. Irausquin Boulevard but at lower numbers (typically 41-55). Some properties use “Eagle Beach, Aruba” as the area designation, while others list “Oranjestad” as their official city.
Oranjestad and Noord
Oranjestad, Aruba’s capital, hosts boutique hotels and properties near the cruise terminal and downtown shopping district. Addresses reference streets like Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard or Wilhelminastraat.
Noord is a residential area between Palm Beach and the interior, popular with vacation rental guests and visitors staying at smaller locally-owned hotels. Noord addresses may reference Palm Beach Road or local street names.
If your resort address lists “Oranjestad” even though it’s in the Palm Beach or Eagle Beach area, use the official address exactly as provided by the resort – the edcardaruba.aw system recognizes all official Aruba addresses.
ED Card Cost and Timing for Resort Guests
The Aruba ED Card costs $20 USD per person (sustainability fee) and must be completed online within 7 days before your arrival at any Aruba resort. The fee is mandatory and collected during the online application process.
$20 Sustainability Fee
The $20 USD sustainability fee supports Aruba’s environmental and tourism sustainability initiatives. Key details:
- Per person: Each traveler, including children, pays the full $20 fee
- Not per family: A family of four pays $80 total ($20 × 4)
- Payment methods: Visa and Mastercard credit or debit cards only
- Not included in resort booking: The fee is separate from your hotel rate – resorts do not collect or include this charge
- Not included in airfare: Airlines do not collect this fee
- Non-refundable: Once submitted, the fee cannot be refunded even if you cancel your trip
The sustainability fee replaced the previous immigration card fee and was implemented to fund Aruba’s environmental protection programs.
7-Day Application Window
The edcardaruba.aw portal only accepts applications within 7 calendar days of your arrival date. You cannot submit the ED Card earlier than this window.
- Earliest: 7 days before arrival
- Recommended: Apply as soon as the window opens to avoid last-minute issues
- Latest: Before your flight departs (some airlines check for approved ED Cards at check-in)
- Children: Each child needs their own ED Card application and $20 payment
If you are staying at multiple resorts during one trip, you can enter the first resort’s details on the ED Card. You do not need to update the card if you move to a second resort during your stay.
Resort vs Other Accommodation Types
The ED Card distinguishes between four accommodation types – Hotel (for resorts), Apartment, Private Home, and Vacation Rental – each requiring different information and processing. Choosing the correct type ensures your application is processed without delays.
Hotels and Resorts
Select “Hotel” for:
– All-inclusive resorts (Divi, Riu, Barcelo)
– Branded hotel chains (Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton)
– Boutique hotels (Bucuti and Tara, Amsterdam Manor)
– Casino resorts (Stellaris, RIU Palace)
– Any property with a front desk and standard hotel operations
This is the default and most common selection for resort guests.
Vacation Rentals and Apartments
Select “Vacation Rental” when staying at:
– Airbnb properties
– VRBO or HomeAway listings
– Unbranded condo or apartment rentals
– Timeshare units without hotel-style front desk operations
For vacation rentals, you may need to enter the host’s name and the property address rather than a resort name. Some vacation rental hosts provide specific instructions for ED Card completion – check with your host before applying.
Private Homes
Select “Private Home” if staying with friends, family, or at a private residence in Aruba. This requires the homeowner’s full name and residential address. Cruise ship passengers who are not staying overnight on the island do not need to complete the accommodation section.
Common Questions About Resorts and the ED Card
The most common questions about resorts and the Aruba ED Card cover children’s requirements, multiple resort stays, changing accommodation after submission, and printing the approved card for resort check-in.
Do children staying at Aruba resorts need their own ED Card?
Yes. **Every traveler**, including infants and children, must have their own individual ED Card. Each child’s application requires their own passport information and the **$20 sustainability fee**. Parents or guardians can complete the application on behalf of their children using the edcardaruba.aw portal.
Can I stay at two different resorts during one Aruba trip?
Yes. Enter your **first resort’s details** on the ED Card application. You do not need to update the card when moving to a second resort. Immigration processes your entry based on the initial accommodation, and changing resorts during your stay is common and fully permitted.
What if my resort is not listed in the ED Card autocomplete?
Not all resorts appear in the autocomplete dropdown. **Type the full resort name manually** and enter the complete street address, area, and “Aruba.” Smaller boutique properties and locally-owned hotels typically require manual entry. If you are unsure of the exact address, check your booking confirmation or the resort’s official website.
Can I change my resort information after submitting the ED Card?
You **cannot edit** a submitted ED Card. If you change resorts before your trip, you would need to contact the Aruba immigration authorities or submit a new application. In practice, minor accommodation changes (like switching hotels within Aruba) are typically handled at immigration without issue.
Do I need to print my ED Card for resort check-in?
Most resorts **do not require** a printed ED Card at check-in, but having the **PDF saved on your phone** is recommended. Immigration at Queen Beatrix International Airport will scan your QR code upon arrival. Some resorts may ask to verify your ED Card status, so keep the confirmation accessible.
Is the $20 ED Card fee included in my resort booking?
No. The **$20 sustainability fee is always paid separately** through edcardaruba.aw during the application process. It is not included in resort rates, all-inclusive packages, or airline tickets. No resort or travel agent collects this fee on behalf of the Aruba government.
What accommodation type do I select for an all-inclusive resort?
Select **”Hotel”** for all-inclusive resorts. The all-inclusive meal and activity package does not change the accommodation classification on the ED Card. Properties like Divi Aruba All Inclusive, Riu Palace Aruba, and Barcelo Aruba are all classified as “Hotel” regardless of their all-inclusive status.
What if I enter the wrong resort address on my ED Card?
Minor address errors – such as a wrong street number – typically **do not cause problems** at immigration. The ED Card primarily serves as proof that you have accommodation in Aruba. However, ensure the resort name and area (Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, etc.) are correct, as this is the most important identification information.
Can the resort front desk help me complete my ED Card?
Some Aruba resorts offer **assistance with ED Card completion** at their front desk or concierge, especially for guests who arrive without a completed card. However, the ED Card should ideally be completed **before departure** from your home country, as airlines may check for an approved ED Card at check-in.
Do cruise passengers staying at a resort need an ED Card?
Yes, if you are **disembarking your cruise in Aruba** and staying at a resort overnight. Cruise passengers who only visit for a day excursion may have different requirements handled through the cruise line. If you are leaving the ship and checking into a resort, complete the ED Card online with your resort details before arrival.
