Rental Terms
Last updated: September 2026
These terms cover reservations made through this website and rentals with Arawak Car Rental, Caya Soeur Meletia 13, Aruba. Arawak Car Rental is a trade name of Chouette Adventures VBA. This page sums up the most important points in plain language. The full rental agreement, which you receive with your booking confirmation, applies to every rental.
Reservations
A booking made through this website is a confirmed reservation, not a request. Our booking system only offers vehicles that are actually available, so once your booking is complete, your vehicle is reserved for you.
Driver requirements
- Drivers must be between 23 and 85 years old.
- Your driver's license must be valid for at least the full rental period. Foreign licenses in Latin script are accepted; an international driving permit may be required otherwise.
- Only drivers registered on the rental agreement may drive. Additional drivers register with us in person and bring their license.
Deposit & payment
- Security deposit: USD 300 (amount subject to change). A deposit is required with Basic third-party coverage and with CDW. With the Full Damage Waiver, no deposit is needed.
- Paying the deposit by card? It's an authorization hold, not a charge. We release it when the vehicle comes back as agreed. How quickly it disappears from your statement depends on your bank — it can take 5 to 7 business days.
- We accept cash and cards. American Express is not accepted.
- Our rates are cash prices: pay cash and the rate you see is what you pay. Card payments carry a 4% surcharge, which covers the card processing fees we are charged.
Fuel, cleaning & returns
- We always try to hand over your vehicle with a full tank. Please return it with the same fuel level you received it at. If it comes back lower, we charge a minimum of USD 25 per quarter tank.
- It's a beach island, so a bit of sand is normal and you don't need to wash the car. If a vehicle comes back excessively dirty inside — spills, stains, smoke or soaked seats — a cleaning charge starting at USD 100 applies.
- Return your vehicle to our office at Caya Soeur Meletia 13 — we'll shuttle you back to your stay or drop you off at the airport.
Insurance & accidents
Every rental includes basic third-party liability insurance. For more peace of mind you can add a damage waiver. A waiver isn't insurance and it's never required — it simply limits what you pay us if the rental car gets damaged. Here's how the options compare.
| What happens if… | Basic third-partyIncluded in every rental | Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)+ $10 per day | Full Damage Waiver (FDW)+ $25 per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Available for | Basic third-partyAll vehicles | CDWAll vehicles | FDWAll vehicles |
| You damage someone else's vehicle or property | Basic third-partyCovered Depending on the damage, you may have to pay part of the claim |
CDWCovered Depending on the damage, you may have to pay part of the claim |
FDWCovered No deductible |
| Your rental car is damaged in a collision | Basic third-partyNot covered You pay the full repair cost, whoever is at fault |
CDWCovered above your deductible, per incident: Economy: up to $500 SUV, van and Jeep: up to $1,000 The underside of the vehicle is not covered |
FDWCovered No deductible |
| Scratches and flat tires | Basic third-partyNot covered | CDWNot covered CDW only covers collision damage |
FDWScratches covered Puncture repair covered, tire replacement is not |
| Glass, mirrors and interior damage | Basic third-partyNot covered | CDWNot covered | FDWNot covered |
| The vehicle is stolen or lost | Basic third-partyNot covered You are fully responsible |
CDWNot covered You are fully responsible |
FDWCovered |
| Security deposit | Basic third-partyUSD 300 | CDWUSD 300 | FDWNo deposit |
Never covered, whichever option you choose: driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; reckless driving, speeding, racing or stunts; single-vehicle accidents; hitting rocks; towing or pushing; leaving the road to drive on beaches, sand dunes or open terrain, or taking a vehicle somewhere it isn't allowed (see “Where you can drive”); a driver who isn't registered on the rental agreement; leaving the car unlocked or the key inside; lost keys; damage after an after-hours return; personal belongings; personal injury; traffic and parking fines.
Always get a report. Coverage only applies when the police or ForenSys make a report at the scene.
Adding a waiver. You can add a waiver during your rental. Once accepted, it can't be removed or refunded.
Credit card or home insurance. We don't accept coverage from your credit card or your own insurer in place of ours. If something happens, you pay us for the damage upfront and then arrange the claim with your card company or insurer back home. That claim is between you and them — we aren't part of it.
If a car is involved in an accident, leave it where it stopped until the police arrive, call 100 (police) and 165 (ForenSys, the incident registration service), then call us on +297 560-0776. No need to contact any insurance company yourself — we'll handle that side and help you out.
Where you can drive
- All vehicles: paved roads anywhere on Aruba, including the paved roads inside Arikok National Park.
- Jeep Wrangler only: you may also take the unpaved roads inside Arikok National Park, including the trail to Conchi (Natural Pool). Take it slowly — damage from hitting rocks is never covered.
- Not allowed with any vehicle: leaving the road or trail to drive on beaches, sand dunes or open terrain, and driving in seawater. The area behind the California Lighthouse is closed to our vehicles until further notice.
We take these rules seriously — they protect you, our vehicles and the island. If a vehicle is used against these terms, we may end the rental immediately and take the vehicle back, with no refund for the unused days. Any damage, recovery or cleaning costs that result are charged to the renter.
Cancellations
We don't have a strict cancellation policy. We simply ask that you be considerate and let us know as soon as your plans change, so we can offer the vehicle to someone else.
Liability
We keep our vehicles in careful, road-worthy condition. During the rental, the renter is responsible for the vehicle, including traffic and parking fines, and for damage caused by use that goes against these terms. To the extent permitted by Aruban law, we are not liable for indirect losses such as travel delays, or for personal belongings left in the vehicle. These terms are governed by the laws of Aruba.
Questions
Email reservations@arawakcarrental.com or WhatsApp +297 560-0776 — we're happy to explain anything before you book.