After you have planned your vacation to Aruba, you may be wondering what to pack. To ensure that you don't experience any unwelcome surprises at either your departing airport or the Aruba Airport, make note of the guidelines in this article. The following is a convenient outline of what you can and cannot pack when traveling to Aruba and some added travel tips to make your vacation as enjoyable as possible.

First, make sure you pack all your important personal belongings such as travel documents, personal identification and medications in your carry-on luggage. Do not place locks on your carry-on baggage, as this could cause unnecessary delays when passing through screening.

Try to arrive at your departing airport three hours before the scheduled flight time. When you are ready to fly home, you must also allot approximately three hours for check-in and screening at the Aruba Airport, especially if your return flight is between 11 AM and 3 PM.

Due to recent concerns, liquids, gels and aerosols are no longer allowed in the carry-on baggage of all travelers on flights arriving to, traveling within or departing from the United States. Effective August 11, 2006, the following items must be placed in your checked baggage when traveling to Aruba, until further notice from the U.S. government:

All beverages and liquid food items such as yogurt

Skin lotions, creams or balms including suntan lotion and hand sanitizing products

Tooth Paste

Mouthwash

Shampoo

Hair gels and pomades

Hair spray or any other type of aerosol products

Liquid cosmetics such as lip gloss and mascara

Obviously, there are some exceptions to the restriction on liquids and gels. The following items are allowed in carry-on baggage when traveling to Aruba, but make note of the documentation and packaging that some items may require:

Prescription medicine - medication or dispenser must be properly marked with a professionally printed label or pharmaceutical label identifying the medication or the manufacturer's name. If for some reason you don't have a professionally printed label, you must obtain a doctor's note.

Non-prescription saline solution and eye care products (under 4 ounces per container)

Liquid insulin and dispensing products for diabetic passengers (under 5 ounces per container)must be properly marked with a professionally printed or pharmaceutical label identifying the medication or the manufacturer's name

Solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items including lipstick in a tube, solid deodorant and lip balm

Baby formula, milk and food - only allowed if a baby or small child is traveling with you

Gels, saline solutions or other liquids worn as detachable items used to augment portions of the body for medical or cosmetic reasonsincludes gel bras.

Duty free liquor, perfume and cosmetics items purchased within the airport terminal areas will given to you by the duty free operator after reclaiming your checked luggage.

If you are concerned about any item packed in your carry-on baggage, contact your travel agent or airline before arriving at the airport or simply ask personnel at the time of check-in. You can still place the above-mentioned restricted items in your checked baggage before proceeding to security screening.

It is also suggested that you try to minimize the amount of metal you wear. Large belt buckles, clothing with metal buttons, some jewelry and metal toed or heeled footwear can set off security checkpoint metal detectors. This will require additional searches, slowing you and other travelers down. Therefore, while you are waiting in line, it is recommended that place your keys, jewelry or watches, coins, belts and any other metal items in your carry-on baggage until you clear security. You will also be asked to remove your shoes at the checkpoint and place them in a tray to be x-rayed.

As was the case before the new regulations in August, electronic devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, cameras, CD and MP3 players are still allowed in carry-on luggage. However, be prepared to remove your laptop computer from its case and place it on the x-ray belt by itself. It is generally recommended to attach a name and contact information label to the bottom of your laptop in case any confusion arises passing through security. Also, it is still advised that you pack all film in your carry-on luggage. If you have any concerns about your film going through the x-ray system, you can request that it be hand-inspected by a security screener.

When planning your vacation to Aruba, it is also very important to note that effective January 8, 2007, the U.S. Government will require passports for all air and sea travel to and/or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Bermuda and The Bahamas. It is advised to allow six to eight weeks to process passport applications before your vacation to Aruba.