Aruba Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Aruba
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated August 19, 2024
Aruba recorded 1.9 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2014, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Aruba #118 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Americas average of 20.8 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have fallen 10% over the past decade (from 2.1 in 2004). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Aruba at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
1.9 /100k
Safety Rank
#78 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2014
Homicide Rate Trend (1995-2014)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 10% over the past decade (from 2.1 in 2004). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Aruba Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Aruba, the homicide rate for men is 2.2× higher than the rate for women — 4.1 vs 1.9 per 100,000 (2014).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Aruba:
Reissued after periodic review without changes. Exercise normal precautions in Aruba. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Aruba. If you decide to travel to Aruba: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter . Review the Country Security Report for the Dutch Caribbean. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler's Checklist .
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Aruba
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated September 07, 2023).
Crime
Crime against tourists consists primarily of theft. The main targets are valuables left unattended in public areas (beaches, cars, hotel lobbies, etc.). Purses, cameras, passports, phones, and other handheld electronics are the most frequently stolen items. Take normal precautions to secure personal property. Do not leave valuables in cars in plain view or unattended in unsecured hotel rooms and rental homes. Keep a copy of your U.S. passport in a secure location in case the original is lost or stolen. Incidents of violent crime, including rape and armed robbery – although not common – do occur. Exercise caution when visiting more isolated areas of the island. There is an increased risk of crime in the San Nicolas district, especially at night. Crimes against tourists are more common here. Car theft, especially of rental vehicles, can occur.
Victims of Crime
Dial 100 for police assistance in Aruba. Dial 911 if you need emergency medical assistance in Aruba. Contact the U.S. Consulate General Curaçao at +5999-461-3066 after you have contacted the local police. Do not rely on hotels, restaurants, or tour companies to make the police report for you. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. For more information, see our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas . We can: help you find appropriate medical care assist you in reporting a crime to the police contact relatives or friends with your written consent provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion provide a list of local attorneys provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Consulate for assistance. If you are in immediate danger, first contact the local police at 100.
Tourism
The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, basic emergency medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. Critical injuries often require medical evacuation. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance .
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Aruba Population & Demographics
Population of 107,995, growth trends, economy, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aruba safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Aruba at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The homicide rate of 1.9 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Aruba?
Aruba has an intentional homicide rate of 1.9 per 100,000 people (2014, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #118 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Aruba?
Aruba is currently at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Aruba compare to other countries?
Aruba's homicide rate of 1.9 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Americas average of 20.8.