Aruba just announced a "One Happy Workation" program, which allows remote workers to live and work in Aruba for up to 90 days.- The program offers a collection of deals and discounted rates at a variety of local accommodations.
- According to the program's website, it is open to anyone with a valid US passport, no special visa or paperwork required.
- While nonessential
travel is no longer discouraged, the CDC warns that "travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19."
From Barbados to Estonia, places around the world are catering to remote employees who have suddenly found themselves no longer tied to where their offices are.
You can now add Aruba to that list.
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While the accommodations all include free Wi-Fi, according to the program's website, depending on which resort, hotel, or rental you choose you could also get all-inclusive meals, or discounts to popular local attractions, events, and experiences, from cooking classes to spa treatments.
Aruba reopened to tourists from some places in June, and has been allowing visitors from more countries, including the US, on a rolling basis since then. According to the program's website, it is open to anyone with a valid US passport, no special visa or paperwork required.
To take part, visitors must book one of the packages available for at least one week, and no more than 90 days, though the website says that it may extend the maximum duration in the future.
While remote workers must be employed by a non-local company or be self-employed, the website advises that "working is not mandatory," and that "you can spend your extended stay as you like." The only stipulation, per the website, is that visitors cannot work for an Aruban individual or company as that would require a work or business permit.
If you visit, it's worth noting that Aruba has strict health requirements for travelers.
All visitors over the age of 14 must present a negative a COVID-19 test upon arrival on the island, or take one upon landing. For visitors from certain US states, a test taken prior to arrival as well as upon landing is required. Visitors will then have to quarantine at their accommodations until they obtain their test results, which Aruba's tourism board says usually takes between six and eight hours.
All visitors must also purchase Aruba Visitors Insurance, which is meant to cover any COVID-19-related costs incurred during their stay. It's $10 a day for anyone over the age of 14 for the first seven days, and gets cheaper the longer you stay.
Aruba requires mask-wearing on public transportation and indoor public spaces, and "strongly encourages" it wherever social distancing isn't possible.
According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, Aruba has seen 3,060 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 20 related deaths at the time of writing.
While nonessential travel is no longer discouraged, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that "travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19."
You can learn more about the program's deals here.
- Read more:
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- Cancun is offering to pay half of your hotel costs and give you other steep discounts if you visit this year
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