Moving to Aruba from Bahamas

moving to

What to Expect

A comprehensive look at what changes when you move from Bahamas to Aruba — from daily expenses to quality of life.

If you moved from Bahamas to Aruba, and you’d need to navigate life in Dutch and Papiamento. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

Get free moving quotes to Aruba

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Key Indicator Comparison

How Bahamas and Aruba stack up on safety, healthcare, jobs, and infrastructure.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

BS
31.2
AW
1.9

Aruba performs significantly better than Bahamas across all safety metrics.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BS
3.6t
AW
5.1t

Bahamas performs better than Aruba across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BS
20.5
AW
17.7

Bahamas performs better than Aruba across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

BS
9.2%
AW
7.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

BS
$32,000
AW
$42,300

Aruba generally does better on employment & economy, though Bahamas leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

BS
76.1 yrs
AW
78.0 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BS
12.8
AW
12.1

Aruba performs significantly better than Bahamas across all family life metrics.

Data: Ministry of Finance, Bahamas, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Bahamas and Aruba. To live, work, or study long-term in Aruba, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Aruba's immigration authority.

Bahamas passport

Bahamas passport holder visiting Aruba

Visa Free
Bahamas passport holders can enter Aruba without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Aruba?

With 17.7 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Aruba can support video calls in major cities. The hard part is paperwork — visa category, employer policy on overseas staff, and tax residency in Bahamas and Aruba.

Is Aruba safe for expats?

Aruba performs significantly better than Bahamas across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Aruba is 1.9 per 100,000 people, compared to 31.2 in Bahamas.

What language do they speak in Aruba?

The official languages in Aruba are Dutch and Papiamento. In Bahamas, the official language is English.

Share this

At a Glance

BS AW
Population 355,608 122,320
Currency Bahamian Dollar (BSD) Aruban Florin (AWG)
Languages English Dutch, Papiamento
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +1242 +297
Time zones 1 1