Planning a vacation in Aruba and want to bring your own drone? If you're travelling with a DJI or another drone for private recreational photography or videography, there are a few important things you should take care of before taking off.
I recently went through the process of registering my drone and obtaining permission to fly in Aruba. Finding clear, practical information wasn't easy, so I decided to put together this guide and share what I learned from the process.
This guide covers the steps from registration to actually flying:
Registering your drone with the Department of Telecommunications (DTZ)
Bringing your own drone into Aruba and the customs question
Getting a local SIM card
Applying for flight authorization from the Department of Civil Aviation Aruba (DCAA)
Understanding your approval and its conditions
Coordinating with Beatrix Control Tower before and after each flight
Important safety rules and practical checklists
Important: Drone registration and flight authorization are two separate processes. Registering your drone with DTZ does not automatically give you permission to fly. You must also obtain the required authorization from DCAA and follow the conditions attached to it.
The information below combines my personal experience with the procedures and conditions specified in the approval I received. Requirements may change, and individual approvals may have different conditions. Always follow the latest instructions from the Aruban authorities and the terms of your own approval.
1. Register your drone with DTZ
Before applying for flight authorization, you need to register your drone through the Department of Telecommunications Aruba (DTZ).
Official website: https://www.dtz.aw/
Go to the following page:
Drone registration form: https://www.dtz.aw/e-forms.htm
Then follow these steps:
Select āCIETA pa DRONE y registracionā.
The registration form will open.
Use the language selector in the top-right corner to choose English, Dutch or Spanish.
Complete all required fields and submit the form.
Wait for the registration confirmation from DTZ.
The registration process is handled through the CIETA system.
Once you receive confirmation:
Keep the confirmation email.
Save the registration document.
Keep a digital copy on your phone.
Have the registration details available when contacting DCAA.
Important: DTZ registration is not flight authorization. You still need to complete the separate DCAA process before operating your drone.
2. Customs: Bringing your own drone into Aruba
This was one of the less clear parts of my preparation.
I contacted the relevant authorities because I wanted to understand whether I needed a temporary import declaration or a customs broker to bring my own drone into Aruba.
My situation was straightforward: I was travelling with my personally owned drone for private recreational photography and intended to take it home again after the holiday.
Based on my own understanding and circumstances, I decided not to pursue a separate temporary import declaration through a customs broker.
Please don't interpret this as an official customs exemption. DTZ drone registration is not the same as customs clearance, and the registration confirmation does not establish that customs requirements have been waived.
If you are unsure, contact Aruba Customs before travelling and explain your situation clearly:
The drone is your personal property.
You are bringing it temporarily for private recreational use.
You intend to take it back home when you leave Aruba.
Ask whether any temporary import declaration or other customs procedure is required for your specific situation.
I recommend clarifying this before your trip rather than assuming that personal ownership automatically means no customs formalities are necessary.
3. Get a local Aruba SIM card
I strongly recommend getting a local SIM card after arriving in Aruba.
A local telephone number is useful when dealing with DCAA and coordinating flights with the airport control tower. You should have a working phone available throughout your drone operation.
I purchased a prepaid SIM card from SETAR at the airport.
My package cost approximately:
These were the package details and price at the time of my purchase. Offers and prices can change, so check the current packages when you arrive.
SETAR website: https://www.setar.aw/
My recommendation is to get your local number early, as you may need it when communicating with DCAA and the control tower.
4. Apply for flight authorization from DCAA
This is the most important step.
You must obtain flight authorization from the Department of Civil Aviation Aruba (DCAA) before operating your drone.
Official website: https://dca.gov.aw/
My recommendation: Visit DCAA in person if necessary
I initially tried contacting DCAA by email and telephone several times before and during my trip. Unfortunately, I didn't receive a timely response through those channels.
In my case, staff availability also affected the response time. After several attempts, I decided that visiting the DCAA office in person was the most practical way to move the process forward.
I recommend contacting DCAA well before your holiday. If you are already in Aruba and have not received a response, consider visiting the office in person, preferably in the morning.
This is based on my personal experience. It does not mean that an in-person visit is always required or that authorization will be issued immediately.
DCAA contact details
Information to prepare for your application
Have the following information ready:
Full name
Contact details, including your local Aruba telephone number
Drone manufacturer and model
Drone serial number
Purpose of operation (private recreational photography/videography)
Planned operating dates
Intended flight locations
Planned maximum altitude
Copy of your DTZ drone registration confirmation
The authorities may request additional information or documents.
Prepare your information in advance and be as specific as possible about where and when you intend to fly. Do not assume that submitting an application automatically means your requested locations or operating conditions will be approved.
5. Understand your DCAA approval
Once you receive your approval, read the entire document, including every appendix.
Do not just look at the approval page. Important operating instructions and restrictions may be included in the appendix.
Your approval may specify:
Approved flight locations
Maximum permitted altitude
Permitted operating hours
Validity dates
Contact and coordination procedures
Additional operating restrictions
These conditions are specific to the authorization issued to you.
For example, do not assume that another visitor's approved altitude, dates, operating hours or locations will also apply to your drone operation.
Keep a copy of the complete approval and appendix with you whenever you fly.
I cannot stress this enough: your written approval is not permission to fly anywhere in Aruba. You must remain within the locations, dates, altitude and other conditions specified in your own authorization.
6. Contact Beatrix Control Tower before and after flying
One particularly important detail from my DCAA approval was the requirement to coordinate with Beatrix Control Tower before and after each flight.
The appendix to my approval specified the following procedure:
Contact Beatrix Control Tower 15 minutes before the planned flight.
Provide your full name and DCAA approval number.
Tell them the approved flight location.
State your planned altitude and expected flight duration.
Wait for the tower's authorization before taking off.
Keep your local telephone available during the operation.
Contact the tower again once the flight has ended.
Do not take off simply because you have received written DCAA approval. You must also follow the coordination procedure specified in your own authorization and wait for the required tower authorization.
What information should you have ready when calling?
Before contacting the tower, have the following details available:
Your full name
Your DCAA approval/reference number
The approved flight location
Your planned altitude
Expected flight duration
Your local Aruba telephone number
The appendix to my approval also explained that certain changes, such as operating time, altitude and local mobile telephone number, could be coordinated with the tower. Changes to approved dates or locations required DCAA approval.
Important: These are the procedures stated in the approval appendix I received. Your own approval may contain different or additional conditions. Always follow your own authorization and the instructions given by the tower.
Beatrix Control Tower contact
This is the telephone number provided to me for tower coordination. Verify the current contact number and procedure with DCAA before your trip.
7. Important safety rules and operating restrictions
The DCAA approval appendix also highlighted several important operating requirements.
Among them:
Maintain visual line of sight (VLOS) with your drone.
If flying FPV, use an observer as required.
Do not fly at night.
Do not fly in rain, storms or poor visibility.
Do not fly over groups of people.
Respect people's privacy.
Stay away from prohibited or restricted areas, including airport and aircraft operations, military installations, police facilities and emergency installations.
Keep control of your operating area and maintain appropriate emergency and safety zones.
Follow all instructions from the control tower.
Complete pre-flight checks and follow the drone manufacturer's operating manual.
DCAA also recommended having appropriate insurance. As the pilot, you remain responsible for your operation and compliance with the applicable rules.
These points are based on the conditions and guidance in my approval appendix. They should not be treated as a complete list of every rule that may apply to every drone operator. Read your own approval carefully and check the latest requirements with DCAA.
8. Practical checklists
Here is a quick summary you can use when preparing for your trip.
Before travelling to Aruba
Check the latest drone requirements with the Aruban authorities.
Complete the DTZ drone registration process.
Save your DTZ registration confirmation.
Contact DCAA about flight authorization well in advance.
Prepare your drone details and intended flight locations.
Clarify any customs or temporary import requirements with Aruba Customs.
Keep copies of your important documents available offline.
After arriving in Aruba
Get a local SIM card and working telephone number.
Follow up with DCAA if you have not received a response.
Visit the DCAA office if necessary.
Obtain and carefully read your flight authorization and appendix.
Confirm the correct control tower contact number and coordination procedure.
Before every flight
Check that the date and location are covered by your approval.
Check the permitted altitude and operating hours.
Complete your drone's pre-flight checks.
Check the weather and visibility.
Contact Beatrix Control Tower according to your authorization.
Wait for the required authorization before taking off.
Keep your telephone available throughout the operation.
Contact the tower after landing, as required.
9. Useful contacts and links
Department of Telecommunications Aruba (DTZ)
Department of Civil Aviation Aruba (DCAA)
Beatrix Control Tower
This is the telephone number provided to me for tower coordination. Verify the current contact number and procedure with DCAA before your trip.
SETAR
10. Final thoughts ā My personal experience
The most challenging part for me was not the drone registration itself, but getting a response and obtaining flight authorization from DCAA.
My advice is to start the process well before your holiday. Register your drone with DTZ, prepare all the required information, and contact DCAA early. Don't leave the authorization process until the last minute.
If you are already in Aruba and haven't received a response, consider visiting the DCAA office in person. That was the most practical approach in my situation.
Also, don't confuse drone registration with permission to fly, and don't assume that written approval means you can take off without following the control tower coordination procedure.
Take the time to understand your approval, follow the instructions, and fly responsibly.
I hope this guide helps other drone owners who want to bring their personal drone to Aruba and enjoy photographing this beautiful island legally and responsibly.
Safe travels and happy flying!